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Power-starved UP mulls ban on incandescent bulbs

Uttar Pradesh may soon ban the use of incandescent light bulbs, becoming the first state in the country to do so. The state designated agency (SDA) under the planning wing of the UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) is planning to send a proposal to the UP government to ban the use of these bulbs which consume 10 times more power than LEDs.
 
The 60 or 100 watt filament-containing bulbs are often used in government establishments where power usage is already very high. The bulbs, being almost five times cheaper than LEDs, are more in use in rural pockets of the state.
 ... Read more..

Date : Nov 17
Source: Times of India

India Shocks Australia, To Stop Coal Imports In 2-3 Years

India has witnessed a steady increase of coal imports in recent times. As of last week, 60 of India’s 103 power plants had only enough coal for less than a week’s usage. With the domestic coal supply chain in shambles, imports have been an easy way out. As a result, imports have risen from 10% of domestic coal demand five years ago to well over 20% in the last year.
 
But now the future of coal imports in India looks unsteady. India’s Energy Minister Piyush Goyal, who is in Australia for the G20 meet, recently announced that India plans to completely stop coal imports within a... Read more..

Date : Nov 17
Source: Clean Technica

In a first, Delhi University college sets up handmade paper recycling unit

Delhi University's Zakir Hussain College has launched a waste minimisation initivative by setting up a handmade paper recycling unit, the first of its kind programme by any college of the pretigious varsity.
 
"We have decided not to purchase any paper for official use now, we will recycle it here on campus and use it for all files and other purposes," said Principal Dr Pervaiz Aslam. The college has set up a handmade paper laboratory with an investment of around Rs 4 Lakh. The lab has two units-pulp maker and press.
 
"We have invited experts for imparting training... Read more..

Date : Nov 17
Source: DNA India

Why The U.S.-China CO2 Deal Is An Energy, Climate, And Political Gamechanger

The historic new U.S.-China climate deal changes the trajectory of global carbon pollution emissions, greatly boosting the chances for a global deal in Paris in 2015. The deal would keep, cumulatively, some 640 billion tons of CO2 emissions out of the air this century, according to brand new analysis by Climate Interactive and MIT, using their C-ROADS model.

 

The U.S.-China deal is truly a gamechanger. In fact, you could make a strong case that prior to this deal, neither the U.S. or China were seriously in the game of trying to stave off climate catastrophe. Now both... Read more..

Date : Nov 17
Source: Think Progress

Fossil fuel subsidies dig world into economic, environmental hole

In the same week that a new study found that G20 nations, including Australia, were providing $US88 billion ($A102 billion) a year in subsidies just for fossil fuel exploration, another report – this time from the highly conservative International Energy Agency – has put a number to the global value of subsidies that artificially lowered end-use prices for all forms of fossil energy in 2013: $US548 billion.

 

It’s a huge number, and although $25 billion less than in 2012, the IEA notes that the $548 billion spent in 2013 – over half of which was directed to oil products –... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Renew Economy

India: low carbon energy transition could free up US$600 billion in investment capacity

New analysis by Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) demonstrates that, with the right policies, India’s transition to a low carbon energy system could free up significant financial capacity over the next 20 years to invest in better development and economic growth.
 
India is trying to meet ambitious renewable energy goals, as well as development needs, with finite financial resources. CPI’s two new reports, ‘Moving to a Low Carbon Economy: The Financial Impact of the Low-Carbon Transition,’ and ‘Moving to a Low Carbon Economy: The Impact of Policy Pathways on Fossil Fuel Asset... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: World Cement

Centre to provide Rs 1,350 cr from NGEF for AP projects

The Centre has agreed to provide Rs 1,350 crore from the National Green Energy Fund towards construction of evacuation lines for solar and wind power projects in Andhra Pradesh. 
 
Further, the central government has also directed the Western Coal Fields (WCL) Ltd to supply additional quantum of 1 million tonne of coal to AP, which is beneficial to bring up the coal stock position for comfortable operation of the thermal plants, said a press release issued by the state Energy Department. 
 
Appreciating the efforts of Andhra government in implementation of the '... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Business Standard

Tata Tele eyes Smart City Project; in talks for Wi-Fi services

Tata Teleservices is in talks with multiple departments and government bodies of the country to provide Wi-Fi service under Narendra Modi Government's Rs 78,000 crore 100 Smart Cities project, a top official said. 
 
