Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Nanofibre paves way for lithium-sulphur batteries

Chemists at the NIM Cluster at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich, Germany, and at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, have synthesised a new material that could result in the advent of state-of-the-art lithium-sulphur batteries.

Whether or not the future of automotive traffic belongs to the softly purring electric car depends largely on the development of its batteries. The industry is currently placing most of its hopes in lithium-sulphur batteries, which have a very high storage capacity. Moreover, thanks to the inclusion of sulphur atoms, they are... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: EE India

Power demand jumps 8,000 Mw, results in electricity prices doubling to Rs 5/unit

Demand for power surged to the season's highest on Monday as scanty rains increased humidity levels in most parts of the country, leading to a spurt in electricity usage. Demand jumped 8,000 Mw to touch 136,000 Mw, doubling electricity prices on the country'senergy exchanges.

Price at the India Energy Exchange rose to Rs 5 a unit onMonday from Rs 2.5 until a few days ago.

While power demand soared to 45,242 Mw in northern India, it touched 40,510 Mw in western and 33,048 Mw in southern India. "The 136,000 Mw of power demand was a jumpof 8,000 Mw in a single day, naturally... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: Economic Times

Lockheed Martin softens India image, with focus on training, green energy

Lockheed Martin, the world's most profitable aerospace and defence behemoth, is cultivating a soft profile in India. Having already sold over $2 billion worth of weaponry, including 12 C-130J Super Hercules special operations aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the American company seeks to be seen as facilitating Indian innovation; keeping civil airliners flying, and working at the cutting edge of renewable energy.

Last month, in what has become an annual contest co-sponsored by Lockheed Martin, a jury shortlisted Indian... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: Business Standard

More favourable sourcing policy for MSMEs soon

Small firms may look forward to better demand in the coming months with the Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises gaining traction. By April 2015, it is mandatory for all Public Sector units, Central Ministries and Departments to raise procurement of products and services from MSMEs to 20 per cent of their annual purchases.

“This will be a great booster for small firms across the country,” said S Sivagnanam, Additional Industrial Advisor, MSME Development Institute, Chennai.

Date : Jul 3

Source: Hindu Business Line

Tata Power to use natural esters in its electrical distribution transformers

In India, Tata Power will be the first utility in India to incorporate a natural ester, versus petroleum-based, dielectric fluid into its electrical transformer systems. All of Tata Power’s new Package Substations will be filled with Cargill’s natural ester-based dielectric fluid Envirotemp FR3 fluid. Tata cited three reasons for their decision. First, improved fire safety as FR3 has more than twice the flash and fire point as mineral oil and self-extinguishing properties. Second, Tata found FR3′s environmental benefits compelling as it is biodegradable as well as non... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: Biobased Digest

Govt looks at opening coal mining to global competition

The government is looking at opening up coal mining to international competition with a proposal to price domestic output on a par with imports ? a move that will increase the cost of power. But the plan comes with a built-in stabilization fund to cushion consumers from possible adverse impact.

Sources told TOI the decision to examine the proposal was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held on June 10, which was attended by finance secretary Arvind Mayaram, expenditure secretary Ratan Watal and coal secretary Sanjay Srivastava.

If the move goes through, the entire pricing... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: Times of India

India will outpace Asia's growth in biodiesel

India is likely to outpace Asia's growth in biodiesel, according to Lux Research’s new report, titled ‘Planning for the long-term in Asia Pacific alternative fuel markets’. Indonesia, China and Malaysia are the three dominant nations in biodiesel, each driven by challenging mandates. Indonesia is targeting 20% adoption by 2025 while Malaysia positions itself to be a dominant exporter with 143 MGY in 2015. India's growth, however, at an impressive 18.5% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2017, will outpace the rest of the region, which will post a 3.9% CAGR... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: Business Standard

Dumping of muck by hydel project poses disaster threat

An under-construction 24 MW hydro power project in Hallan-2 village of Kullu, about 40 kms from Manali, which is being constructed on Bijara and Choka rivulets, tributaries of Beas river, is apparently inviting big disaster by dumping tonnes of debris in the rivulets.

Management of Kanchanjunga hydro power project has allegedly destroyed the traditional grazing fields of villagers by cutting roads through the forest land and then dumping the muck by the sides of road. The project has injured dozens of trees and arbitrary cutting of road has increased the risk of landslides in the... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: Times of India

Battery goes organic

A water-based organic battery that can last long and is made from cheap, eco-friendly components has been developed by scientists from the University of Southern California.

