Sustainability Outlook Headlines

3D printing enables new solar power receivers to better absorb sunlight

Engineers at Sandia National Laboratories have designed new fractal-like, concentrating solar power receivers that are up to 20 per cent more effective at absorbing sunlight than current technology.

Although most concentrating solar power facilities in the world are large, Sandia engineer Cliff Ho says the team designed the solar power receivers for small- to medium-scale use because India is interested in... Read more..

76% of LED bulb brands in India flout consumer safety standards

Amid the on-going push by the government to distribute LED bulbs to the citizens at a subsidised rate, over 70 percent of the LED brands of bulb and downlights have been flouting consumer safety standards, according to a study conducted by Nielsen.

On an average, 76 percent of LED bulb brands and 71 percent of LED downlighter brands across 200 electrical retail outlets were found to be non-compliant with the... Read more..

Chile's mining firm Antofagasta moves to renewable energy -CEO

Chilean mining company Antofagasta is renegotiating its long-term energy contracts in a shift toward renewables as prices for wind and solar plummet in the world's top copper producer, the company's chief executive told Reuters.

In an interview marking the start of the London Metal Exchange Week, an annual event for the mining and metals industry, Ivan Arriagada said some of Antofagasta's energy contracts... Read more..

Niti Aayog to finalise National Energy Policy soon

Government think-tank Niti Aayog will soon finalise the National Energy Policy (NEP) and take it to the Union Cabinet, a top official said.

The Aayog had released the draft National Energy Policy in June this year.

"We will finalise the National Energy Policy in the next 10 days and will send it to the... Read more..

Maharashtra ’s climate change policy asks districts to prepare management plan

Faced with unseasonal hailstorms, wet and dry droughts, and damage to eco-systems, the state government has finally come out with a climate change policy.

The comprehensive policy, announced two days ago, has directed all district collectors to prepare strong action plans considering geographical conditions of the district to make disaster management plans in line with climate change indicators.... Read more..

Government invites snap bid for sourcing electric vehicle chargers

The government has called a snap bid for procurement of electric vehicle chargers on October 30 to ensure ready availability of charging stations by next month, as vehicles from the first phase of electric vehicles tender start coming in. The snap bid, which is called out for making procurement in a short time, will require providers to supply 300 electric vehicle chargers by November 20.

“Snap bid for EV... Read more..

Initiate clean cooking movement by tapping solar energy market: PM Modi to startups

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday gave a call to start-ups run by the city youth to initiate a clean cooking movement by tapping the huge market potential of solar energy, saying they would get blessings of women from the poor sections of society.

Modi said in the last 35 years, governments had spent Rs 4,000 crore on renewable energy but within three years of his government assuming office, nearly Rs... Read more..

KOR Energy installs solar power systems at cold storages in Haryana

KOR Energy (India) Pvt. Ltd., a solar power company has successfully installed a grid connected rooftop solar systems at three cold storages in Haryana.

A 90KWp system at Maan Brothers Cold Storage at Kurukshetra, 77KWp system at Lawrance Agro Storage Pvt. Ltd. and 66KWp system at R.P Cold Storages Pvt. Ltd. at Sonipat have been installed by KOR Energy recently.

... Read more..

Sturdier, safer, cheaper: India urged to build more roads with plastic waste

India should use its biggest investment in road construction to make its roads safer and build them cheaper with a home-grown technology that salvages plastic waste, analysts said. 

India has the world's second-largest road network and one of the highest numbers of road accidents globally. Official data recorded more than 150,000 deaths from about 500,000 accidents last year. 

... Read more..

Small and medium sized solar manufacturers float industry body

A group of small and medium-sized solar module manufactures have formed a new industry association by the name North India Module Manufacturer Association (NIMMA) in a bid to voice their concerns. “We found that the existing solar associations in India are finding it difficult to cater to the needs of small and medium size solar modules manufacturers, who have some unique problems and issues. NIMMA is the end... Read more..

Still No Takers For One Of India’s Cheapest Solar Projects

Solairedirect, an international solar developer backed by French energy major Engie, is currently behind schedule for setting up a 250 megawatt solar power project in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh as there are no buyers identified for the power to be generated.

According to media reports, NTPC Limited — India’s largest power generation company and owner of the solar park where the 250 megawatt project... Read more..

IIT Hyderabad researchers remove Fluoride from drinking water using jamun seeds

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) have used an unconventional material to remove fluoride from drinking water - jamun seeds. Using a jamun seed based 'Activated Carbon', the researchers demonstrated that they could bring down fluoride to levels that were considered acceptable by the World Health Organisation (WHO). ... Read more..