Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Electric bus pilot project to be launched in Gujarat

As part of efforts to ensure a cleaner and greener environment, the Gujarat government will soon introduce a pilot project to run 'electric-buses' for public transport between state capital Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad.

Moving ahead, the state-run Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL) has invited expression of interest from the potential companies interested in the project which has been flashed on its official website. "GPCL is all set to introduce an 'e-vehicle' project on pilot basis for the public transportation purpose, under which 15-20 e-buses will be included in the initial... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: DNA India

Welspun Energy starts work for setting up of 50 MW solar project

Renewable energy generator Welspun Energy Pvt Ltd (WEPL) today said it has started work for setting up of 50-MW solar project at Baramati Maharashtra.

The company is setting up the project on a public-private partnership (PPP) model with Maharashtra State Power Generation Company, Welspun Energy said in a statement.

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra today laid the foundation stone in Baramati in Pune district, it said.

The power producer will be fully responsible for part- finance, design, and commissioning of this grid interactive solar power, it said... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Business Standard

Study confirms threat from chem units

A TOI report on the health hazards faced by the people of Ganganagar Katakhal area owing to mushrooming chemical units had prompted the state health department to conduct a survey. The study, which found an alarming rise in pollution levels and its direct impact on health, has proved to be major help for the residents who have now started a major campaign against pollution.

Residents of a 6sqkm area next to the eastern wall of the airport are suffering from a host of pollution-related ailments, thanks to the illegal factories that have sprouted in the area over the last 15 years.... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Times of India

New algae species could provide valuable biofuel

The discovery of a new species of macro algae along the coast at south Goa could open up vast reserves of biofuel besides providing raw material for anti-cancer drugs.

A variety of macro algae was last discovered some 45 years back in the coastal region of Chennai.

"Such macro algae can be a rich source of biomass," said Felix Bast, principle investigator and scientist at the Centre for Biosciences, Central University of Punjab. "Macro algae or seaweed changes its morphology frequently and hence... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Times of India

India to raise import duty on sugar, promote exports

India will raise its import duty on sugar to 40 percent from 15 percent, as the government tries to revive business at mills that owe farmers around $1.84 billion, the food minister said on Monday.

The climb in import duty will make overseas purchases nearly unviable for refiners in the world's biggest consumer of the sweetener, hitting shipments from suppliers such as Brazil, Thailand and Pakistan.

"We have reached a consensus to raise the import duty to 40 percent," Ram Vilas Paswan said after... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Reuters

Tata Power uses mix of 20 different coals at Mundra to reduce costs

Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (CGPL), a subsidiary of Tata Power Company that operates India's first ultra-mega power project (UMPP) at Mundra, has begun using a blend of almost 20 different varieties of coal in order to reduce costs without sacrificing efficiency of plant operations.

CGPL's power plant is the first live project amongst the 4 UMPPs of 4,000 mega watt each, awarded by the government till date.

The cost reduction exercise became critically important when the prices for imported coal... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Daily News & Analysis

BMW Working On Wireless Charging

The electric age is almost upon us. With Tesla unleashing all of their patents to the open source world, the American manufacturer may have kicked off an electric car revolution. However, electric vehicles are still quite far from being completely reliable and convenient. With most of the world running on fossil fuels for decades now, the shift to EVs as a means of transport will prove to be a massive struggle. To make matters worse, while a conventional petrol powered automobile may take an average of about five minutes to gas up and hit the road, a fully drained... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Indian Cars Bikes

NanoSteel Inks Deal with Lincoln Electric, Readies Automotive Trials

NanoSteel, a Providence, RI based company focused on developing iron based alloys for the auto, mining, power and oil and gas industries, has announced a licensing deal with Lincoln Electric for a steel coating technology used in weld overlays and thermal spray applications. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Mr David Paratore president & CEO of NanoSteel said that “Lincoln Electric based in Cleveland, OH, is a global leader in the design, development, and manufacturing of arc welding products. For them to give NanoSteel a stamp of approval validates our technology and... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Steel Guru

Concern over Burning of Plastic in Hospital

Women and Children’s Hospital in Thycaud, one of the two hospitals in the district to get NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Health Providers) accreditation, has now become a dumping ground for plastic waste. The fact was pointed out by a group of environmentalists in a letter to District Collector, advisor to Chief Minister and Suchitwa Mission Director.

