Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Australia leading world in deploying renewable energy

Australia continues to lead the world in the per capita roll out of energy generated by solar and wind, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions and falling electricity prices, according to a new analysis from The Australian National University (ANU). Data released by the Clean Energy Regulator today shows Australia will add around 6.3GW of renewable energy capacity in 2020. “This brings the total to 18 Gigawatts over 2018-20,” the paper’s co-author Professor Andrew Blakers said. For comparison, this much new solar and wind will generate twice as much electricity as gas power stations... Read more..

Date : Sep 3

Source: Mirage News

CSTEP launches tool to boost solar power generation in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: The Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) on Wednesday launched a web-based tool that would use LiDAR-based aerial imagery to identify shadow-free rooftops in Bengaluru to help the government design policies to tap solar power at household level. "For Bengaluru city, BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd ) has set a target to achieve 1.06 GW (giga watt) through rooftop solar power by 2022. However, it has added only 140 MW (mega watt) rooftop solar capacity," Jaymin Gajjar, Research Engineer at CSTEP said. CSTEP says installation cost for rooftop... Read more..

Date : Sep 3

Source: Live Mint

Overall electricity demand at 96-98% of pre-Covid level: ICRA

The electricity demand is witnessing a gradual recovery and stood at over 96 per cent of the pre-covid level in July and further improved to close to 98 per cent in August, mainly led by recovery in rural areas. As per ICRA findings, the electricity demand recovery on all-India level has largely been led by the northern and eastern States with year-on-year (Y-o-Y) increase of 6-13 per cent in demand in July. This was mainly driven by rural consumption, while the demand in large industrial states witnessed a 6- 15.0 per cent decline on a Y-o-Y basis, on back of slower recovery in industrial... Read more..

Date : Sep 3

Source: Business Line

Western Railway saves 3 cr due to 'solar power'

Mumbai: The Western Railway (WR) has claimed that it has slashed power bills worth Rs 3 crore by exploiting solar power at 75 stations on its network, an official said here on Wednesday. These rooftop solar plants generate a whopping 8.67MW, resulting in the handsome savings during the current financial year, besides accelerating the Indian Railways' (IR) mission to achieve the goal of 'Net Zero Carbon Emission Railway' before 2030, said WR chief spokesperson Sumit Thakur. The solar plants have been installed in 22 stations in Mumbai Division, 34 in Ratlam, eight in Rajkot and six in... Read more..

Date : Sep 3

Source: ET Energy World

Advisory issued on safety precautions for rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) service providers

In compliance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court Order dated 3.4.2020 in WP (PIL) No.10808/2020 for ensuring safe drinking water during lock down period due to CoVID-19 pandemic, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti had issued an advisory to all States/ UTs on April 13, 2020. With the lockdown eased out and socio-economic activities resumed, especially with the commencement of post-monsoon working season, the water supply infrastructure activities have to be implemented on a bigger scale and with speed to achieve the goal of providing tap water connections... Read more..

Date : Sep 3

Source: PIB

Detel targets 500 franchise partners for its EV vertical by 2021

Consumer brand Detel targets 500 franchise partners with complete facilities such as after-sales services as a part of its offline retail expansion plan for EV business. Detel EV is also looking for franchise partners who are willing to enter in this Industry. The company will extend its foothold across India in order to reach its customers in Tier 1,2 and 3 cities. Detel will offer Franchisee Owned Franchisee Operated Model to its franchise partners. The company also plans for complete localization of its EV Products and make it a fully made-in-India product. Last month, the company... Read more..

Date : Sep 3

Source: PV Magazine

E-commerce, hyperlocal supply chains to get cheaper with EV adoption

BENGALURU : The electric vehicle (EV) revolution isn't just mushrooming from consumer demand but also from e-commerce and hyperlocal delivery firms. Delivery and e-commerce startups such as Bigbasket, Swiggy and Flipkart are also adding to the overall demand for EVs, especially with the two-wheeler format. EV scooter makers including eBikeGo, Okinawa and Ather Energy are helping e-commerce and food delivery firms to convert their petrol-based scooters, used for deliveries, to more cost-efficient EV variants. Bigbasket, which employs its own delivery workers on a full-time basis unlike... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: Live Mint

R K Singh launches green term ahead market

New Delhi: Union Minister R K Singh on Tuesday launched the Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) for electricity, a move that will lead to an increase in the participants in the renewable energy sector. The initiative will also help in achieving the renewable energy(RE) capacity addition targets of the country. "The introduction of GTAM platform would lessen the burden on RE-rich states and incentivize them to develop RE capacity beyond their own RPO (Renewable Purchase Obligation). This would promote RE merchant capacity addition and help in achieving RE capacity addition targets of the country... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: ET Energy world

