Poor Isaac Newton had the misfortune of not only and apple falling on his head but also the curiosity and genius to wonder why. As a result, civilisation is blessed with his theories on the laws of gravity. There is an old Chinese proverb “Only fools learn from their own experiences”. The corollary apt for India is “Idiots do not learn even from their own experiences”. Education teaches that experience well validated by logical scientific theories and laws is easy to understand and appreciate. This is the basis of formal scientific learning in a university where a young student is taught the logic and theories of the experiences of hundred of years, in a condensed curriculum over a few years. With this background, try selling a new concept in India. The more educated and the more senior a person is, the greater are the barriers. India is without doubt one of the most energy inefficient countries in the world. Our per-capita consumption of, say petroleum energy per unit of product is much higher than the developed world in almost every sector – steel, cement, glass transportation, power generation, etc. Needless to say our pollution levels which are in a way related to this energy inefficiency are also much higher than the developed world. The steps so far addressed for fuel conservation only cover the important but peripheral areas such as preventing leakages and spillages, training of drivers, etc. The real vital technology areas covering fuel quality, combustion technologies, heat recovery systems, furnace design, improved insulation, improved process technologies and management have only been marginally addressed by selected professional organisations; an a large number of industries are still unconcerned for which the nation pays very very dearly. The attitude to improved management of technology is also strange. For example, in a large process industry with a project cost of Rs. 150 crores, there could be an investment of Rs. 30 crores on a 10 MW captive power generation plant. The operation and maintenance of a captive power plant like a diesel generating set involves several mechanical engineering skills. Typically, on board a ship, a similar engine used as prime mover, is operated and maintained by a team of 20 to 30 well equipped marine engineers, trained in the multiple disciplines with which the use of large diesel engines is related. On the other hand, the same Rs. 30 crores investment in a large process industry is operated and maintained by a lowly skilled electrical engineer, primarily because his role is envisaged only as one of intensive liaison with the State Electricity Boards. In any country, evolution of a good communication system, a good and efficient transport system are considered measures of economic development and change from the “developing country” status to the “developed country” status. We have ourselves seen in India the evolution of the communication system which without doubt has added significantly to the convenience of infrastructure. The transport industry also constitutes a major part of this evolution and we are perhaps in the process of this change. With improved engine designs, fuel quality also naturally has a very important role. In the developed countries, the importance of fuel quality has also been considered to be a measure of economic and technological evolution. Fuel quality has a vital bearing on fuel efficiency and pollution levels. But try introducing the philosophy of better fuel quality, sourced from any of the best technological companies in the world, to the users in India and the resistance is high with only one question, “Has it been proven in India”. To prove it in India, one goes through exhaustive evaluation in excellent research environment such as IITs, the Telco Research Centre, the oil industry research establishments, etc. The next question is to prove it not in a research environment but in field operating conditions. One runs about to find a few heroes amongst the millions of cynics and makes a field evolution in a number of diesel generator sets and transport fleet owners. The next question is to prove it on engines of the same make. This also done. The next question is to prove it in similar operating conditions. Perhaps the best way to introduce new concepts in India is to get first into the apple business. Let us hope that apples falling on more and more heads directly will at least help in appreciating the genius of poor Mr. Newton. q |
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