Sustainability Outlook Headlines

India's solar power punt

In June 2014, Ashok Agarwal thought he was home and dry. Agarwal, the CEO of Essel Infraprojects, was on the verge of delivering the $5 billion Essel Group’s first solar power project—a 20 MW plant in Osmanabad, Maharashtra—within deadline. All that was left was putting up the last 10 km of transmission lines that would connect the Rs 200 crore-plant to the state electric grid.

And that was when Agarwal got a reality check: Farmers who owned the land on which the transmission towers were to be built refused to allow their construction. Essel had the necessary government... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Forbes India

Goyal's roof-top solar push powers young minds

When Varun Goenka, 32, landed in Delhi a few years ago to study BCom at Delhi University, little did he know what was in store for him. Life could have indeed been very different had he considered joining his father's garment retail business in Guwahati.

In January 2014, Goenka realised he could make a fast buck by installing solar grids on rooftops at petrol pumps, something that his father's business could never match up to. He took seed money of Rs 50 lakh from his relatives, the Rajgarhia family, who runs courier company Overnight Express, and started Atlanta Energy. In... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Business Today

Indian companies may go green to meet power needs by 2020

Indian companies could soon figure among the likes of global firms such as NestleBSE 0.43 %, Mars, Philips and Ikea that plan to switch to green energy sources as part of the RE100 initiative, under which 100 large firms will rely exclusively on solar, wind, biomass or small hydro plants for their power requirements by 2020.

RE100, convened by international non-profit agency The Climate Group and sustainability firm CDP, has 15 members at present, including Elion Resources Group, one of China's top private enterprises, which has committed to rely entirely on renewable energy... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Economic Times

India Inc gifts Rs 1000 crore to PM Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat project

Responding to PM Narendra Modi's call, India Inc has jumped onto the Swachh Bharat bandwagon earmarking over Rs 1,000 crore for the project, analysts' estimates show.

Major corporate houses such as L&T, DLF, Vedanta, Bharti, TCS, Ambuja Cements, Toyota Kirloskar, Maruti, Tata Motors, Coca Cola, Dabur, Aditya Birla, Adani, Infosys, TVS and many others have laid out budgets for Swachh Bharat projects.

These projects vary from building toilets in distant villages, running workshops on behavioral changes, waste management to water hygiene and sanitation.... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Economic Times

Year on, China air cleaner: Study

A Greenpeace East Asia analysis of air pollution levels in 360 Chinese cities has revealed that air quality in the coastal cities and Beijing has considerably improved in the last one year. The analysis is based on government data for the first quarter of 2015.

However, China's central and western regions have the worst PM 2.5 levels.

In the first quarter of 2014 the average PM 2.5 concentration was 102.9 micrograms per cubic metre as compared to 92.4 micrograms per cubic metre this quarter.

"Our analysis shows that the government's strict... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Economic Times

State to go for clean power

Aiming to cut down costs and reduce its carbon footprint, the state government has decided to aggressively pitch for generating electricity through non-conventional resources. It will soon come out with a policy for the same. According to an official from the state’s energy department, “The government wants to produce 14,400 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2019 by way of non-conventional methods. For this, we will be inviting private companies and they will invest a total of Rs 70-80,000 crore for the purpose.”

At present, the state has solar power generation units in Sakri... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Asian Age

Corporation brings mobile app to clean Chennai

In an effort to gather feedback from the public regarding the city's cleanliness, the Chennai Corporation has launched a mobile app where Chennaiites can post photos of garbage bins and public toilets across the city. Clean Chennai, a free app for Android-based phones, can be downloaded from Google Play Store, and allows people to search and rate public toilets and garbage bins across Chennai.

Corporation officials said residents would be able to rate the civic services on a scale of 5, where 5 means 'very good' and 1 is 'very bad', along with a supporting picture. "We have... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Times of India

New LED tech boosts Wi-Fi bandwidth tenfold

A new technology that can increase the bandwidth of WiFi systems by 10 times, using LED lights to transmit information, has been developed.

The technology could be integrated with existing WiFi systems to reduce bandwidth problems in crowded locations, such as airport terminals or coffee shops, and in homes where several people have multiple WiFi devices.

