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Engineering firm Sunil Hitech bullish to develop 200MW solar capacity in next 5 years

Engineering firm Sunil Hitech EngineersBSE 1.96 % expects to develop nearly 200 MW solar capacity in the next 5 years on the back of government's ambitious target of developing 100 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022, a top official of the company said. 
 
The company, through its infrastructure arm Sunil Hitech India Infra (SHIIL), is currently developing a 5 MW solar plant in Maharashtra under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) phase II batch I. 
 
The new government has given emphasis on setting up 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022. 
 ... Read more..

Date : Jan 19
Source: Economic Times

Nalco to double wind generation capacity, heads for sustainable growth

National Aluminum Company (Nalco) of India is enhancing its wind power generation capacity by investing around Rs 700 crore. The company has planned to install an additional 100 MW wind power generation capacity to its existing 100 MW capacity.
 
“The project will be set up shortly at a suitable location in India”, says, Ansuman Das, chairman cum managing director, Nalco. Already company owns 100 MW in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Gandikota unit with 50.4 MW capacities in Andhra Pradesh was commissioned in 2012.
 
The second wind power plant of 47.6 MW... Read more..

Date : Jan 19
Source: Green Tech Lead

Can Methane Act as a Storage Medium for Renewable Energy?

Researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in German have demonstrated a novel method of converting the outputs of biogas facilities into methane. The new type of methanation plant can fit inside a standard shipping container, and could be combined with renewable energy production as a means of storing the excess and intermittent supply that is inherent to wind and solar power.
 
“As conventional methanation processes reach their limits at this point, we have developed a new reactor concept,” said Siegfried Bajohr, the leader of the new project, in a press... Read more..

Date : Jan 19
Source: Spectrum

Plastic roads help solve Bangalore rubbish crisis

Rubbish dumping in Bangalore is reaching crisis levels as rapid economic growth, overcrowding and poor urban planning combine.
 
India’s Silicon Valley produces some 5,000 tonnes of waste a day, of which 1,500 tonnes are plastic. Only 25% goes for recycling and the rest is dumped in land fill or burnt, generating greenhouse gas emissions.
 
As the local authorities sit on their hands, local businessman Ahmad Khan has taken it on himself to rid the city of its stinking garbage menace.
 
Khan runs a firm named KK Plastic Waste Management that aims to “... Read more..

Date : Jan 19
Source: RTCC

How to store solar energy for a rainy day? A really big battery

Steve Klein is an advocate for wind and solar power, but as chief executive of Snohomish County Public Utility District he also has plenty of experience with their drawbacks. When the sun sets, solar cells cease generating, and when gusts die down, wind electricity plummets. “They are intermittent,” says Klein. “They are there, often times when we don’t need them, and not there when we do.”
 
Klein is hoping for big changes in the years ahead, when a network of batteries would enable the utility to bank some of this energy and then feed it into the grid during times of peak... Read more..

Date : Jan 19
Source: Seattle Times

Pune’s smart city bid focuses on waste mgmt

 A proposal submitted to the central government seeking inclusion in the Smart Cities programme has suggested that domestic help could be involved in segregation, collection and sale of waste to achieve total garbage management. 
 
"Pune will facilitate self-sustained 100% door-to-door waste collection facility through 'ghanta gadi' or waste pickers in the city with the participation of citizens and NGOs. A secondary waste collection system will be set up for disposal at centralized and decentralized processing plants. 
 
'Household maids' may be involved in the... Read more..

Date : Jan 19
Source: Times of India

Centre looks at leveraging IIFCL credit line for green energy

The central government is hoping to use part of a $5 billion (Rs.31,075 crore) line of credit to promote renewable energy projects, a move which could help bring down borrowing costs for solar and wind power companies. The credit facility was extended by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to state-owned India Infrastructure Finance Co. Ltd (IIFCL) from its foreign exchange reserves. 
 
The Union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), which hopes to leverage the credit facility, has already communicated its desire to various arms of the government and talks are being held for... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: Live Mint

ADB backs India's solar power ambitions

The Asian Development Bank said Wednesday it was extending loans of up to $100 million to help India develop a solar power sector.
 
The bank said it would extend the loan to solar power developer ACME group, which is working with French renewable energy leaders to develop more than 350 megawatts of low-carbon energy options.
 
