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Futuristic cars powered by hydrogen will be silent vehicles
that make a whistling noise, similar to a kettle about to boil, when
started. Car makers are designing electronic devices to simulate engine
sounds that blare out through the stereo system. Artificial sounds were
necessary 'not just for the entertainment factor' but for safety, says
General Motors product development boss, Bob Lutz. Hydrogen-powered
vehicles, whose only emissions are water good enough to drink, are being
developed by most car makers. However, Lutz warned it would be a long
time before hydrogen power replaced conventional petrol and diesel engines.
The Hindustan Times, 8 January 2003
The MCD, along with other civic bodies, will organize
a two-day seminar on how to transform waste water in to a 'clean renewable
source.' It will showcase some of the most modern technologies in water
treatment. The workshop, 'Water Treatment: Decentralized Technologies
for Effective Management,' will be attended by 42 delegates from all
over the country, including Karnataka, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Water treatment experts from the United States,
Sweden, Singapore, Australia, France and Kenya will also be there. The
seminar aims at developing solutions to retrieve water for irrigation
as well as for human consumption, thereby 'saving on the cost of transporting
waste water for sewage treatment and also addressing pollution problems.
The Indian Express, ExpressNewsline, 9 January 2003
GEECL (Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd), which is
exploring CBM (coal bed methane) in the Raniganj coal fields in West
Bengal, will submit its finding to ministry of petroleum and natural
gas by June 2003. After clearance by the ministry, the company plans
to invest Rs 5000 million ($104.16 million) over a period of three to
five years by drilling 160 production wells. 'We have so far drilled
one exploratory well and are in the process of drilling another. GEECL
intends to drill three exploratory wells by March 2003 and submit the
analyzed data to ministry thereafter,' top company sources told. GEECL
would be investing Rs 200 million ($4.17 million) in the exploration
stage. Earlier company intended to complete exploration job by this
time and submit data to government by March. It had mandated a company
for rigs but apparently that work did not proceed smoothly. This caused
the delay.
Business Standard, 16 January 2003
Delhi Chief Minister Ms Sheila Dikshit gave a call for
progressive transition to renewable energy sources for human needs.
She reiterated her appeal to the people to work in the direction of
water and energy conservation especially so in the light of the fact
that the government was observing the year 2003 as conservation year.
She was delivering the inaugural address at the seminar on "Climatic
Change and Clean Development Mechanism".
The Pioneer, 30 January 2003
A draft national policy on non-edible oils as biofuels
has suggested a massive national campaign, some substitution in diesel
and fiscal incentives to agencies that promote the generation, sale
and use of these oils. The use of biofuels should be encouraged on the
lines of ethanol-laced petrol. They should form 5% of diesel in the
next three years and gradually increased to 20% by 2010, says the draft
put into limited circulation by SuTRA (Sustainable Transformation of
Rural Areas) of IISc (Indian Institute of Science) and Samagra Vikas
Trust. SuTRA, an arm of the IISc's Department of Mechanical Engineering
is a key proponent of pongamia oil as a biofuel and has demonstrated
it for some years in a cluster of villages near Tumkur. According to
Prof. Udipi Srinivasa, Chief Programme Executive of SuTRA, and one of
the authors of the policy, biofuels are relevant to India and can greatly
mitigate its staggering oil import bill of Rs 900 billion ($18.75 billion).
In 2000, 64% or 90 MT of the oil consumed domestically oil required
was imported against a home production of 32 MT. The draft argues that
besides fuel security for the country, the spin-offs can mean improved
rural incomes and jobs, environment-friendly mechanisms and a better
carbon trading position as biofuels sequester atmospheric carbon.
The Hindu Business Line, 31 January 2003
The MEDA (Maharashtra Energy Development Agency) has targeted
generation of 230 MW power from surplus biomass in three years. Advocating
a cautious approach, director-general of MEDA Mr G M Pillai said biomass
power projects should be set up without creating competition. This will
mean that there will be only one biomass-based power plant in a 50-km
radius, to ensure that there is no shortage of the input nor is it diverted
from animal feed and other uses. The proposal envisages using only excess
biomass available in the region without disturbing the food chain. Mr
Pillai, who spoke at a one-day meet on challenges and opportunities
in power generation from surplus biomass for new entrepreneurs' said
interest rates for such projects should come down to 9%. Currently,
interest rates for such projects are at 12.5-13% per annum. He pointed
out that the lowering of interest rates by 1% would lead to the cost
of power coming down by 10 paise per unit. A study by the ministry of
non-conventional energy sources has noted that the state has the potential
to generate 781 MW power from surplus biomass. Currently, under Section
44 of the Electricity Supply Act, 1949, only the MSEB can sanction the
setting up of captive power projects.
The Economic Times, 31 January 2003
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The Union Minister for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation,
Ananth Kumar, said that Hudco had approved a proposal to finance co-generation
projects for power supply or ethanol production to improve the economic
condition of farmers. There was no limit for financing such projects,
including sugar factories. The minister was delivering the valedictory
address of the two-day national seminar on non-edible vegetable oils
as bio-fuels organized by six Union Government agencies, including his
ministry, the Samarga Vikas, and SuTRA of the Indian Institute of Science.
