Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Kakatiya Energy Systems launches automated street lighting control system

Kakatiya Energy Systems, an energy management company, has launched its outdoor lighting product, Nature Switch- an automated street lighting control system.

Nature Switch utilizes innovative switching controls and when coupled with optional auto-dimming technology for HID ( High-intensity discharge )lamps, it can reduce up to 40% of energy usage by reducing the wattage of HID lamps from 100% to 60% of the wattage during non-peak hours on national highways and state roads.

"As energy and maintenance costs continue to increase, taking control of outdoor lighting costs... Read more..

Coal power emissions may have killed 100,000 Indians in 2012: Study

According to recent assessments by Delhi-based Urban Emissions, over 100,000 people died prematurely in 2011-12 due to emissions from thermal power stations in India. The study is based on a database of 111 coal power plants representing a generation capacity of 121 GW.

The study also finds that there are millions of cases of asthma, respiratory distress and heart disease attributable to emissions from coal fired power stations and cost the country about 3.3 to 4.6 billion US dollars. Sarath Guttikunda, co-author of the report and adjunct faculty at the US based Desert... Read more..

Welspun, GRT, Sun Edison confirm solar projects in TN

Welspun Energy, Chennai-based jewellers GRT and the American solar major Sun Edison are among those who have agreed to put up solar power projects in Tamil Nadu.

Welspun wants to build a 30-MW plant, GRT 15-MW and Sun Edison 10-MW, under their respective special purpose companies.

They are among several companies of a total capacity of 226 MW, who have given their acceptance to sell their power to the State electricity distribution utility, Tangedco, at a starting rate of Rs 6.48 a kWhr.

Tangedco is expected to issue ‘letter of intent’ to these bidders early... Read more..

Gujarat to come up with offshore wind power policy

Having successfully established a solar power generation park in north Gujarat and a series of wind power plants with private companies, Gujarat government is now focusing on tapping offshore wind power generation potential along its coastline.

Following a positive study report prepared by UK based Atlantis Resources Corporation, the government is now drafting an offshore wind power generation policy that will be announced soon. A senior official with the state energy and petrochemical department said, "The state government expects around Rs 1,000 crore in investments in the... Read more..

500 'green' e-autos to hit Ahmedabad roads on I-Day

Amdavadis will see 500 pollution-free auto-rickshaws on city roads this Independence Day, thanks to an agreement signed between the umbrella organisation of the city’s auto-drivers unions and a joint venture with a Japanese company. 

The Japanese firm manufactures closed-body battery-operated electric auto-rickshaws (e-autos) which are not only environment-friendly but cost little to operate and maintain. As a result, commuters can expect much-needed relief from high auto fares.

On Monday, the Ahmedabad Auto Rickshaw Chalak Sangarsh Samiti (AARCSS), a federation of 13... Read more..

BP (NYSE: BP) to Exit the Solar Industry

British Petroleum (NYSE: BP) is bowing out of the solar industry for good.

In a speech last week, CEO Bob Dudley said, “We have thrown in the towel on solar,” as reported by NPR. The oil giant will continue to invest in other renewables such as wind and bio-fuels.

BP’s investment in solar panels was no fad or short-term investment model; the oil company has looked into solar as a real energy source for the past 10 years. BP was one of the early solar investors during the developmental stage, and there was more optimism in the full potential of solar on the energy... Read more..

New meters for consumers opting for rooftop solar power units

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) will have to install fresh meters for domestic consumers who opt for rooftop solar power units.

Giving this direction, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC), in its order a few days ago, stated that these meters would replace the existing ones used by such consumers. Their cost would be recovered from the consumers. The Corporation had been directed to submit a detailed procedure, covering a host of issues such as standards and location of meters, tariff for excess generation or lapsed units... Read more..

Now, SMS to charge cellphone’s battery using solar power

Out of battery? Just send a text! People living off-grid can now power their phones simply by sending a text message. A London-based company Buffalo Grid has introduced a solar-powered cellphone charging station that is activated by text message.

A patchy or absent power grid poses a conundrum of problems for rural areas in the developing world, particularly in Africa and Asia, where the use of cellphones is rapidly rising. The company's basic technology, which was recently trialled in Uganda, should help tackle this issue, 'NewScientist' reported.

The battery extracts... Read more..

Dhule solar power plant to be operational from March 20

The Dhule-based solar power plant which is expected to generate 150 MW power is likely to be made operational from March 20 this year. The first phase would add 50 MW power to the state grid, said government officials.

The solar panels spread over 350 hectares of barren land will have 'thin film' and 'crystalline' technology based photovoltaic cells. The aim is to maximize the output from the solar panels. The efficiency of the power panels is 20% of the total heat absorption. The project was delayed by one year because of the dispute between the state revenue and forest department... Read more..

'Reformed' discoms to ease power costs for telco towers

Finance Minister P Chidambaram may have failed to cheer the telecom industry by not offering any direct incentive. But, in his Budget speech, he urged the state governments to prepare the financial restructuring plans for power distribution firms (discoms) "quickly".

The telecom tower companies will benefit most from the restructuring of the discoms as this would ensure better power supply, mainly in rural and semi-urban areas.

According to industry estimates, the telecom tower industry consumes two billion litres, or 3.5 per cent of the total consumption in India, of... Read more..

Tangedco chooses 29 firms to set up solar power plants

As many as 29 firms have been chosen by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) for putting up solar power plants of an aggregate capacity of 226 megawatt (MW).

The price at which the Corporation will solar power from the proposed plants will, in the beginning, be Rs. 6.48 per unit. The plants will come up in different districts including Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar, Karur, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram.

In Andhra Pradesh too, a similar price has been arrived at, says an official. [The Andhra Pradesh... Read more..

Water agency will remain advisory: State

The State will not encourage a water resources regulatory authority that insists on establishment of a water tariff system, particularly for agricultural use.

Addressing a seminar organised here on Thursday on the status of the functioning of water regulatory authorities in India, M. Saikumar, secretary, Public Works Department, pointed out the State’s reservations against the conditions laid by the Central government to provide funds in states that have introduced water tariff systems.

If the purpose of setting up a regulatory authority is also to fix tariffs, Mr.... Read more..