Daily Prelims Notes 20 August 2022

August 20, 2022
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

Daily Prelims Notes

20 August 2022

Table Of Contents

Subject :Economy

Section: Infrastraucture

Context:The National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) has banned discoms of Telangana from participating in the day ahead market with the Indian Energy Exchange (IEX) for procuring energy on the grounds of non-payment of dues to Gencos despite making payments.

Concept:

National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC)

It is constituted as per Ministry of Power (MOP) notification under Section 26 of the Electricity Act 2003
It is the apex body to ensure integrated operation of the national power system.
The main functions assigned to NLDC are:
- Supervision Over the Regional Load Despatch Centers.
- Scheduling and dispatch of electricity over the inter-regional links in accordance with grid standards specified by the authority and grid code specified by Central Commission in coordination with Regional Load Despatch Centers.
- Coordination with Regional Load Despatch Centers for achieving maximum economy and efficiency in the operation of National Grid.
- Monitoring of operations and grid security of the National Grid.
- Supervision and control over the inter-regional links as may be required for ensuring stability of the power system under its control.
- Coordination with Regional Power Committees for regional outage schedule in the national perspective to ensure optimal utilization of power resources.
- Coordination with Regional Load Despatch Centers for the energy accounting of inter-regional exchange of power.
- Coordination for restoration of synchronous operation of national grid with Regional Load Despatch Centers.
- Coordination for trans-national exchange of power.
- Providing Operational feedback for national grid planning to the Authority and Central Transmission Utility.
- Levy and collection of such fee and charges from the generating companies or licensees involved in the power system, as may be specified by the Central Commission.
- Dissemination of information relating to operations of transmission system in accordance with directions or regulations issued by the Central Government from time to time.

The Indian Energy Exchange (IEX)

Power Exchanges provide the market participants a platform with multiple avenues for buying-selling of power and hence manage their power portfolios efficiently.
Indian Energy Exchange is the first and largest energy exchange in India providing a nationwide, automated trading platform for physical delivery of electricity, Renewable Energy Certificates and Energy Saving Certificates.
India Energy Exchange enables participants to purchase electricity for the same day through intra-day contracts, for the next day through day-ahead contingency, on daily basis for rolling seven days through daily contracts, and on weekly basis through weekly contracts to manage their electricity portfolio for different durations.
It is an Indian electronic system based power trading exchange regulated by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).
IEX started its operations on 27 June 2008.
The exchange platform enables efficient price discovery and increases the accessibility and transparency of the power market in India while also enhancing the speed and efficiency of trade execution.
The Exchange is a publicly listed company with NSE and BSE.
Indian Energy Exchange pioneered the development of power trading in India and provides an electronic platform to the various participants in the power market, comprising State Electricity Boards, Power producers, Power Traders and Open Access Consumers (both Industrial & Commercial).
IEX is one of the two operational Power Exchanges in India.
Product Segments:
- Day-Ahead Market (DAM)
  - Launched in June 2008, in this segment, participants transact electricity on a 15-minutes block basis, a day prior to the delivery of electricity.
  - Both buyers and sellers submit their anonymous bids electronically during the market bid session and matching of bids are done on a double-sided auction mechanism with a uniform market clearing price.
- Term-Ahead Market (TAM)
  - Launched in September 2009, contracts under TAM cover a range for buying/selling electricity for a duration up to 11 days.
  - It enables participants to purchase electricity for the same day through intra-day contracts, for the next day through day-ahead contingency, on a daily basis for rolling seven days through daily contracts, and on a weekly basis through weekly contracts to manage their electricity portfolio for different durations.
- Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)
  - Launched in February 2011, the Renewable Energy Certificate market facilitates transactions in environmental attributes.
  - The Renewable Energy (RE) generator can opt to get RECs against the green attributes of their generation.
  - These generators can sell RECs through the exchange. On the other hand, the obligated entities-distribution companies, captive plants and open access consumers may opt to purchase RECs to fulfil their Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).
  - The renewable energy generators are able to sell electricity to distribution companies at their average power purchase cost, utilize the same for captive consumption, or sell it to third parties while selling the environmental attribute of the renewable electricity through RECs. The REC Market offers both solar and non-solar RECs
- Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts)
  - ESCerts are the tradable certificates under the Perform, Achieve, Trade (PAT) Scheme of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a market-based mechanism to incentivise energy efficiency in large energy-intensive industries.
  - IEX became the first and only Power Exchange to commence trading in ESCerts on 26 September 2017.

