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Sustainability Outlook Headlines

39 electric autos now run in Bengaluru; want to make it 1 lakh by 2024: Firm

You might have seen blue-and-white electric autorickshaws with green and yellow number plates plying on Bengaluru roads. Thanks to Bengaluru-based social enterprise Three Wheels United (TWU), 39 electric autos are now running in the city. The firm is planning to finance 10,000 electric autos in the city over the next year and its target is 1 lakh autos by 2024. According to TWU, a-four-stroke LPG autorickshaw driver earns a daily income of Rs 1,300 and for 30 days it is around Rs 36,000. However, his monthly expenses are around Rs 13,000 (Rs 9,000 for gas, Rs 2,000 for oil and Rs 2,000 for... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Partners With UNDP To Launch ‘Plastic Lao, Thaila Pao’ Campaign

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), one of India’s top FMCG companies, has helped collect more than 30,000 kg of different kinds of plastics from 9 locations across 7 cities of the country in the first phase of the‘Plastic Lao, Thaila Pao’, a multi-city social awareness campaign, since its launch in October 2019. Working in partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and various other NGOs and local municipalities, the company is now planning to double the number of cities for the‘Plastic Lao, Thaila Pao’campaign during 2020. The second phase will soon be kicked off in... Read more..

Source: Business World

Green energy on the rise globally, but China continues to play coal more

Electricity generation from wind and solar rose 15 per cent in 2019. Research done by Ember, a London-based, independent climate think-tank, wind and solar plants around the world accounted for 8 per cent of the world’s electricity, against 3 per cent in 2013. India contributed its mite, achieving 13 per cent growth in wind+solar electricity — 8 per cent of India’s electricity generation came from these two sources in 2019 — but the big boost to renewable energy came from the EU, which also grew 13 per cent, but on a higher base. The world produced 270 billion units more wind and solar... Read more..

Source: The Hindu Business Line

Green energy’s $10 trillion revolution faces oil crash test

In 2014, when the price of oil last crashed, the world’s governments had no agreement in place to fight climate change. The following year leaders signed the Paris accord. Green investments have soared since then. Some $1.2 trillion has been poured into renewable energy, and global electric vehicle sales reached 2 million last year. Bloomberg NEF expects as much as $10 trillion poured into clean energy by 2050. The accord also marked a cultural watershed, with emissions targets now policed by a growing environment movement that’s shaping politics from Germany to India. In a sign of the... Read more..

Source: Livemint

Renewable energy: Easier bank guarantee norms likely for green projects

In order to find more ways to bring ease in doing solar and wind power businesses, the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) is exploring alternative mechanisms to reduce the amount of money that developers need to deposit with government agencies for commissioning green power plants. MNRE has sent a letter to NTPC and Solar Corporation of India (Seci) — the central government agencies which act as the nodal agencies for conducting the auctions — asking them to submit their comments on the feasibility of other arrangements for earnest money deposit (EMD) and payment bank guarantee (... Read more..

Source: Financial Express

SECI Extends Bid Deadline for 14 MW Solar Plus BESS at Leh and Ladakh

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has extended the bid submission deadline for its tender for the development of 14 MW of solar power projects along with 42 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Leh and Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir under the Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP)-2015. As per the SECI notification, the last date for bid submission has been extended from March 16, 2020, to April 16, 2020. And, the techno-commercial bids will now be opened on the new bid deadline. In May 2019, we had reported that SECI had issued a new Notice Inviting Tender (NIT)... Read more..

Source: Saur Energy International

Assam to set up 140 Megawatt solar power projects in two districts

Assam to come up with 140 MW solar power project at Dima Hasao district and at Amguri in Sivasagar district. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal administered the agreement signing for two solar power projects of 70 MW each at Dima Hasao district and at Amguri in Sivasagar district. Chief Minister said that this historic signing of agreements would herald a new dawn in clean power generation sector in the state and Assam Government had achieved considerable success in fulfilling the aim to provide to 68 lakh families of the state. Economic upliftment and empowerment provide the... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

Tamil Nadu to increase wind power generation capacity by 440 MW

After three years of stagnation, Tamil Nadu is under compulsion to install additional wind power generation capacity to comply with the renewable power obligation (RPO) norms prescribed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. In line with the central commission’s norms, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission recently gave its nod to Tangedco to purchase 440.64MW of wind power by floating tenders. It means additional wind power mills have to be installed in the state to meet the requirement. The state has 9,286MW wind power generation installed capacity. However,... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

