UPSC GS 3
World Energy Outlook 2024
- News: India is poised to experience more energy demand growth than any other country over the next decade according to World Energy Outlook 2024 by the International Energy Agency.
- World Energy Outlook 2024:
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- The World Energy Outlook 2024 is an annual publication by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
- Recognized as a leading global reference for energy analysis and projections.
- It examines major trends in energy demand and supply, offering insights into their implications for energy security, emissions, and economic development.
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- Key Findings of the 2024 Report:
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- Emerging Global Energy Landscape:
- The world is entering a new energy phase, marked by persistent geopolitical risks along with an abundance of diverse fuels and technologies.
- A surplus of oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is expected to emerge in the latter half of the 2020s.
- Manufacturing capacity for key clean energy technologies is projected to grow substantially.
- Transition to Low-Emission Energy Sources:
- By 2030, over half of the world’s electricity is expected to come from low-emission sources.
- Demand for coal, oil, and natural gas is forecast to reach its peak by the end of this decade.
- Global electricity demand is expected to increase significantly, with the annual growth equivalent to Japan’s current electricity consumption.
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- Highlights for India:
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- Rising Energy Demand:
- India is set to experience the most significant growth in energy demand globally over the next decade, driven by its size and increasing consumption across various sectors.
- Transport Sector Expansion:
- As part of the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), India is on course to add more than 12,000 cars to its roads every day through 2035.
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- Construction and Urbanization:
- Built-up area in India is projected to increase by over 1 billion square meters annually, surpassing the total built space of South Africa.
- Industrial Growth:
- By 2035, the production of iron and steel is expected to rise by 70%.
- Cement output is forecast to grow by almost 55%.
- Air Conditioner Usage:
- The stock of air conditioners is projected to expand more than 4.5 times by 2035.
- Electricity demand from air conditioners in 2035 is anticipated to exceed Mexico’s total electricity consumption for that year.
- Overall Energy Demand and Generation:
- India’s total energy demand is expected to increase by nearly 35% by 2035.
- Electricity generation capacity is forecast to almost triple, reaching 1,400 GW by 2035.
- Coal’s Role in the Energy Mix:
- Coal will continue to play a significant role in India’s energy landscape, with about 60 GW of new coal-fired capacity expected by 2030.
- Coal-based electricity generation is forecast to grow by more than 15%.
- In 2023, coal contributed 40% of the energy used in industries like steel, cement, and manufacturing. By 2035, coal use in these sectors is projected to rise by 50%.
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Brown Dwarf
- News: Scientists have puzzled over the object known as Gliese 229B, the first known brown dwarf discovered 30 years ago.
- Brown Dwarf:
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- Brown dwarfs are often referred to as “failed stars” because they are more massive than gas giant planets but less massive than stars.
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- Features:
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- Size and Structure:
- Their size falls between that of a giant planet like Jupiter and a small star.
- These objects accumulate material similarly to stars rather than following planetary formation processes.
- Atmospheric Composition:
- Brown dwarfs can have atmospheric clouds formed from hot precipitates.
- Unlike Earth’s water clouds, the clouds in brown dwarf atmospheres consist of hot silicate particles.
- Element Retention and Composition:
- They retain lighter elements like hydrogen and helium more efficiently than planets.
- Brown dwarfs have relatively low metal content compared to stars.
- Lack of Nuclear Fusion:
- They do not possess sufficient mass to ignite nuclear fusion at their cores, preventing them from producing starlight.
- This inability to sustain nuclear fusion is the reason they are labeled as “failed stars.”
- Distinction from Stars:
- Unlike stars, brown dwarfs cannot achieve stable luminosity through the thermonuclear fusion of normal hydrogen.
- However, both stars and brown dwarfs generate energy by fusing deuterium (a rare isotope of hydrogen) during their first few million years.
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INS Samarthak
- News: The Indian Navy marked a significant milestone with the launch of INS Samarthak.
- INS Samarthak: INS Samarthak is the first of two Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs) developed for the Indian Navy.
- Design and Development:
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- It was designed and built domestically by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipyard at Kattupalli, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
- This vessel serves as a versatile, multi-role platform aimed at aiding the Navy in testing and developing next-generation weapons and sensors.
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- Capabilities and Roles:
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- INS Samarthak is engineered to perform a range of critical functions, including:
- Maritime surveillance and patrolling
- Launching and recovery of surface and aerial targets
- Humanitarian assistance operations
- Addressing marine pollution
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- Dimensions and Performance:
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- It is 107 meters long, with a width of 18.6 meters, and a displacement exceeding 3,750 tonnes.
- The vessel is capable of reaching a top speed of 15 knots.
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- L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard:
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- Located in Ennore, approximately 45 km north of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, this shipyard is among India’s most advanced shipbuilding and repair facilities.
- The yard is equipped with a shiplift, dry berths, and wet berths, enabling it to handle multiple projects simultaneously, including both new construction and repairs.
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- Ongoing Projects and Collaborations: Apart from the two MPVs, the Kattupalli Shipyard is currently building:
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- Three Cadet Training Ships
- Six additional defence vessels for the Indian Navy through a Public-Private Partnership model
- The shipyard is also involved in international repair projects, such as working on the US Navy’s vessel, Charles Drew, under a Master Ship Repair Agreement.
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African Penguin
- News: Artificial nests can enhance the breeding success of endangered African penguins, a new study by an international team of researchers from South Africa and the United Kingdom has found.
- Appearance:
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- The African penguin features a distinctive black stripe and a pattern of unique black spots on its chest.
- It has pink glands located above its eyes, which become more pronounced as the penguin’s body temperature rises.
- Males are larger than females and possess bigger beaks.
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- Habitat:
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- Typically found within 40 kilometers of the coastline, it comes ashore to coastal habitats for breeding, molting, and resting.
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- Distribution:
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- The species breeds along the African mainland, ranging from Hollams Bird Island in Namibia to Bird Island in Algoa Bay, South Africa.
- It naturally nests in burrows dug into guano deposits, which provide protection from extreme heat.
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- Diet and Lifespan:
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- African penguins feed primarily on pelagic schooling fish, with sardines and anchovies forming a significant part of their diet.
- In the wild, their average lifespan is approximately 20 years.
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- Conservation Status:
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- IUCN Status: Endangered
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Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary
- News: The standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has cleared five key road stretches — four passing through the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Location:
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- Situated in the union territory of Ladakh, along its border with Jammu and Kashmir.
- It lies north of Hemis National Park and east of Deosai National Park.
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- Landscape and Climate:
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- Known for its diverse terrain, including snow-clad peaks, alpine meadows, and deep ravines.
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- Climate:
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- In elevated regions, the average temperature during the warmest month can be below 0°C.
- In other areas, temperatures remain below 10°C even in warmer months.
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- Major Peaks: Significant peaks within the sanctuary include:
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- Saltoro Kangri
- Saser Kangri I
- K12
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- Rivers: The Shyok and Nubra Rivers are the primary water sources within the sanctuary.
- Vegetation: Features a variety of cold desert flora, alpine vegetation, medicinal plants, endemic species, and glacier vegetation.
- Fauna: Ural, the argali, Tibetan gazelle, Siberian ibex, the bharal (blue sheep), and the snow leopard, Tibetan antelope (chiru) and Bactrian cameletc.
- Flora: Broad-leaved shrubs namely the Rosia webbiana, Ephedra, Caragianae