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Sustainability Outlook Headlines
Greenko Completes 15-Megawatt Wind Farm in India’s MangaloreGreenko Group Plc (GKO), an Indian green-power developer backed by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, completed a 15-megawatt wind farm in southern Karnataka state. The 13 million-euro ($18 million) project in Mangalore will sell its output directly to a commercial customer in Bangalore under a 10-year contract, the Hyderabad-based developer said in a statement. It used 1.5-megawatt ReGen Powertech Pvt. turbines. Greenko, now with a capacity of 561 megawatts, expects to reach 700 megawatts by mid-2014, according to the statement. Date : Mar 7 Source: Bloomberg
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Gujarat losing its place in the SunGujarat may be the pioneer Indian state to harvest solar energy, but it is losing its pre-eminence due to a mix of policy indifference, rising land costs and the state driving a hard bargain on the price it pays for power. Even before the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission was announced, the Narendra Modi government had a solar energy policy in place in 2009 to attract solar power project developers to Gujarat. The initiative catapulted the state to the top slot in solar power generation in India: A couple of years ago, it had 70 per cent of the country's 1,000 Mw solar... Read more.. Date : Mar 7 Source: Business Standard
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Ecotech strikes Indian distribution dealVictorian technology firm Ecotech has struck a deal to distribute its clean technologies in India. The agreement will see Tesscorn provide complete sales and servicing in India of Ecotech’s aerosol monitoring instruments to Indian research bodies. Victorian technology minister Gordon Rich-Phillips, who announced the agreement in Bangalore, said Tesscorn already sold Ectotech's Polar Nephelometers. These are used to study climate change and have also been sold to the Bose Institute in Kolkatta and... Read more.. |
India Approves 3 Billion Rupees in Solar Pump SubsidiesIndia approved 3 billion rupees ($49 million) in subsidies to help farmers install solar-powered water pumps to boost agricultural yields and reduce expensive diesel fuel use. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will provide grants to install 17,500 irrigation pumping systems to 2016 funded by a carbon tax on coal, according to a notice posted today on its website. “Solar photovoltaic pumping systems can easily meet the irrigation requirements for small and marginal farmers,” the notice said... Read more.. |
Solar to light up McLeod Russel India Limited’s tea estate in AssamRenewal energy source makes its inroads in the tea industry. Tea estates in Assam have started experiment with solar power. Tea gardens in Assam face erratic power supply from the grid. Only 60 per cent of total electricity requirement is supplied by the state run power sector utility, for the remaining 40 per cent tea estates have to rely on gensets. Vikram Solar, the manufactures photovoltaic (PV) solar modules has tied up with McLeod Russel India Limited for the execution of 100 Kw Off-Grid Solar Power Project at Attareekhat Tea Estate, Tangla, Assam. The project is... Read more.. Date : Mar 7 Source: Economic Times
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Making Plastic, Fertilizer, and Superglue Out of Thin AirWhat to do with an environment-wrecking molecule like carbon dioxide? The gas behind global warming and ocean acidification enjoys a pretty rough reputation these days, but scientists have been working on ingenious ways to put carbon dioxide to good use. A little electricity, it turns out, can transform the waste gas into raw material for making plastic bottles, antifreeze, fuel, and more. Take Liquid Light, profiled in this New Scientist piece. The New Jersey start-up recently showed off a prototype of its carbon dioxide converter... Read more.. |
German government seeks CO2 cutting projects for 10 million euro fundGermany has launched a second call for projects that cut carbon emissions in poor countries to get finance from its 10 million euro ($13.77 million) fund to help them start generating carbon credits. The German environment ministry's Foundation Future of the Carbon Market scheme will buy and cancel credits under the UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) from the world's poorest nations in a bid to support emission reduction projects struggling to gain investment from the private sector. "The Foundation believes that market mechanisms are an important pillar of current and future... Read more.. Date : Mar 6 Source: BRE
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Smart grid for electric vehicle fleetBeing able to charge up to 30 electric cars at once requires some ingenious energy management. Researchers are incorporating a mix of renewables into the design of a smart grid for Germany's largest charging station. The network of charging stations for electric vehicles is becoming more tightly meshed. In Germany, the ratio of electric cars to charging stations is currently two to one and utility companies are pushing forward expansion of charging opportunities, especially in cities and metropolitan areas. Over 2000 charging spots have already been installed nationwide and the... Read more.. Date : Mar 6 Source: Science Daily