He said his ministry would consider proposals seeking finance for projects
promoting non-edible vegetable oils as bio-fuels. He said Hudco had
a turnover of Rs 150 billion ($3.13 billion) and made a profit of Rs
3000 million ($62.5 million) this financial year compared to the turnover
of Rs 80 billion ($1.67 billion) and profit of Rs 1200 million ($25
million) last year. A sum of Rs 75000 million ($1562.5 million) would
be spent on providing urban infrastructure. A considerable portion of
this would be utilized for research and related works on bio-fuels.
He said the country imported Rs 900 billion ($18.75 billion) worth of
petroleum products. National security rested on fuel security, and hence
there was a need for a debate on the serious issue of dependence on
the Gulf for the country's fuel requirement. As much of 64% of the petroleum
products supplied in the country was from that region. Dwelling on the
Swadeshi and Videshi models of development, he said bio-fuels could
give an answer to the problem. While the usage of petroleum products
generated hydrocarbons and caused pollution, bio-fuels were eco-friendly
and could boost the rural economy.
The Hindu, 03 February 2003
Solar Power is set for a boost with the help of a material
that can soak up energy from almost all of the Sun's spectrum. It should
allow solar cells to jump in efficiency from today's best of 30% to
50% or higher. Solar cells use layers of semiconductors to absorb photons
of sunlight and convert them into electric current. Today's best cells
have layers of two different semicondutors stacked together to absorb
light at different energies but they still only manage to use 30% of
the Sun's energy. Theorists have calculated which two band gaps would
give a maximum efficiency of 50%, but until now they have not had the
semiconductors to do the job. Researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National
laboratory in California have found a material that fits the bill -
a semiconductor called InGaN (indium gallium nitride). By varying the
ratio of indium to gallium in different layers, they were able to tune
InGaN's bandgap to match the criteria exactly.
The Hindu, 06 February 2003
A jury, comprising economists, businessmen, and administrators,
has selected NTPC for the award for 'Excellence in Infrastructure 2002'.
Minister for external affairs Mr Yashwant Sinha gave away the award
to NTPC chief Mr C P Jain at a celebration in the Infrastructure pavilion
at the International Engineering and Technological Fair. Planning Commission
member Mr N K Singh and CII officials were present at the function.
The corporation was also given CoRe-BCSD Corporate Social Responsibility
award for 2001/02 for community development. Former CJI and ex-NHRC
chairperson Justice J S Verma gave away the plaque to NTPC project director
Mr T Sankaralingam.
The Times of India, 11 February 2003
The time for noisy polluting diesel generating sets for
back-up power in homes and offices is running out. 'The day is not far
when these will be replaced by fuel cells that are quiet, efficient
and absolutely clean,' says Mr Paul Ratnasamy, of the NCL (National
Chemical Laboratory) in Pune. The first home-made 5-kilowatt fuel cell
will be ready for demonstration in June, according to Mr Ratnasamy,
who was a participant at the Indo-German conference on catalysis organized
by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology. Mr Ratnasamy said the
Indian fuel cell power pack is the result of a Rs 60-million national
programme launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
only 18 months ago. The NCL, Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, the South
India Petrochemical Corporation and Kirloskar Engineering Company are
all partners in the project. A fuel cell uses a catalyst to extract
hydrogen from feedstock such as LPG or natural gas and turns the hydrogen
gas directly into electricity. The only by-product is water.
The Hindu Business Line, 10 February 2003
The Electronics Division of the public sector BHEL (Bharat
Heavy Electricals Ltd) has supplied and commissioned solar photovoltaic
systems for use in rural telephone systems in Gujarat. The solar power
systems provide power supply to the rural telephones installed as part
of the basic telephone services network run by Reliance Infocomm. BHEL
has supplied about 100 solar PV sets totaling to about 15 KW. This project
has been executed on a fast-track basis in view of the urgency expressed
by Reliance Infocomm in rolling out their basic telephony services in
Gujarat. The systems were despatched within five weeks of receiving
the approval from the customer for a prototype. The solar photovoltaic
system consists of a 150 W photovoltaic array which charges a 12V/80AH
battery. The power from the battery is used to provide uninterrupted
power to the telephone set through a sophisticated charge controller,
which controls the system and monitors the system parameters. The PV
array is mounted on the lattice or pole type tower and the charge controller
is housed in a battery box along with the battery to provide an independent
power supply to the system.
The Hindu Business Line, 13 February 2003
Indian Railways' diesel locomotives will be fuelled by
bio-diesel two years from now. This follows a tie-between IOC (Indian
Oil Corporation) and IR (Indian Railways) to plant and produce Jatropha
curcas in 500 hectares of the Railway land which, in turn, can produce
800 tonnes of bio-diesel per annum. Under an agreement signed here between
IOC and IR, Railways would offer 500 hectares of its land on lease to
IOC in Gujarat and Rajasthan. The price of diesel, at current estimates
would be in the region of Rs 11 (22.88 cents) - 12 (24.96 cents) per
litre through the final price would be decided through negotiation between
the Railways and the IOC. Production of bio-diesel consists of doping
diesel produced from crude with five per cent of Jatropha Curcas, commonly
known as Rattan Jyoth in the north. Railways have already tested the
bio-diesel fuel on a diesel locomotive hauling the premier Shatabdi
Express between New Delhi and Amritsar and found it to be successful.
