Sustainability Outlook Headlines

MNRE, World Bank review progress of solar parks

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the World Bank have reviewed the progress of the Andhra Pradesh Government plan to set up 2500 mw capacity solar parks in the State. During the meeting, Tarun Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MNRE and representatives of the World Bank and State Energy Department officials participated.

The State Government had signed up with the Power Ministry and MNRE for setting up of the large solar power parks in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts of the State and also with NTPC Limited and Solar Energy Corporation of India to set up solar parks... Read more..

Date : Dec 22

Source: Business Line- The Hindu

Policy frameworks can help or hinder India's tech revolution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship Digital India initiative, announced in August 2014, aims to make Internet-based infrastructure and services a widespread utility for all citizens. Recent research from McKinsey Global Institute focuses on 12 disruptive, but also potentially empowering, technologies that could imply dramatic change in how India functions. Together, MGI estimates, they can have an economic impact of $550 billion to $1 trillion per year by 2025, driving 20% to 30% of India's incremental economic growth between 2012 and 2025.

The technologies fall into... Read more..

Date : Dec 22

Source: Economic Times

India Power Lines to Get $1.2 Billion German Revamp With KfW

German state-owned bank KfW Group will spend 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) to refurbish India’s electricity network for carrying more renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind.

KfW agreed to loan Power Grid Corp of India Ltd. 500 million euros to build new power lines and signed deals with India’s government for two loans totaling 125 million euros for grid projects in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, it said today in an e-mailed statement. The deals are part of a support package of 1 billion euros, it said.

“Demand for power in India is rising... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Business Week

Indian solar water heater manufacturers get a Chinese jolt

Indian solar water heater manufacturers are in hot water, thanks to their Chinese counterparts. The domestic solar water heater manufacturing industry, valued at about Rs 1,000 crore, is being threatened by cheaper China-made imports, the Solar Thermal Federation of India (STFI) has alleged.

According to the STFI, complete solar water heaters imported from China are hampering not only the manufacturing segment but also the product quality being delivered to the end user. China is the largest producer of the tubes used in solar water heaters; there are no such manufacturers in... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Business Standard

Terra Motors unveils electric three-wheeler for India

Japanese electric vehicle (EV) startup Terra Motors today unveiled a three-wheeler to be sold in developing Asian markets as an affordable and environmentally-minded alternative to gas-powered scooters and trikes. Dubbed the R6, Terra Motors’ new three-wheeler can accommodate seven people (six passengers and a driver) and travel 100 kilometers on a single charge.

The startup claims that charging costs amount to a mere US$328 per year. A similar gas-powered three-wheeler, on the other hand, burns through US$4,307 of petrol annually. These estimates are based on the cost of... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Tech in Asia

All over the world, renewables are beating nuclear

Renewables are winning out just about everywhere. They now supply over 19% of global primary energy and 22% of global electricity. Nuclear is at 11% and falling. With many of the UK's old nuclear power plants off-line due to faults and prospects for their ultimate replacement looking decidedly shaky, it is good that the renewable energy alternatives are moving ahead rapidly.

In 2013 nuclear supplied around 18% of UK electricity but in the third quarter of 2014, nuclear output fell 16.2% due to outages, while renewable output, which had reached 16.8% of electricity in the... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: The Ecologist

To clean up air in cities, govt plans biofuel, electric buses

The government is set to come out with policies to introduce clean fuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol and electricity for public transport vehicles and school buses in big cities to tackle air pollution, road transport minister Nitin Gadkari said in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Gadkari said his ministry had published a draft notification for allowing vehicles to run on biofuels, which will be finalized in one month. Ministry sources said the final notification will help the introduction of the new and cleaners technologies.

While it's not clear how the... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Times of India

Ogilvy & Mather powers government initiative to save 25,000 mw of electricity

The power ministry has launched a mega advertising campaign saying the country can save 25,000 MW of electricity every year by just being prudent. The first TV commercial of the campaign, with 'Bijli Bachao, Desh Banao' tagline, was unveiled on December 14 to mark the national energy conservation day.