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Voltas Limited and Dow Chemical Pacific join forces in IndiaVoltas Limited and Dow Chemical Pacific (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., a member of the Dow Group Companies (“Dow Group”), has agreed to establish a joint venture company in India, to tap the growing Water and Waste Water treatment market in the country. The proposed new company – Voltas Water Solutions Private Limited – will be an equal partnership joint venture. The company will market and distribute standard packaged Water Treatment Systems and Waste Water Treatment Systems of capacity up to 20 m3 /hour, to residential and commercial complexes and light industrial markets in the Indian... Read more.. Date : Mar 6 Source: Edelman
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Boost to energy solutions for households off the gridAn initiative to create access to clean and affordable energy to underserved communities has been given a financial boost with a $2,00,000 grant awarded to SELCO Solar Pvt. Ltd., a social enterprise that provides sustainable energy solutions. The grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will go towards setting up six new innovation labs that will test and develop sustainable energy solutions for rural households, urban poor (primarily residents of slums) and tribal communities, said Ashis Kumar Sahu, head of SELCO Incubation Centre, on Tuesday.... Read more.. Date : Mar 6 Source: The Hindu
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Vendor opportunities for Coimbatore MSMEsBe it the Neyveli Lignite Corporation or the Integral Coach Factory, several public sector units are looking at expanding their vendor base. Most of them are already sourcing components from small and medium-scale enterprises here and they want more units to start supplying to them. Coimbatore District Small Industries’ Association and the MSME Development Institute (MSME DI) have organised a two-day vendor development programme at the CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex on March 5 and 6. The 120 stalls include participation from 15 public sector units. Interaction R.... Read more.. Date : Mar 6 Source: The Hindu
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Solar Venture Capital Is Down But Still On The MakeSolar is attracting less venture capital than it once did. But don't panic. According to Joel Serface, managing director of Brightman Energy LLC, much of the decrease in costs is due to the well-publicized decrease in module prices. Although that means companies need less money from investors, it also means there are new opportunities in other solar segments. According to a recent report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), global investment in clean energy totaled $254 billion in 2013, down... Read more.. |
Farm yields may drop if climate change impact not addressedAgriculture yields are likely to decline to 9 per cent in the next 25 years if the climate change impact is not mitigated, Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar said today. He also said biotechnology is expected to play a major role in improving farm yields and healthy scientific debate is required on this contentious issue. "It is increasingly being observed that occurrences of certain natural calamities such as cyclones and drought have become more frequent and that this is related to... Read more.. |
EU Mulls Abandoning Carbon Tax For Intercontinental FlightsThe European Union has reached a preliminary deal that could exempt long-haul flights from carbon taxes until 2016. The measure has been agreed upon by the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the EU presidency, diplomatic sources are quoted as saying by Euractiv. Current legislation, which obliges intercontinental flights to pay for their carbon emissions by buying allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System, has met fierce worldwide resistance from carriers, putting huge... Read more.. |
Electric cars only! M&M inks MoU with Bhutan - Moneycontrol.comThe little Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has taken a giant step towards sustainable mobility banning sale of cars altogether to protect the environment. The only exception the government has made is for electric cars. The move has given a big boost to M&M that has so far seen tepid sales of its small electric car the e2o in India to diversify into the kingdom nation. Bhutan is a mystical land straight out of fantasy books. And so one way in which the government has been able to preserve the picturesque setting around is by discouraging... Read more.. |
USDA to push biofuels in trade promotionTrade promotion programs under the farm bill, such as the Market Access Program, will soon be allocating resources. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "We'll have a slight twist for those programs this year." That twist is additional opportunity for promotion of biofuel production. "We think it's not just an opportunity here domestically to use biofuel. We think the world is ready for American biofuel," Vilsack said. He... Read more.. |
Trina Solar and ANU develop 24.4% efficient solar cellThe Chinese PV company teamed up with the Australian National University to develop the high efficiency IBC solar cell. Fraunhofer researcher. The IBC cell was independently tested by Fraunhofer, achieving a verified efficiency of 24.4%. China's Trina Solar and the Australian National University's (ANU) Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems have collaborated on the joint development of a new high efficiency solar cell. The laboratory scale Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar cell has achieved an efficiency of 24.4%, having been independently tested by... Read more.. Date : Mar 5 Source: PV Magazine