Under the agreement, IOC will take up plantation, collection of seed,
extraction, blending and testing by outsourcing some or all of the activities.
The Hindu Business Line, 14 February 2003
The US catch phrase - hydrogen economy - is making inroads
into green events. On the heels of President Bush's hydrogen fuel initiative,
a key US representative has said India too could benefit from the technology,'
if it were truly cost-effective.' Speaking to reporters on the sidelines
of the DSDS (Delhi Summit on Sustainable Development) organized by TERI
last week, Dr James R Mahoney, assistant secretary of commerce for oceans
and atmosphere and director, US Climate Change Science Program said
that 'if industry cooperated to bring cutting-edge technologies with
'cost-efficiency' to market in developing countries like India, there
is no reason why even the hydrogen fuel cell technology' can't be shared.
In TERI Director General Dr R K Pachauri's interpretation, to make fuel
cell cost-effective, India would have to pitch in with necessary capacity
building. 'No one will go the whole way to give superior technology
on a platter. I Think policy-makers should immediately follow it up
and give it concrete shape. We always ask for technology transfer and
external aid in general terms and do not take the issue into specifics'.
Dr Mahoney was answering a specific query from ET on how cutting edge
the technologies (being offered) were, in on-going bilateral by definition
implied collaboration where there is mutual benefit.
The Economic Times, 15 February 2003
The union ministry of Non-conventional Energy has been
urged to set up a special task force to promote the use of solar energy
in ports, shipping and offshore sectors. The plea was made by delegates
at a two-day national workshop organized by the National Ship Design
and Research Centre, which concluded recently. They also sought a dedicated
research and development centre for solar energy applications in these
sectors at a suitable location. The delegates said the Defence sector
in general, and the Navy in particular, had vast potential requirement
of various solar energy devices and special packages should be prepared
for the purpose. The requirements of coastal villages for lighting and
drying should be given priority and the state nodal agencies should
also take an active part in the endeavour, the delegates felt. The chairman
and managing director of Hindustan Shipyard, Rear Admiral R M Bhatia,
said in the inaugural session that the average intensity of solar radiation
in the country was 200 MW/km. Even if 10% of the available area could
used it would amount to 8 million MW.
The Hindu Business Line, 15 February 2003
Tata BP Solar today inaugurated its 38 MW solar module
manufacturing facility in Electronic City Phase II, said to be the largest
single location plant in the world. The plant will produce over 160
W individually rated solar modules for which it has invested over Rs
300 million ($6.25 million). At the inaugural ceremony, the Secretary,
Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources, Mr Ajai Vikram Singh, said
the Ministry was keen on participating in the Tata BP's research and
development projects in the areas of non-conventional energy sources.
Alternative energy sources had scope for endless applications and this
was what the Government was looking at tapping. The Managing Director
of Tata BP Solar, Mr A K Vora, said the company would be focussing on
research and development, while coming out with newer products.
The Hindu, 21 February 2003
Pune-based wind energy equipment major Suzlon Energy Ltd
has bagged $22-million order to set-up 24-MW class wind energy turbines
in Minnesota state of the US, a top company executive said. 'We have
commissioned the first two turbines this month. This is the first wind
energy project export by an Indian company to the US,' company's director
Girish Tanti said. Suzlon, he said, would commission other turbines
in coming months in Minnesota, in the northern region of US bordering
Canada. 'The power generated from the wind energy turbines will be linked
to a grid connected commercial power project.' According to his, it
was for the first time Suzlon had commissioned a plant in sub-zero temperatures,
which went below -35?. Suzlon, which is targeting a turnover of Rs 6000
million ($125 million) this fiscal, would focus on the US market for
further exports, Tanti said.
The Economic Times, 24 February 2003
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Setting an example of energy conservation, the Raj Bhavan
and Krishna, the chief minister's home office, will change over to total
solar powered units by March next year. This plan of the Karnataka Renewable
Energy Development Ltd, a nodal government agency involved in promoting
non-conventional energy, gains importance when the state is grappling
with a power crisis. KREDL sources told that the project to use solar
energy for all power needs of the two important buildings will be initiated
through a tendering process. All energy requirements including lighting,
water heating, air conditioners and use of other electrical gadgets
will be through the solar energy units, the sources said. Its own office
building will also be totally solar powered to the extent of 10.25 MW.
'We have to set an example to others,' the sources pointed out. Future
plans includes solar powering major buildings like Vidhana Soudha and
the Legislators Home, the sources said. Not stopping at this the KREDL
has already roped in the NSS to create 200 energy clubs in the state.