"Solar and other renewable power sources are essential for India's energy diversification and security, and for underpinning the country's long term growth," Isabelle Chauche, an investment specialist at the ADB, said in a statement. "ADB's... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: UPI

First meeting of climate panel led by PM on Jan 19

The first meeting of a reconstituted high-level climate panel, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be held on January 19 to discuss the challenges of climate change, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said Friday.
 
The 'Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change', which was set by the UPA government way back in 2007, was re-constituted by the Modi government by dropping well-known environmentalist Sunita Narain and top industry leader Ratan Tata from the council.
 
"The first meeting of PM's Council on Climate Change will be held on January 19. We... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: Zee News

Ganga cleansing on for 30 yrs, SC seeks 'verifiable progress'

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said Ganga cleansing programmes had been going on for over three decades with almost no impact on the ground and wondered whether the government wanted to do something during this tenure or would it spill over to the next term.
 
The apex court sought fresh response of the government about the steps undertaken by it to implement the stage-wise projects for cleaning the Ganga in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal in six weeks.
 
"Now the point is, it is going on for last 30 years. You (Centre)... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: The Tribune India

IARI develops super absorbent polymer to improve water use efficiency in agriculture

The Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) - a government institution - has indigenously developed a novel hydrophilic super absorbent polymer which will help farmers in using water with utmost efficiency in agriculture practices in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. 
 
The technology, comprising super absorbent hydro-gels, will be commercialized by the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) - a ministry of science and technology enterprise - and the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). 
 
Since hydro-gel has capacity to absorb a minimum of 350... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: Times of India

Water-Gen to enter Indian market with latest water purification solutions

Water-Gen, the water purification firm has made plans to set foot in India. The Israel based firm will launch three water supply solutions for Indian consumers including atmospheric water generations; Spring Portable Battery Operated Water Purification System and Water Treatment of air conditioner run off waste.
 
Atmospheric water generations makes water from-air unit, providing a safe, pure water supply. The unit will help to overcome municipal water systems dependency to an extent.
 
Spring water purification system provides drinking water in locations where no... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: Green Tech Lead

India's Green Bond: Bright Example of Innovative Clean Energy Financing

As a new year kicks off, India's renewable energy market is surging ahead. Prime Minister Modi's government just targeted $100 billion worth of investments to support reaching the ambitious goal of installing 100 gigawatts of solar energy by 2022. Plans to train a 50,000 person 'solar army' to staff new solar projects under a national skill-development mission have also been announced. A new National Wind Mission was announced last year, and is expected to be modeled on the successful National Solar Mission. In addition to this government support, the economics are shifting favorably too.... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: The Energy Collective

Business leaders call on Europe for carbon trading scheme reform

The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) must be reformed to include a Market Stability Reserve (MSR) by 2017 at the latest, to keep the continent on track for developing a low-carbon economy and energy system, European business leaders argued today.
 
A Market Stability Reserve would reduce the amount of emissions allowance units (EUAs) that the EU is permitted to auction on the global market, should the upper threshold of EUAs already in circulation be exceeded.
 
In a letter to Members of the European Parliament The Prince of Wales's Corporate Leaders... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: Click Green

Next gen electric car battery in making

Scientists at University of Waterloo have announced a breakthrough in lithium-sulphur technology to develop a new generation of cheaper, lighter and more powerful electric car battery. Their discovery of a material that maintains a rechargeable sulphur cathode helps overcome a primary hurdle to building a lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery.
 
Such a battery can theoretically power an electric car three times further than current lithium-ion batteries for the same weight - at much lower cost. "This is a major step forward and brings the lithium-sulphur battery one step closer to... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: The Hans India

Solar power producers seek priority sector status, ‘Make in India’ push

Solar power sector players are waiting for changes in Centre’s policy such as treating it as a priority sector and encouraging domestic content under the ‘Make in India’ policy to accelerate the pace of implementation of solar farms.
 
After about four years of the Centre’s push, India has barely 3,500 MW of solar power generation capacity. India had a target of achieving 20 giga watt (GW) installed capacity by 2020, but this was revised to 100 GW by 2022.
 
“If this target has to be achieved, we need to implement at least 15,000 MW to 20,000 MW every year. This... Read more..

Date : Jan 15
Source: Business Line- The Hindu

Naidu's solution to water scarcity

Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu has suggested a five-pronged strategy to ensure adequate water for drinking and irrigation and overcoming water scarcity in the country.
 