In the letter, Tree Walk member Anitha S says, “Though it is common knowledge that the whole city is burning unsegregated waste all over with official connivance and ‘out of sight, out of mind attitude’, it was a... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: New Indian Express

K'taka presses panic button over drought-like situation

With yet another year of drought looming large over Karnataka, the state government has initiated a slew of measures to tackle the situation. The state as a whole has received an actual amount of 149 mm rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 268 mm, a shortage of 45 per cent between June 1 and July 8.

Among many measures to tackle the situation, the state government is set to defer the process of recovery of agricultural loans of farmers availed from cooperative institutions. The authorities would be directed to reschedule short-term agricultural loans to medium and long-term... Read more..

Date : Jul 14

Source: Business Standard

Obama's Adviser Calls on Naidu

Advisor to US President Barack Obama and chairman of Rocky Mountain Institute Amory B Lovins called on Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu at his residence here on Sunday and discussed prospects of sharing of environment technology for development of Andhra Pradesh.

They also discussed technology sharing in the field of energy security, energy production, power utilisation and saving methods in the truncated state. Lovins expressed his country’s willingness to share the latest knowledge and technology for development of the state.He offered to share the latest... Read more..

Date : Jul 13

Source: New Indian Express

Budget 2014: IT industry sees big opportunity in connectivity projects

Allocations of Rs 7060 crore for smart cities, Rs. 500 crore for bridging the digital divide, a 100 crore for a technology development fund and several other e-governance initiatives have given the Indian IT industry some reason to cheer the Budget 2014.

It is the connectivity opportunity that the industry seems excited about. Be it the Rs 300 crore police modernization project or the rural connectivity schemes, they are bound to open up huge projects in the infrastructure development space, and that is good news for the IT industry.

According to Anil Menon, President,... Read more..

Date : Jul 11

Source: ET

Industry welcomes boost to renewable energy in Budget 2014

The power industry today welcomed the Budget's emphasis on renewable energy and coal-based project, saying it will give an impetus to the sector which is reeling under a crisis.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in his maiden budget today, announced allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the solar power sector.

The government has set aside Rs 500 crore for new and renewable energy, Rs 400 crore for launching a scheme for solar power-driven agricultural pump sets and water pumping stations for energising one lakh pumps, and Rs 100 crore for the development of one-MW solar parks on the... Read more..

Date : Jul 11

Source: ET

France says vast solar energy,urban development potential in Rajasthan

There is a great potential to work with the Rajasthan government in renewable energy, especially solar energy, urban development and tourism sectors, France's Special Representative for Economic Relations with India, Paul Hermelin said here today

France's companies should fully use Rajasthan's infrastructures and grow their business, Hermelin, who is heading a 25 member business delegation from his country said during a high level meeting with state Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje here.

"There is a great potential and possibilities to work with the Rajasthan government in... Read more..

Date : Jul 11

Source: ET

Government Allocates Rs. 1000 Crore for Ultra Large Solar Projects, Parks

Narendra Modi-led government's first budget has given high priority to renewable energy sector with an allocation of Rs. 1,000 crore for development of ultra large solar power plants and solar parks.

The government aims to construct 'Ultra Mega Solar Power' projects or high capacity plants in the radiation-rich states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh).

At present, the Power Ministry is developing coal based Ultra Mega Power Projects or UMPPs that have generation capacity of 4,000 MW.

"I have set aside a sum of Rs. 500 crore for this (... Read more..

Date : Jul 11

Source: NDTV

2014 Union Budget: What it Holds for Indian Automobile Industry

The much anticipated general budget of the newly-elected government is finally out, which has tried addressing several issues including a few raised by the Indian Auto Industry. The Finance Minister had already announced the retention of the excise duty cut benefits, and today in the 2014 Budget he proposed the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) that the auto industry had been demanding for quite a long time. Mr. Jaitley said that a solution to the problems relating to the indirect tax regime may be finalised in the current year itself.

Moreover, announcements like... Read more..

Date : Jul 11

Source: NDTV

Duty imposed on coking coal; steel production cost to go up

The government today imposed 2.5 per cent duty on coking coal import, evoking reaction from the industry which said this could lead to increase in cost of steel production by Rs 200 a tonne.

Manufacturers, however, are not sure whether to pass it on to consumers given the subdued demand scenario.

The government also raised import duty on flat-rolled stainless steel products to 7.5 per cent from 5 per cent earlier and reduced customs duty for steel-grade limestone and dolomite, giving some relief to the industry.