BIS certification, testing delays hit Chinese solar equipment imports

NEW DELHI : India’s economic response against border transgression by China is playing out in the solar space with delays by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in certification and testing approvals for imported solar equipment from China, said two people aware of the development. The approval is necessary to be eligible to sell in India after the government made it mandatory for all imported solar equipment to meet stringent quality norms after instances of poor quality solar modules being sold in the domestic market came to light. The delays in testing and certification assume... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: Live Mint

With 8GW of SECI contracts, Adani Green is largest solar power developer globally

The 8 gigawatt solar energy contract that Adani Green Energy won from the government in June has propelled it to become the world’s largest solar developer by capacity. According to a ranking renewable energy consultancy Mercom Capital Group, Adani Green is currently the top global solar developer with 2.3 GW of operational projects, 2 GW under construction, and 8 GW of awarded projects (with contracted PPAs) for a total capacity of 12.3 GW. Hong Kong-based GCL New Energy is the second largest global solar developer with 7.1 GW, followed by SB Energy, Enel Green Power, Brookfield Renewable... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: Live Mint

At 118 GW, Solar PV emerges as the most popular power technology

New Delhi: With a record 118 gigawatts constructed, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) topped all other technologies in new-build terms and was the most popular technology deployed in a third of nations in 2019, according to BloombergNEF (BNEF). The research firm said in a report PV dominated as the main new power-generating technology source added to grids in dozens of countries ranging from Australia, to India, Italy, Namibia, Uruguay and the U.S. in 2019. In all, 81 countries built at least 1 Megawatt of solar in 2019 and solar power accounted for nearly half of all new power generation capacity... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: ET Energy world

India's power output falls for sixth straight month in August

CHENNAI, Sept 1 - India's electricity generation fell for the sixth straight month in August, provisional government data showed, driven by a slump in power use in industrial western states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat in the second half of the month. August power generation fell 0.9%, a Reuters analysis of daily load despatch data from federal grid operator POSOCO showed, slower than the 1.8% decline seen in July. In the second half of August, electricity generation declined 4.5%, compared with a 2.6% increase during the first fifteen days of the month. Power use during the second half... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: ET Energy world

MNRE should extend ‘grandfathering’ for rooftop, third party PPAs: Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, CEO, NSEFI

New Delhi: The ministry of new and renewable energy is likely to announce a proposal for merchant wind-solar projects and will soon be disbursing the rooftop solar subsidies, Subrahmanyam Pulipaka, the chief executive officer of the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), an organisation of solar energy stakeholders, tells ETEnergyWorld in an exclusive interview. Edited excerpts: What is your take on the demand for BCD relief to SEZ solar manufacturing units? We have been advocating for quite some time that there should be a level-playing field in terms of uniform taxation and... Read more..

Date : Sep 2

Source: ET Energy world

Lego becomes Ellen MacArthur Foundation member in bid to spur circular economy progress

Toymaker the Lego Group has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for a three-year period, as part of its efforts to increase product reuse and recycling. Under the partnership, Lego will receive support to better embed the Foundation’s three circular economy principles - designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and regenerating natural systems – across the business. On the first and second principles, Lego claims that the durability of its products and the fact that the company broadly avoids trend-led design means that toys are often reused and passed down... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: Edie

Wrangler targets halved water use by 2030

GREENSBORO – Denim brand Wrangler has outlined an ambitious new target, saying that by 2030 it will strive to halve its water usage. The company, of Kontoor Brands, will work with the newly-launched Transformers Foundation to undertake a water balance study that will analyse consumption across its supply chain stages. “We’re learning from our past successes in water conservation and expanding the scope of our efforts to be more inclusive of some of the biggest water impacts in our supply chain,” Tom Waldron, executive vice president and global brand president of Wrangler, said. “Our new... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: Eco Textile News

India aims to achieve 100 MT coal gasification target by 2030: Pralhad Joshi

India aims for 100 million tonnes (MT) coal gasification by 2030 with investments worth over Rs. 4 lakh crores, said Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Coal and Mines. Addressing a webinar on Coal Gasification and Liquefaction, Shri Joshi said that Coal Gasification and Liquefaction is no more an aspiration, but a requirement. He added that for encouraging use of clean sources of fuel, government has provided for a concession of 20% on revenue share of coal used for gasification. He emphasized that this will boost production of synthetic natural gas, energy fuel, urea for fertilisers... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: PIB

Kutch hybrid energy park expected to generate 41,500MW

GANDHINAGAR: The state government has paved the way for setting up of the ambitious solar and wind parks project in Kutch district by expediting the process of land acquisition for the hybrid energy park. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had been regularly seeking updates on the project of national importance for the past two years. Sources in the government said 60,000 hectares of land will be allocated for the project in one go. The solar and wind parks project in Kutch is expected to generate 41,500 MW power. The PMO has given the deadline of 2022 for completion of the project, which... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: Times of India

