One Sun One World One Grid is a multinational power grid that supplies electricity to the world. This idea was first proposed by PM Modi at the first meeting of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in the year 2018. According to the draft of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), the aim of OSOWOG is to supply energy to around 140 countries through a common grid that transfers solar energy.
Highlights
The sun never sets is the concept for OSOWOG, which is constant at certain points in geographic locations around the world. The basic idea of ??OSOWOG is to build a cross-border network laid around the world to transport photovoltaics generated around the world to various load centers. Therefore, it will help India to realize the clearly expressed vision of “one sun, one world, one grid”. This initiative will help achieve the ?three transitions? of energy development which are Transition of energy production from fossil fuels to clean energy. The shift of energy allocation from regional equilibrium to cross-border global distribution, and the shift in energy consumption from coal, oil and gas to electricity-centric consumption.
Need for One Sun One World One Grid
In addition to addressing environmental challenges, India seeks a geopolitical advantage over China. Experts believe OSOWOG is a response to One Belt One Road Initiative of China. Other potential benefits includes improved quality of life as well as widespread access to reduced CO2 emissions, energy, improved livelihoods and reduced living costs. India imports around $ 250 billion of fuel annually. These include diesel, petroleum, fossil fuels, LNG and coal. If OSOWOG can be implemented, India has an alternative way to meet energy demand with sustainable energy that can reduce the imported inflationary pressures.
Challenges Faced
While this idea is great in terms of sustainable development, OSOWOG faces challenges in implementing it over the years of developing advanced power storage technologies. A large grid is not needed as a micro grid installation is sufficient. Micro grids are individual solar collectors that can also be installed on the roof of a house. The larger the power grid, the more vulnerable it is to accidents, natural disasters, cyber-attacks, etc. that can disrupt the power supply. Most of the devices for solar systems such as cells and panels are made in China. This can be a hurdle, as China is least likely to support competing projects like OSOWOG. Sovereignty and local influences can cause trust issues among network participants. Networking could pave the way for other countries to interfere with other economies and, in some cases, stop them.
Implementation
Despite the vastness of OSOWOG and the many other challenges it faces, there are ways to implement it to some extent by creating rules-based transnational organizations capable of implementing OSOWOG. In this case, this organization could be an ISA. Also, given India’s reliance on Chinese imports, OSOWOG must find ways to do business with China while providing confidence to local industries through its Make in India program. After all, this is a new idea to create a global solar network that takes into account the impacts of climate change.
