Sustainability Outlook Headlines

MNRE to states: Uncertainty on PPAs may hit new wind projects

India’s wind energy programme will be choked for two years and the momentum of the country’s ambitious programme for renewables severely hit because distribution companies have “practically stopped” signing fresh power purchase agreements, the Central government said in a note to states.

India added 5,400 MW of wind capacity, more than in any previous year, in 2016-17, exceeding the target of 4,000 MW. In the previous year, it added 3,423 MW, which was a record then. In the current financial year, only 228.40 MW has been added till end-June because many states and regulators are... Read more..

Date : Aug 25

Source: ET Energyworld

Yamuna revival: Rs 50,000 fine on city government, Centre

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slapped a fine of Rs 50,000 on the Union environment ministry and the Delhi government for not submitting a status report on implementation of NGT's directions on reviving the Yamuna.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar imposed this fine after lawyers representing the environment ministry and the Delhi government failed to appear before it and no report was placed on record.

"Nobody is present on behalf of Delhi and ministry of environment, forest and climate change and no status report has been filed by them. Our... Read more..

Date : Aug 25

Source: The Times of India

Engie in talks with AST to provide off-grid power to telcos, banks

French energy company Engie SA is in talks with Delhi-based Applied Solar Technologies (AST) for a partnership to provide off-grid power to the telecom and banking sectors.

AST’s solar hybrid solution model uses a combination of solar photovoltaic cells, battery back-up and diesel generators to offer round-the-clock electricity to telecom towers and ATMs in a business where downtime penalties are steep.

“Engie is exploring a partnership with AST. The potential for growth in this segment is huge,” said a person aware of the development, requesting anonymity.

AST’s... Read more..

Date : Aug 25

Source: livemint

Coimbatore Corporation files affidavit on solid waste management plan to NGT

The Coimbatore Corporation is proposing to streamline the solid waste management mechanism to achieve 100 per cent door-to-door collection and source segregation.The Corporation has conducted a detailed study in consultation with the project management consultants appointed for smart cities mission programme. There are 5.22 lakh households in Corporation limits. An estimated Rs 15.71 crore would be spent on “improvements to primary collection system for solid waste management in CCMC” and the proposal has been already submitted to the Commissioner of Municipal Administration, Chennai.... Read more..

Date : Aug 25

Source: The New Indian Express

NGT Notice To Meghalaya Government On Lack Of Proper Environment Policy

The principal Bench of National Green Tribunal on Thursday issued show-cause notice to Meghalaya government seeking reply as to why proper environmental policy should not be framed by the state and also why area within 5 kms from the edge of all major rivers, reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and caves should not be declared as regulated zone where no mining or industrial activities are allowed.

It was informed by a person identified as Sanjay Laloo from Panaliar, Jowai who has moved an application before the principal bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) for issuing... Read more..

Date : Aug 25

Source: The Shillong Times

Kolkata Municipal Corporation to offer tax exemption for waste segregation and recycling

Kolkata Municipal Corporation will offer tax exemption to residents of those housing complexes who will take the initiative of segregation and recycling of wastes generated in these complexes. Debabrata Majumdar, the member, mayor-in-council overseeing the KMC solid waste management department told this while speaking at a function organized by CREDAI (Bengal) a forum for the real estate developers.

Majumdar conceded that managing city's growing wastes had become a major problem as city's only waste dumping site at Dhapa was already overburdened. The alternative method of reducing... Read more..

Date : Aug 25

Source: The Times of India

Karnataka to have electric vehicle and energy storage policy soon

To make Bengaluru the electric vehicle capital of India, the Karnataka government will soon come out with a new “electric vehicle and energy storage policy” to reduce pollution and promote healthy environment.

The Major and Medium Industries Department was formulating the policy, perhaps the first of kind in the country, in consultations with various stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturing industries.

Minister for Industries R.V. Deshpande, who spoke about the State’s achievements in the industrial sector during the last four years on Wednesday, said many developed... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: The Hindu

Odisha launches grid-connected roof top solar projects to promote renewables

With an aim to promote renewable energy in Odisha, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday launched grid connected rooftop solar projects.

Under the programme, the consumers can instill small solar plants on their rooftops and consume the generated solar power during day time. Excess power (if any) can be exported to the grid through their service cable.

"Grid connected roof top solar systems are best options for adding renewable solar capacity through people's participation. These decentralized systems also have the ability to strengthen the grid. It will reduce power... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: ET Energyworld

Indus Towers to invest Rs 350 crore to cut energy consumption

The country's largest telecom infrastructure firm Indus Towers today said it will invest Rs 350 crore to reduce energy consumption at its mobile sites in the current fiscal year.

