Sustainability Outlook Headlines

UN picks DMRC for fast-tracking Clean Development Mechanism of rail projects in India

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has registered the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as the world’s first transport sector project under the Program of Activities or PoA, which will make the DMRC the managing entity for all other metros of India for fast tracking Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) registration of all upcoming rail-based metro systems in India in the future.

A Program of Activities is a unique UN mandated mechanism which allows similar carbon credit projects to be clubbed together that can be operated and managed under a... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: Iamin

18 Jharkhand villages identified under 'Green India Mission'

JAMSHEDPUR: Eighteen villages have been identified under union government sponsored 'Green India Mission' for undertaking eco-friendly development programmes in the areas falling under Seraikela forest division in Seraikela-Kharswan district of Jharkhand.

A team of Union Ministry of Forest and Development led by Additional Secretary Sushil Kumar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), Jharkhand, Dr D K Srivastav, Additional PCCF, Jharkhand R B Singh visited the villages recently to take stock of the situation, Satyajit Singh, Conservator of Forest, said today.... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Economic Times

India’s solar dream fuelled by global trends

India’s plan to install 100 GW capacity of solar-generated electricity by 2022, a five-time increase from a previous target, only follows a global trend that has seen a sudden and massive jump in the deployment of solar power in the last four years.

The global installed capacity of solar electricity has increased by six times between 2010 and 2013. At the end of 2009, the total installed capacity was 23 GW. In the next four years, an average of about 28 GW was added every year, taking it to 135 GW by the end of 2013.

According to figures published by the... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Indian Express

Civic body plans to get LED lights for Mumbai’s streets

Mumbai’s streets will soon be illuminated with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. It is expected to save BMC money and electricity.

In a meeting held at Mantralaya on Friday, Union energy minister Piyush Goyal directed the BMC to implement the scheme with immediate effect. However, Opposition parties have said it will cause loss to civic coffers.
The project has been allotted to Centre-run M/s Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL).

“The BMC spends Rs 164 crore every year for the maintenance of streetlights. By replacing them with LED lamps... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Asian Age

Funds crunch hits agriculture mission

A funds crunch has led to some goals of the ambitious National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) being embedded into five existing programmes of the agriculture and cooperation department. The NMSA was one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan for Climate Change launched in 2008 which was aimed “at transforming Indian agriculture into a climate resilient production system through suitable adaptation and mitigation measures in the domain of crops and animal husbandry.”

According to the Mission document in 2010, implementation of the NMSA from 2011-2012... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Hindu

Ban on use of plastic goods in Srirangam

The City Corporation will strictly enforce the ban on products made of plastics below 40 microns in thickness in Srirangam, especially during the on-going Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani has said.

Plastic collection centres have been set up at all the five entrances to the town. Plastic bags will be collected and cloth bags will be provided to all those passing through the area. Pamphlets will be given to those travelling in vehicles asking them not to use plastic bags and others will be advised though a public address system to hand over... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Hindu

NTPC Ltd commissions 15 MW Solar PV Power Station at Singrauli

The 15 MW Solar PV Power Station of NTPC Ltd at Singrauli is declared on commercial operation w.e.f. 00:00 Hrs of December 31, 2014.

With this, the total capacity of non-conventional energy projects of NTPC Ltd has become 110 MW and the total commissioned and commercial capacity of NTPC group has become 43143 MW and 42643 MW respectively.

Shares of NTPC LTD. was last trading in BSE at Rs.144.5 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 142.4. The total number of shares traded during the day was 234449 in over 3820 trades.

The stock hit an intraday... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: Equity Bulls

New wind turbine looks like a tree, generates power silently

Wind turbines used for power generation work best when they’re large and mounted up high where wind speed is higher. This is not an aesthetically appealing proposition, but it’s the only way wind power makes sense on the large scale right now. A French company is trying to change that with a contraption called the Wind Tree. As you might guess, it’s an array of wind power turbines in the shape of a tree, and several of them will be deployed in Paris this coming March as a test.

The Wind Tree is being developed by NewWind and has 72 artificial leaves. Each one is a vertical... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Geek

Modi govt's push for energy conservation: PM launches scheme for LED bulb distribution

NEW DELHI: Moving towards his government's aim to conserve energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched a scheme for LED bulb distribution under the domestic efficient lighting programme in Delhi; and a National Programme for LED-based Home and Street Lighting.

