READER RESPONSE DRAFT #4

In the article "How can Southeast Asia’s (SEA) clean energy transition be sped up?" (Daubach, 2019), Daubach mentions that a single solution that tackles all problems is not sufficient to hasten the process to a clean energy future. Moniz states that the region must deploy a wide range of low-carbon technologies and solutions for electricity generation, storage and transfer. According to Chapman (2013), nuclear fusion is free of emission and uses little land. However, nuclear fusion facilities cannot produce electricity on a commercial scale. Daubach also references Wong, who said 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. In addition, he declares 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.

Based on the points explored in the article, it seems that SEA countries has great potential in adopting clean energy. However, Daubach could have elaborated more on the progress that SEA countries have already made in moving towards sustainable energy because of its increased demand in energy due to its growing population and climate change.

SEA has implemented policies to help with energy demand as it increases due to its significant population growth. Experts Saha et al.(2003) proclaim 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. According to researchers Thavasi and Ramakrishna  (2009), SEA has already created a robust energy policy and invested a large amount to clean and sustainable energy programs. Experts Mujiyanto et al. (2013) also state that Indonesia has a population growth rate of 1.9% and 238 million in 2010, and growth continues to increase. The population is estimated to be around 265 million by 2020 and 306 million by 2050. They also suggest the consumption of domestic energy will triple by 2030 from 2010.

SEA is combating climate change by looking for alternate sources of energy. Coal by far has been the most polluting fossil fuel because it releases large quantities of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon dioxide and other pollutants during burning (Haines et al., 2007). 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, said experts Thavasi and Ramakrishna (2009). To add on, the combination of alternative sources, renewables and fossil fuels in the energy mix are favourable options to halt irreversible global climate change. Experts (Gunerhan et al., 2009), claim energy efficiency and renewable energy resources could provide a more cost effective and safer way to help with climate change. He also claims that enhancing the security of energy and establishing long-term sustainable energy development would further help in climate change.

SEA encounters problems while coping with its energy demand. Researchers (Thavasi V., Ramakrishna S., 2009), comment that for example, Vietnam has 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 and the price of electricity to a consumer is influenced by fuel mix and related costs, government subsidies, and other costs.

To conclude, SEA has viable individual solutions to combat climate change and satisfy its energy demand due to its growing population by overcome political and economic challenges and by sharing its technology and knowledge.

References

Daubach, T. (2019, July 19). How can Southeast Asia's clean energy transition be sped up? Eco Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/how-can-southeast-asias-clean-energy-transition-be-sped-up/Erdiwansyah, Ramat, R., San,i 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, S. (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