India’s Power Demand is Almost Back to Pre-COVID Levels: POSOCO Report

Data from POSOCO, the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC), has shown that power demand in the country rose after it dipped during the COVID-19-induced nationwide lockdown. The data showed that after the lockdown was lifted, the average daily power demand stood at 3,595 million units (MU) for the period between June 1, 2020, and August 27, 2020. During the 69-day lockdown period between March 24, 2020, to May 31, 2020, demand averaged 3,037 MU. Before the lockdown, the average daily power demand in the country stood at 3,416 MW in the period between March 1, 2020, and March 23, 2020,... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: Energy Infra Post

States to get 2 years for DBT, a/cs with discoms to be used: Power Minister

New Delhi: In a sharp deviation from the practised model of cash transfers, the government proposes to initiate direct benefit transfer (DBT) in the power sector by making payment of subsidy into the accounts of consumers maintained by Discoms and not directly into their bank accounts. The amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, (Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020) which is in last leg of finalisation and is with the Law Ministry for vetting before being introduced in Parliament, has remodelled DBT structure with states being asked to subsidise tariff for certain identified consumers by... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: ET Energy World

CSIR-CMERI develops World’s Largest Solar Tree

CSIR-CMERI has developed the World’s Largest Solar Tree, which is installed at CSIR-CMERI Residential Colony, Durgapur. Prof.(Dr.) Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR-CMERI, while elaborating about the technology stated that, “The installed capacity of the Solar Tree is above 11.5 kWp. It has the annual capacity to generate 12,000-14,000 units of Clean and Green Power”. The Solar Tree has been designed in a manner to ensure maximum exposure of each Solar PV Panel to Sunlight and also creation of the least amount of shadow area beneath. There are a total of 35 Solar PV Panels in each tree with a... Read more..

Date : Sep 1

Source: PIB

Power Min proposes RPO for round the clock renewable energy

New Delhi: Power Minister R K Singh has proposed renewable purchase obligation (RPO) mechanism for round the clock (RTC) renewable energy, which will promote storage of electricity in the country. Under RPO, bulk purchasers like discoms, open access consumers and capacitive users are required to buy a certain proportion of renewable energy or RECs (renewable energy certificates) in lieu of clean energy. Once the RPO is mandatory for RTC renewable energy, it would encourage investments in renewable electricity storage projects. Speaking at the 6th Foundation Day of Association of Renewable... Read more..

Date : Aug 31

Source: ET Energy World

SECI to Conduct Pre-Bid Meeting for 5 GW RTC Power Tender

SECI will soon be conducting the pre-bid meeting for its tender for 5 GW RTC power from renewable projects, complemented with power from thermal power projects. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has announced that it will be conducting the pre-bid meeting for its tender for the selection of RE power developers for the supply of 5000 MW (5 GW) RTC (Round-The-Clock) power from grid-connected renewable energy projects, complemented with power from coal-based thermal power projects in India (RTC-II). The pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for September 2, 2020, and will be conducted... Read more..

Date : Aug 31

Source: Saur Energy

GAIL India looks at petrochemicals, renewables for growth

New Delhi: State-owned GAIL India Ltd is eyeing expansion in petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and renewables to supplement growth in its core business of natural gas marketing and transportation, its chairman Manoj Jain has said. The nation's largest gas marketer and shipper has adopted a revised strategic plan identifying priority business initiatives. "This strategic plan will help us to address our challenges in changing industry scenarios and provide new areas for growth with geographic expansion," he said in the company's latest annual report. GAIL transports over 70 per cent of... Read more..

Date : Aug 31

Source: ET Auto

Hyderabad International Airport wins CII-GBC 'National Energy Leader' award

Hyderabad (Telangana): The Hyderabad International Airport has won the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Godrej Green Business Centre (GBC) 'National Energy Leader' and 'Excellent Energy Efficient Unit' award. The GMR led Hyderabad International Airport was awarded at the 21st National Awards for 'Excellence in Energy Management" organized by CII and GBC, during the 19th edition of 'Energy Efficiency Summit", Virtual Conference and Exposition on Energy Efficiency held from August 6 - 28 2020. Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd, said, "We are happy to... Read more..

Date : Aug 31

Source: ET Energy World

Clean energy firms, promoters feigning pandemic as exit ruse may be blacklisted

NEW DELHI: The Centre plans to come down hard on those green energy firms and their promoters feigning the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to exit already awarded contracts, said two people aware of the development. This assumes significance given that India is running what will become the world’s largest clean energy programme, and comes in the backdrop of some wind energy developers seeking "low-cost exit options" for unviable projects. The government plans to not only blacklist such companies but also censure their promoters, thereby preventing them from participating in future... Read more..

Date : Aug 31

Source: Live Mint