Reader Response Draft #2
In the article "How can Southeast Asia’s (SEA) clean energy transition be sped up?" (Daubach,2019). Daubac mentions that a single solution that tackles all problems is not sufficient to hasten the process to a clean energy future. Moniz also states that the region must deploy a wide range of low-carbon technologies and solutions for electricity generation, storage and transfer. Each country must also consider its own challenges and opportunities. According to another expert that Daubac quoted, nuclear fusion is free of emission and uses little land. Nuclear waste also decays faster. However, nuclear fusion facilities cannot produce electricity on a commercial scale. Wong proclaims that new energy sources must be taken into consideration and the reduction of energy while maintaining the same lifestyle. He also notes that delivering chilled water from central facilities to buildings uses 42% less energy than standard air-conditioning systems. It is also said that if the ASEAN region fails to reduce or stop using coal, millions of people might lose their homes to rising seas and livelihoods will be at risk as decreased water flow from Himalayan glaciers trigger water shortages on a large scale due to global warming from increased production of carbon emissions.
SEA countries should turn to sustainable energy because of its increased demand in energy due to its growing population and climate change.
Some experts also say that ASEAN countries like Burma, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam has fueled the demand for energy because of their rapid and strong economic growth. It is also noted that energy demand of Asia will grow twice as much by 2030 due to the increase in population and rapid level of urbanization and industrialization. To add on, the mix up of alternative sources, renewables and fossil fuels in the overall energy mix are promising options to mitigate the thread of irreversible global climate change.
SEA has already created a robust energy policy and invested a large amount to clean and sustainable energy programs. As the standard of living increases, so does the energy demand in Asia. Coal by far has been the most polluting fossil fuel because it releases large quantities of SO2, NOx, particulate matter, CO2 and other pollutants during burning. Combining the hydro-based northern ASEAN, the coal and the oil-based southern ASEAN through a common electricity transmission grid could produce energy stability and reduce carbon emissions. For example, Vietnam has a huge hydropower potential and their excess hydropower could be exported to other countries of the region. However, technical and political barriers have to be overcome to make such a thing possible. Another problem that arises is that financing of the power grid interconnection project in the Asia region. The price of electricity to a consumer is also influenced by fuel mix and related costs, government subsidies, and other costs.
Another group of experts also states the consumption of domestic energy will triple by 2030 from 2010. In Indonesia, it is said that a policy of renewable energy is aimed to be optimised at a national level in 2025. It is also aimed at reduce the dependency on oil, gas, and coal. This policy aims to maximise the use of sustainable energy sources at a national level. .
Erdiwansyah, Ramat R., Sani M.S.M., Sudhaka K. (2019, June 20). Renewable energy in Southeast Asia: Policies and recommendations Science of The Total Environment. Science of The Total Environment, 670, 1095-1102. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969719312653?casa_token=wKTEaAfYPMoAAAAA:hEQ7C4YgfjDs_3EDp2c5UOyNM3zqSfPUimUo0NSR_x45mfhYgGmjbLLx1g1TLoT2l-Yk2GSfWZNw
Thavasi V., Ramakrishna S. (2009, November 1). Asia energy mixes from socio-economic and environmental perspectives. Energy Policy, 37(11), 4240-4250. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421509003449?casa_token=aTBTOyLMKmMAAAAA:0SXwNZVHfExLbWxlFjxbJFP48NpWK5MkJaQIbqMcuHhTzt4BIMM3lIO8FrrBjq20qKVWRQqXiJJx
Kumar Subhash (2016, February 1). Assessment of renewables for energy security and carbon mitigation in Southeast Asia: The case of Indonesia and Thailand. Applied energy, 163, 63-70. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261915014609?casa_token=mNbR7B2qHtAAAAAA:bhDGzCayFevAEMiy7v6B6eDbghfAwEtjD_Oz-iF0ZYDSX-aEg3KEP3IGgsbBZNfTmtPzWccOEM0y
I look forward to seeing draft #2.
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