Experts say that recent advances in LED technology have made it possible to modulate the LED light more rapidly, opening the possibility of using light for wireless transmission in a "free space" optical... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Business Standard

Green tribunal’s thumbs up for waste-to-energy projects

In what could be seen as a setback to those opposing burning of municipal solid wastes (MSW), the National Green Tribunal (NGT), New Delhi, has permitted the States, including Karnataka, to use incinerator technology for producing Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), commonly known as waste-to-energy.

However, the Tribunal said no waste could be directly put into the incinerators or for power generation, except the specifically permitted.

Only those wastes that are found unrecyclable after segregation should be put into the incinerators. Also, the tribunal emphasised that... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: The Hindu

Government to address weather woes in 100 districts: Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh

Amid growing fears of the El Nino weather phenomenon occurring this year, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh has said that the government has identified 100 districts in the country to help farmers who are grappling with extreme weather conditions such as drought and declining water table.

"The Indian Council for Agriculture Research has taken a national initiative on climate resilience and has identified 100 districts in the country which are facing extreme weather conditions. Resilient varieties of crops, equipments and machinery through custom hiring service are being... Read more..

Date : Apr 23

Source: Economic Times

Earth Day 2015: Take the lead, make each action count!

Earth Day is the day we celebrate our beautiful planet and pledge to protect it. Our amazing planet is constantly being ravaged by human activities and we seem to have forgotten that this is our home. Over the centuries we have mercilessly utilized and depleted the Earth’s resources and thus as a result we have to face Earth`s wrath. This day is a wake up call to enforce some action and bring about a change.

This day is a clarion call for all of us to make meaningful commitments towards change and protect Mother Earth. It aims to raise awareness that we have a collective... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Zee News

Apple’s US operations are now 100% powered by renewable energy

Just ahead of Earth Day, Apple has published their annual environmental responsibility report, much of which highlights the projects they have undertaken in the past year to reduce their footprint, such as the two massive solar farms under construction in China and the purchase of 36,000 acres of forest in North Carolina and Maine. But what is perhaps most striking about the report is the bigger picture news that all of Apple’s US operations, all of their data centers and 87-percent of their global operations now run on renewable energy.

In their report, Apple boasts that “... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Inhabitat

World Bank programme to focus on air quality in India

A new World Bank administered programme, with an initial total allocation of around $45 million, will focus on air quality management in five major urban areas in India, China, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.

As such, the Pollution Management and Environmental Health (PMEH) programme it could contribute to improved environmental health conditions for an estimated 150 million people in those cities over the next five years. PMEH, a new multi-donor Trust Fund will also support other countries and cities of Sub-Saharan Africa, and aim to reduce land and water pollution,... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Zee News

In ‘smart city’ move, NDMC plans solar panels in schools

In its bid for the ‘smart city’ tag, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC)’s solar project is gathering momentum. The civic body will inaugurate the Solar Roof Top Power Project on Tuesday at a government school in its area. The council has also initiated a policy under which households can produce solar energy and transfer it to the power grid.

“There are two places in government schools where solar panels are going to be set up. They are expected to generate around 1.7 MW of electricity,” a senior NDMC official said.

Elaborating on the measures the civic body... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Indian Express

Solar helmet charges cellphone, cools head

Would you like to recharge your smartphone or laptop while riding a bike in cities like Bengaluru?

Say hello to the solar bag (backpack) and solar cap. Mahesh Shivashimpiger, a Hubballi-based solar energy expert, developed this bag and helmet, which is also equipped with a small fan to keep your head cool. He has designed these devices for trekkers, sales executives, civil engineers and other professionals who spend a large part of their day out in the sun.

Mahesh, who has been involved in solar energy use for over 25 years, said these devices also help... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Times of India

Maharashtra govt targets 14,400 Mw power generation by 2019

In a bid to cut down cost and reduce carbon footprint, Maharashtra government has decided to exploit non-conventional resources to generate 14,400 Mw electricity by 2019 and will soon come out with a policy on it.

"The government wants to produce 14,400 Mw electricity by 2019 by way of non-conventional methods. For this, we will be inviting private companies and these companies will invest a total of about Rs 70,000-80,000 crore for the purpose," an official from the state Energy department said.

"A policy in this regard will soon come up. This source of energy... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Business Standard

REC incorporates 3 transmission SPVs as subsidiaries

State-run Rural Electrification Corporation today said it has formed three subsidiaries with a focus on as many number of power transmission projects.

