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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
India, Switzerland collaborate on energy efficient buildingsTo promote sustainable architecture, India is collaborating with Switzerland to utilise Swiss expertise for designing energy efficient buildings in the country. In this regard, Indian and Swiss governments have entered into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding. "After extensive consultations and pilot projects, our two governments have signed a five-year MoU to facilitate the adoption of Swiss expertise to the Indian context," Swiss Ambassador Linus Von Castelmur said today. He was speaking at a seminar on 'Integrated Approach to Energy Efficient Building Design'... Read more.. Date : Jul 23 Source: Business Standard
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Goa slaps green cess on polluting businessesThe Goa government Tuesday imposed a green cess on all polluting products to net additional revenue.
Polluters who fail to pay the cess could be fined up to Rs.1 lakh, the new law advocates.
By introducing the Goa Cess on Products and Substances Causing Pollution (Green Cess) Act, the state government has also opened the way to the Environment and Energy Audit Bureau (EAEB) to identify sensitive areas of energy and environment conservation.
The act, introduced in the assembly in April this year, imposes a tax "not exceeding two... Read more.. Date : Jul 23 Source: Newstrack India
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Bangalore transport network to embrace CNG soonThe government of Karnataka plans to gradually convert the public transport system in Bangalore city to CNG (compressed natural gas) on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai. The government, through a joint venture between Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (KSIIDC) and Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) proposes to implement the project. The state government, in collaboration with GAIL will set up 25 CNG filling stations across Bangalore city to supply gas to the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), chief minister Siddaramaiah said. ... Read more.. Date : Jul 23 Source: Business Standard
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‘Paper industry begins to gain from energy saving initiatives’The country’s paper industry has begun to gain significantly due to its focus on energy saving and water conservation, according to K.S. Kasi Viswanathan, Chairman of PaperTech 2013. Speaking at the conference hosted by the CII and Green Business Council here today, Viswanthan, who is also the Deputy Managing Director of Seshasayee Paper & Boards Limited, said that several steps initiated to save on power and water consumption about five years have begun to yield excellent results. “This process will continue to make the country’s paper and pulp industry world class,” he... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: Hindu Business Line
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BSES, French firm join hand to offer energy saving solutionsPower distribution company BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and French firm Schneider Electric have entered into a partnership to offer energy saving solutions to electricity consumers. BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd officials said Delhi has a potential to save 760 MW of power daily and the joint venture between the two firms is aimed at offering BRPL consumers energy efficiency solutions. BRPL officials said by deploying these energy efficiency solutions, consumers can reduce their energy bills anywhere between 10 and 30 per cent without compromising on any of their energy needs. ... Read more..Date : Jul 19 Source: Economic Times
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Solar energy park in Paramakudi in three monthsThe Rs. 920-crore solar energy park, being established at Paramakudi near here, would be ready in next three months and would make available 100 MW of power to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Ltd (Tangedco) in April next year, Mr C.Narasimhan, Chairman, Raasi Green Earth Energy Private Ltd (RGEE) has said. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, he said RGEE is establishing the park in joint venture with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation and the bhoomi pooja for the park would be held on July 21 at Kavanur, near Paramakudi. Three months after the... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: The Hindu
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Astonfield to set up 250 mw solar plantsAstonfield Renewable Resources Ltd is looking at developing 250 mw over the next two years at an investment of at least Rs 2000 crore. At present the company has under development projects in India, Africa and the Middle East. It aims to install a further 50-75 MW in 2013 and diversify its activities to three to four more Indian states by the end of its current fiscal year in March 2014. Among Astonfield's operating power plants is its 5 MW solar plant in Osiyan, Rajasthan - one of the first sanctioned under JNNSM and the first to receive an A level credit rating from... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: Economic Times
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Intersolar India 2013: The latest technologies for a dynamic marketThe Indian solar market is on its way to becoming one of the most important markets worldwide. While the country’s total installed capacity stood at only 17.8 megawatts (MW) at the start of 2010, it surpassed the gigawatt (GW) mark last year and is expected to continue increasing rapidly over the years to come. Against this backdrop, around 300 exhibitors from around the world present the solar industry’s new products, solutions and services at Intersolar India, which takes place from November 12–14, 2013. Around 700 experts discuss the latest industry developments at the accompanying... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: Sustainability Outlook