"Various cities and state governments are doing trials and we are part of some of those trials. We have started discussions with multiple departments and government bodies for Wi-Fi service under the project," Sunil Tandon, Tata DoCoMo's Head of Non-Voice Services, told ET. 
 
Tandon said that high speed internet will be an integral part of all Smart... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Economic Times

India under pressure to lay out climate plans at G20 summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott may want to focus on economic growth, investments and jobs at the G-20 summit this weekend, but the US-China climate deal on Wednesday is set to put emissions on top of the agenda in Brisbane.
 
With US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping expected to use the G-20 platform to get other members to come forward and announce plans to reduce carbon emissions, India may feel the pressure the most as the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases behind the US and China, accounting for 6%... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Economic Times

CWC red-flags move on India-Australia cooperation on Ganga

A proposal to involve Australia for Ganga rejuvenation may lead to leakage of data over Ganga River basin to India's neighbouring countries. Expressing such apprehensions, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has red-flagged a move to include Ganga rejuvenation, especially development of Ganga river basin model, as an important area of India-Australia bilateral co-operation.
 
Prime minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Australia, the first by an Indian PM in 28 years, last being in 1986 by the then PM Rajiv Gandhi. Intrestingly, as per sources, the move comes even when "... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: DNA India

Small entrepreneurs’ solar energy business plans go awry

SP Gupta, a builder, and his wife Usha, a Delhibased couple in their 60s, were sure they were headed for a secure old age after having invested over Rs 3 crore of their lives' savings to install a onemegawatt solar power plant in Rajasthan. But a year down the line, not only have they lost their savings but are unable to service a bank loan of few crores -- their solar project has become economically unviable.

They blame the failure of the renewable energy certificate (REC) trading mechanism, under which they opted to... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Economic Times

New Survey from USGBC Shows that 87 Percent of Green Building Professionals in India Anticipate an Overall Increase in Use of LEED

 According to a new survey released by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), 87 percent of Indian green building professionals indicated that they anticipate the use of LEED in India to increase overall, with nine out of ten industry senior executives in India anticipating that their LEED-related work will increase over the next five years.
 
The survey also found that more than two-thirds of respondents view LEED positively or very positively. Additionally, 70 percent of survey respondents say they are willing and able to share useful data for the purposes of reporting... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: PR Newswire

Biogas from waste for 'Clean Puttur'

Even as the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC) authorities struggle to solve the garbage menace, Puttur Town Municipality in Dakshina Kannada district has come up with a novel plan of setting up a compressed biogas (CBG) plant to convert waste into cooking gas. 
 
The town municipality headed by newly elected president Jagadish Shetty Nellikatte has planned to set up a CBG plant in Puttur. The town, which generates approximately 15 tonnes of waste, will be able to produce at least 10 cylinders of 14kg biogas per day through the project. The TMC is also open to share the... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Times of India

Oil futures plunge to 4-year lows amid global supply glut

Oil futures tumbled to the lowest level in more than four years on Thursday, as ongoing concerns over a glut in world markets continued to drive prices lower. On the ICE Futures Exchange in London, Brent for January delivery fell by as much as 2.2% to touch a daily low of $79.32 a barrel, the weakest level since October 2010.
 
Prices recovered to last trade at $79.54 during U.S. morning hours, down $1.60, or 1.98%. Brent prices have fallen nearly 32% since June, when it climbed near $116 a barrel amid indications the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will not... Read more..

Date : Nov 14
Source: Investing

Big firms named in Ganga shame list

Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) has listed on its website around 200 industrial, mining and other units, including Tata Steel, Central Coalfields Limited and Jindal, which were found to be polluting two offshoots of the Ganga in the state.
 
This “name and shame” action comes in the wake of Supreme Court’s October 29 rap on the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Centre and state pollution control boards for their failure to pull up polluting industries on Ganga banks.
 
In Jharkhand, Damodar is the main tributary of the Ganga while North Koel is a... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: The Telegraph, India

Turning Bulk Waste Into Cooking Gas

According to a news report, Bengaluru generates about 5,000 tonnes of waste every day, most of which is wet waste. There is no single solution to tackling such a complex issue that’s only growing by the day. But two IIM-B graduates got right into the middle of the waste industry to carve a niche for themselves, as well as create a significant environmental impact.
 
