The Asian Regional Energy Initiative of the IEI

Environmental Protection

Coffee processing – effluent treatment- cum-electricity generation:

The integration of environmentally-benign waste disposal with power generation has obvious benefits for the surrounding environment. It can also yield positive financial returns to the investor.  There are proven technologies for the anaerobic digestion of waste from coffee processing. Given the importance of coffee production to the South-Indian economy, it was considered useful to estimate the financial viability of investment in such a bioreactor. The biogas generated can be used for other energy services, while the effluent-discharge is rendered ecologically benign and water is recycled for non-potable uses.  An economic cost-benefit analysis of investment in such a scheme has therefore been made based on the case of a particular estate. Here, the profitability results from the replacement with biogas of a part of the diesel required for fuelling an electricity generator [Click here].

Environmental reform in the electricity sector: China and India:

A study of environmental impacts and their control in the electricity generation in China and India was carried out.  As Asia's largest and arguably most dynamic countries, their need for electricity has led to rapidly increasing generation capacity that has overridden environmental concerns.  Our study has developed an analytical framework consisting of: identification of environmental policies and regulations affecting electricity generation, assessment of problems faced when implementing these policies and regulations, and finally, recommendations for surmounting the barriers encountered.   [Click here].