Our economy needs glucose

Energy efficiency is the key element for global competitiveness. This was stated by the Chairman of SITE Association of Trade & Industry,Mohammad Irfan Moton in a message at a seminar arranged at the Auditorium of the SITE Association, to highlight the importance of compressed air cost and industrial efficiency.
Chairman, Mohammad Irfan Moton said that Compressed air generation accounts for approximately 10% of all the electricity used in industry. With energy costs only set to increase further plus a growing requirement for sustainable manufacturing, companies are increasingly looking for new technologies to help lower their energy costs –and their carbon footprint. It is a matter of life and death for Pakistani manufacturing sector to control its energy cost if it is to retain its position in exports. He appreciated the organizers for bringing in sharp focus this important aspect of cost control. Chris Gold worthy, the Comp Air compressor expert, gave a lecture on the selection and use of air compressors and detailed the factors which control life time ownership costs of air compressor installations. Chris threw light on the selection criteria for air compressors, service and spares considerations, efficient piping systems, pressure, filtration and humidity requirements peculiar to each installation. New, energy efficient technologies, like variable speed compressors, oil free water lubricated compressors and Quantima Oil Free Turbo compressors were introduced to the audience, who took keen interest in the presentation.
Chris said that it is possible to achieve up to a 30% reduction in its compressed air energy costs by judicious selection of compressed air equipment like air compressors, dryers, filters, piping layout and piping materials. He further said that it is important to monitor the compressed system on a regular basis, so as to identify and control those areas of the installation where air losses occur. He highlighted that running the compressors at higher than needed pressures will increase energy consumption un-necessarily. Also, machines which run on air, like air-jet weaving and air motors, start leaking air, their efficiency goes down while air starts to be wasted. The Seminar was organized by Pakistan’s leading air compressor distributor, Rastgar & Co who distributes CompAir, Quantima, Hydrovane and Reavell compressors in Pakistan since the last 32 years.

The power sector of the country has been given top priority under the development programme of the current fiscal year (2012-13) to help overcome the energy crisis and lead the economy towards sustainable growth.
The government would spend Rs.145.151 billion on the development of power sector whereas Rs.47.192 billion would be utilized for water sector development, official sources said.
The mega projects of power sector include Diamer Basha Dam (Rs.8 billion) and Chashma Nuclear Power Project (C-3/C-4) (Rs 35 billion), they said adding in addition, an amount of Rs.115 billion would be invested by WAPDA from its own resources, they added. The government under Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) will provide Rs.26,806 million for Neelum Jhelum Hydropower project, Rs.7,187 million for Tarbela fourth extension hydel project, Rs.3,859 million for Dubir Khawar Hydro Power project, Rs.2,173 million for Allai Khawar Hyrdro Power project, Rs.1,032 million for Jinnah Hydro Power project and Rs.6,195 million for Golan Gol Hydro Power project. Similarly, during the current year Rs.12,460 million will be spent for the 747 MW (CCPP) Guddu, Rs. 2,000 million for 425 NW combined Cycle Nandipur Power plant, Rs.10,500 million for 525 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at Chicho Ki Malian, Rs.1,142 million for transmission arrangements for power dispersal of Ghazi Barotha and Rs.15 million for National Awareness Campaign on Energy and Environment Protection. On the other hand, the government will provide Rs.47 billion for water sector development, which is 13% of the total federal programme, official document revealed, adding adequate allocations have been made for Raising of Mangla Dam Resettlement, Satpara Multipurpose Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Kachhi Canal (Phase-1), Rainee Canal (Phase-1), Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation & Drainage Sindh, Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD (RBOD-III), Extension of Right Bank Outfall Drain from Sehwan to Sea (RBOD-II), and Lining of Distributaries and Minors in Punjab and Sindh. The government would provide Rs.6,000 million for raising of Mangla Dam,Rs.2,400 million each for Kacchi Canal (Phase-1) and extension of Right Bank Outfall Drain, Rs.2,000 million for Rainee Canal (Phase-1), Rs 500 million for Kurrum Tangi Dam and Rs.2,000 million for Nai Gaj Dam.