Sustainability Outlook Headlines

How US Grid Operators Plan To Tackle Energy Storage at Gigawatt Scale

How can U.S. transmission grids and wholesale energy markets adapt to the gigawatts of energy storage coming online over the next decade?

In the near future, the scale of the batteries serving U.S. power grids is set to explode, increasing from about 1.5 gigawatts today to tens or hundreds of gigawatts by 2030. These batteries will play a vital role in shifting intermittent wind and solar power from when it’s produced to when it’s needed and serving broader grid services needs on an increasingly decarbonizing grid.

But as a resource that can both absorb and discharge... Read more..

PM inaugurates World Sustainable Development Summit 2021; The Prime Minister emphasized on climate justice for fighting against climate change; We are committed to reduce emissions intensity of GDP by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels - PM

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated World Sustainable Development Summit 2021 via video conferencing. The theme of the Summit is ‘Redefining our common future: Safe and secure environment for all’.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister congratulated to TERI for sustaining this momentum and said that Global platforms like this are important for our present and future. He said that two things will define how the progress journey of humanity will unfold in the times to come. First is the health of our people. Second is the health of our planet, both are inter-linked... Read more..

Premier Energies to set up Rs 483 crore solar cell facility in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Premier Energies, a city-based leading Solar PV Cells and Module manufacturing company, is setting up a new state-of-the-art facility at E -City here at an investment of Rs 483 crore. The Greenfield Project, spread across 25 acres, is slated to triple Premier Energys current capacity.

The plant will produce 1.5 GW of solar cells and modules against the current capacity of 500 MW, a company press release said.

It is expected to be commissioned in the next two months.

Besides working towards reaching their stated objective of cleaner air and a greener world... Read more..

eBikeGo to begin EV battery recycling: Exploring partnerships with e-waste management entities

eBikeGo, an electric mobility solutions provider, has stated that it is kickstarting a drive to recycle Lithium batteries of its electric vehicles. These recycled batteries are in the beginning or middle of their lifecycle. EV batteries are taken out of the vehicle when their capacity reduces by about 25%. So, if a 1000 wh battery starts storing only 750 wh, then it is taken out of EV. It can then be used in solar plants and other applications.

The startup goes on to explain that in the coming years, the number of lithium-ion batteries available in the global market will multiply... Read more..

DDA approves green development policy draft

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Wednesday approved the draft ‘Green Development Area (GDA) Policy’ to provide an integrated framework for development of land falling in designated green belts and low-density residential areas according to the Master Plan for Delhi 2021.

In a meeting chaired by Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal, who is also the DDA chairman, the draft policy, which will now be placed in the public domain for objections and suggestions, was approved. “The policy will encourage green development and will ensure seamless development of infrastructure and road... Read more..

Basic customs duty on solar imports still on the cards: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Even though Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not mention any import restrictions on solar cells and modules to boost the domestic manufacturers, the ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) does not rule out the imposition of basic customs duty (BCD) on such items. Addressing the media about the implications of the budget on the renewable sector, MNRE secretary Indu Shekhar Chaturvedi said that “no way we can conclude that BCD will not take place”.

Acknowledging that solar energy has a “huge promise” for India, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said in her... Read more..

Government notified scheme to provide financial assistance to project proponents for enhancing ethanol distillation

Government has notified scheme for extending financial assistance to project proponents for enhancement of ethanol distillation capacity or to set up distilleries for producing 1st Generation (1G) ethanol from feed stocks such as cereals (rice, wheat, barley, corn & sorghum), sugarcane, sugar beet etc. vide notification dated 14.01.2021. Under the scheme, Government would bear interest subvention for five years, including one year moratorium, against the loan availed by project proponents from banks @ 6% per annum or 50% of the rate of interest charged by banks, whichever is lower, for... Read more..

Renewable energy firms cry foul as state seeks to renege on pact

New Delhi: India’s federal government has stepped in to mediate a dispute between the state of Gujarat and solar power developers over the province’s plan to backtrack on bids for a 700 megawatt project because of high tariffs and invite fresh ones.

“Certainly it is creating some disturbance in the renewable energy market,” Amitesh Kumar Sinha, joint secretary at the ministry told reporters in New Delhi about the initial discussion the ministry has had with the coastal state. “We will take up this issue further. We’ll handle it.”

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd., the parent... Read more..

Supreme Court Stops E-Rickshaw Registration In India

The EV evolution has taken a rather interesting turn in India. Kanishk Sinha, a Kolkata based lawyer who is a patentee for registration of electric vehicles across India for 20 years is claiming to be the only facilitator who can get electric vehicles registered in India. As per his claim, any individual state or union territory doesn't have the rights to directly register any battery operated electric vehicle in their province. Any EV customer will have to use Amit Engineering's service to get their vehicle registered, as it has leased the rights from Kanishk Sinha.

The apex court... Read more..

Budget 2021-22 augments Capital of SECI and IREDA to promote development of RE sector

Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman in her budget speech 2021-22 announced capital Augmentation of Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA). She said “To give a further boost to the non-conventional energy sector, I propose to provide additional capital infusion of Rs.1,000 crores to Solar Energy Corporation of India and Rs. 1,500 crores to Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency”

Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a public sector undertaking as an ‘Implementing Agency’ of the Ministry,... Read more..

Tender process for leasing e-buses cancelled for the third time

For the third time in a row, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has cancelled the tender to lease and operate electric buses under the Centre’s FAME II Scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India). The Corporation cited high operational costs, the same reason given when the tenders were cancelled in the past.

According to sources, the lowest bidder had quoted ₹65 per km as operational cost payable by the BMTC to the private party to lease buses.

BMTC Managing Director C. Shikha told The Hindu another round of... Read more..

American electric car maker Triton inks pact with BEL to make batteries in India

The New Jersey-based electric car maker Triton has roped in India’s state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to make batteries. The much-awaited memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed where Triton will provide the know-how and BEL will make them.
In a written response to Business Insider, Himanshu Patel, Managing Director of Triton EV, said, “we are excited to see the market response from India. Joining hands with BEL will definitely strengthen our commitment towards technology and clean energy driven EV and ESS market. The whole world respects India’s technical... Read more..