Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Tepid response to auction for solar projects in Gujarat

Winning bids for solar projects in Gujarat remained stuck at Rs 4.43 per unit, the reserve price set for most of the recent auctions in India, suggesting that prices may have bottomed out. The contracts were awarded on the basis of the least subsidy sought

The auction conducted by the Solar Energy Corporation of India for 160 MW of projects at the Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat (four projects of 40 MW each... Read more..

Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC ) agrees on Higg Index transparency roadmap to 2020

The Sustainable Apparel Coalition has launched a new transparency roadmap, which will allow members to roll out previously confidential Higg Index scores to the general public. The move comes as the SAC membership pushes for greater transparency on Higg, in a bid for the tool to become the harmonised textile industry standard of choice for social and environmental improvement. John Mowbray reports.

So far... Read more..

1st floating solar power unit in Nagpur gets good results

In a first of its kind in Central India, a prototype of solar power plant installed on a floating platform at Vidarbha Industries Power Ltd (VIPL), a Reliance Power group company at Butibori, is being seen as a major advance with multiple advantages over rooftop solar generation models.

The solar panels set up on a floating platform over the raw water reservoir have not only checked evaporation in the water... Read more..

Enviance Acquires Fellow EHS Software Provider Actio

Cloud-based environment, health and safety management software provider Enviance has acquired Actio in a move to expand its EHS services.

The companies did not disclose terms of the acquisition, which follows another recent EHS services provider purchase by Enviance. In October, Enviance acquired Remedy Interactive platforms

... Read more..

Turkish researchers develop innovative textiles with antibacterial, antimicrobial, photovoltaic capacities

Turkish researchers have unveiled a number of projects to develop innovative textiles and launch their production in partnership with potential investors. As Turkish textile producers are forced to look for new export destinations due to political tensions between Russia and Turkey, these innovations could prove to be a significant asset in their ongoing efforts to expand to new foreign markets

The research... Read more..

Ban on big diesel cars, SUVs not the right way: Javadekar

Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the ban on diesel cars and SUVs with engines above 2,000cc in Delhi-NCR by courts “is not the right way.”

Calling it “unfortunate,” he said the government is already taking measures to curb pollution and the ban has resulted in vehicles with latest technologies not being allowed while old polluting vehicles continue plying on the roads.

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Government brings in labour reforms via Rs 6,000cr textile package

The Union Cabinet introduced labour law changes while approving a Rs 6,000-crore package for the textile and apparel sectors on Wednesday. A key element is increase in overtime for workers which should not exceed 8 hours per week, translating into nearly 90 hours over three months. The current norm allows only 50 hours of overtime in three months.

"It'll be advantageous for the industry as well as labour,"... Read more..

Soon, waste water may power homes in Kerala

Sewage water may soon become Kerala’s next source of electricity as a team of scientists has developed a technology to tap power generation from the same.

Developed by Amrita School of Biotechnology, the technology, called Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), converts chemical energy of feedstock into electricity by exploiting the metabolism of the microorganisms. Though the technology is still in its early stage,... Read more..

Sweden inaugurates first electric road

Sweden on Wednesday inaugurated a test stretch of an electric road, making it one of the first countries in the world to conduct tests with electric power for heavy transports on public roads. The test will be conducted on parts of road E16, and involves a current collector on the roof of the truck cab feeding the current down to a hybrid electric motor in the truck, according to a press release from the country’s transport administration Trafikverket, Xinhua reported.

... Read more..

Solar powered signalling systems will be launched in smart city, Bhubaneswar

One of the visible changes in the city after winning the smart city tag will be hi-tech traffic signalling systems powered by solar energy.

According to plans, 63 major junctions across the city will have the facility by April next year. Of these, 14 will have state-of-the-art "pelican signalling systems".

... Read more..

Dutch prototype clean-up boom brings Pacific plastics solution a step closer

A bid to clear the Pacific of its plastic debris has moved a step closer with the launch of the biggest prototype clean-up boom yet by the Dutch environment minister at a port in The Hague.

On Thursday the 100m-long barrier will be towed 20km out to sea for a year of sensor-monitored tests, before being scaled up for real-life trials off the Japanese coast at the end of next year.

... Read more..

Tata Power's renewable arm bags 30 mw solar power project in Maharashtra

Tata PowerCompany's arm, Tata Power Renewable Energy, has won a solar grid connected photovoltaic project of 30 mw in Maharashtra, the Tata group utility said in a statement Tuesday.

The projects have been awarded under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) Phase-II Batch-III Tranche-1 under 'State Specific Bundling Scheme.'

... Read more..