Why Manufacturing Industries are Rooting for Renewable Resources

Did you know that the manufacturing industry in India accounts for 41% of the country’s total energy consumption?

It’s quite a high number, and it reflects an even higher amount of carbon dioxide emissions. Given that the manufacturing sector is always growing, so is its energy consumption, which means our natural resources are steadily depleting. India is consuming coal, fuels, oil and natural gas rapidly, resources that are not only exhaustible, but that also produce a severe amount of pollution.

Luckily, this situation can be reversed, by systematically harnessing the vast potential of renewable energy, so that our future generations can live sustainably. Let us take a closer look at why the manufacturing sector in India is rooting for the use of renewable energy and what this could mean in the long run.

Sources of Renewable Energy

There are seven main sources of renewable energy: 

• Solar energy

• Wind energy

• Geothermal energy

• Hydroelectric power

• Tidal energy

• Biomass energy

Out of these seven, solar, wind, biomass, and hydroelectric power represent the way forward. Solar energy is by far the most popular and cost-effective source of renewable energy. It is widely used, very accessible and has wide industry applications. Biomass energy is versatile and can be used as a replacement for fossil fuels. 

Advantages of Renewable Energy For Manufacturing Industry

Switching to renewable energy presents the manufacturing industry with various advantages:

• Reduced operating costs along with lowered carbon emissions.

• Predictable and cost-effective finances for electricity-generation. 

• Reduced costs of maintenance and fuel.

• Investing the difference in efficient energy processes.

Uses of Renewable Energy for the Manufacturing Industry

The use of renewable energy can play a significant role in reducing the impact of industrial activities on nature. A few of the applications of using renewable energy are:

Generating Heat

Industrial heat plays a critical role in manufacturing processes, it makes up two-thirds of industrial energy demand and almost one-fifth of the global energy consumption. Biomass is now being used as a renewable alternative to fuel for heat generation, because of its low production and transportation costs. 

It is also locally available and makes a suitable heating substitution. Solar energy is also playing an important role in industrial heating applications. Small scale manufacturers are successfully using it as an effective renewable energy source.

Long Term Energy Security

The fluctuating prices of non-renewable sources, oil and fuel are unpredictable and this can prove difficult for factories that rely on these energy sources for operations. Using renewable sources provides stability and long term security. Renewable energy is cheaper, less harmful and the new face of a sustainable manufacturing sector.

Efficient Raw Material Processing

Turning raw materials into the finished goods is an energy intensive process for manufacturing industries. The use of a significant amount of oil and fuel represents a budgetary and ecological burden which can be offset by investing in renewable sources.

How Manufacturing Industries are Rooting for Renewable Resources

Manufacturers today are exploring new methods of using renewable resources that will encourage clean energy in the industry, and create an eco-friendly work environment. Manufacturers are now relocating manufacturing facilities closer to green power plants and making the switch to biomass, solar energy, and electrification for energy use. These plans bring with them the promise to optimise energy and provide clean power generation, taking us a step closer to green processes.

The HCCB Way

We at HCCB, place special emphasis on the use of renewable energy in our manufacturing and operations. 

• We meet 50% of our renewable energy requirements through clean renewable energy sources. 

• The practice of green manufacturing has enabled us to offset 46,500 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

• We intend to further reduce our emissions by 25% by the year 2030.

• And, 8 out of our 15 factories utilise nearly 50% of their energy from renewable sources.

Our efforts as part of the collective manufacturing industry in India will lead us to a gradual and steady transition of investing in energy efficiency and utilising renewable energy.