The new battery, which uses no metals or toxic materials, is intended for use in power plants, where it can make the energy grid more resilient and efficient by creating a large-scale means to store energy for use as needed.

"The batteries last for about 5,000 recharge cycles, giving them an estimated 15-year lifespan," said Sri Narayan, professor of chemistry at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts... Read more..

Date : Jul 3

Source: EE India

Incentives for wind power producers to be simplified

Ahead of the Union Budget next week, the ministry of new and renewable energy has taken up the issue of accelerated depreciation (AD) benefit with the ministry of finance.

The issue of providing additional funding for generation-based incentive (GBI) and wind activities would also be taken up with the finance ministry, power and coal minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday.

Goyal held an interactive meeting with all the stakeholders in the wind sector here. The representatives from four wind associations — Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association (IWTMA), Wind Independent... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: Business Standard

50 villages demand closure of polluting unit in Palsana

Chorus is growing for permanent closure of Geo Hybrid Industrial Solution Pvt Limited (GSPL) plant located in Gujarat Eco Textile Park (GETP) in Palsana. The clamour has grown among residents of as many as 50 villages in the adjoining areas of Palsana taluka following the death of two workers in the plant on Saturday.

The workers died in an explosion in the incinerator when drums filled with liquid waste were opened on Saturday late evening.

People of these 50 villages have formed 'save environment committee' and decided to organize a massive rally on Thursday demanding... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: Times of India

Schneider Electric India Foundation inaugurates Institute of Electricity and Energy Management (IEEM)

Schneider Electric India Foundation (SEIF) today announced the inauguration of the Institute of Electricity and Energy Management (IEEM) at Bangalore in partnership with Ministry of Education, France, and Department of Employment and Training, Government of Karnataka.

The event was graced by the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri Siddaramaiah along with Hon. Minister of State-Labour Mr. Sri P.T. Parameshwar Naik, Madame Chandrika Casali, Ministry of Education – France, Sri Francois Millioni, Global Director – Training, Schneider Electric and Dr, Shalini Sarin, VP... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: India Education Diary

NLMK increases energy self sufficiency

Specialists at NLMK Group’s Lipetsk production site have begun hot testing a new turbine generator which will enable the company to increase electricity generation by 11%, or over 370 million KWH. It will also reduce electricity expenses by 2.1%, or RUB 440 million per year.

The launch of this modern turbine generator, commissioned to replace the previous outdated one, will result in a significant increase in the Lipetsk production site’s energy self-sufficiency, growing from 52% to 58%. In addition, the installed capacity of the facility’s power station will increase by 50 MW to... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: Steel Guru

Paris pact hinges on successful $100 bn Green Climate Fund: Javedakar to French minister

Actions of the developing countries, including India, in the run up to the Paris summit of world leaders in Climate Change would be predicated on successful operationalisation of the $100 billion Green Climate Fund, the Union environment, forests and climate change minister Prakash Javadekar told the visiting French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius.

The two held closed door confabulations on Monday about the new global agreement on climate change, which is to be agreed upon in Paris in 2015.

For hosts France, the Paris meet, where heads of states are expected to converge, is... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: Business Standard

Pune builders get smarter, adopt to technology to save water

Taking a lead, Pune-based Gera Developments announced that in light of the deficient rainfall, the company would shift from water-based curing to chemical curing for their current projects and would continue it till the water situation in the district improves. The move could reduce water consumption by over 25 million litres of water used for curing. With the state gearing up for what looks like a drought–like situation for the third consecutive year, the authorities are imposing restrictions on the water consumption on industries like agriculture and construction.

The process of... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: DNA India

E-rickshaws legal but aren't regulated

Jai Bhagwan Goel, a politician active in Delhi circles who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in February, was instrumental in getting a significant rally convened on June 17. In the rally, he managed to win back a cause, and vote bank, being taken over by Aam Aadmi Party Leader Arvind Kejriwal.

Goel brought together the Battery Rickshaw Association, a group of 20 importers and manufacturers of e-rickshaws, and Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who attended the gathering with the important news of the day: e-rickshaws, battery-operated vehicles that ran at a... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: Business Standard

In sunny Tamil Nadu, developers lukewarm to solar plants

The solar policy unveiled by the AIADMK government when it came to power in 2002 aims to create 3000 MW of new solar capacity by 2015. Of this 1500 MW was to come from big plants called utility-scale, 350 MW from building rooftops and remaining 1150 MW to be achieved through projects under the Renewable Energy Certificate mechanism - an incentive aimed to promoting captive solar power plants.