Power System Operation Corporation

Power System Operation Corporation Limited (POSOCO) is a CPSE under the jurisdiction of Ministry of Power, Government of India.
It is responsible to monitor and ensure round the clock integrated operation of Indian Power System in a reliable, efficient and secure manner thus serving a mission critical activity.
It consists of 5 Regional Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs) and the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC).
Various apps like Vidyut Pravah, Merit, etc. developed by POSOCO are being used for dissemination of real time information about Indian Power System in public domain for bringing transparency in electricity market operation

2. Which oils to use and how much: Do’s and don’ts of consuming fats

Subject : science and technology

Section: Health

Context :Too much fat will burn our liver and heart very soon, given our lifestyle of little physical activity and uncontrolled diet.

On quantity, there is relatively less debate: about 3-4 teaspoons should be consumed daily, including the oil used in cooking. An entirely oil-free diet will do harm in the long run, since essential fatty acids in oils are required by the body.

Good Fat

Monounsaturated fat (oleic acid)

Studies showed that one component of fats, monounsaturated fat (oleic acid), when consumed instead of other fats, was highly effective in reducing blood fats and medication in patients with diabetes.
Source –
- While this type of fat is abundant in olive oil and canola oil, we in India have used a similar oil, mustard, for centuries.
- Other rich sources of monounsaturated fat are avocados, pistachios, walnuts, almonds and sesame.

Polyunsaturated fat

The second type of ‘good’ fat is polyunsaturated fat — one example is omega-3 fatty acids, of which fish are a rich source.
Unfortunately, there are not many vegetarian sources of these good fats — walnuts, mustard oil, soybean, sesame, peanuts, canola oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds contain relatively small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.

Bad Fat: Saturated Fat

The intake of saturated fats carries an extremely high risk of arterial clogging and heart attacks, even though some recent opinions vary.
A particularly adverse component of saturated fats is palmitic acids, a major component of palm oil and dairy ghee, which could, besides acutely increasing the risk of heart disease, also lead to the growth of cancer cells.
All saturated fats get deposited in the liver, causing its shrinkage (fibrosis and cirrhosis)
Source–
- Ghee, coconut oil and Palm oil
- Dairy ghee is replete with saturated fats (60%-80%) and palmitic acid.
- Coconut oil, which is widely used in the southern states, too is rich in saturated fats and palmitic acids. It has been found to raise bad blood cholesterol (LDL), the prime determinant of artery blockages, in six out of seven good studies done till date.
- Bhujias and chips that are widely available in India are made in saturated fat-laden palm oil

Worst Fat: Trans fats

One up on saturated fat for increasing heart and liver risks are trans fatty acids
High amounts of trans fatty acids (which make up 30%-40% of some oils) are highly injurious to the heart, liver, pancreas, and blood arteries. Indeed, this is the most damaging component of oil. Research shows that if we reheat foods at high temperatures in any oil, the levels of trans fatty acids increase by 100%-200%. These cooking practices are common in Indian households, and are uniformly adopted by street vendors and most food establishments.
Source –
- Vegetable ghee — vanaspati and similar oils. (Vanaspati ghee is partially hydrogenated vegetable oil made from vegetable sources; it is different from dairy ghee.)
- Margarine , bakery items, & in baked & fried foods.

Efforts to reduce their intake:

National:
- FSSAI launched a “Trans Fat Free” logo for voluntary labelling to promote TFA-free products. The label can be used by bakeries, local food outlets and shops for preparations containing TFA not exceeding 2 per 100 g/ml.
- FSSAI launched a new mass media campaign “Heart Attack Rewind” to eliminate industrially produced trans fat in the food supply by the year 2022.
  - “Heart Attack Rewind” is a follow-up to an earlier campaign called “Eat Right”, which was launched in July, 2018.
    - Edible oil industries took a pledge to reduce the levels of salt, sugar, saturated fat and trans fat content by 2% by 2022 from the current levels of 5%.
    - Swasth Bharat Yatra, an initiative started under the “Eat Right” campaign is a Pan-India cyclothon to engage citizens on issues of food safety, combating food adulteration and healthy diets.
  - Global:
    - WHO launched a REPLACE campaign in 2018 for global-level elimination of trans-fats in industrially produced edible oils by 2023.