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ADB Plans Second Loan to Improve Power Transmission in IndiaThe Asian Development Bank plans to give a second loan to upgrade state power grids in India to help solar plants sell electricity. The Manila-based lender approved a $100 million loan to western Gujarat state in 2011 to build transmission lines and equipment for the nation’s largest solar park. That encouraged private developers to build plants quickly as it saved them the cost of connecting to the grid individually. The ADB is planning a similar investment in neighboring Rajasthan state, Yongping Zhai, director of the energy division at the bank’s South Asia department,... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: Bloomberg Businessweek
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Dip in evacuation of wind energy in TNThough it is windy season in the State, wind energy generation is not at the maximum because of evacuation problems, according to K. Kasthoorirangaian, chairman of the Indian Wind Power Association. Tamil Nadu has over 7,000MW of installed wind energy capacity and according to data available on the website of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco), wind energy generation on July 17 morning was 2,325MW. On July 16, evening it was 2,586MW. Evacuation of wind energy has declined during the last two weeks. Wind mills are facing shutdown for more than eight hours a... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: The Hindu
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‘Review power pricing policy for agriculture’A recent study has signalled the need for a review of the electricity pricing policy for agriculture. The findings of this study on climate change and its impact on groundwater irrigation showed that for every one degree Celsius increase in temperature, the groundwater table fell by 0.30-0.55 metres. Similarly, poor rainfall, increase in the number of wells and increase in area under water-intensive crops such as sugarcane and coconut would cause a fall in the water table level significantly. The findings also showed that there has been a steady fall in water table... Read more.. Date : Jul 19 Source: Hindu Business Line
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Fund flow to renewable energy down to a trickleAre private equity (PE) funds shying away from India’s renewable energy sector? According to Venture Intelligence Data, total investment into the segment fell 35% in the first six months of 2013, compared with the same period last year. This year’s drop is significant, considering that 2012 reported a growth of 144%. However, industry sources say this is a temporary phenomenon. According to them, things will normalise soon thanks to the potential and demand for electricity in India. PEs invested $304 million across five deals into the renewable energy segment during the... Read more.. Date : Jul 18 Source: Business Standard
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Pakistan seeks India's cooperation in renewable energy sectorPakistan has sought India's cooperation in the renewable energy sector, especially use of solar power for agriculture, Pakistan High Commissioner Salman Bashir said Tuesday. "A team from Pakistan is already in India to study renewable and energy sector. The team is studying the use of solar power for agriculture and solar power plants in India. It is an area where we can benefit," Bashir said. Speaking at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries, he said there are good agricultural universities in Pakistan who will be happy to collaborate with similar institutions in India... Read more.. Date : Jul 18 Source: Business Standard
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Asian Development Bank May Fund India Grid ProjectThe Asian Development Bank plans to give a second loan to upgrade state power grids in India to help solar plants sell electricity. The Manila-based lender approved a $100 million loan to western Gujarat state in 2011 to build transmission lines and equipment for the nation’s largest solar park. That encouraged private developers to build plants quickly as it saved them the cost of connecting to the grid individually. The ADB is planning a similar investment in neighboring Rajasthan state, Yongping Zhai, director of the energy division at the bank’s South Asia department,... Read more.. Date : Jul 18 Source: Bloomberg
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Environmental damage costs India Rs.3.75 trillion: World BankThe annual cost of environmental degradation in India is about Rs. 3.75 trillion, or 5.7% of India’s 2009 gross domestic product (GDP), according to a report released by the World Bank on Wednesday. The impact of outdoor air pollution on GDP is the highest and accounts for 1.7% of the GDP loss, said the report, which was submitted to the environment ministry in May and took around three years to complete. Indoor air pollution is the second-biggest offender and costs India 1.3% of GDP. “The higher costs for outdoor/indoor air pollution are primarily driven by an elevated... Read more.. Date : Jul 18 Source: Livemint
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Wind Forecast Order Jeopardizes Industry, Tata Power SaysIndia’s move to stabilize its power grid by asking wind farms to accurately predict their output a day in advance or face fines will deepen the slowdown in Asia’s second-biggest wind market, Tata Power Co. (TPWR) said. A directive took effect this week ordering wind farms with a capacity of 10 megawatts or more to forecast their generation in 15-minute blocks for the following day. Missing estimates by more than 30 percent will incur penalties. “Forecasting at 15-minute intervals is very challenging,” and could cost a 100-megawatt farm an estimated 250 million rupees ($4.2... Read more.. Date : Jul 17 Source: Bloomberg
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Test run on at hydel projectThe reliability test run of a hydel project (2 x 5 MW) across River Bhavani in Coimbatore District is on. Reliability test According to an official of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation here, the reliability test, which is part of the pre-commissioning tests, started on July 10 as water inflow into the river has increased. The test will be conducted for 15 days, including three days of full load operation. The Rs. 187 crore - project is located at Umaipalayam Village, near Mettupalayam in the District and is the second unit of the Bhavani... Read more.. Date : Jul 17 Source: The Hindu