While presenting his maiden Budget, Finance Minister... Read more..

Date : Jul 11

Source: ET

Apple targets rising water use, production partners' emissions

Apple Inc acknowledged on Wednesday it needs to address manufacturing partners' carbon emissions and its own rising water consumption, though the iPhone maker said it had cut back sharply on greenhouse gas output.

Apple last year hired former Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson to push cleaner initiatives, amid past criticism over its emissions and use of toxic materials. Observers say it has improved its practices and earned better scores from groups such as Greenpeace.

On Wednesday, Apple released its 2014 environmental responsibility report, saying... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: Reuters

Gedcol seeks regulatory approval for considering rooftop solar generation as RPO

Green Energy Development Corporation Ltd (Gedcol), the nodal body appointed by state government to generate renewable energy, has sought regulatory approval for considering solar power generated by rooftop projects towards meeting target for mandatory purchasing of green energy known as renewable purchase obligation (RPO).

"The quantum of solar rooftop electricity generated and consumed by consumer, who is not defined as an obligated entity under the RPO Regulations, as well as the quantum of surplus solar power exported to the distribution utility's network, be allowed to qualify... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: Business Standard

Transmission issues plague power-starved southern states

The much-talked-about synchronization of the southern power grid to the national grid has not benefited Tamil Nadu and Kerala for power purchase from other states. Lack of proper transmission infrastructure continues to hinder smooth supply of power.

Demand for short-term power purchase usually increases during summer, and with the mercury soaring, power purchase across different states on the Indian Energy Exchange this June shot up 11% compared with last year, while the South remained power starved.

"There is almost zero transmission infrastructure available for Tamil... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: Times of India

No bar on FDI in industries aiding N-power generation: Government

The government today said that no decision on allowing FDI in the nuclear power sector has been taken but pointed out that there is no restriction on FDI in the industries manufacturing equipment and providing supplies to atomic power plants and related facilities.

"The economic survey 2008-09 had suggested allowing FDI in nuclear power generation sector with a cap of 49 per cent. However, no decision has been taken."

"The present policy (Consolidated FDI Policy April, 2014) puts atomic energy in the list of prohibited sectors. However, there is no restriction on FDI in... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: Economic Times

Delhi's power demand touches season's highest at 5,634MW

The power demand in the city recorded the season's highest of 5,634MW today even as several areas faced power cuts for up to two hours due to problem in the transmission network.

The demand peaked at 5,634MW at 3:38 P.M., which is the highest for the season, a power department official said.

The previous highest power demand of 5,528MW was recorded on June 19.

Power generation stations in Delhi today produced 1,344MW electricity while 4,290MW was received from central sector power plants.

However, several areas in South, East, North, West and Central Delhi... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: Business Standard

PE-backed Orient Green Power to raise up to $67M via QIP

Chennai-based Orient Green Power Company, the public listed renewable energy firm of the Shriram Group, has said its board has approved a proposal to raise as much as Rs 400 crore through a qualified institutional placement (QIP), subject to shareholders’ nod.

The company’s AGM is to be held on August 12, 2014, when shareholders would take a call on the proposed fundraising.

The firm did not say for what purpose it seeks to raise fresh cash.

Established in 2006 as a JV between Shriram EPC and Bessemer Venture Partners, Orient Green Power develops renewable energy... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: VC Circle

Economic Survey reiterates India’s stand on climate change, sustainability

India won’t agree to any binding cuts on emissions as it has not utilized its fair share of the earth’s carbon space and still has to provide minimum standards of living to its entire population, the Economic Survey said, reiterating the nation’s stand in international climate change negotiations.

“It is important that any future agreement should fully take into account India’s development concerns and requirements,” said the annual Economic Survey presented to Parliament on Wednesday. The survey said that it was important for the country to grow as per capita energy use in... Read more..

Date : Jul 10

Source: Live Mint

3TIER to develop national solar atlas of India

3TIER India Private Ltd. (Bangalore), a wholly owned subsidiary of Vaisala (Vantaa, Finland) and provider of global renewable energy assessment and forecasting information, has been selected through a global tender for satellite data to create a solar atlas of India.

An agreement has been signed with the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), an autonomous research and development institution that forms a part of the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). Under the terms of agreement, 3TIER will work directly with C... Read more..

Date : Jul 9

Source: solarserver.com