It was reported that Tangedco had issued a tender for purchase of 1000 MW solar power but the response was lukewarm. Developers were concerned over the track record of Tangedco in payments,... Read more..

Date : Jul 2

Source: Times of India

NASA to launch satellite to track carbon pollution

The US space agency is to launch on Tuesday a satellite that tracks atmospheric carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.

The launch of the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 is expected at 2:56 am Pacific time (0956 GMT) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

"Now that humans are acknowledging the environmental effects of our dependence on fossil fuels and other carbon dioxide-emitting activities, our goal is to analyze the sources and sinks of this carbon dioxide and to find better ways to manage it," said Gregg Marland, a professor in... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: Zee News

Regulatory Panel Issues Guidelines to Enhance Generation of Solar Energy

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued guidelines to increase the solar energy generation in the state.

The guidelines were formulated by giving focus on giving maximum benefits to consumers and licensees, including the Kerala State Electricity Board.

At present, the solar panels are not linked with the power distribution network and are working independently. As per the present system, the solar power generated during the day time can be used on the spot by the consumer and the excess power can be stored in the power batteries.

The battery... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: New Indian Express

Delta Electronics intros innovative battery energy storage solution

Delta Electronics, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions headquartered in Taiwan, announced today the launch of a new Battery Energy Storage Solution (BESS), at a press conference in Paris.

This innovative energy-saving solution is complementary with renewable energy production systems in smart grids, and helps managing energy demand to ultimately reduce or defer the overall costs of grid investment and power dispatch.

Delta developed this innovative energy storage system designed for smart grid applications to optimize home energy balance. The system... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: CIOL (press release)

Micro grids can reduce gaps in energy-poor areas: CSE

Micro grids based on renewable energy, which will allow decentralised generation of power for clusters of villages, could fill the energy gap in rural India, said energy experts of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) at a workshop on Friday, where they presented a model for mini grid.

At present, a population of 300 million, nearly a fourth of the country, has no access to electricity. Over 800 million cook on biomass and suffer from indoor pollution. Nearly 45 per cent of all rural households have no electricity and depend on kerosene for lighting.

The CSE... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: The Hindu

Goyal for scrapping duty on solar gear

The Power Ministry may seek dropping of the proposal to levy anti-dumping duty on imported solar power equipment on the plea that the current manufacturing capacity is not sufficient to meet the requirements of electricity generating firms in the sector. “It’s a quasi-judicial process and we will respect the process and take adequate measures to get the support of the Finance Ministry and the Commerce Ministry in this regard,” Power Minister Piyush Goyal told PTI.

Date : Jul 1

Source: Free Press Journal

‘Water scarcity may hit power supply’

The state is staring at power crisis caused by the severe water shortage across the state. Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said there was a shortage in coal, which was likely to impact the efficiency of power generation plants, resulting in irregular electricity supply and frequent load-shedding across Maharashtra.

"Currently, electricity generation at Koyna, Dabhol and other hydel-power projects is closed due to poor water supply. Also, two units of the Parali thermal plant in Marathwada region have stopped functioning due to water scarcity. Moreover, the thermal power... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: Times of India

Ministry of Mines pitches for quick green clearances

In a recent presentation put before Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Mines stressed on the need to expedite the process of granting environmental clearances to revive the crises-hit sector and instill confidence in investors.

Sources told Deccan Herald that Anup K Pujari, Ministry of Mines Secretary, said in a recent presentation that expediting the process of giving clearances was vital for the increase of mineral production and would build a stronger system to monitor illegal mining.

Pujari also mentioned the need to strengthen the Indian Bureau of Mines and... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: Deccan Herald

Quantum Energy Inc says its refineries would produce export-ready fuel

Quantum Energy Inc , a US energy venture, intends to build a network of " micro refineries" that would produce fuel fit for export, an executive said on Friday.

The Williston, North Dakota, enterprise plans to build five "micro refineries" near railheads that would house facilities to strip natural gas, refine liquid fuels and recapture carbon dioxide, the company said.

Each facility would run about 100,000 barrels per day through a stabilizer and subsequently refine 20,000 barrels per day into household gas, diesel fuel and other petrochemicals.

The remaindered of... Read more..

Date : Jul 1

Source: Economic Times