Punjab dams register record hydel power generation

Timely rain and sufficient water level has facilitated optimum functioning of Ranjit Sagar and Shahpurkandi dams. Both hydel power projects have surpassed their previous historical record of all time highest power generation. They achieved highest ever generation of 2,013.194 million units (MUs) till 5pm on Thursday. The previous highest annual generation record stood at 2,013.19 million units (MUs) in 2005-06. Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) chairman-cum-managing director (CMD) Baldev Singh Sran said four units of 150 MW each at Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpurkandi have given... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

Nashik zone gets 1840 solar power pumps, relief for farmers

The Nashik division of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has installed 1,840 solar power pumps to enable the farmers to pump out groundwater during the daytime. The solar pumps have been allotted to the farmers, who paid for the new connections but did not receive it. The solar pumps were sanctioned through central government’s Atal Solar Krishi Pump Yojana and state government’s Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Pump Yojana in which the farmers had to pay less than 10 percent of the total costs of the pump. The same was also warranted for a period of five... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

Crisis at Yes Bank limits green financing avenues

There seems to be a ‘perfect storm’ brewing in India’s clean energy space. Already spooked by the spectre of Covid-19 impacting project commissioning schedules and the government’s move to raise import tariffs on equipment, developers now say the situation may be exacerbated by the Reserve Bank of India’s moratorium on capital-starved Yes Bank. Given that Yes Bank was one of the largest lenders to India’s clean energy space, developers are worried about raising project financing at a time when there is a pipeline of 30,000MW of projects. There is a need to raise funding to the tune of ₹1... Read more..

Source: Livemint

Vogo eyes revenue run rate of $120 mn, bets big on EVs

Vogo, a bike and scooter sharing start-up, is working on increasing the number of vehicles on its platform to about one lakh as it aims to more than double its revenue run rate to $120 million in the next one year. The Ola-backed company, which operates in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mysore, is also betting on electric mobility and aims to have 20 percent of its fleet as EVs. "In the last 12 months, we have scaled the number of vehicles on the platform from 200 to 20,000 and the plan is to increase this further to one lakh in the next 12 months," Vogo CEO Anand Ayyadurai told PTI. He further... Read more..

Source: Money Control

Electric cabs to help Delhi breathe better

At a time when India is battling air pollution, especially in the national capital and adjoining Ghaziabad, which have been designated as one of the most polluted cities across the globe as studies suggest, Prakriti E-Mobility Private Limited, is soon to launch an App-based Electric Vehicle (EV) cab services called 'Evera' in Delhi-NCR. Focused on offering affordable, clean and comfortable rides to consumers, Evera offers one-of its kind, 100 per cent electric cab service in the city. The cab service provider Prakriti has entered a partnership with Tata Motors to soon deploy 500 Tigor... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

Okinawa Looks To Make EV Charging Practical For Range-Anxious Indians

"People think that lack of infrastructure is the biggest challenge for the adoption of electric vehicles in India, however, that is only in the case of four-wheelers," said Jeetender Sharma, cofounder of Okinawa Autotech. Sharma's belief stems from the fact that detachable batteries are becoming more and more popular among EV two-wheelers. He likens it to users charging a smartphone or any other gadget at home. With a focus on battery swapping and charging the replaceable battery packs at any electrical plug, Okinawa Autotech is looking to flood the market with its EV two-wheelers over the... Read more..

Source: DailyHunt

Climate change could put 4.5% of India’s GDP at risk: Study

Climate change and global warming may hit India’s GDP within a decade, a report published by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) has said. By 2030, temperatures in India could reach such levels that outdoor workers may be forced to cut short their daylight working hours to beat the lethal heat waves, the report says. The MGI report has estimated that the impact of global heating on outdoor work and the resultant loss in productivity could put 2.5% to 4.5% of India’s GDP at risk annually. “As of 2017, in India, heat-exposed work produces about 50% of GDP, drives about 30% of GDP growth, and... Read more..

Source: The Times of India

Sweden and India launch a multi-million dollar programme on Smart Grids

Sweden and India have launched a joint funding programme under which the best of Swedish and Indian innovators can forge partnerships and develop Smart Grid solutions that will benefit both sides to help integrate the increasing amounts of renewable energy. The India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme is co-funded by Indian Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Swedish Energy Agency. The programme aims to bring together companies, research organisations, academics and other collaborators from both countries for the joint development of... Read more..

Source: PV Magazine India

U.S. Department of Energy Signs Memorandum of Understanding with India for Solar Decathlon India Competition in 2021

This week, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide collaboration and support to India in the establishment of Solar Decathlon India in 2021. “India is joining an international family of Solar Decathlons that is preparing students all over the world to design and build homes integrated with advanced energy technologies while ensuring affordability and comfort,” said Daniel R Simmons, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Following President Trump and Secretary Brouillette’s visit to India, we are... Read more..