"This year we have converted 50 per cent (sites) into green sites. We will continue to reduce diesel consumption at our sites with use of new technologies. Indus Towers will be investing Rs 350 crore in financial year 2017-18 towards energy reduction initiatives," Indus Towers CEO Bimal Dayal told .

Indus is the biggest mobile tower company with 1,22,290 sites. Out of this, the company has converted... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: ET Energyworld

Chinese solar module firms reneging on India contracts

In what has come as a shock to India’s solar power developers, Chinese module manufacturers are reneging on their contracts and are demanding an upward price revision to supply the equipment already contracted for, said several people aware of the development.

Any price increase will impact the internal rate of return (IRR) from such projects, many of which have already signed power purchase agreements (PPAs).

Some Chinese suppliers have sought an increase of around 6 cents per watt in module prices in a market which they dominate. Module prices are currently around 37 cents... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: livemint

Cyborg bacteria can harvest solar energy to produce fuel

Scientists have created cyborg bacteria - microbes covered with tiny, highly efficient solar panels - that are better than plants at harvesting the Sun's energy to produce fuel from carbon dioxide and water.

Photosynthesis provides energy for the vast majority of life on Earth. However, chlorophyll, the green pigment that plants use to harvest sunlight, is relatively inefficient.

To enable humans to capture more of the Sun's energy than natural photosynthesis can, scientists have taught bacteria to cover themselves in tiny, highly efficient solar panels to produce useful... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: ET Energyworld

Vizag Municipal Corporation takes up solar projects

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) is taking up several solar energy projects to generate 10 MW as a part of the smart city endeavour, according to Municipal Commissioner Harinarayanan.

He was speaking at a one-day workshop - Solar Roofs India 2017 - organised here on Wednesday by Solar Quarter, a magazine, in association with the AP Chambers of Commerce and Industries Federation and several companies in the solar field.

He said a floating solar power project would be taken up on Mudasarlova reservoir to generate 2 MW and further another solar project on... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: Business Line

Cochin University, ITC launch waste management program

Cochin University in collaboration with ITC launched 'Well-being out of Waste' (WOW) programme at their campus on Wednesday.

"All initiatives covered by "Green Protocol" of CUSAT including WOW project will be completed shortly", said Cusat Vice Chancellor Dr. J Letha inaugurating the programme. As part of this initiative, the trained housekeepers of CUSAT will collect and segregate plastic, paper and metal waste and hand over to ITC. In return ITC will supply note books and stationery

which will be distributed to the deserving students. The NSS Unit of CUSAT will lead the... Read more..

Date : Aug 24

Source: Times of India

Government brings in new norms on solar power procurement

The government has implemented new rules for buying power from grid-linked solar power projects through competitive bidding under the National Solar Mission to improve transparency and standardise auctions.

These guidelines, prepared by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), cover the grid-connected solar PV power projects with a size of 5 mw and above, an official said.

The official said this will help in reducing off-takers' risks, encourage investments, enhance bankability of projects and improve profitability for investors.

The norms provide that the... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: The Economic Times

States producing wind energy asked to ensure regulatory nod for power purchase agreements

The Centre has asked wind energy-producing states to ensure regulatory approval of power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed when tariffs and equipment costs were higher, and use special powers under the Electricity Act to issue directions to autonomous regulators in public interest, if necessary.

Wind energy tariffs set by regulators varied between Rs 4 and Rs 6 per khH but tumbled toRs 3.46 per kwH after the sole wind energy auction in February. This prompted many states to seek lower tariffs from old projects, while several State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) held back... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: The Economic Times

Government eases environmental clearance rules for solar power projects, parks

In move that would bring relief to solar power developers, the Union environment ministry has said that provisions of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006, which mandate environmental clearance for various projects, will not apply to solar PV (photovoltaic) power projects, solar thermal power projects and solar parks.

The ministry has, however, clarified that the disposal of PV cells will be covered under the provisions of Hazardous and Other Waste (Management and Trans-Boundary Movement) Rules, 2016. It also said that the development of solar parks will be... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: livemint

Rapped by CAG, thermal plant maker Bhel to focus on solar

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) is changing its business model to focus on solar power generation, create equipment to help thermal plants drastically reduce emissions and get a larger share of transportation business like metro coaches.

This follows the recent rap by the Comptroller and Auditor General for not doing enough to diversify and grow aggressively.

