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Iron/Steel (approx. 50 GJ/ton). Similarly, while Solar PV is shorter economic cycles demanding faster returns
default and preferred choice to replace thermal power (gone are the days of 20 years payback periods) else
plants, the energy required to produce one tonne of incentives, policies, penalties, and offsets may fail to
electronic-grade silicon (approx. 7600 GJ/ton) is almost provide long term sustainable usage. However, these
15 times compared to iron in making of turbines. ingredients must be a catalyst to accelerate the energy
transition in the initial stages. Technology development
The initial energy transition journey may have to adopt (linear or rapid) and maturity phase requires policy
renewable sources; for example, green Hydrogen support to kick start the energy transitions, e.g. cost of
by water electrolysis route can utilise electricity bioethanol manufacturing is presently 30-40% higher
generated from renewable sources. But for being than the price at which ethanol is being sold in the
“GREEN” needs a holistic perspective in the long term market. Green Hydrogen currently costs approx three
seeking sustainable and low carbon energy sources. times than the blue Hydrogen. So, policy support to
Extending the logic further, the cost of pumped/battery incentivise green Hydrogen or bioethanol may help
storage and its energy maths in terms of material and accelerate the transitions.
losses at each stage of its flow – from generation to
storage to conversion needs to be accounted. Hence, Recommended Approach for Energy
energy transitions must consider a holistic life cycle Transition:
management to account for energy needs from the
cradle to the grave. From the industry perspective and professional
consultants’ lenses, a holistic approach to clients
Energy Transition Approach: across O&G, Metals, Mining, Infra, Power, etc. must be
provided. We need to keep these factors in mind and
Energy transition will systematically require the have a framework that helps clients achieve their vision
following phases. and roadmap for the energy transition to a low carbon
future or low carbon energy source.

Changes are indeed the most exciting playgrounds for
Review the visionaries, scientists, engineers and pioneers – but

Energy they take time; for example, it took the wood to Coal to
Density Oil-based, and then gas energy sources almost 80-100
Maths years each time to gain a 50% mix. Solar/wind/nuclear
are much recent and still in single or lower double %
regarding overall energy composition.
Storage Ensuring the It would be pertinent to note that this energy transition

| overall Carbon will be much faster and rapid and may take maybe 30
Transmission footprint years due to the exponential pace of technological
| across the innovation and advancement, maturity and a more
global collaborative effort unlike the past when it was
Distribution Value Chain more siloed and concentrated. While energy transition
may start in respective value chains, it requires a
cross value-chain approach across industries to reap
enhanced and overall benefit based on uniqueness.
Value chain in the energy transition process is a bit
complex. One needs to anticipate the shift in the value While modernisation is inevitable and maybe
chain that may occur either due to ongoing industrial linear or rapid due to disruptive technologies,
revolution or due to expected exponential maturity the focus will be on integrating the technological
in technology that may change the value-chain advancements with the old technology to ensure
landscape. Hence, it is necessary to adopt a strategy to low carbon footprint, including gas balance, steam
interconnect the various value chains, considering the balance, and energy balance.
current one’s anticipated changes.

Finally, we need to justify any transition with financials
and business case, keeping in mind the volatility and

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