Source: US Deptpartment of Energy

India Imported Solar Equipment Worth $1.18 Bn From China Between April-December

India imported solar cells and modules worth USD 1,179.89 million from China in the first nine months — between April and December — of the current financial year (2019-20), union minister of new and renewable energy RK Singh has said. In FY17, FY18, and FY19 India’s solar imports from China stood at USD 2,817.34 million, USD 3,418.96 million, and USD 1,694.04 million, respectively, the minister said in a written reply in Parliament. “The solar panels or modules imported from China are generally cheaper than those produced by domestic manufacturers,” Singh said. The total value of solar... Read more..

Source: Saur Energy International

In push for neighbourhood-first policy, India plans a common electricity market

The Union government plans to set up a regional grid that will be leveraged to create a common electricity market for nations in India’s neighbourhood, said power and new and renewable energy minister Raj Kumar Singh. The proposed market, which will include Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, could aid regional peace and improve utilization of generation assets—including the stranded assets in India —and efficient price discovery. While India has been procuring hydropower from Bhutan, it is also supplying electricity to Bangladesh and Nepal. The plans now include the option... Read more..

Source: Livemint

Karnataka govt gives massive thrust to decongest Bengaluru, allots Rs 8,772 cr for city development

Recognising the importance of Bengaluru as the key driver of state's economy, the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday mooted proposals to ease the notorious traffic congestion of the city by promoting the public transport system. "For the year 2020-21, a total amount of Rs 8,772 crore is provided for the Bengaluru development sector," he said presenting the State Budget in the Assembly. A comprehensive mobility programme for Bengaluru -- half of the contribution of Karnataka gross state domestic product comes from the city alone -- is prepared for the first time, he said.... Read more..

Source: The Economic Times

Uttarakhand: DSCL starts trials of electric buses at Hyderabad

The Dehradun Smart City Limited (DSCL) has started the testing of electric buses at the Hyderabad-based Olectra Green Tech, which will provide 30 electric buses under the smart city project. According to the officials at DSCL, the motive of the trials is to assess the fit and finish of the environment-friendly buses before they become operational in the city. The nine-meter electric buses will be helpful in de-congestion of the city roads, offering an alternative transport system as one of the initiatives under the smart city project, officials said. “The electric buses are expected to be... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

DGTR initiates review of safeguard duty on solar cells

The commerce ministry's DGTR has initiated a probe whether to continue with the imposition of safeguard duty on solar cells following an application made by domestic companies for the same. An application for review and extension of safeguard duty for four more years has been filed by Mundra Solar PV Ltd, Jupiter Solar Power Ltd, Jupiter International Ltd, through the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA). They have sought continued imposition of the safeguard duty imposed on imports of 'solar cells whether or not assembled in modules or panels' into India to protect the domestic... Read more..

Source: ET Energy World

JLR India, Tata Power to partner for EV charging infrastructure

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) India said on Thursday it has entered into a partnership with Tata Power to offer end-to-end electric vehicle charging solutions. Tata Power will provide charging solutions for Jaguar Land Rover in India across its retail network of 27 outlets in 24 cities and at the customer's residence and office. The country's largest integrated power company will be responsible for providing a range of AC and DC chargers starting from 7 to 50 kilowatt capacity. Rohit Suri, president and managing director for JLR India said the partnership with Tata Power will be a value addition... Read more..

Source: Livemint

Mahindra Heavy Engine first in India to double its energy productivity

Mahindra Heavy Engines (MHEL) has become the first Indian manufacturing unit in the country and only the third in the world to double its energy productivity, which would have significant impact on its energy costs. This was achieved by the compnay’s unit in Chakan which has become energy smart. This unit has capacity to make 860 engines a day and makes captive supplies to Mahindra SUVs, trucks and power gensets in the 1.2-9.3 litre range. With this initiative, the company has achieved 21% reduction in energy costs apart from the positive impact on the environment through efficient energy... Read more..

Source: Financial Express

Kolkata airport to go e-way with inspection Delhi vehicles

Authorities at Kolkata airport have decided to replace half the fleet of inspection vehicles in the operational area to electric by this year-end. The move is part of the airport’s initiative to reduce its carbon footprint and move towards carbon neutrality. “Of the four vehicles that we have for inspection of runway and rest of the operational area, we will convert two to electric. The switchover could have been done by next month-end had adequate EVs been available in the market. Since there is waterlogging in parts of the operational area when there are heavy showers during monsoon, we... Read more..

Source: The Times of India
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