Sustainability Outlook Headlines

New material harvests Sun's heat for cheaper electricity generation

Scientists have developed a material that can be used to harvest electricity from the Sun's heat, paving the way for generating cheaper solar power on cloudy days and at nighttime. The innovation is an important step for putting solar heat-to-electricity generation in direct cost competition with fossil fuels, researchers said.

"Storing solar energy as heat can already be cheaper than storing energy via... Read more..

Date : Oct 22

Source: ET Energy World

Andhra Pradesh conserving power worth Rs 1,000 cr annually by energy efficiency

The Andhra Pradesh government is conserving 2,000 million units (mu) of power and saving about Rs 1,000 crore annually by promoting energy efficiency initiatives for the last three years, according to a senior state government official.

Besides demand-side management, the state government has undertaken steps to install LED street lights, promote solar pumps in farm fields and supply LED bulbs and energy... Read more..

Date : Oct 18

Source: Money control

We expect to take up a solar power project in Tanzania in the near future: Ministry of External Affairs

India and Tanzania on Tuesday decided to expand cooperation in areas of blue economy, cyber security, trade and investment and exploration of mineral resources, officials said.

In their talks, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Tanzanian counterpart Augustine P Mahiga also agreed to consider an investment treaty, an extradition pact and an agreement on mutual legal assistance as well as an MoU... Read more..

Date : Oct 18

Source: ET Energy World

The world has its first fully organic state and it’s in India

It’s not news that the north-eastern state of Sikkim is a leader in sustainable policies. But, the state’s efforts were finally recognised by the United Nations (UN) garnering the award for having the world’s best food policies or what’s called the ‘Oscar for the Best Policy’.

The world has its first fully organic state - and it’s in India.

Date : Oct 18

Source: Business Insider India

Dust from unpaved roads, traffic congestion main local factors behind pollution in Delhi-NCR

Dust from unpaved roads, construction activities and traffic congestion are some of the main local factors causing the air quality of Delhi-NCR to deteriorate as reported by 41 inspection teams deployed to monitor the implementation of norms enforced to combat pollution.

According to three reports on the inspections conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board till October 7, it was found that a total of... Read more..

Date : Oct 18

Source: Business Standard

One lakh solar agriculture pumps approved in Maharashtra

The Maharashtra government has approved one lakh solar agriculture pumps and aims to provide uninterrupted power supply to farmers even during day time, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday at the launch of the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Scheme.

The Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Yojana aims to generate 2,500 megawatt solar power through a High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) wherein more... Read more..

Date : Oct 17

Source: ET Energyworld

Saudi Arabia, Lightsource BP eye solar projects in India

Saudi Arabia is interested in partnering India to develop complementary supply chains, and deploy funds and new technologies here in what may further bring down already low solar power tariffs in the country.

Also, Lightsource BP is betting big on setting up solar power projects here through its partnership with the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund of India (NIIF).

Date : Oct 17

Source: Livemint

Magenta Power updates EV charging stations with new billing meters, to expand chargers to more highways

Magenta Power has now introduced an EV Billing Meter in association with MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited). The firm has confirmed that the billing metre will be installed on all its six charging stations that are currently in operation. Besides these, Magenta is planning to expand its charging stations to other important highways under its EV billing meter scheme. This meter has been set up at a charging station installed by Magenta Power in Navi Mumbai.

Date : Oct 17

Source: Financial Express

Kerala readies to welcome electric vehicles

As Kerala moves to introduce e-vehicles, the transport department is taking steps to develop basic infrastructure for operating these vehicles in city. Transport secretary K R Jyothilal said that KSEB has invited bids from private agencies to set up charging stations.

“The intention is to supply power at the rate of Rs 5 or Rs 5.5/unit at these stations. An eight-minute charging technology will be introduced... Read more..

Date : Oct 17

Source: ET Energyworld

States to get Rs 100 cr award for being efficient under Saubhagya scheme

The Power Ministry Monday announced Rs 100 crore award for states that would complete the household electrification early under the Saubhagya scheme.

Apart from discoms, the employees would also collectively get Rs 50 lakh award for completing the task of electrifying household under the Rs 16,320 crore Saubhagya scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in September.

Date : Oct 16

Source: Economic Times

72-hour pollution forecast system launched in Delhi

Ahead of the pollution season, the Centre on Monday launched an air quality prediction system that would forecast the state of the air three days in advance for various areas in the capital and several localities in Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Rohtak.

The new service is expected to not only help... Read more..

Date : Oct 16

Source: Times of India

NTPC tenders 70MW of floating solar at combined cycle power plant in Kerala

Indian state-run power giant NTPC has issued a tender for 70MW of grid-connected floating solar at its Rajiv Gandhi Combined Cycle Power Plant (RGCCPP) Kayamkulam in the southern state of Kerala.

The tender includes design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packing and forwarding, transportation, unloading, storage, installation and commissioning of project. The stated 70MW capacity is a minimum only.... Read more..

Date : Oct 16

Source: PV Tech

MG motor announces electric vehicle launch in India by 2020

After recent announcements by auto OEMs like Maruti and Hyundai on their foray into the electric vehicle segment in India, the Indian arm of China’s SAIC, MG Motor India, on Monday announced that it will also join the bandgwagon and launch an electric vehicle by 2020.