The Asian Age, 2 March 2003
The centre will soon come out with an action plan to launch
pilot projects in different states to promote biodiesel as an alternative
fuel, said agriculture minister Mr Ajit Singh. He also said ministry
is exploring the contract farming avenues to promote oil palm cultivation
which is a perennial source of edible oil. Mustard is also likely to
be covered under contract farming. Addressing the parliamentary consultative
panel attached to his ministry, he said, the ministry officials and
experts would work out various details including the technical and commercial
linkages, cost of production of bio-diesel and would convene a meeting
of the concerned central and state departments for an early launch of
the pilot projects. He said jatropha and karanja plants have been identified
for large scale planting for extraction of biodiesel. Mr singh expressed
concern over the growing import of edible oils which has increased from
0.52 MT during 1990/91 to 4.21 MT during 2001/02. The minister said
the country accounts for 15% of the world's acreage under oilseeds but
the productivity is a constraint as oil seed crops are still being largely
taken up in non-irrigated areas. He said the technology mission on oilseeds
has however, increased the production of oilseeds from 10.893 MT during
1985/86 to 24.75 MT during 1998/99.
The Financial Express, 08 March 2003
Households in the South will now be able to get loans
for the high-cost but environment-friendly energy option of photovoltaic
solar home systems at lower interest rates. Towards this end, a $7.6-million
initiative between the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) and
two of the country's largest banking groups has been launched. With
the aim of helping 18,000 households to finance clean and reliable electricity
from solar power, especially in Karnataka, Syndicate Bank and Canara
Bank are now offering loans in which UNEP is 'buying down' the financing
cost of photovoltaic solar home systems. The programme is being given
a push by both the United Nations Foundation and the Shell Foundation
so that a more friendly energy alternative is made possible. A large
number of households in the country still rely on inefficient and polluting
energy sources such as kerosene, which in turn has negative health,
environmental and social fallouts. In Karnataka, even where grid electricity
is available, problems of capacity shortages and inconsistent quality
plague the power supply.
The Hindu Business Line, 08 March 2003
The agriculture ministry is preparing an action plan to
launch pilot projects in different areas of the country to promote the
use of oilseeds-based bio-diesel as an alternative fuel. Plants have
been identified for large scale planting for extraction of bio-diesel.
This was indicated by agriculture minister Mr Ajit Singh in the meeting
of the parliamentary consultative committee attached to his ministry.
The Committee discussed the prospects of oilseeds, oil-bearing trees
and bio-fuels. Responding to the discussion on biofuels, Mr Singh said
his ministry would work out technical details and other aspects, such
as cost of production and the required commercial linkages, for large
scale use of bio-diesel. He, however, recalled that the technology mission
on oil-seeds had succeeded in raising the production of oilseeds from
10.83 MT in 1985/86 to 24.75 MT in 1998/99. The productivity had also
improved from 570 kgs per hectare to 944 kgs during the same period.
Drought in major oilseed growing states in past three years had taken
its toll of the yields as well as production which had dropped in 2001/02
to 20.4 MT.
The Statesman, 10 March 2003
Calling for maximum exploitation of non-conventional sources
of energy to tide over power crisis in Madhya Pradesh, the State Energy
Minister, Mr Bisahulal Singh, has said people should be motivated for
this. 'Madhya Pradesh is better placed in comparison to many other states
in respect of power supply and the state government is making all-out
efforts to resolve the electricity crisis,' Mr Singh said a the inaugural
session of the business meet on 'Biomass Gasifier'. The government in
providing Rs 500 million ($10.42 million) per month to the state electricity
board to purchase power, he added. The energy minister stressed the
need for encouraging power production thorough 'biomass gasifier' and
hoped that this technique would held ease power situation. The state
minister of state for public relations, Mr Manavendra Singh, who presided
over the function, said the importance of energy for development could
not be overstated. He called for applying every possible method to save
energy and to encourage non-conventional energy sources and said awareness
about this should be enhanced.
The Hindu Business Line, 15 March 2003
In a bid to promote development of clean energy, state-owned
PFC (Power Finance Corporation) said it had entered the renewable energy
market taking on rivals like IREDA. 'We have started financing renewable
energy projects recently', chairman and managing director Mr A A Khan
told.
The Financial Express, 17 March 2003
The non-conventional energy sources ministry sanctioned
12 projects to generate captive power from waste water from Sago industries
in Salem-Namakkal belt of Tamil Nadu. Mr P Radhakrishna, directorm the
ministry's regional office, Chennai, said it had sanctioned these projects,
after examining the project reports submitted by the Tapioca Industry.
The Rs 2500 million ($5.20 million)projects, working on captive mode,
were equivalent to 30 MW installed capacity addition. These would save
Rs 60 million ($1.25 million)worth power annually, besides reducing
45 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission.
Business Standard, 19 March 2003
The world may have to wait 20 years, if not longer, for
cars powered by fuel cells to become a familiar sight. But much smaller
forms of fuel cell technology may well power electronic devices like
laptop computers, video cameras and cell phones by the end of this decade.
Prototypes of long-lasting fuel cells that can replace batteries are
being tested in laboratories in the US and overseas. Every big electronics
company in the world is working on fuel cells in one way or another.'
