Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Airtel installs 100 kw solar plant to power centre in Lucknow

Telecom operator Bharti AirtelBSE -0.22 % today said it has installed a 100 kw solar power plant in Lucknow, which would help save 26,000 litres of diesel per year consumed to power its major routing centre.

"Bharti Airtel has installed a solar power plant at Gangaganj, Lucknow. This location is one of the major switching and routing centre, which processes the voice and data traffic for the telecom operator," it said in a statement.

"The 100 kwp (kilowatt photovoltaic) rooftop solar power plant will save close to 26,000 litres of diesel per year," the statement said... Read more..

Coimbatore solar energy units in an upbeat mood

Manufacturing of solar energy-related products in Coimbatore is set to get a boost with the State unveiling a new solar energy policy and the solar energy equipment manufacturers here expect to clock a 15-20 per cent annual growth, according to the organisers of the ‘Renergy Coimbatore 2013’ show.

They expect the household segment to have a major share of the demand growth though smaller office units and the small scale engineering companies too are expected to become significant users of solar energy.

Speaking to Business Line here on Sunday, C. Muthusami, Chairman... Read more..

Hit by Chinese competition, Tata Solar to shift focus to EPC

Hit by stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers globally, Tata Power Solar plans to shift focus from an export-oriented firm to a domestic EPC service provider, a top official said.

The company has so far concentrated on exporting solar modules and cells, primarily to the US, Australia, Europe and Asian markets, which contribute to nearly 80 per cent sales.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Power, it also provides solar power solutions and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services.

"We have been an export-oriented company so far. The project... Read more..

PCNDTA new green building worth 38cr

PimpriChinchwad New Township Development Authority (PCNTDA) has constructed a new administrative "green building" near Akurdi railway station at a cost of Rs 38 crore.

Yogesh Mhase, chief executive officer, PCNTDA said, "The construction of the building is over and is likely to be inaugurated in the last week of this month. It is expected to get green building status from the union government soon."

Elaborating on the building, V K Patil, executive engineer with PCNTDA, said, "The orientation of the building ensures minimal need to use electricity for lighting purposes.... Read more..

Jal Nigam's pollution control unit wastes bio-gas

The Ganga Pollution Control unit of UP Jal Nigam continues to waste the bio-gas (methane) generated from its sewage treatment plant (STP). The condition of digesters of the STP had also started worsening.

Since the inception of STPs by UPJN, the officials of this agency are promising to utilize the biogas for power generation. However, by visiting the STP like of Dinapur, it can be noticed how the biogas is being wasted by burning it in the air, adding to the pollution. This keeps the environment conscious people worried, but for the authorities concerned it is the best way... Read more..

Japan co to improve water quality of River Sal

There is some hope for River Sal as a project to improve the water quality and groundwater contamination as remedial measures of Salcete's lifeline is being drawn up by a Japanese company.

The project will be funded by the Japan government.

Speaking to TOI, chief minister Manohar Parrikar said "I have requested the Japanese delegation to examine the pollution in River Sal and give a proposal to the state government." Parrikar also said that as a temporary measure, the government has moved a proposal to clean River Sal and as a long term measure, the Japanese delegation... Read more..

Cement major submits proposal to process industrial waste

Taking forward its green initiatives, cement major ACC Limited plans to establish a facility at Perundurai by the end of next year for processing industrial waste from across the State.

The processed waste will be used at the ACC Madukkarai Cement Works plant as fuel in the cement kiln.

Ashish Kumar Srivastava, Plant Director, told The Hindu here on Wednesday that the company had submitted its proposal to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. The project would entail an investment of Rs. 40 crore to 50 crore and would be part of ACC’s corporate social responsibility... Read more..

Solar energy fest kicks off at Bhavan’s College

The real power struggle in India doesn't play out in boardrooms, or the parliament, but in homes that are deprived of consistent or any electricity. On the global front, it's a power struggle between man and nature.

Alert to the evidence of climate change, and the stark reality of a population pushing the limits of natural resources, sustainability campaigners have long called for new approaches to consumption and living. A few of these are up for display at the first edition of a solar energy festival, which launched on Thursday, called SunPlugged: GreenKarbon Solar Festival... Read more..

Govt plans to introduce fuel-efficiency ratings for cars

The government plans to introduce fuel-efficiency ratings for automobiles to encourage sale of cars that consume less petrol or diesel, Oil Minister Veerappa Moily said.

"The Petroleum Conservation Research Association should draw a proposal for rating automobiles according to their fuel efficiency," he said while inaugurating Petroleum Conservation Fortnight-2013 on Wednesday. Petroleum secretary chairs PCRA, an arm of the oil ministry for efficient energy utilization and environment protection.

The government will work on the proposal soon, which would be similar to... Read more..

Bosch to enter renewable energy market next month

Bosch India, a leading manufacturer of goods and services for the automotive sector would be entering the Rs 200-crore market of solar water heaters from February. Headquartered in Bangalore, this division would be catering to customer bases in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka as well.

Vidyasagar Halingali, country head, of the Thermo technology Bosch says the companies hopes to capture 10-15% of the market in the next 2-3 years.

The first roll out would constitute solar panels and the solar heating system and Karnataka, Maharashtra and the NCR region would be the main markets... Read more..

Southern states chart wind farms for green energy corridor project

The southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are seeking to increase the contribution of renewable energy to meet their power requirements in the 12th Plan period (2012-17). They plan to set up wind farms on wastelands and form a green energy corridor for increasing transmission of renewable power.

The ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is working with these states to prepare a map marking out wastelands with high potential to generate wind power.

“The advantage of (mapping) these areas is that instead of telling wind energy providers to... Read more..

Can Subsidies Get Electric Vehicles Rolling in India?

Last week, the Indian government revealed more details about its plan to spend 230 billion rupees ($4.2 billion) to stimulate a domestic market for electric vehicles. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said that government and manufacturers would split the pot equally in order to build a domestic industry of low-carbon transport.

EV makers and aspiring drivers have reason to doubt the government, which has shown a lack of follow-through in its promises to subsidize electric cars and two-wheelers. In 2010, the government offered buyers a generous rebate on their purchases, but... Read more..