"Almost 80% of our revenue comes from thermal power equipment supplies. We have changed our business model and have now embarked on a large amount of diversification. Apart from coal-based energy we are now focused... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: Daily News and Analysis

Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries said to mull India power storage with BP

Reliance Industries Ltd, owned by Mukesh Ambani, is considering entering the power-storage business with its partner BP Plc. to expand into the country’s growing renewable energy sector, according to two people with knowledge of the plan.

The companies are considering a plan to set up energy-storage projects near solar- and wind-energy installations, the people said, asking not to be identified, citing company policy. A decision on investment and implementation will be taken by December, they said.

Reliance didn’t respond to requests for comment. BP declined to comment.

Date : Aug 23

Source: livemint

IIT Madras turbine may generate power from ocean waves

A team of 25 faculty members and students from the ocean engineering department in Indian Institute of Technology Madras have begun testing a prototype of a turbine they have developed which converts wave energy into electricity. The ‘impulse’ turbine works with a unidirectional rotor powered by a generator. The system will be tested in oceans by the end of the year.

Associate professor Abdus Samad said the turbine prototype was selected from close to 30 different designs with different number of blades in the rotor. All the designs were tested through computer simulations and the... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: ET Energyworld

Submit action plan, status report on pollution in Bellandur lake: NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Tuesday summoned top officials from Karnataka and asked them to come up with a plan and status report over pollution in Bengaluru’s Bellandur lake.

A bench headed by NGT chief Justice Swatanter Kumar directed the Secretary of Karnataka’s Urban Development Ministry and Lake Development Authority to submit an action plan on cleaning the lake within ten days.

The NGT also asked the Secretary to make a statement on record over the present situation of the highly polluted Bellandur lake, which the top official could not.

“Come back with... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: India.com

Mumbai amongst 17 most-polluted cities in Maharashtra: Minister

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Mumbai features amongst the 17 most-polluted cities in Maharashtra and 123 cities from the country, a state minister said.

Mumbai and Navi Mumbai figure in the list of the most polluted cities and the state government intends to make Maharashtra pollution-free by 2022 by adopting various pollution control measures, minister of state for environment Pravin Pote-Patil said.

He was speaking at a one-day workshop on 'Clean Air Maharashtra Resolve 2022' here.

"The main contributors to the air pollution in the state are... Read more..

Date : Aug 23

Source: Money Control

International Solar Alliance to be ratified multilateral agency of UN by Dec

The International Solar Alliance is likely to be a recognised multilateral agency of the United Nations by this year end. Speaking at 8th World Renewable Energy Technology Congress, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Coal, Power, New and Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal said, “Before the end of this calendar, we will see the International Solar Alliance as a multilateral agency ratified by the first 15 countries who would then be founding members.”

ISA was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francoise Hollande in November 2015. It aims to... Read more..

Date : Aug 22

Source: Business Line

Boost clean energy, reduce emission, or see economy dip: Piyush Goyal

Power Minister Piyush Goyal today underlined the importance of quickening efforts to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emission failing which the global economy will slip into deceleration.

The minister spoke of 3Ds -- De-carbonisation, more decentralisation and greater digitisation.

"With each passing day, we are running out of time and we need to accelerate our efforts in coordination to promote clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not address these 3Ds, I am worried that the world might end up decelerating the global economy," Goyal... Read more..

Date : Aug 22

Source: The Economic Times

Tata Power launches electric vehicle charging facility

Tata Power today said it has installed its first electric vehicle charging facility at Vikhroli in Mumbai.

Tata Power's aim is to build a network to make it easier for people to adopt to electric vehicles and be future ready, the company said in a statement.

Such an adoption of smart charging infrastructure will help the country achieve its ambitious plan of mass scale shift to electric vehicles by 2030, it said.

Tata Power has taken this initiative of providing charging stations at Tata Power Receiving Station, along with Mass - Tech Controls.

Commenting on... Read more..

Date : Aug 22

Source: The Economic Times

Declining air quality due to greenhouse gases biggest global challenge: Goyal

Checking the rapid decline in environment quality caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions globally has perhaps become the most important challenge for humanity, Power Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.

"The last 10 to 15 years have seen a rapid decline in the quality of the atmosphere due to increasing greenhouse gas emissions globally and it has become probably the largest challenge before humanity today," Goyal said in his address at the 8th World Renewable Energy Technology Congress here.

"Post the Paris agreement, the world as a whole has recognised that climate... Read more..

Date : Aug 22

Source: ET Energyworld