'There are some applications that are getting very close to commercialization,'
said Mike Lynn, head of a unit at the 3M company that makes fuel cell
components. My Lynn declined to be more specific, but many analysts
expect fuel cells for consumer electronic devices to begin appearing
next year in Japan. The betting is that the first to reach the market
will be Toshiba, which is demonstrating a prototype of a methanol-powered
cell this week at a trade show in Hanover, Germany. Toshiba says the
cell could be sold next year with laptops. Fuel cells run most efficiently
on pure hydrogen, but storing hydrogen compactly and safely is a huge
hurdle. Many designers of large and small fuel cell systems are trying
to get hydrogen from solid compounds that contain hydrogen or hydrocarbon
fuels like methanol and ethanol, even though those fuels add other elements
like carbon dioxide to the waste stream. It should also be easier and
less expensive to persuade retailers to sell fuel cells the size of
battery packs than to transform the huge national infrastructure of
gasoline station.
The Times of India (Delhi Times), 19 March 2003
The Tamil Nadu government has made it mandatory for solar
heating systems to be fitted in new constructions of over 1500 square
feet to conserve conventional power, K Aallaudin, chairman and managing
director of the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency said in Madurai.
Addressing a national workshop on 'board of Indian standards - testing
standards of solar water heating systems' he said solar energy facilities
should be installed prior to obtaining power connections. The order
would be applicable to renovation of existing buildings also, he said.
Business Standard, 21 March 2003
With the Chhattisgarh government planning to source energy
from bio-gasifier plants, the Raipur-based Cosmo Power Tech Pvt Ltd
is looking at a huge market. Set up in 1990, by Mr Ravi Kumar and Mr
T K Jaggi, two engineering graduates, the company produces bio-gasifier
plants. 'We manufacture 10 kW-500 kW capacity bio-gasifier units. Since
1992, we have manufactured and supplied 100 bio-gasifier units for various
projects,' says Mr Jaggi. Power produced by a bio-gasifier unit costs
only Rs 1.50 per unit. Because bio-gasifier units burn forest waste
or rice husk to produce producer gases, like carbon monoxide and hydrogen,
they are a cheaper alternative to diesel power units. Villages which
install these units can avail of a 50% subsidy from the ministry for
non-conventional energy. 'We have chalked out a plan to generate 100
MW through bio-gasifier units in the next five years. We have identified
1200 villages for the project,' Chhattisgarh Energy Minister Mr Bisahu
Lal said.
Business Standard, 24 March 2003
Essarkay Pharmaceuticals Ltd (EPL), a Delhi-based pharmaceutical
company, has come out with a Rs 1000 million ($20.83 million) ambitious
project for mass production of bio-gas from cow dung which would be
sufficient to replace the LPG as cooking gas and CNG as auto fuel to
a large extent. The bio-gas will carry the brand name 'Chirag-BBG'-
BBG, a acronym for biotechnology bio-gas. Dr Kulkarni said that the
Chirag-BBG has already been tested in-house for its viability. Petrol
has a calorific value of Rs 9500 ($197.92), the CNG has a calorific
value of Rs 7500 ($156.25), the LPG has a calorific value of Rs 6500
($135.41) and the bio-gas has a calorific value of Rs 5500 ($114.58).
'The bio-gas has 35% carbon and we have the scientific technology to
eliminate the carbon in bio-gas. This will make the bio-gas more environment
friendly, safe, cost-effective and viable,' he said. He said that the
company has got the anaerobic digester technology from the German firm,
LRZ Landhandels where high methane concentration is achieved.
The Financial Express, 24 March 2003
The Government has in principle sanctioned setting up
of a State-level renewable energy education park here at a cost of education
park here at a cost of Rs 13.94 million ($0.29 million). This was announced
by the Union Minister of State for Non-conventional Energy Sources,
Mr M Kannappan, here yesterday while reviewing progress of renewable
energy base projects in the State. During the meeting, Mr Kannappan
said his Ministry would provide a Central grant of about Rs 10 million
($0.21 million) for this project. Apart from demonstration of working
of renewable energy technologies-based devices, solar passive architecture-based
exhibition hall solar cars for joy rides and computer-based educational
games would be installed in this park. He said all energy requirement
of this park would be met through non-conventional energy technology
and a 10-KW SPV power plant will be installed for this purpose. This
project, he said would be the integration of renewable energy technology
with IT and tourism.
The Hindu Business Line, 24 March 2003
According to the latest Economic Review of the State,
in 2002/03 (till November 2002), about 9240 families were being served
with power from renewable energy sources against 8320 in 2001/02. The
cumulative figure in this respect stood at 43,480 till end of November.
The off-grid areas in the Sundarban Islands were the biggest beneficiaries
of the strides made by the WBREDA (West Bengal Renewable Energy Development
Agency) - the state's nodal agency for promotion of this energy source.
The WBREDA was established in 1993 with the objective of promoting renewable
energy technologies and today West Bengal is implementing one of the
largest programmes in this respect, tapping almost all the aspects of
alternative energy source. The technologies being used include: solar
thermal, solar photovoltaic cells (for heating systems and for home
lighting), wind turbines (for wind farms), biogas plants (using animal
waste), biomass plants (using woody mass from plantations) rice husk
plants, and wind-diesel hybrid plant technology.
