Sustainability Outlook Headlines

New catalyst could reduce diesel vehicle pollution

Scientists have developed a catalyst that can curb emissions of nitrogen oxides from diesel-powered vehicles, an advance that may help reduce air pollution and smog.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) is a priority air pollutant that is a key ingredient in smog.

“Diesel engines power virtually all heavy-duty trucks, and NOx emissions control remains one of the key challenges facing manufacturers and operators,” researchers said.

The team focussed on copper-exchanged zeolites, a particular class of catalysts used to promote the conversion of NOx into environmentally benign nitrogen... Read more..

Amaravati to be an energy-efficient capital city, says energy principal secretary

he state government is committed to develop Amaravati as one of the most energy-efficient cities in the country, said state energy principal secretary Ajay Jain.

Speaking at a conference on energy efficiency organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and AP State Energy Conservation Mission (APSECM) here on Friday, Jain said that BEE has already tied up with the state government to design and construct buildings in Amaravati that will achieve maximum energy efficiency.

“Apart from Amaravati, the government wants to replace all existing electrical infrastructure like... Read more..

Russia’s Rosatom eyes Inox’s wind turbine manufacturing business

Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp. is exploring an investment in Inox Group’s wind turbine manufacturing business, said two people aware of the development.

The Russian government company’s interest in India’s second largest wind-turbine maker by market share stems from its strategy to gain control over the supply chain, which in turn will help towards reining in costs and offer competitive tariffs in the country’s wind power space.

“Rosatom is exploring this investment given its interest in the Indian wind energy space. It is trying to build a manufacturing presence... Read more..

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation commissions new construction waste recycling unit

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has commissioned a new facility at Rohini for recycling of construction and demolition waste generated by its construction works.

Inaugurated yesterday by DMRC Managing Director Mangu Singh, the plant can also be used by other agencies for recycling their construction related waste.
The DMRC said in a statement that construction waste generated by it are generally dumped at pre-designated sites identified and approved by the government.

"To utilise this waste, this new facility has been constructed. This is one of the many... Read more..

Street lighting programme lights up 50,000 km of roads with 3 million LEDs

The Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) has led to the illumination of 50,000 km of Indian roads with installation of 30 lakh LED street lights across the country, the government said today.

The installation of 30 lakh LED street lights has resulted in 39 crore kwh of annual energy savings, an official statement said. Further, it helped in reduction of 3.29 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually.

Under SLNP, Rajasthan leads the country with an installation of 7.85 lakh LED street lights followed by Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat with 6.03 lakh and 5.4 lakh,... Read more..

Chandigarh CREST society resumes installing solar power plants

After UT electricity department started giving gross-meter connections, Chandigarh Renewal Energy, Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) has started the process of installing solar power plants.

CREST is going to install rooftop solar power plants (SPV) of total capacity of 2350 kilowatt peak (kWp) at two different locations. The society intends to install an SPV of 1250 kWp at Sector 32 water works at estimated cost of Rs 7.82 crore, while 1100 kWp plant will be installed at Sector 37 water works at a cost of Rs 6.91 crore. CREST has already floated tenders for hiring a... Read more..

Green housing boost: €112-million SUNREF India Programme launched

The National Housing Bank (NHB) has joined hands with the French Development Agency (FDA) and the European Union to launch the SUNREF Housing India programme as part of efforts aimed at scaling up green housing projects in India.

SUNREF (Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance) Housing India will provide financing of €112 million to NHB, through a credit line of €100 million with AFD and a grant of €12 million financed by the European Union. The credit facility and grant agreements were signed with the NHB in July 2017.

The three partners on Thursday presented... Read more..

India enters global smart-meter race to fight utility losses

India is aiming to help its ailing power distribution companies by buying five million smart meters for two of its northern states in a global tender to be conducted later this month. 

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd., the government agency responsible for running the country’s energy efficiency programs, will conduct the tender, Managing Director Saurabh Kumar said in a phone interview. 

“This is a pilot project where four million smart meters will go to Uttar Pradesh and the rest to Haryana," Kumar said. If successful, the program could be adopted by a large number of states... Read more..

EESL and IOCL, BPCL & HPCL sign MOUs for distribution of Energy Efficient appliances

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), under the Ministry of Power, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) for distribution of energy efficient appliances under the flagship Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and appliances for All (UJALA) scheme. According to the agreement, Oil Marketing Companies- IOCL, BPCL and HPCL will take up distribution of LED Bulbs, LED Tubelights and energy efficient Fans from select retail outlets across the country. The distribution of these energy efficient... Read more..

Climate change costs India $10 billion every year: Government

Extreme weather events are costing India $9-10 billion annually and climate change is projected to impact agricultural productivity with increasing severity from 2020 to the end of the century.

In a recent submission to a parliamentary committee, the agriculture ministry said productivity decrease of major crops would be marginal in the next few years but could rise to as much as 10-40% by 2100 unless farming adapts to climate change-induced changes in weather.

Wheat, rice, oilseeds, pulses, fruits and vegetables will see reduced yields over the years, forcing farmers to... Read more..

Tata Projects, eFresh tie up for ‘smart’ pumpset starters

It is now possible for a farmer to operate his pumpset to irrigate fields with a mobile phone.

In what is termed as ‘smart irrigation’, eFresh Agribusiness Solutions has partnered with Tata Projects to launch a TQ mobile phone operated pump-starter in Sangareddy district of Telangana.

Besides curbing water wastage, this will save farmers the trouble of walking considerable distances to their fields to operate the pumps, mostly at night when power is supplied. There will also be saving of power as often farmers are lax about switching off pumpsets as power comes free on at... Read more..

Discoms save Rs 15K crore under UDAY scheme

Debt-laden power distribution companies in states which participated in the UDAY scheme, meant for their revival, have saved Rs 15,000 crore till March this year, the power ministry said today. 

The Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) was launched in November, 2015 and has completed more than 18 months of operation. 

"The participating DISCOMs have achieved net savings of approximately Rs 15,000 crore till March, 2017," the ministry said in a statement. 

The Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realised (ARR) gaps have come down by almost 14 paise per unit... Read more..