The company in a statement in Chennai said that as part of its commitment to the Indian market, it will launch a second product for the Indian... Read more..

Date : Oct 16

Source: Financial Express

BESCOM launches second electric vehicle charging infra in Bengaluru

The BESCOM on Monday introduced City’s second electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the premises of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Millers road. The first such facility had come up in the headquarters of BESCOM in February this year.

The KERC has fixed demand charges at Rs 50 /kW/ month for low tension (LT) installations and Rs 180/kW/month for high tension (HT) installations.... Read more..

Date : Oct 16

Source: ET Energyworld

Allahabad University switches to solar panels

In a move which will save the institution Rs 40 lakh annually in electricity bills, the Allahabad University (AU) got solar panels installed in 23 buildings of its four campuses on Monday.

Inaugurated by RL Hangloo, these solar panels would produce 1.438 megawatt of energy every day.

Public relations... Read more..

Date : Oct 16

Source: ET Energyworld

EESL inks MoU with DoP for distribution of energy-efficient appliances

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) Saturday said it has signed an agreement with the Department of Posts (DoP) for distribution of energy-efficient appliances under the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) programme.

EESL will distribute the LED lights (bulbs and tubelights) and BEE 5-star rated fans through DoP's network of post offices across India, a statement said.

Date : Oct 15

Source: ET Energyworld

Tamil Nadu plans to construct Anamalayar dam under PAP

Even as Tamil Nadu is opposing moves by upper riparian states such as Karnataka to construct dams across inter-state rivers, it is planning to build a new dam under the 60-year-old Parambikuam -Aliyar Project (PAP).
The state government has constituted a technical advisory expert committee to construct Anamalayar reservoir with a storage capacity of 2.5 tmc ft (thousand million cubic feet) water under PAP, the lifeline of the Pollachi region.

Date : Oct 15

Source: Times of India

NTPC tenders for hybrid 60MW/130MW wind and solar project in Karnataka

Indian state-run power giant NTPC has issued a tender for a 60MW wind and 130MW solar hybrid energy project on a turnkey basis at its super thermal power station NTPC-Kudgi in Karnataka.

The scope of the contract includes design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, packing and forwarding, transportation, unloading, storage, installation and commissioning of the grid-connected capacity. The capacities stated... Read more..

Date : Oct 15

Source: PV Tech

South Western Railway goes the solar way, 19 buildings get panels

The South Western Railway (SWR) has installed solar panels in 19 buildings, including railway stations, workshops and offices, with a total capacity of 3,605kilowatt-peak (kWp).

Kilowatt-peak is the power that solar panels generate under standard conditions. According to statistics, the SWR Hubballi workshop tops in solar power capacity with 1,045kWp, followed by the Mysuru workshop (500) and the DRM office... Read more..

Date : Oct 15

Source: ET Energyworld

Gurugram asks EESL for 18,000 more street lights for dark stretches

MCG has asked state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to install an additional 18,000 street lights, after having identified multiple dark spots across the city. Some 57,000 street lights have already been installed, officials said.

“Dark spots are patches of road with no light at all, which could be a serious concern in terms of safety. Such spots are spread across the city, though most of... Read more..

Date : Oct 15

Source: ET Energyworld

Cabinet approves agreement between India, Finland on environment protection

The government on Wednesday approved an agreement between India and Finland on cooperation in environment protection in both the countries.

The Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the memorandum of cooperation between the two countries, which include partnership in air and water pollution prevention and purification, waste management and climate change, among others.... Read more..

Date : Oct 12

Source: ET Energyworld

SECI’s manufacturing-linked solar bids put off, for fourth time

State-run Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has postponed, for the fourth time, its first manufacturing-linked solar auction of 10,000 MW. The government’s earlier effort to stimulate local manufacturing of solar equipment through special auctions had run afoul of WTO rules and SECI, an arm of the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE), is keen not to repeat the same mistake.

“We have to be... Read more..

Date : Oct 12

Source: ET Energyworld

Olectra-BYD to invest Rs 700 crore for electric buses in Uttarakhand

Electric vehicle manufacturer Olectra-BYD Thursday said it has signed an agreement with Uttarakhand government to deploy 500 AC Electric Buses in the state with an investment of Rs 700 crore. As per the pact, Hyderabad based Olectra Greentech in a strategic tie-up with China’s BYD Auto Industry will deploy the ‘Made in India’ eBuzz K7 (9 meter) and eBuzz K9 (12 meter) electric buses in the state.

Olectra-BYD... Read more..

Date : Oct 12

Source: Financial Express

JSW Energy mulls expanding hydro portfolio

Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Energy is keen on putting money into hydro energy, both through acquiring stressed hydro assets as well as bringing its Kutehr hydro power project back on track despite India’s hydro power space scenario not looking optimistic.

JSW Energy’s greenfield hydel project, 240 MW Kutehr plant in Himachal Pradesh has been stalled since 2011 with only around 10 per cent of the project completed... Read more..

Date : Oct 12

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Centre issues notification for e-flow of Ganga

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday issued a notification for the Environamental flows (e-flows) of Ganga with an aim to maintain the natural pattern of the river flow.

E-flows are a regime of flow in a river that mimics the natural pattern of the river's flows. It refers to the quality, quantity and timing of water flows required to maintain the components, functions, processes and... Read more..

Date : Oct 11

Source: Business Standard