The Hindu Business Line, 24 March 2003
Asia's first wind-diesel hybrid power project in West
Bengal has begun to attract the interest of big consumers like the KoPT
(Kolkata Port Trust) even as the project is set to enter its second
stage of commissioning. Sources said the first phase of the project,
inaugurated by the West Bengal Chief Minister in April last, is fully
operational now and is lighting homes in three villages in this off-grid
area which would never have seen electricity barring the few who could
afford some hours of diesel generator-fed lights. The others were resigned
to a fate of dark evenings lit by quivering kerosene lamps. The first
part of the project, which cost Rs 30 million ($0.63 million), was financed
jointly by the Canadian agency, Indo-Canadian Environment facility,
the MNES (Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources) and the West
Bengal Government. The second phase, costing Rs 36.7 million ($0.764
million), will be financed entirely by the MNES. The entire project
is being implemented by the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development
Agency, the State's nodal agency for tapping alternative energy sources.
The Hindu Business Line, 26 March 2003
Ansal Plaza is a disaster in architecture, observed
US-based architect Dr Nobert M Lechner. 'It is so unbearably hot inside
and that too, with air-conditioning.' Dr Lechner, a professor at Auburn
University, USA, was in town to share his views at the workshop Environment
Friendly Architecture - Harvesting the Sun for a Sustainable Future.
He believes the architects responsible for Ansal Plaza paid more attention
to coming up with an aesthetically pleasing design, rather than making
the shopping mall environment and climate friendly. 'Strong rays from
the sun enter through the glass facade and the building becomes so warm
that it ceases to look beautiful,' said he. The two-day workshop that
Dr Lechner attended was organized by the Indian Environmental Society
and sponsored by the Ministry of Environment. Prof AK Maitra, director
of the School of Planning and Architecture, inaugurated the workshop,
at the SCOPE complex, by addressing the need for environment friendly
architecture in these troubled times. 'The war in Iraq will affect energy
resources. Today, there is a need for constructing buildings which harness
the natural energy found around us, the sun for example,' said Prof
Maitra. He, like many other participants at the workshop, believes that
one must learn from traditional Indian architecture, which not only
looks beautiful but is also environment friendly. 'The older buildings
in Delhi will never require artificial air-conditioning, as they are
built to utilize natural energy,' said Dr Lechner.
The Pioneer, Supplement, 27 March 2003
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April
They did not exactly look like the chariots of the sun
god but appeared functional and roadworthy, besides being a lot environment
friendly. The solar-powered rickshaws, for the introduction of which
the former ruler of Mewar would be perhaps remembered by posterity,
made a formal road run in the Rajasthan capital today. The event, which
was marked by a polo match between Solar East and Solar West at the
Rambagh Polo Grounds here, was the official start of the first international
solar rickshaw rally. The match was inaugurated by the former Queen
Mother, Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. First displayed at Mumbai in November
2002, during a clean energy and power workshop, the solar cycle-rickshaws
this time are on a 10-day rally across Rajasthan to reach the City Palace
in Udaipur on 11 April. There are seven of them marked Udaipur No.1,
Udaipur No.2 and so on... in various shapes and colours - and one even
resembles a mini car - indicating the evolution and emergence of the
solar rickshaws in India. 'The rally is an attempt to attract public
attention to alternative sources of energy that are not only available
but are being developed. If the concept is accepted by society it will
be a major step forward in the development of eco-friendly surface transportation,'
Mr Singh observed.
The Hindu, 04 April 2003
The West Bengal Government has shown keen interest in
the solar powered technology developed by the Corporate R&D of the
BHEL, here to help the fisher folk in that state. 'We have been approached
to look into cold chain and rural area application oriented solar gadgets,
which could help people store and transport fish and other perishable
products,' Mr S Balagurunathan, Executive Director of the Corporate
R&D, told. He was responding to questions on the solar powered refrigerator
that the unit developed a few years ago. The Executive Director said
the refrigerator was supplied on demand to customers and its primary
utility was in storing vaccines and other medicines, especially in rural
areas. The Corporate R&D has recently sole 20 geysers to individual
customers who were beneficiaries of the subsidy given by the Union Ministry
of Non-conventional Energy Sources. Each geyser is capable of delivering
100 litres of hot water at a temperature of 60 degrees C.
The Hindu Business Line, 10 April 2003
Scientists AT the Saint Louis University have developed
a new type of biofuel cell - a battery that runs on alcohol and enzymes
- that could replace the rechargeable batteries in everything from laptops
to Palm Pilots. Instead of plugging into a fixed power outlet and waiting,
these new batteries can be charged instantly with a few milliliters
of alcohol. The new findings were presented today at the 225th national
meeting of the American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific
society, in New Orleans. Instead of using expensive metals to catalyse
the power-producing reaction, these cells use enzymes - molecules found
in all living things that speed up the body's chemical processes. Enzymes
are extremely sensitive to changes in pH and temperature, and even slight
departures from ideal conditions can lead to inactivation of the enzymes,
producing a short supply of power. The typical approach to overcoming
this barrier has been to immobilize the enzymes by attaching them to
the electrodes, but they still tend to decay too quickly to be useful.
