Sustainability Outlook Headlines

‘Climate change to hit crop yield’

There is going to be a major shift in crop pattern across the state and the yields of different agriculture and horticulture crops will be reduced owing to climate change over the years, according to agriculture scientists.

Scientists in the field of climate change met at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, (UAS-B) on Thursday to discuss adaptive strategies to meet challenges of climate change.

According to Prof M B Rajegowda, Agro-meteorologist at UAS-B, temperatures are likely to rise gradually by 2.5-4 degrees Celsius from the current levels over the Indian... Read more..

Odisha to set up a PSU to boost renewable energy generation

The Odisha government today said it has decided to set up a dedicated public sector company for the purpose of increasing generation of renewable energy, mostly hydro-power production capacity in the state.

“My government has decided to set up a dedicated Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in the name of Green Energy Development Corporation to give focused attention in development of small hydro power potential of the state,” the Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik said here.

Patnaik said the proposed PSU will also focus on generation of other renewable source of energy... Read more..

Irregular payment drives away windmill investors

As Coimbatore makes its stand as one of the main wind energy sites in Tamil Nadu, irregular payment of arrears by the state has affected the windmill owners severely. While wind power generation has played a key role in easing the dismal power situation of the state, that has a total installed capacity of about 7,000 mW, the long pending issue of non-payment of arrears has resulted in a reverse flow of windmill investors.

"Earlier, Tamil Nadu was the preferred destination for wind energy investments. Investors from various parts of India came here however, the situation has... Read more..

Honda offers a different deal: Inexpensive home solar power systems

Automakers have long resorted to incentives like zero-per cent financing, rewards points and rebates to inspire customer loyalty. Now Honda is offering a different deal: inexpensive home solar power systems for customers.

Through a partnership with SolarCity, a residential and commercial installer, Honda and Acura will offer their customers home solar systems at little or no upfront cost, the companies said Tuesday. The automaker will also offer its dealers preferential terms to lease or buy systems from SolarCity on a case-by-case basis, executives said.

The deal, in... Read more..

EMERGING MARKET LEADERSHIP FOR GLOBAL GREEN GROWTH

For the first time in history, emerging markets are proving to be the new drivers of global growth. India, Brazil, China and other emerging countries are shaping the future of the world economy, one that will largely be based on providing food, water and energy for more than 8 billion people by 2030.

Representing more than 80% per cent of the world’s population and 50% per cent of the global economy, emerging markets hold increasing influence over global politics and the race for leadership in global green growth.

Major green investments are being made by emerging economies... Read more..

TN solar power investors likely to commit to 190 MW

Investors are likely to commit to over 190 MW of solar power generation in Tamil Nadu in response to the bids called by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation, according to sources.

In January the utility had called for bids from private players to set up over 1,000 MW solar power generation facilities to supply to the grid for 20 years.

Over 90 bidders accounting for about 500 MW of generation capacity responded with bids ranging from Rs 5.97 a unit to about Rs 18.

Tangedco, the utility, offered to pay Rs 6.48 a unit, which, according to... Read more..

Goa CM can't handle his e-waste

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Tuesday said he does not know how to handle the e-waste he generates.

He added that after plastic, e-waste could be the biggest waste disposal problem in Goa.

"I have seven computers. Whenever I buy a new one, I dump the old one at my house. I do not know what to do with the old one," said the chief minister, who is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Mumbai.

Parrikar was speaking at a national workshop on "Electronic System Design and Manufacturing: Advantage Goa" at a city hotel.

He said the rapid... Read more..

Alpha Infra bids for 80 MW solar power in AP

Alpha InfraProp Private Ltd has bid for creating 80 MW of solar power, Lanco Solar Energy for about 60 MW in the latest round of tenders called for by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

A record 294 bids were submitted by 184 bidders with the total capacity installation of 1,350 MW. The State Government had, in the first phase, invited bids for setting up of 1,000 MW of solar power projects. The last date for bid submission was February 15.

Interestingly, Medak, Mahboobnagar and Nalgonda, all sharing borders with Hyderabad have emerged as the top three locations for the... Read more..

Bankers sensitised on solar energy schemes

With the intention of sensitising bankers in the district on financing various solar energy schemes, Canara Bank - the lead bank of the district here organised a one-day workshop for them. The workshop titled 'Financing Solar Energy Products and Services' was attended by 30 branch managers of various banks in the district.

The objectives of the workshop were to sensitise the bank managers on improving the solar energy in the district by financing them. During the workshop, the managers were taught about various subsidies of the state and Centre for solar products and services... Read more..

Producing CNG, even from bagasse, for vehicles!

It couldn't get more natural than this. Under instructions from the Union ministry for new and renewable energy (MNRE), Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India is expected to "test the bio-CNG produced from bagasse and its use in operating a commercial vehicle".

Incidentally, Hyderabad-based Spectrum Renewable Energy Private Ltd is expected to provide the bio-CNG and an engine of a commercial vehicle for detailed testing that will include testing of emission levels, engine performance under different conditions and other technical specifications.

Primary... Read more..

Andhra Pradesh solar tender attracts bids worth 1,340 MW

Andhra Pradesh’s tender for the purchase of electricity generated by solar plants of 1,000 MW, has attracted bids worth 1,339.5 MW. As many as 294 bids have been submitted by 184 bidders, it is reliably learnt.

Alfa Infra Properties has put up bids for several projects with a total capacity of 80 MW, and has topped the list of bidders in terms of capacity. Alfa is followed by Lanco Solar, which wants to put up solar plants worth 60 MW. Both these companies want to put up projects at eight locations, the most permitted under the tender rules.

It is learnt that while 42... Read more..

Solar dryers for chilli farmers in Ramanathapuram dist

The Department of Agri Marketing and Agri Business has proposed to introduce solar dryers for the benefit of chilli-growing farmers in Ramanathapuram district.

A proposal has been sent to the Managing Director of Project Unit, a World Bank consultant, to set up the dryers in select blocks in the district.

Disclosing the above at the farmers’ grievance day meeting held at the Collectorate on Friday, the official said that the proposal involved setting up solar dryers, each costing about Rs 10 lakh, and “solar dryer centres” with storage and compound wall facilities at a... Read more..