"This is part of a huge campaign which the ministry has planned and will be launched in phases," said Piyush Pandey, executive chairman at Ogilvy & Mather India, which designed the campaign. The first leg of the campaign showcases school children as torchbearers of this... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Economic Times

Submit water sample of drains joining Yamuna: NGT to CPCB

The National Green Tribunal today directed Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committe (DPCC) to take water samples from drains joining Yamuna at different stretches in NCR, Delhi. A bench headed by Justice Swatanter Kumar directed CPCB, DPCC, a representative of Environment Ministry and a representative of Delhi Jal Board to take water samples of drains at ten different points of the 22km stretch flowing in NCR, Delhi and prepare a data within one week.

The Tribunal reserved its judgement after both sides concluded their arguments and fixed... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Business Standard

Pollution board proposes recycle of marble slurry to minimize hazards

Notwithstanding the medically established hazards of marble slurry on health and on environment, the Union government is yet to conduct a study on the haphazard disposal of marble slurry in Rajasthan. Environment minister Prakash Javadekar points out that there is no data collected by Indian Council of Medical Research, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) on perils of marble slurry.

However, he pointed out that RSPCB has found environment-friendly solutions to the problems occurring at marble quarries, polishing plants,... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Times of India

This New Finance Policy Tweak Boosts India Solar Energy

India is facing down one of the key challenges confronting developing economies: Can it reduce power-sector emissions to curb climate change without hindering economic growth?

This challenge became even more pressing when China and the United States, the world’s two largest carbon emitters, agreed to landmark emissions reductions and renewable energy targets. International attention has now turned to India, the world’s third-largest emitter, to pledge decarbonization ahead of the COP21 United Nations climate summit in 2015.

Last month India pledged to increase... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Clean Technica

The top 5 eco-cities stories in 2014

Today, 54 per cent of the world’s population live in urban areas and this is set to grow to 66 per cent by 2050, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

A UN study in July projected that urbanization - combined with population growth - could add another 2.5 billion people to urban populations by 2050, with close to 90 percent of the increase concentrated in Asia and Africa. The largest urban growth will take place in India, China and Nigeria. Together, they will account for 37 per cent of the projected growth of the world’s urban population... Read more..

Date : Dec 19

Source: Eco Business

Mahindra & Mahindra to focus on electric cars in 2015

Automobile major Mahindra and Mahindra is keen to focus on the electric vehicles market despite its "disappointing" performance in the segment and would shortly be modifying an existing diesel variant to be powered by an electric motor, a top company official said here Friday.

With its premier electric car E2O hitting the market one and a half years back, the company is keen to diversify its presence in the segment. It will launch an electric sports car Halo and revamp the disel-run Verito with an electric powered engine.

"I must admit that the performance of... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Business Standard

Commodification of Water or Water Inc.

Coca-Cola’s iconic red and white logo is one of the world’s most recognizable brands. Its signature beverage, for which the company is named, is the world’s most popular carbonated drink. Every day, people consume 1.7 billion Coca-Cola products around the globe. To ensure a steady supply of water to feed its 900 bottling and manufacturing plants, Coca-Cola has invested in local water supplies in regions where water shortages are frequent.

Coca-Cola is not alone. A number of other global corporations like Nestlé, Suerz Environment, Veolia Environment, and American Water have... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: The Corner

Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing 'Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme' for installation of grid connected roof top solar systems from 1 kWp to 500 kWp capacity in residential, commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. The programme has a provision of Central Financial Assistance of Rs. 24 per watt capacity of the system to encourage consumer for installation of solar rooftop systems. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state (I/C) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy in a written reply to a question in the Rajya... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Business Standard

Sindicatum in 180MW clean energy expansion in India

Sindicatum Renewable Energy today announced that it has signed two joint venture agreements to acquire 49 per cent stakes in operating co-generation power units totalling 69 MW at two of Rana Sugar Limited (RSL) sugar complexes located in Moradabad and Rampur, both in Uttar Pradesh.

In addition, Sindicatum will support the development of further co-generation projects with RSL and its major shareholders at other sugar mills and has acquired the option of adding a further 111 MW to its portfolio.

Rana Inder Pratap Singh, Managing Director at RSL said: “We welcome... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Eco Business

Switch from/to solar power, intelligently

Solar inverter innovator Ronds Innotech has launched Smart eHome, an intelligent power management system to control home appliances. It consists of a solar panel, a solar inverter, batteries, the Smart eHome connector and an intelligent power socket, says Sijo Joseph, CEO of Ronds, incubated at Technopark here.

Home automation
The system uses home automation technology and advanced energy saving techniques to control lights, fans, television, refrigerator and washing machine and optimise consumption.