Shelley Minteer, an assistant professor of chemistry at Saint Louis
University, and her colleagues coated the electrodes with a polymer
that has specially tailored micelles - pores in which the enzymes find
an ideal 'micro-environment' to thrive. 'The enzyme has everything it
needs to function for a very long period of time instead of denaturing
like it normally would,' Minteer says. 'Other biofuel cell studies have
had lifetimes of a few days; our technique allows for enzyme activity
over several weeks with no significant power decay. With proper optimization,
these biofuel cells could last up to a month without recharging.'
The Hindu, 10 April 2003
World's largest automaker General Motors Corp have joined
hands with the BMW Group to develop refueling technology for Liquid
Hydrogen Vehicles. The BMW-GM (General Motors) venture to be announced
in Germany would be a major step to invite other automakers and suppliers
for hydrogen-based vehicles. The GM-BMW agreement is the second partnership
announced in a month by GM involving hydrogen-powered vehicles. 'We
want to accelerate the progress being made on the distribution and on-board
storage of liquid hydrogen as the future fuel,' said Larry Burns, General
Motor's Vice President of Research and Development and Planning. GM-BMW
and every other major automaker are working on hydrogen-powered vehicles,
most with fuel cells, which create electric power from hydrogen and
emit only water vapour from their tailpipes.
The Pioneer, 10 April 2003
Wartsila India Ltd, the subsidiary of the Euro 2.2 billion
Finland-based Wartsila Oy, plans to pick up 30% stake in OPG Energy
Pvt. Ltd. According to sources, OPG Energy would act as a project company
to develop, construct and operate a gas engine based electricity generation
facility having a capacity of 18 MW in Tamil Nadu. The consideration
of the deal is estimated at around Rs 50 million ($1.04 million). Wartsila,
which recently bought out the public's stake in its listed Indian arm,
has been active in the Indian power sector for a while. Apart from manufacturing
diesel engines, it also has investments in two other companies Samalpatti
Power Company Limited through Wartsila Power Investment and Vathsasa
Power Project through Vathsasa Cayman Investment. Earlier, the Cochin
Special Economic Zone had shortlist Wartsila India to take over and
run the distribution and supply of power in the SEZ. Wartsila had indicated
that it was planning to set up a 15 MW captive power plant in Cochin
SEZ and to take over the distribution and maintenance of power supply
in the zone. Wartsila is also learnt to be contemplating setting up
a SPV for their investment in Cochin SEZ. The project, which is expected
to cost Rs 500 million ($10.42 million)-600 million ($12.5 million),
will be able to provide uninterrupted power supply to units in the zone.
The Economic Times, 16 April 2003
The government will set up a state-level renewable energy
awareness/education park. Sources said the union ministry of non-conventional
energy sources had approved a total of Rs 9.4 million ($0.20 million)
for setting up of the park. The land for the project has already been
acquired at Phaphamau and the secretary in the ministry recently visited
the site and said the construction work would begin from 15 May next.
The project is likely to be implemented within the span of about 24
months. The ministry had already sanctioned a sum of Rs 4.7 million
($0.10 million) to the Chairman and Director, Non-Conventional Energy
Development Agency, Lucknow.
The Hindu Business Line, 17 April 2003
Researchers in the US and Germany have created a new type
of 'very thin' solar cell that could provide a cheaper alternative to
existing solar cells. The advantage of the device is that it can be
made from smaller quantities of lower quality semiconductor material,
according to the researches.
The Times of India, 18 April 2003
HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation) has
financed 10 biomass/bagasse based co-generation power projects costing
Rs 5374.9 million ($111.98 million) in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and
Maharashtra. These projects use can residue from sugar mills and other
biomass as fuel for generating power. Out of these, five projects are
in the state of Karnataka, four in Andhra Pradesh and one in Maharashtra.
A 28 mw bagasse based co-generation plant at Mandya, 24 mw plant at
Kakkuwada, Davangere, 20 mw plant at Chikodi, 14 mw plant at Bellad,
Balgaum district in Karnataka, are under various stages of construction.
Work is also in progress for a 22.5 mw bagasse based cogeneration plant
at Chagallu, 6 mw biomass based power plant at Hindupur, a 40 mw power
plant Julakal, district Medak in Andhra Pradesh and 12.5 mw bagasse
based co-generation plant at Sangli in Maharashtra.
The Financial Express, 18 April 2003
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
(Nabard) has offered loan for setting up of mini hydro-electric power
projects in Jammu and Kashmir. We will provide financial support to
the State Government to tap its huge mini hydroelectric power projects,
the Chief General Manager, Nabard, Mr Bhanwar Puri, has told PTI here.
The State had 20000 MW hydro-electric power potential due to massive
water resources, Mr Puri said, adding that the State could build nearly
20 mini hydel power projects on different rivers. Mr Puri said Nabard
hoped that the State Government would shortly submit proposals for financing
of such projects. The Nabard had lent Rs 8170 million ($170.21 million)
for different projects in the State during the last three years, he
said, adding Rs 1890 million ($39.38 million) had been released to the
State Government as financial support for the year 2002-2003. They said
while just one percent of Indus water had been harnessed. Chenab and
Jhelum basins gave 28 and 39 per cent generation respectively.