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Draft farm policy moots energy-smart approachThe draft agricultural development policy submitted to the government by the drafting committee has mooted an energy-smart approach based on optimum use of local renewable energy sources for farming to minimise dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Substituting bioenergy for fossil fuels offers important rural development opportunities as well as a means of climate change mitigation, says the drafting committee headed by K. Krishnankutty. “The food sector requires energy, it can also produce energy. An energy-smart approach to agriculture can take advantage... Read more.. Date : Jul 16 Source: The Hindu
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Chennai Silks group commissions 2 MW captive solar power plantCoimbatore-based Chennai Silks Group ha made its foray into solar energy sector, commissioning its first 2 MW captive solar power plant here in Tirupur district, about 80 KMs from Coimbatore. The Rs 16 crore plant, executed by Tata Power Solar (TPS) in a 'record time' of three months, was expected to generate 3.1 Million Units of electricity in the first year of operation, Group Managing Director, N K Nandagopal told reporters here. The plant, inaugurated by Forest Minister M S M Anandan, would work under the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) mechanism and the group would... Read more.. Date : Jul 16 Source: Zee News
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Astonfield earns India's first CRISIL 'A' credit rating for solar power plantAstonfield Renewables, a leading provider of affordable renewable energy, announced that Credit Rating Information Services of India Ltd (CRISIL), a division of the McGraw Hill Corp. and whose majority stakeholder is Standard & Poor's, has given an A- credit rating on loan facilities for its 5 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in the state of Rajasthan. Astonfield is the first company to receive an A class rating by CRISIL for a solar power plant in India. The "CRISIL A-/Stable" rating was given on long-term loan facilities. According to the agency, Astonfield has "a... Read more.. Date : Jul 16 Source: CIOL
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India Tells Wind Farms to Forecast Power or Face Finesndia will fine wind farms that fail to set accurate day-ahead forecasts for power output, passing on risks to owners like CLP Holdings Ltd. (2) and Tata Power Co. (TPWR) after volatile generation led to the world’s biggest blackout. A directive enforcing the fines began today after industry opposition led to a two-year delay, said Rajiv Bansal, secretary of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. Each day wind farms with a capacity of 10 megawatts or more need to predict their level of generation in 15-minute blocks for the following day and will be fined for missing... Read more.. Date : Jul 16 Source: Bloomberg
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Industry should evolve new energy utilisation norms: KalamThe former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has called on the industry to evolve new energy utilisation norms for different industries, and challenge designers to work towards sustainability targets, in the mission to make companies, communities and the country green.
Speaking at GreenCo Summit 2013 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Pune, he said, “21st century companies will have unique challenges of maximising output, human resources and machinery with minimum clean water availability and with minimum clean air and maximum... Read more.. Date : Jul 16 Source: Hindu Business Line
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Suzlon Energy arm sets up 325 MW capacity wind farm in BelgiumWind power major Suzlon EnergyBSE 1.47 % said its arm REpower Systems SE has installed turbines with a capacity of 325 MW at a wind farm in Belgium. "Suzlon Group-subsidiary, REpower Systems SE, installed turbines totalling a capacity of 325 MW in the Belgian offshore wind farm Thornton Bank," the company said in a statement. According to a company statement, ABB and THV Seawind, a consortium between DEME and Fabricom, were among the installation partners. "We are very proud to have installed the largest fleet of 6 megawatt turbines worldwide. Thornton Bank confirms... Read more.. Date : Jul 15 Source: Economic Times
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Time for Sunrise in the Solar SectorThree months can be a long time. Take the renewable energy attractiveness index by Ernst & Young (E&Y) that ranks 40 countries on the draw of their renewable energy investment and deployment opportunities. In the quarter ending February 2013, India was ranked 3rd in solar photovoltaics after the US and China. But by May 2013, it slipped to 8th. The reasons for this fall, according to E&Y, are the high cost of financing and the infrastructure barriers. But neither condition has worsened. In fact, the financing outlook appears brighter. Banks are more comfortable... Read more.. Date : Jul 15 Source: Forbes India
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RIL focuses on new fuel sources for Jamnagar project expansionReliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is tapping new energy sources for its refinery and petrochemicals project in Gujarat.
Two months ago, the company launched a pilot “algae-to-oil” project at a 100-acre facility near Jamnagar that houses the world’s largest single-location refining complex.
The company aims to produce 100 barrels of oil a day from the plant shortly, up from about 10 barrels a day during the trial phase, said a person familiar with the developments, speaking on condition of anonymity. Algae oil can be used to make... Read more.. Date : Jul 15 Source: Livemint
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