Mainak Chakraborty and Sreekrishna Sankar have developed a waste to energy system, now called BioUrja; a biogas system that takes in wet waste from bulk waste generators like hotels, hostels, and schools, and... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: New Indian Express

Tata Power enhances its Environment and Biodiversity Commitment

Tata Power, India’s largest integrated Company, has been immensely committed to the cause of sustainability and does so under its CARE programs in the area of Environment, Sociatal commitment, Bio-diversity as also Conservation of resources and values. It has  always endeavored for sustainable development and has undertaken several initiatives for conservation of nature. In line with this philosophy, the Company has initiated various projects to address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and improve its status by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity. Today, Tata... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: India CSR

India commercial rooftops ‘to reach grid parity next year’

The chief technology officer of Indian manufacturer and installer, Tata Power Solar, has said commercial rooftop solar will reach grid parity before any other solar segment in India, and will be the cheapest form of energy for customers by 2024.
 
Commercial rooftop achieving grid parity in India earlier than other segments, “is something to take note of”, said Arul Shanmugasundaram in a webinar today hosted by analyst firm, Bridge to India, in the run up to India’s largest solar industry conference, Intersolar India, being held in Mumbai next week.
 
The topic... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: PV Tech

C&A Foundation calls for greater collaboration for a fair and sustainable apparel industry

India, “Let’s work together to find innovative solutions to the deeply-rooted problems of the apparel industry,” said Leslie Johnston, Executive Director of C&A Foundation, addressing the participants of the Textile Exchange Conference in Portland.  The call was made during an event to launch the new global strategy of C&A Foundation, a private foundation affiliated with the global clothing retailer C&A.
 
“The apparel sector touches over 150 million people every day in some of the poorest countries in the world.  It provides men and women with formal employment and... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: India CSR

Students promote innovative paper bags as portable dustbins

 In order to counter lack of proper waste management system in the city, two former students from MS University's faculty of fine arts have found an innovative solution. They have designed compact eco-friendly bags that can be used to dispose waste on the go.
 
Lack of dustbins in the city inspired Akshata Naik and Twinkle Panchal to start the 'Greenbag Initiative'. It proposes to encourage people not to litter the city even if they do not spot dustbins around.
 
"We decided to provide a unique yet useful alternative to the problem in the form of portable dustbins... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: Times of India

Report warns of spiralling air pollution; outlines roadmap to curb emissions

If current trends of vehicle population, fuel and emission standards persist, PM 2.5 emissions will increase by a factor of three, and those of NOx will increase by a factor of five, warns a new report by The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri), University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The transport sector contributes about 15-50% of PM 2.5 emissions in cities, and is a dominant contributor to NOx emissions. 
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that of the 67 risk factors studied in their Global Burden of Disease... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: Times of India

MEIL Green Power commissions 50 MW solar farm

MEIL Green Power Limited has commissioned a 50 MW Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Project farm at Pamidi in Ananthapur District of Andhra Pradesh.
 
MGPL, a unit of Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd., Hyderabad, has invested Rs. 848 crore on the project set up on a 600-acre site located about 350 km from Hyderabad.
 
Uma Maheshwar Raddy, Associate Vice-President of MEIL, said the company expects to generate revenues of about Rs. 110 crore per annum from the solar plant.
 
"Having taken up the EPC works for this project, we have taken several... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: Business Line- The Hindu

India’s first net zero energy building

It’s India’s first net zero energy building that has been constructed with adoption of solar passive design and energy-efficient building materials.
 
Functional since a year, a tour of the Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, a building under the Central Government, was organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats on Tuesday. It was aimed at reinforcing the need for more such buildings across the country.
 
Speaking about the energy efficiency of the building, TERI (Sustainable Habitat Division... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: The Hindu

'Hold Fresh Study on Coal-fired Power Unit'- NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has quashed the clearance given to the coal-fired power plant coming up in Cuddalore district, directing the private company to get clearance from the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) after carrying out a fresh Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) Study.
 
Following a series of petitions, the matter reached the NGT where it suspended the Environmental Clearance (EC) on May 23, 2012. In its order, the tribunal directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to review the EC granted to the project based on a CIA study and stipulate any... Read more..

Date : Nov 13
Source: New Indian Express

NGOs and BMC to come together for zero garbage pilot project

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Mumbai think tanks Bombay First and Observer Research Foundation, and some civil society groups in collaboration with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will launch a zero garbage initiative from Ward 92 in H-West ward (Bandra, Khar and Santacruz areas in western suburbs).
 
The launch will be Nov 15 as part of Swacch Mumbai Swacch Bharat campaign, a week-long programme organised by NGO Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Sanitation, Cleanliness and Community Health (MGC), along with a number of civil society organisations and individuals involved in... Read more..

Date : Nov 12
Source: DNA India
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