3. How to destroy a ‘forever chemical’ PFAS

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context Scientists discovering ways to eliminate perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but this growing global health problem isn’t going away soon

What are PFAS chemicals?

PFAS chemicals seemed like a good idea at first. As Teflon, they made pots easier to clean starting in the 1940s. They made jackets waterproof and carpets stain-resistant.
Food wrappers, firefighting foam, even make-up seemed better with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Bad Effects

Then tests started detecting PFAS in people’s blood.
Today, PFAS are pervasive in soil, dust and drinking water around the world. Studies suggest they’re in 98 per cent of Americans’ bodies, where they’ve been associated with health problems including thyroid disease, liver damage and kidney and testicular cancer. There are now over 9,000 types of PFAS.
They’re often referred to as “forever chemicals” because the same properties that make them so useful also ensure they don’t break down in nature.

Solution

The latest breakthrough, published August 18, 2022, in the journal Science, shows how one class of PFAS can be broken down into mostly harmless components using sodium hydroxide, or lye, an inexpensive compound used in soap. It isn’t an immediate solution to this vast problem, but it offers new insight.

How do PFAS get from everyday products into water, soil and eventually humans?

There are two main exposure pathways for PFAS to get into humans — drinking water and food consumption.
PFAS can get into soil through land application of biosolids, that is, sludge from wastewater treatment, and can they leach out from landfills. If contaminated biosolids are applied to farm fields as fertilizer, PFAS can get into water and into crops and vegetables.
For example, livestock can consume PFAS through the crops they eat and water they drink.
The problem is that these chemicals are everywhere, and there is no natural process in water or soil that breaks them down.Many consumer products are loaded with PFAS, including makeup, dental floss, guitar strings and ski wax.

How are remediation projects removing PFAS contamination now?

Methods exist for filtering them out of water. The chemicals will stick to activated carbon, for example. But these methods are expensive for large-scale projects, and you still have to get rid of the chemicals.

What are the most promising methods scientists have found for breaking down PFAS?

The most common method of destroying PFAS is incineration, but most PFAS are remarkably resistant to being burned. That’s why they’re in firefighting foams.
PFAS have multiple fluorine atoms attached to a carbon atom, and the bond between carbon and fluorine is one of the strongest. Normally to burn something, you have to break the bond, but fluorine resists breaking off from carbon.
Most PFAS will break down completely at incineration temperatures around 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit), but it’s energy intensive and suitable incinerators are scarce.
A group at Battelle has developed supercritical water oxidation to destroy PFAS. High temperatures and pressures change the state of water, accelerating chemistry in a way that can destroy hazardous substances. However, scaling up remains a challenge.

4. Kerala did virtually nothing for Endosulfan victims for 5 years: SC

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

Context :The Supreme Court has slammed the Kerala government for doing “virtually nothing” for Endosulfan pesticide exposure victims. The court said the State’s inaction was “appalling” and amounted to a breach of the apex court’s 2017 judgment, which had ordered the State to pay ₹5 lakh each to the victims in three months.

Concept:

Endosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide that is being phased out globally.
It became a highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor.
Because of its threats to human health and the environment, a global ban on the manufacture and use of endosulfan was negotiated under the Stockholm Convention in April 2011.
- The ban has taken effect in mid-2012, with certain uses exempted for five additional years.
- More than 80 countries, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, several West African nations, the United States, Brazil, and Canada had already banned it or announced phase-outs by the time the Stockholm Convention ban was agreed upon.
- It is still used extensively in India, China despite laws banning it, and few other countries.
  - It is produced by Makhteshim Agan and several manufacturers in India and China.
  - In India, a 2011 Supreme Court order has banned its production and sale until further notice.