The automated power source selection... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Business Line- The Hindu

IREDA to raise Rs 1,500 crore via tax-free bonds next fiscal

The government's dedicated green energy financing institution, Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) is planning to raise Rs 1,500 crore next fiscal through issuance of tax-free bonds in order to support the Centre's ambitious clean energy targets running into hundreds of gigawatts.

Over the next three years, the agency expects to lend Rs 14,000-16,000 crore, as much as what it has disbursed over the past 28 years of its existence, owing to the targets and the growing interest of investors in the clean energy business. "We have proposed raising Rs 1,500 crore... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Economic Times

Sesa Sterlite Aluminium Smelter Plant wins National Energy Conservation Award-2014

Efficient management of available energy resources has been one of the major thrust areas of Vedanta’s operations across the World. Adding feather to its rich collections of awards and accolades over the years, Sesa Sterlite’s Aluminium Smelter Plant, Jharsuguda has been awarded the 1st Prize in the prestigious “National Energy Conservation Awards -2014” in Aluminium sector of India.

The Award is for exhibiting and discharging its commitment towards the cause of environmental conservation, focusing on superior energy management. Mr.Abhijit Pati, President & COO, Sesa... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Orissa Diary

764 industries 'grossly polluting' Ganga: Govt

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has flagged 764 industries as "grossly polluting" river Ganga of which 687 are in Uttar Pradesh alone, the Rajya Sabha was told today. "As reported by CPCB, the board has inventoried 764 grossly polluting industries discharging their effluents directly into Ganga or through tributaries like river Ramganga and Kali East, of which 687 are in UP," Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat said in a written reply.

An inspection report done by CPCB under a direction from National Green Tribunal has been placed in public... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Business Standard

ADB launches low-carbon tech platform for Asia

The ADB has launched the world's first platform to facilitate knowledge sharing on low-carbon clean technology and renewable energy among Asian countries including India. The Cleantech Intellectual Property Assisted Brokerage Platform (IPEx) will be operated by Singapore-based clean energy consulting firm ReEx Capital Asia.

In India, the IPEx will team up with Infuse Ventures, IIM-Ahmedabad's clean tech-focussed fund, to introduce low-carbon technologies in the country.

Infuse Ventures, housed at IIM Ahmedabad's Centre for Innovation Incubation and... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Business Standard

Electric vehicles sales in India have dismal statistics to show

Every government that comes to power talks about reducing the carbon footprints by increasing the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in India. But none of them have been competent enough to form a stringent policy to support electric vehicle manufacturers.

According to a report, sales of the electric vehicles have almost halved in this calendar year. The industry is expected to sell around 24,000 units as compared with 43,000 units which it sold last calendar year. These sales include two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The industry performed very well in 2012 where it managed... Read more..

Date : Dec 18

Source: Car Wale

Alstom T&D India bags Rs 151 crore order from Rajasthan

Alstom T&D India has bagged an order of about Rs 151 crore order from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd (RRVPNL) to supply a 400/220 kV substation in Bhadla and expand the existing 400/220 kV substation in Bikaner.

The new 400 kV grid substation in Bhadla to be set up by the Indian unit of the French firm will help evacuate power from the Bhadla solar park and other upcoming solar parks in the area, while the expansion of the 400/220 kV substation at Bikaner will facilitate the exchange of solar power generation with the national grid.

Alstom T... Read more..

Date : Dec 17

Source: Sustainability Outlook

Climate change summit: Countries demand focus on adaptation and finance

The roadmap to Paris is fraught with contentious debates over the focus of contributions from countries and whether it was enough to take only mitigation seriously as developed nations are doing at the UN climate talks here.

From Friday onwards, countries will finalise the elements of the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) and the draft negotiating text for Paris before the high level segment begins next week. The main issues that are dividing countries are centred on the excessive focus on mitigation, which is opposed by the developing countries. Mohammed... Read more..

Date : Dec 17

Source: The Hindu

Government plans to roll out WiFi in top 25 cities by June 2015

Government is looking for a speedy roll out of wifi services at select public places in top 25 cities with population of over 10 lakh by June 2015. "Government has plans to empanel 3-4 wifi service provider for speedy roll out of wifi hotspots across top 25 cities in the country by June 2015. The services will be available at select public places within these cities," according to an official source.

The project is part of Digital India programme under which the government aims to cover cities with population of over 1 million and tourist destinations with wifi services by... Read more..

Date : Dec 17

Source: Economic Times