Understanding the link between Energy and Airpollution

1. Understanding the link between Energy
and Air pollution
RAMHARI POUDYAL, MSME, MSEEE, MIET
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY, U.K.

2. Air Pollution around the Globe
Modern Societies are highly energy - dependent
Huge challenge in the field of energy policy as it seeks to ensure the
security of its energy supply and address climate change
Global energy-related CO2 emissions rose by 1.4% in 2017, an increase
of 460 million tones (Mt), and reached a historic high of 32.5 Giga tones
WHO estimates that 3.5 million deaths each year due to air pollution
Air pollution is responsible for increases in cardiovascular diseases,
hospital admissions and mortality.
The IEA’s World Energy Outlook (WEO) special report 2016 highlights
the links between energy, air pollution, and population health.

3. Air Pollution around the Globe
Air pollution is the fourth largest human health risk
- 3.5 million premature deaths are linked to energy poverty
- Due to the use of biomass for cooking and kerosene for lighting
Air pollution related death in Nepal is 35,000 a year
According to the survey of Central Bureau of Statistics on climate
change and its health impacts, 19% households suffer from vector-borne
diseases and 21% from water-borne diseases.
According to the Environmental Performance Index, Nepal remains 149
among 180 countries in terms of air quality

4. Traditional energy source of Nepal

5. Global energy-related CO2 emissions
Many people resort to use diesel generators for power during the load shedding while hospitals and healthcare
clinics use these generators regularly. Running these backup generators increases the environmental pollution,
indoor pollution, and noise pollution
According to Associate Professor Bibek Baral of Kathmandu University “Diesel generators are throwing 1181
ton carbon Monoxide, 5378 ton nitrogen , P.S.-10 344 ton, sulphur Oxide 54 ton, black carbon 135 Ton and
Organic carbon 11 ton.” (Annapurna Post 2014).

6. Factors for CO2 Emission from Fuels
Source: UNEP, 2009
The emission factor for Nepal is 0.0014075 kg CO2/kWh of electricity
Fuel
Energy Basis
Kg/GJ
Mass Basis
Kg/GJ
Liquid Basis
Kg/litre
LPG 63.1 2984.63 1.61
Other Kerosene 71.9 3149.22 2.52
Oil Products Petrol/Diesel 74.1 3186.3 2.68
Residual Fuel oil 77.4 3126.96 2.94
Lubricant 73.3 2946.66 2.95
Other petroleum
Product
73.3 2946.66
Coal Lignite 101 1201.9
Biomass Wood 112 1747.2
Charcoal 112 3304
Other primary
solid biomass
fuels, Rice Husk
100 1160

7. Classification of Pollutants
Direct Pollutants
Lead (Pb)
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)
Sulphur Oxide (SOx)
Carbon Mono Oxide
(CO)
Some Particulate
Matter (PM) visible
smoke from diesel truck
and cars
Indirect Pollutants
Ozone
Some Particulate Matter
(PM in the atmosphere
from chemical reactions,
such as those involving
(NOx) , (SOx)
Global energy mix by 2040
Solar 10%
Energy
Efficiency
17%
Biogas
19%
Biomass
19%
Hydro 19%
waste - to -
energy 6%
Transport 4%
Bio-fuels 4%
Wind 2%

8. NOx
Acid Rain
Ground
level
ozone
Smog
Particles
Global
Warming
Toxic
Chemicals
Visibility
Impairment
Water
quality
detoriatition
Effects of Nitrogen Oxide (NOx)

9. World Oil Production and Price
PV solar generation globally has grown from 3 GW in 2003 to 219 GW in 2015.
 It is expected to reach 430 GW by 2018.
The wind generation is growing faster than the PV generation
 it increased from 39 GW in 2003 to 318 GW in 2013, and is predicted to reach about 600 GW
by 2018 [15].

10. Rise in temperature by one degree Celsius increases 4.4%cases of diarrhoea
One centimetre precipitation leads to 0.8% increase in diarrhoeal diseases.

11. Effects of Air Pollution
Global Warming
 Climate change is primarily
the consequence of the
burning of fossil fuels such as
coal, oil and natural gas. The
other form of energy sources
has indirect role in climate
change and global warming.
2,323 glacier lake have
been identified in Nepal. Out
of these, 20 lakes are
considered to be in danger of
bursting their banks (moo et.
al 2001)
Greenhouse Gas Effect
Scientist predicts that
earth’s mean surface
temperature will rise by
1.5 – 4.5 degree
centigrade by 2050 if
greenhouse gas continue
to rise at the present rate
Indoor Air Pollution
Burning the low quality
fuels has adverse impacts
on the health of rural
people, leading to the
death of more than 7,500
women and children each
year due to the indoor air
pollution [9].
The children are also
forced to spend plenty of
their time to collect the
energy resources, so they
are deprived of education.

12. Cost of Air pollution
Motor
Vehicles
49%
Utilities
27%
Industrial
Commercial
Residential
19%
All Other
sources
5%
Medical care
Damage to crop
Money and manpower for
disposal
Corrosion of metals and
soiling of building
Control device and research
development

13. Situation of Kathmandu Metro city
pollution Index 2018 ranked Kathmandu as the 5th most polluted city in the world.

14. Air Quality Index of Kathmandu
Anti Pollution Rally in Kathmandu Air Quality Index of Kathmandu
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
Air Quality Index of
Kathmandu

15. Air Quality Index of Kathmandu
Air quality index of US, Embassy, Kathmandu Air Quality Index of Kathmandu

16. Solutions – Renewable energy

17. Cost of AC/DC Transmission Lines

18. % of Electric Power Lost in T&D, 08 -12
Percentage of electric power lost in transmission and distribution from 2008 thru 2012 for several regions and
countries, including theft. The losses in developed regions like North America and the EU are largely due to
resistive losses in electrical equipment, but the high losses in regions like Latin America and countries like India
have a high component of theft in additional to losses due to technology.

19. Conclusion
1. Use Renewable electricity instead of coal and diesel
2. Use of eco-friendly vehicles instead of diesel/petrol engines
3. Use eco friendly mass transpiration - Electric Rail
4. Modification of industrial processes
5. Replace wood, coal by electricity and natural gas for cooking
6. Traffic management and replace the old vehicles
7. Establish Green belt
8. Health and Environment education about the impact of air pollution
9. Research and development work together with Engineer and health professional
10.Governments to create policy frameworks to catalyze the private sector
investments in the transition towards a low-carbon energy economy
11.Construction of appropriate building standards and cluster homes and
installations of industrial sites away from vulnerable areas

20. References
1. UNEP, 2009
2. moo et. al 2001
3. Picture credit Seto Pati, Nepali Times
4. International Energy Agency, 2017

21. Thank You for listening!
Any Questions?
rhpoudyal@gmail.com
847043@swansea.ac.uk