Uses

Endosulfan has been used in agriculture around the world to control insect pests including whiteflies, aphids, leafhoppers, Colorado potato beetles and cabbage worms.
Due to its unique mode of action, it is useful in resistance management; however, as it is not specific, it can negatively impact populations of beneficial insects.
It is, however, considered to be moderately toxic to honey bees, and it is less toxic to bees than organophosphate insecticides.

Hazardous Effects of Endosulfan

It is highly toxic & has a large potential for bioaccumulation (substance does not leave the body).
It has hazardous effects on human genetic & endocrine systems.
Endocrine disruptor: enhances the effect of estrogens causing reproductive & developmental damage in both animals & humans.
- Delayed reproductive development
- Late sexual maturity
- Autism
Neurotoxic: endosulfan destroys the integrity of the nerve cells.

Endosulfan in India –

India was one of the biggest producers & consumers of endosulfan.
After the toxicity of the pesticide came into limelight in 2001 in Kasargod District, Kerala banned it.
In 2011, SC banned the production, distribution & use of endosulfan in India.
SC also directed the Kerala government to pay Rs 500 crores as compensation to over 5,000 victims.
Globally, the use of endosulfan is banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
- Endosulfan is listed under both Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
Under pressure from pesticide firms, India sought remission on the ban for 10 years.
India had agreed to phase out the use of endosulfan by 2017.

Bioaccumulation

It is typically associated with the build-up of damaging or harmful chemicals in a living thing. These chemicals will not break down in the body or are not able to be excreted. This will cause the chemical to accumulate over time

What is the Rotterdam convention 1998?

The convention aims to promote cooperation and responsibility sharing measures amongst different countries dealing with trade in hazardous chemicals and pesticides.
PIC, Prior Informed Consent is the main feature of the convention and is legally binding on the party members.
PIC facilitates information exchange about nature and trade-related information amongst the party members.
The Convention creates obligations for the implementation of the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

What is Stockholm convention 2001?

The convention aims to reduce the concentration of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) which are chemical substances that not only remain in the atmosphere for longer periods but also possess the ability to bio-accumulate.
The convention listed 12 POPs as ‘dirty dozen’.

5. Mining tragedy strikes Meghalaya once again

Subject: Geography

Section: Economic Geography

Context: At least one person was killed while another was critically injured after an alleged illegal coal mine collapsed on them in an early morning incident in the village of Urak (Riangdim), a remote hamlet close to Goreng under Shallang police station in West Khasi Hills.

Concept:

Rat hole mining involves digging of very small tunnels, usually only 3-4 feet high, which workers (often children) enter and extract coal.
These rat-hole mines are spread throughout Meghalaya, but are mostly concentrated in the Jaintia Hills, the South Garo Hills around the towns of Baghamara and Nangalbibra, and the area around Nongjri and Shallang in the West Khasi Hills.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it in 2014, on grounds of it being unscientific and unsafe for workers. The state (Meghalayan) government has challenged the NGT ban in the Supreme Court.
According to available government data, Meghalaya has a total coal reserve of 640 million tonnes, most of which is mined unscientifically by individuals and communities.
Since the coal seam is extremely thin in Meghalaya, no other method would be economically viable.

Impacts

The water sources of many rivers, especially in Jaintia Hills district, have turned acidic.
The water also has high concentration of sulphates, iron and toxic heavy metals, low dissolved oxygen (DO) and high BOD, showing its degraded quality.
The roadside dumping of coal is a major source of air, water and soil pollution.
Off road movement of trucks and other vehicles in the area for coal transportation also adds to the ecological and environmental damage of the area.
The practice has been declared as unsafe for workers by the NGT.
The mines branch into networks of horizontal channels, which are at constant risk of caving in or flooding.

Coal Controller Organisation (CCO).

Office of Coal Controller (earlier Coal Commissioner), established in 1916, is one of the oldest offices in Indian Coal sector. Main aim behind setting up this office was to have Government control to adequately meet the coal requirement during First World War.
The Coal Controller’s Organisation (CCO) is a subordinate office of the ministry of coal, having its headquarters at Kolkata and field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Kothagudem and Asansol.
It collects and maintains coal production data of all private and public sector coal mines in the country. The information is collected on a monthly basis.