PM Modi also symbolically replaced one bulb in South Block, with an LED bulb. Replacement of all bulbs in South Block with LED bulbs will enable savings of 7000 units of energy each month, said a government press release.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister called for making energy... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: The Economic Times

Event Round Up- ‘GREEN Retrofit’

Sharp Developments organized its successive event for sustainable habitat: ‘GREEN Retrofit’ - Building for the Future, supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, on 18th December 2014. This conference was organized at Human Settlement Management Institute (HSMI), Research and Training Wing of HUDCO, Lodhi Road; in an effort towards a collective mission – to create sustainable built environments. The venue was HSMI, given the flagship role of HUDCO and its R&D department towards promoting sustainable habitat.

This conference served... Read more..

Date : Jan 6

Source: ICFILD

With affordable solar panels, Delhiites can cut power bills

With the Haryana government making rooftop solar power systems mandatory for all buildings on a plot size of 500 square yards or more, the issue has generated a lot of interest among Delhiites as well. Many residents now want know how exactly they can get their homes powered by the alternative energy.

While experts say that the most feasible option for Delhi will be to set up rooftop solar systems for large commercial establishments such as malls and industries first, even residents can reduce their electricity bills drastically by investing in rooftop solar photovoltaic (... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Times of India

Govt raises solar investment target to $100 billion by 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ramped up his target for solar energy as he bets on renewables to help meet rising power demand and overcome the frequent outages that plague Asia's third largest economy, a senior official told Reuters.

India gets twice as much sunshine as many European countries that use solar power. But the clean energy source contributes less than 1 percent to India's energy mix, while its dependence on erratic coal supplies causes chronic power cuts that idle industry and hurt growth.

Modi now wants companies from China, Japan, Germany and... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Reuters

China's cheap solar panels cause dark spots in Indian market

In the narrow, crowded and serpentine lanes of Lajpat Rai Market in front of the Red Fort in Delhi, there are hundreds of vendors selling Chinese solar panels at less than half the price of Indian brands, much like vegetables, to buyers from power-starved villages in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Haryana.

However, instead of helping realise the dream of transforming the lives of more than 300 million people who live without electricity in the country, these Chinese products are wrecking the market as they often stop working within months, industry insiders allege. They say only... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Economic Times

Maharashtra to bring in policy on renewable energy

The Maharashtra government, in a first, is bringing in a policy on renewable energy in the New Year. Experts such as prominent nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar are in the core team that is drafting the Integrated Policy for Renewable Energy.

“We don’t have a policy on renewable energy in the state. We are generating power from the sun and wind, but in the absence of a policy, the renewable sector is insecure,” said Maharashtra energy minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

The minister said that Mr Kakodkar and other experts would participate in drafting the new... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Asian Age

From smart cities to climate smart cities

Urban spaces are responsible for global warming and bear the brunt of it as well. They must evolve in sustainable ways India is still unclear what its Prime Minister means when he talks about smart cities.

However, what everyone seems to be clear about is the fact that cities are defining the world’s fate at the moment.

Increasingly being recognised as the only place for ‘opportunities’, cities invite more and more people to their fold, consume huge amount of energy, have heavy transport use, create more unnatural space by destroying natural ecosystems, and emit... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Business Line- The Hindu

Solar REC price band revised downwards

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has lowered the band of prices within which ‘renewable energy certificates’ issued to eligible solar power producers could be traded in the market.

The ‘floor’ and ‘forbearance’ prices are now Rs. 3,500 and Rs. 5,800 respectively for each solar REC. Earlier, they were Rs. 9,300 and Rs. 13,400, respectively.

Background

RECs are generation-based ‘certificates’ awarded (electronically, in demat form) to those who generate electricity from renewable sources such as wind, biomass,... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Business Line- The Hindu

Solar stocks shine on govt’s energy generation agenda

Shares of solar power majors hit the roof on Friday on reports of Prime Minister Narendra Modi betting on renewable energy to help meet rising power demand. Shares of Indosolar jumped 20 per cent at ₹7.20 and Websol Energy Systems spurted 20 per cent at ₹22.85. Moser-Baer jumped 12.92 per cent at ₹10.05 on the NSE and Surana Solar moved up 2.6 per cent at ₹60.55.