"REC Transmission Projects, an arm of REC has incorporated three project specific Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) as its subsidiaries," REC said in a filing to the BSE.

The three SPVs -- Vemagiri II Transmission Limited, NER II Transmission Limited and Alipurduar Transmission Limited -- have been absorbed as subsidiaries of REC Transmission Projects.

The transmission projects or schemes include... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Business Standard

India Seeks Germany’s Push To Promote Renewable Energy

On the sidelines of the Hannover Messe industrial trade fair in Germany this year, the results of a survey conducted by the global accounting consultancy firm EY, and research agency Delphi were released, which compared the investment climate in the BRICS countries. More than 90% of the surveyed CEOs and CFOs from leading German high-tech companies stated that India currently offers a better investment climate than its BRICS peers.

The study also identified several perceived challenges across high-tech manufacturing sectors and investor groups. Among other things, this... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Clean Technica

German/Chinese/Silicon Valley solar disruption moves to Digital India.

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop is turning her considerable skill towards hammering out a civil nuclear supply deal with India. The Australian reports: “High hopes for Julie Bishop’s India uranium deal”. However, the international narrative is a bit different. The German/China-led solar disruption of the last 10 years is now Silicon Valley-driven with significant “Digital India” potential. Responsive Australian innovation policy is missing in action.

India’s climate narrative
If you Googled the words “Prime Minister Modi climate change”... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: The Fifth Estate

The 100 GW Headache

Just two years ago, few outside Gujarat's Patan district had heard of the tiny village of Charanka. It is home to the tribal Ahir community at the eastern end of the great Kuchchh desert. Acres of wasteland owned by the community grows little except the occasional wild bushes.

But in 2013, it found itself under the spotlight when the then chief minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the one-of-its-kind solar park there. Twenty-three small and big players came together to set up the 345 megawatt (MW) solar park (being expanded by another 300 MW). That made it capture 10... Read more..

Date : Apr 22

Source: Business Today

Govt uses green energy fund for fiscal balancing

Taking a cue from its predecessor, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government is using the green energy fund for fiscal balancing.

The Prime Minister’s office (PMO) has also asked the finance ministry to disburse money collected for the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) to environmental initiatives that have been sanctioned after it was announced in the 2010-11 budget.

“NCEF is still not being used for its intended use,” a person familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

India,... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Live Mint

No power plant plan designed for peak shortages

In February, when seasonal demand for electricity is usually not so high, the power shortage during the peak demand period averaged 2.5 per cent, starkly down from 13.8 per cent in August 2014.

The requirement for power can fall or rise dramatically, underscoring the need for plants that can be pressed specifically into service in times of high deficit. But, even after a year of the ministry of power coming out with a model bidding document for peaking power, there is hardly any plant being planned to meet peak demand or a power procurement plan designed to meet such blips... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Business Standard

Plastic waste to fuel trains

Indian Railways is mulling a plan to turn waste plastic bags, bottles and cups into diesel through a waste-to-wealth technology developed by a government research laboratory in Dehradun.

Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan today announced the railways plan to set up plants to produce diesel to run trains through the technology that can turn 1,000kg plastic waste into 800 litres of high quality diesel.

"Plastic waste will henceforth be viewed more as a resource than a nuisance," Harsh Vardhan said. "We... have the capability to convert broken... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Telegraph India

Govt studying new electricity-based MRTS proposal: Gadkari

As it looks to transform polluted and congested urban metropolises into smart and green cities, the Centre is studying a proposal for developing a new, elevated electricity-based mass rapid transport system (MRTS).

"As far as the future of transport in the country is concerned, a proposal has come for an electricity-based elevated transport system. The capital cost of this model is one-fourth compared to that of the Metro," Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari said.

He said that with the rising number of vehicles on the streets putting a... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Business Standard

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu advocates use of solar, wind energy

Cautioning against harmful effects of greenhouse gases due to fossil fuel use, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has advocated a paradigm shift in the energy scenario through the use of alternative energy like solar and wind power.

"The largescale use of fossil fuel worldwide is causing greenhouse gas emission affecting the climate adversely. All have agreed that greenhouse gas emission due to use of fossil fuel is causing global warming and climate change," he said at a memorial lecture on Sunday.

Explaining the consequence of greenhouse gas emission, he said, "... Read more..

Date : Apr 21

Source: Economic Times