Mandate

Under Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 Coal Controller has been made the statistical authority with respect to coal and lignite statistics. Entrusted the responsibility of carrying out Annual Coal & Lignite survey and publishing of Provisional Coal Statistics and Coal Directory of India.
It is entrusted with the task of monitoring captive mines. Work such as permission for opening and reopening of coal mines has been entrusted to CCO.
Under Coal Bearing Area (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957-Coal Controller is the competent authority under this act to hear any objection to the Central Government’s Notification relating to acquisition of coal bearing land and to furnish his reports to Central Govt.

Coal in India

Coal is the main source of energy in India. This fossil fuel is found in a form of sedimentary rocks and is often known as ‘Black Gold’.
Formation: It originates from organic matter wood. When large tracts of forests are buried under sediments, wood is burnt and decomposed due to heat from below and pressure from above. The phenomenon makes coal but takes centuries to complete.
Classification: Coal can be classified on the basis of carbon content as follows:
- Anthracite: It is the best quality of coal which carries 80 to 95% carbon content. It has the highest calorific value. It is found in small quantity in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Bituminous: It carries 60 to 80% of carbon content and a low level of moisture content. It is widely used and has high calorific value. It is found in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
- Lignite: It is often brown in colour. It carries 40 to 55% carbon content. It has high moisture content so it gives smoke when burnt. It is found in Rajasthan, Lakhimpur (Assam), and Tamil Nadu.
- Peat: It has less than 40% carbon content. It has low calorific value and burns like wood.
Regulation
- Ownership of Mineral
  - The State Governments are the owners of minerals located within the boundary of the State concerned.
  - The Central Government is the owner of the minerals underlying the ocean within the territorial waters or the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
- Granting Mineral Concessions
  - The State Governments grant mineral concessions for all the minerals located within the boundary of the State, under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and Mineral Concession Rules, 1960.
  - However, for minerals specified in the First Schedule to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 approval of the Central Government is necessary. Schedule I contains minerals such as coal and lignite, minerals of the “rare earths” group containing Uranium and Thorium.
Also, the Central Government notifies certain minerals as ‘minor’ minerals from time to time for which the absolute powers for deciding on procedures of seeking applications for and granting mineral concessions, fixing rates of royalty, dead rent, and power to revise orders rest only with the State Government. Example of minor minerals include building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand.

6. Cheetahs from Namibia set to reach in Sept: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav

Subject : Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav has confirmed that the translocation of African cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is expected to culminate in September.

Details:

Eight cheetahs are expected from Namibia and Indian government is trying for another 12 from South Africa.

Why South Africa?

The cheetah population in South African had started dwindling two decades ago, before the conservation programme was launched that increased their number to 500. Now, South Africa is running out of space for cheetahs.Thus the translocation project is useful for both Indian and South Africa

7. Climate Bonds Initiative

Subject: Environment

Section: international Organization

Context: Climate Bonds Initiative is an international organisation working to mobilise global capital for climate action.

It achieve this through the development of the Climate Bonds Standard and Certification Scheme, Policy Engagement and Market Intelligence work.
It empower our Partner organisations with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate, influence and instigate change.
Climate Bonds Initiative is an investor-focused not-for-profit.

Climate Bonds Taxonomy

The Climate Bonds Taxonomy is a guide to climate aligned assets and projects. It is a tool for issuers, investors, governments and municipalities to help them understand what the key investments are that will deliver a low carbon economy.
The Taxonomy is grounded in the latest climate science and has been developed through an extensive multistakeholder approach, leveraging the work of our Technical and Industry Working Groups.
The Taxonomy aims to encourage and be an important resource for common green definitions across global markets, in a way that supports the growth of a cohesive thematic bond market that delivers a low carbon economy.
Climate Bonds has been a major contributor to the development of the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.
The Climate Bonds Taxonomy identifies the assets, activities and projects needed to deliver a low carbon economy consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. It has been developed based on the latest climate science including research from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the International Energy Agency (IEA), and has benefited from the input of hundreds of technical experts from around the world.