1 lakh MW target
A Reuters report quoted Upendra Tripathy, top official in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as saying Modi now wants companies from China, Japan, Germany and the US to... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Business Line- The Hindu

750 MW solar park planned in Banaskantha

Gujarat's solar dreams are getting bigger. After setting up Asia's largest 500 MW solar park at Charnka village in Patan, the state government plans to set up an even bigger solar park with an estimated capacity of 750 MW in Vav taluka of Banaskantha district.

Government sources said that a formal proposal has already been forwarded to the union ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE). Over 1,400 hectares land has been identified in Vav and talks are on with the state revenue department for its acquisition. The total cost of setting up solar park will be decided after... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Times of India

Vehicles at seven spots to collect wet garbage

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started a special transport facility to deliver biodegradable garbage to farms around the city for processing. The garbage will be used to make compost fertilizers.

"Biodegradable waste generated in the city can be used to create good quality fertilizer. Citizens and commercial establishments generating large quantities of garbage should send it for composting," Suresh Jagtap, head of PMC's solid waste management department, said.

He urged businesses such as hotels, public halls, marriage halls, catering institutes and... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Times of India

Four new missions to boost response to climate change

Seeking to broaden India’s response to climate change, the government will soon add at least four new ‘missions’ to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), including one to promote wind energy, and another to build preparedness to deal with impacts on human health.

A programme for more effective management of India’s coastal resources and another to harness energy from waste is also slated to be launched.

Currently, eight ‘missions’ are operational, each of which is a sectoral response to the impacts of climate change. Three of them — on solar energy... Read more..

Date : Jan 5

Source: Indian Express

Haryana government issues directive to install roofop solar system in buildings

Solar energy sector was in for a good news on the first day of the new year, as the Haryana goverment has issued a directive to the have rooftop solar power system installed in every building of plot size of 500 square yards.

The systems are to be installed by September 2015.

The order will be applicable to private bungalows, group housing societies, builder apartments, malls, offices, commercial complexes, schools, hospitals — any building, new or old, that meets the plot size criteria.

Adding to the incentives to the developers, the government... Read more..

Date : Jan 2

Source: India Infoline

Coming up: Rs. 800-cr incentive package for electric vehicles

The government is likely to soon come up with an incentive package worth Rs. 800 crore to encourage demand and supply of electric and hybrid vehicles in the country.

The package, likely to be announced in the upcoming budget, aims to provide relief for technology development and research, create charging infrastructure and directly give a subsidy to the consumer for buying the vehicle, sources said.

“A large part of the incentive will be kept for subsidising the cost of the vehicle for the buyer, while the remaining will be equally shared between companies... Read more..

Date : Jan 2

Source: Hindustan Times

Here’s another reason why electric cars may never take off in India

The Indian government is reportedly working on an incentive package worth Rs800 crore ($126 million) to promote electric and hybrid vehicles.

Now, that should be good news for India’s beleaguered electric vehicle manufacturers since the bulk of the money will be used to subsidize the cost of these vehicles in addition to creating supporting infrastructure.

But here’s the catch: the government apparently isn’t particularly keen on subsidizing passenger cars. Instead, it wants to give priority to electric and hybrid vehicles in public transport, followed by two... Read more..

Date : Jan 2

Source: Quartz India

All green buildings will get special logo in 2015

All green environment-friendly buildings - identified on the basis of use of water\energy conservation methods, recycled materials, solar power, natural lighting and energy self-sufficiency - across the country will get special logo in the New Year.

The environment ministry is working on a methodology by factoring in the existing norms to issue such logo which will be developed by inviting designs from general public and experts.

"The ministry is contemplating on crowd-sourcing the design after internal discussion and deliberations with all stakeholders," said... Read more..

Date : Jan 2

Source: Economic Times

LED streetlights for a smarter Delhi

The municipal corporations of Delhi are moving from a conventional streetlighting system to energy-efficient LEDs, a step toward making Delhi a smart city. A pilot project initiating this was inaugurated by Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Union Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal last week.

The shift is believed to be energy-efficient and environment- friendly and is expected to save over Rs 700 crore in revenue for the North corporation alone.

Stressing the need for progress, Naidu said that conversion of... Read more..

Date : Jan 2

Source: Indian Express