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New Mg-air Fuel Cell Developed for Emergency UseThe Furukawa Battery Co Ltd developed a magnesium (Mg)-air fuel cell for emergency use. When water is poured into the cell, it begins generating power. It can generate electricity for up to five days. The cell has a capacity of 300Wh and can charge a smartphone up to 30 times, the company said. It was unveiled at the 5th Int’l Rechargeable Battery Expo, which runs from Feb 26 to 28, 2014, in Tokyo. Though the exhibited cell was a prototype, Furukawa Battery named it “Mg Box” and designed a package for it. The cell measures 233 x 226 x 226mm and weighs about 1.6kg before... Read more.. Date : Mar 5 Source: Fuel Cell Works
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Sewage plants to generate electricity powerRajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has designed a project in which electricity will be generated through methane gas emanating out of sewage treatment plants proposed to be set up at Raiyadhar and Bedigam. RMC commissioner Ajay Bhadoo told reporters that the plants in Raiyadhar and Bedigam will be of the capacity of 56 MLD and 76 MLD respectively. "Both the plants are expected to cost Rs 86 crore. The cost of these plants is higher because they will be completely computerized. SBI computer technology has a better efficiency in purifying underground water than the ordinary... Read more.. Date : Mar 5 Source: Times of India
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Mahagenco's 50 MW solar project will be unique PPP modelThe Mahagenco's 50 MW grid interactive solar project at Shirsuphal in Baramati will be the first of its kind and unique PPP model project in Indian Power sector, sources in the energy department said. It is based on revenue share basis for a period of 25 years and this is a totally new concept in Indian power sector. This PPP model is unique as even though the ownership of this project belongs to Mahagenco, it will not have to invest the entire amount but will get guaranteed revenue returns for a period of 25 years, the sources stated. As a response to Mahagenco's... Read more.. Date : Mar 5 Source: Economic Times
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Energy conservation building code comes into forceMinister for Energy D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday said the government has approved the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and it will be applicable for new commercial buildings with more than 500 sq mt floor area across the State. The code, drafted under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, seeks to reduce energy consumption of commercial buildings by 30 to 40 per cent through adopting various designs. Speaking after inaugurating a two-day Indian Sustainability Congress 2014 here, Mr. Shivakumar said the code would also be applicable to government buildings. He said the... Read more.. Date : Mar 5 Source: The Hindu
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New Managing Director for Finnish Energy Company Fortum IndiaFinnish energy company Fortum has appointed Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal as Managing Director in India. Based in Fortum's office in Gurgaon, Mr. Aggarwal will be responsible for developing Fortum's Business in India with a particular focus on combined heat and power, as well as solar energy production. He will report to, Mr. Markus Rauramo, Executive Vice President, Heat, Electricity Sales and Solutions division, Fortum. "India is a fast growing market with substantial energy needs to power the growth of its industry. We in Fortum have a long track record in providing sustainable solutions... Read more.. Date : Mar 5 Source: Fortum India
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GVK commissions 330 MW hydel project in UttarakhandGVK Power & Infrastructure Ltd has commissioned its 330 MW Shrinagar hydro-electric project developed on the Alakananda, in Uttarakhand. Energy generation The plant, in Garhwal district, is expected to supply 12 per cent of the energy to Uttarakhand at no charge. The balance 88 per cent power generated will go to the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd under a Power Purchase Agreement. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav inaugurated the project in the presence of Samajwadi Party President and Union Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav. The 248-metre-long... Read more.. Date : Mar 4 Source: The Hindu
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Diesel-powered vehicles leave New Delhi's air worse than Beijing'sGeorge Easow’s move to India to start a clinical diagnostics business lasted just three weeks before he was persuaded to return to Britain. The persuading was done by his 7-month-old daughter, Fiona. Within days of moving to New Delhi, the child was wheezing and gasping for air because of smog. “She could hardly breathe,” her father said. Smog paralyzes cities in northeast China: Thick, choking smog enveloped cities in northeast China for a second day Tuesday, snarling traffic and closing schools... Read more.. |
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Selects BYD 40-foot Electric BusThe Karnataka State Minister of Transportation - Ramalinga Reddy, representatives from Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), and BYD Company Ltd. all gathered for the launch of a brand new program soon to change the skies of Bangalore, forever. Often referred to as the “Silicon Valley” of India, Bangalore is also known for its challenging air quality problems. This is a huge step for the Nation of India and will hopefully develop into a public transportation initiative across India benefiting their 1.2 billion... Read more.. |
