Sustainability Outlook Headlines

Small solar power projects: 2,605 applications for one-time exit

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has received 2,605 applications for the one-time exit option offered by the state-run power utility to small-scale solar power developers. These applications represent solar power projects with the aggregate generation capacity of 1,546.45MW.

However, 1,400 applicants with the cumulative capacity of 955MW have not applied for the exit option. They will continue to set up solar projects in Gujarat under the state’s policy for the development of small-scale distributed solar projects (SSDSP-2019), said sources aware of the developments.

... Read more..

Tariffs for pure wind projects trend downwards as ReNew, Sembcorp, Evergreen discover ₹2.69

In a positive development for the struggling wind energy industry, tariffs for pure wind projects trended downwards as ReNew Power, Sembcorp, Evergreen Power, Adani, and Azure Power emerged winners in Solar Energy Corporation of India's (SECI) 1200 megawatt (MW) tranche XI tender.

ReNew (300 MW), Sembcorp's wholly-owned subsidiary Green Wind Infra Energy (180 MW), and Evergreen's Anupavan Renewables (150 MW) won their bids at ₹2.69 per unit, while 450 MW went to Adani at ₹2.70.

Azure was allotted the remaining 120 MW at ₹2.70, even though they had bid for 300 MW.

Draft open access norms can be a tailwind for new renewable projects: CRISIL

The Draft Electricity (promoting renewable energy through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021, announced by the Ministry of Power, if implemented, could improve the certainty of cash flows for new renewable energy projects coming up through this route, said CRISIL Ratings on Thursday.

“Given the government’s target of installing 450 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, the draft rules, if finalised, would be a timely measure as these can provide a fillip to open access renewable energy capacity addition,” said Aditya Jhaver, Director, CRISIL Ratings.

He added that considering... Read more..

CESL launches scheme for sale of electric two-wheelers in Kerala

State-run Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) on Wednesday launched a scheme for the sale of two-wheeled electric vehicles (EVs) for Kerala government employees.

“The programme is custom-designed for employees of the Government of Kerala, and vehicles are made available by CESL through its relationship with vehicle manufacturers," a CESL statement said.

This comes in the backdrop of CESL calling bids for procuring 100,000 electric three-wheelers with an estimated cost of ₹3,000 crore, in the largest such global tender. CESL’s parent firm Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (... Read more..

Tatas against any cut in EV import duty for Tesla

The Tata Group, which leads the electric car market in India, has opposed a cut in import duty on electric cars — as demanded by Elon Musk and his company Tesla — saying that the move “goes contrary” to the government’s FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicle) policy, which seeks localisation and indigenisation of green vehicles.

Shailesh Chandra, president of Tata Motors passenger vehicles business unit, said incentivising of localisation remains the key to drive higher adoption of electrics and making them affordable, and thus efforts should be made... Read more..

ADM Announces Industry’s First Net Carbon Neutral Milling Operations

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ADM (NYSE: ADM) announced today that the company has achieved net carbon neutral status for its U.S. flour milling operations. This accomplishment is an industry first of its kind and scale. The company has 22 mills around the U.S. that process wheat, sorghum and corn into flour.

ADM achieved net carbon neutral status at its U.S. mills through a combination of energy efficiencies, purchase of renewable energy certificates, and sequestration of carbon dioxide at the company’s commercial carbon capture and storage facility.

“Consumers increasingly... Read more..

IIT Ropar’s startup company introduces World’s first ‘Plant based’ smart air-purifier “Ubreathe Life”

Budding scientists of Indian Institutes of Technology, Ropar and Kanpur and Faculty of Management Studies of Delhi University have developed a living-plant based air purifier “Ubreathe Life” that amplifies the air purification process in the indoor spaces. These indoor spaces can either be hospitals, schools, offices and your Homes.

IIT Ropar’s startup company, Urban Air Laboratory, that has developed the product claims it to be world’s first, state-of-the art ‘Smart Bio-Filter’ that can make breathing fresh. It has been incubated at IIT Ropar, which is a designated iHub - AWaDH (... Read more..

MSEDCL must give 40% subsidy on solar rooftop panels: Consumers

Power consumers, especially those from housing societies in Navi Mumbai and Thane, have demanded that MSEDCL avail of Central subsidy up to 40% on solar rooftop panel installations, which it can pass on to consumers who can then save Rs 800-2,400 in bills every month.

Last week, BEST, Adani Electricity and Tata Power announced this scheme for their consumers in Mumbai. The subsidy is an initiative of the Union ministry of renewable energy and is being availed by most states. However, MSEDCL, which supplies electricity to the largest base of consumers – over 2.6 crores in Maharashtra... Read more..

EV makers should give 'significant discount' to buyers who have scrapped old cars, says Gadkari

Electric vehicle manufacturers should offer significant discount to buyers who have scrapped their old cars that were powered by internal combustion engines, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.

The Road Transport and Highways Minister also said the government intends to have Electric Vehicle (EV) sales penetration of 30 per cent for private cars and 70 per cent for commercial vehicles by 2030.

Addressing a virtual event, he said the government has planned to shift public transport and logistics to 100 per cent electric but did not provide specific details in this... Read more..

New online platform to promote reuse, repair, recycle e-waste

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Madras is developing a new model to tackle electronic wastes (e-waste) by linking stakeholders in the formal and informal economy.

It will be an exchange platform that will serve as an online marketplace for waste electrical and electronic equipment and facilitate a formal supply chain between various stakeholders.

According to studies, the world presently generates 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste every year. This is expected to double in the next 16 years.

Studies also estimated that 85 per cent of this is being lost globally. E... Read more..

Govt-owned CESL plans pan-India solar charging stations for e-vehicles

State-run Convergence Energy Services (CESL) is planning a countrywide network of solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles that will help them become totally green by avoiding the use of polluting thermal energy.

The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Service (EESL) under the Union power ministry, is in talks with state governments to set up green carports, or solar charging stations based on solar power.

The company wants to involve private companies, similar to initiatives taken by the governments in Maharashtra and Gujarat. It will assess... Read more..

Delhi government to create 600 MW network of ‘power banks’

State power minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday said that Delhi government is planning to create a 600 MW network of ‘power banks’ around the national capital on the lines of the 10 MW ‘Battery Energy Storage System’ created by Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) plant in northwest Delhi’s Rohini.

“The new system of energy storage is designed in a way that it can be charged during off-peak power demand hours and the stored energy can be utilised during peak demand hours, thereby stabilising the whole grid against fluctuations,” Jain said, adding that the system could be... Read more..