Addressing “India Water Week – 2015”, a four-day international conference organised by the Water Resources Ministry, Naidu said awareness should be created first among the people about the need for judicious use and conservation of water. 
 
Then, there is need for speedy work on inter-linking rivers (Ganga-Cauvery), a key item on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s agenda... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: Deccan Herald

SunEdison signs MoU with Karna govt for 5 GW renewable energy

Renewable energy developer and technology provider SunEdison has signed an MOU with Karnataka government to develop five gigawatts of renewable energy projects within the state over the next five years, the company said today. 
 
The electricity generated by these projects will be cost competitive with coal produced electricity, without subsidies or incentives, and will ease the electricity deficit in Karnataka, the company said. 
 
SunEdison said under the agreement, the company will provide its world class technology, development and financing expertise to build a... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: Business Standard

Azure Power, GERMI sign MoU for solar certification programme

Azure Power on Monday announced signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI), a Gujarat Government enterprise, to launch the 'National Certification Programme for Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Installer'.
 
Under this MoU, Azure Power and GERMI will work towards establishing a cooperative and supportive team with adequate resources, including skilled manpower, capital equipment, and facilities, for effective implementation of the new certification.
 
The national certification will help develop a skilled... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: Business Line- The Hindu

25 per cent of Tata's power generation can be from renewable sources: Chairman Cyrus Mistry

Identifying renewable energy as critical for national infrastructure strength, Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry today said up to 25 per cent of the conglomerate's power generation could be from renewable resources.
 
Speaking at the seventh edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here, he also said Gujarat government's policies, agile administration and providing logistical infrastructure support was key to fostering a competitive domestic industry.
 
"Ahmedabad is among our first few cities when we launched our new airline AirVistara," Mistry said, adding that "as... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: Economic Times

National Green Tribunal to fine Rs 5,000 for discarding religious items in Yamuna

In a move to clean the rivers, the National Green Tribunal on Tuesday decided to set up a committee to plan on cleaning up River Yamuna. It has ordered that people who throw religious items into the Yamuna should henceforth be fined. The default22222ers caught in the act of littering will have to pay Rs 5000.
 
The decision has been taken as the NGT took the view that discarding religious items in Yamuna is choking the river's ecosystem. The decision has been taken as the NGT took the view that discarding pooja material in Yamuna is choking the river's ecosystem.
 
... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: IBN Live

World Bank signs pact for Smart Cities

The Government of Gujarat, the Government of India and the World Bank have entered into a tripartite agreement in support of Gujarat’s ‘swachhta abhiyaan’ and smart city initiatives, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit here on Monday.
 
Around 2,100 MoUs to the tune of Rs. 25 lakh crore and 1,225 strategic partnership agreements were signed at the Summit in the areas of skill development, defence, renewable energy and biodiversity.
 
Corporate heads Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, Gautam Adani of the Adani Group and Kumar... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: The Hindu

Maharashtra govt mulls integrated water use plan for state

In the aftermath of the multi-crore irrigation scam and nearly a decade after the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act (MWRRA) was enacted in 2005, the government is looking at a water use plan for the state. 
 
This week, the state water council, which was set up under this Act in 2005 to oversee the plan, will hold its first meeting. The council, which is headed by the chief minister, has 17 members, including the water resources ministers, finance minister, urban development and industry ministry, tasked with ratifying an integrated plan for sustainable water... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: Hindustan Times

Narendra Modi Government To Raise $25B For Green Energy Funds: Report

The Narendra Modi-led Indian government is planning to raise $25 billion through five funds to promote “green energy” sources, according to a report by Mint, an Indian daily, which cited an unnamed government official. The report comes just days after the Modi-led government ramped up its investment target in solar energy to $100 billion -- a significant increase from an earlier target of $100 billion for all types of renewable energy sources -- by 2022.
 
“We are seeking participation from both public sector and private institutions for setting up these dedicated green funds,... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: IB Times

Ban KI-Moon asks India to take lead in reaching Paris climate pact

 UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday asked India to take a leadership role in reaching a "meaningful" climate change pact in Paris later this year. The UN climate conference to be held in Paris from November 30 to December 11 of this year, is tasked with finalising a global agreement designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
 
"I count on the leadership of India in our ongoing efforts to address the climate change issues. ... I expect as one of the most critically important member state of the United Nations (UN) and as one of the fastest growing economy, India should... Read more..

Date : Jan 14
Source: Zee News
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