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Tackling methane emissions key for climate change and energy security: IEA

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has commissioned a red mud powder producing unit at Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha, describing it as first of its kind in alumina industry tackling major environmental hazards. “The unique project of producing red mud powder has been commissioned in a fully mechanised and automatic plant. The system has been developed in-house after continuous research for more than three years,” a senior company official said in a statement on Tuesday. Giving details of the project, Mukesh Kumar, president and COO of VAL said the project which was commissioned last week is the first of its kind in the world and has been set up with a capital expenditure of around Rs. 50 crore. This will have advantages like savings in caustic consumption by 10-15 kg per tonne of alumina, minimising land requirement by 50 to 60 per cent, and doing away with wet red mud storage thereby eliminating environmental hazards, he said. The powdery red mud can easily be utilised in cement industry as well as in other Industries, Mr. Kumar said. Red mud is a waste from alumina industry and its disposal and utilisation has always been a matter of concern for environmentalists as well as alumina industry. Although, the alumina technology is more than 100 years old but no solution could be evolved by the industry to avoid storage of red mud slurry, sources said. As the slurry is alkaline in nature and its generation is nearly one and a half times of alumina, world over millions of tonnes of red mud is lying in various red mud ponds except in some countries where it is discharged into the sea. In any alumina refinery, a major portion of land is used for handling this waste. Although, red mud is rich in iron and titanium, no use could be made till now mainly due to presence of caustic soda. Looking into the serious nature of hazard such red mud ponds may have, MoEF has formed a special project only few months back as National Mission for Red Mud to sponsor and promote research in red mud utilisation, sources said.
has commissioned a red mud powder producing unit at Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha, describing it as first of its kind in alumina industry tackling major environmental hazards. “The unique project of producing red mud powder has been commissioned in a fully mechanised and automatic plant. The system has been developed in-house after continuous research for more than three years,” a senior company official said in a statement on Tuesday. Giving details of the project, Mukesh Kumar, president and COO of VAL said the project which was commissioned last week is the first of its kind in the world and has been set up with a capital expenditure of around Rs. 50 crore. This will have advantages like savings in caustic consumption by 10-15 kg per tonne of alumina, minimising land requirement by 50 to 60 per cent, and doing away with wet red mud storage thereby eliminating environmental hazards, he said. The powdery red mud can easily be utilised in cement industry as well as in other Industries, Mr. Kumar said. Red mud is a waste from alumina industry and its disposal and utilisation has always been a matter of concern for environmentalists as well as alumina industry. Although, the alumina technology is more than 100 years old but no solution could be evolved by the industry to avoid storage of red mud slurry, sources said. As the slurry is alkaline in nature and its generation is nearly one and a half times of alumina, world over millions of tonnes of red mud is lying in various red mud ponds except in some countries where it is discharged into the sea. In any alumina refinery, a major portion of land is used for handling this waste. Although, red mud is rich in iron and titanium, no use could be made till now mainly due to presence of caustic soda. Looking into the serious nature of hazard such red mud ponds may have, MoEF has formed a special project only few months back as National Mission for Red Mud to sponsor and promote research in red mud utilisation, sources said.

Tackling methane emissions key for climate change and energy security: IEA

## Methane Mitigation: A Dual Solution for Climate and Energy Stability

**International Energy Agency Highlights Critical Role of Methane Reduction in Addressing Global Energy Vulnerabilities**

In a significant report released today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has underscored the profound and interconnected importance of aggressively tackling methane emissions, not only as a crucial strategy in the fight against climate change but also as a potent tool for bolstering global energy security. The agency’s findings suggest that a concerted effort to reduce methane, a potent greenhouse gas, could offer a dual benefit, mitigating the worst impacts of climate change while simultaneously easing the strain on global energy markets, particularly in the face of geopolitical disruptions.

The report emphasizes that methane, while shorter-lived in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, possesses a significantly higher warming potential over a 20-year period. Its primary sources in the energy sector stem from leaks in oil and gas infrastructure, coal mining operations, and inefficiencies in natural gas production and transportation. The IEA posits that addressing these emissions is not merely an environmental imperative but a strategic economic and geopolitical necessity.

A key takeaway from the IEA’s analysis is the potential for methane mitigation to provide immediate relief to global energy supply challenges. The report implicitly references the ongoing volatility in energy markets, exacerbated by events such as the crisis in Iran, which has highlighted the fragility of global energy flows. By plugging leaks and improving operational efficiencies within the existing energy infrastructure, significant quantities of natural gas, which is predominantly methane, can be captured and brought to market. This not only reduces the release of a potent greenhouse gas but also increases the available supply of a critical energy resource, thereby potentially stabilizing prices and reducing reliance on volatile supply routes.

The IEA’s recommendations are concrete and actionable. They call for enhanced monitoring and measurement of methane emissions across the entire energy value chain, coupled with the implementation of stricter regulations and technological solutions to prevent and repair leaks. Investment in advanced detection technologies, such as satellite monitoring and ground-based sensors, is highlighted as a vital step in identifying emission sources effectively. Furthermore, the report advocates for the widespread adoption of best practices in operational management, including regular maintenance of pipelines and facilities, and the capture of methane that would otherwise be vented or flared.

The implications of this report are far-reaching. For governments, it presents a clear pathway to achieve ambitious climate targets while simultaneously enhancing energy independence and resilience. For energy companies, it offers an opportunity to improve operational efficiency, reduce financial losses from wasted product, and enhance their environmental credentials. For consumers, the potential for greater energy price stability and a more secure supply chain offers tangible benefits.

In conclusion, the IEA’s latest report serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against climate change and the pursuit of energy security are not mutually exclusive goals. By prioritizing the reduction of methane emissions, the international community can unlock a significant opportunity to address both challenges simultaneously. This strategic approach offers a pragmatic and impactful way to navigate the complexities of the current global energy landscape and build a more sustainable and secure future.

This article was created based on information from various sources and rewritten for clarity and originality.

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