The Hindu Business Line, 19 April 2003
There are 49 112 households in West Bengal that rely on
solar energy as their source of light as against the more conventional
sources such as kerosene or electricity. This has been revealed in the
2001 Census of India (West Bengal series). The data showed that there
was a greater use of this form of renewable energy in the rural area
and 0.31 per cent of the total households in the State used solar lighting.
The remote parts of the South 24 Parganas, most of which continue to
be off-grid areas, are among the best in harnessing the sun's energy.
The report stated that 0.53 per cent of the households in this district
- which includes the Sundarbans - use solar energy. Over 6000 households
used this energy in 2000. Interestingly, within the State's capital
area, where alternative sources were available, 2284 households opted
for this environment friendly source of energy. The Census figures,
released recently, found that the kerosene oil lamp was the source of
lighting for the largest number of households in the State - 9.73 million
that was 61.9% of the total households in West Bengal. Of the total
15.71 million households in 2000, the report revealed that 37.45 per
cent have electricity as a source of light although the rural areas
still depend pre-dominantly on kerosene as their source of light.
The Hindu Business Line, 19 April 2003
The Centre and state have sanctioned an estimated Rs 2.33
million ($0.05 million) for power generation from various small hydroelectric
projects in Uttar Pradesh. The Chandiyala and Akbarpur projects in Meerut
is expected to yield about 500 kilowatt electricity each, while the
Betwa project is expected to produce 200 kw and the Betwa canal head
in Jhansi in expected to generate 1300 kw.
The Financial Express, 21 April 2003
The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on textile TUF
(technology upgradation fund) scheme has allowed coverage of the second-hand
imported non-woven machinery of 10-year vintage having 10-year residual
life for the TUFS funding. The steering committee has also included
the coverage of wind energy equipment for concessional funding under
the TUFS by including it under the 'wind turbine' category of items
in the entry pertaining to other investments eligible for TUFS. However,
the nodal agencies advancing loans to wind energy equipment would send
the detailed project proposals received by them from the promoters to
the Textile Ministry to seek its approval before releasing the interest
reimbursement, according to a communication from the Textile Ministry.
Accordingly, the banks or FIs, which have advanced loans to textile
units eligible for five per cent interest reimbursement will accept
the repayment of loan if made within the prescribed date without the
five per cent interest reimbursement which it will get from the nodal
agency. On the amount reimbursed, the Banks/FIs may, however, charge
interest at PLR from the unit till it is received from the nodal agency.
The Hindu Business Line, 25 April 2003
All registered 'gaushalas' in Haryana will now have IBPs
(Institutional Biogas Plants) to keep the environment clean. This was
decided at the 13th meeting of the State Environment Protection Council
held under the chairmanship of the state governor, Mr Babu Parmanand.
The Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, also attended. An official
spokesman later disclosed that the Nanimal Husbandry Department had
released a grant at the rate of Rs 50,000 ($1041.67) to the 'gaushalas'
for the installation of IBPs and other related purposes. Both the Governor
and the chief minister directed the officers of Hareda and HAU (Haryana
Agriculture University), Hisar, to study the status of each gaushala
and persuade them to install the IBPs with improved design which had
been developed by HAU.
The Hindu, 26 April 2003
The Andhra Pradesh Government has got Rs 80 million
($ 1.67 million) from the Centre for deploying alternate energy, especially
solar energy to electrify 52 villages in the districts of Adilabad and
Prakasam during the financial year 2003/04. The state government is
also planning to introduce 100 SPV (solar photovoltaic) pumpsets in
the districts during the year. At present Andhra Pradesh has an installed
capacity of 450 MW of alternate energy sources, the Minister for Power,
Coal and Boilers, Mr K Subba Rayudu said, while inaugurating a two-day
national workshop on solar drying technologies and their applications
in India, organised by the Society for Energy, Environment and Development.
The Minister said promotion of solar dryers, especially in the small-scale
industries, which are involved in the processing of fruits, herbs, spices
and various agricultural products, for improving the quality aspects
would be taken up on a large-scale. The MNES has also decided to promote
the use of solar drying in the country during the Tenth Plan. Commercial
scale solar drying projects would be eligible for soft loans through
the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency. Further, loans through
banks to farmers and small enterprises who wish to acquire solar drying
systems would be organized, the Union Minister of State, MNES, Mr M
Kannappan said.
The Hindu Business Line, 26 April 2003
top
Interaction between construction and the environment means
that everything we do in connection with building activity has an influence
on the environment. So, construction must involve careful planning and
its proper implementation to avoid any harmful effect on the surroundings
in which it is carried out. In addition, the social aspect must also
be looked into. The influence of construction on the environment could
be characterized into three main issues - consumption of resources,
consumption of energy and the emission of harmful substances. The consumption
of resources is the exploitation of raw material that is used for building
purposes. In addition to that, we also have to take into account diestocks
of mineral oil and gas. And as a third factor, we must consider the
use of land. The consumption of energy comprises the energy necessary
to maintain the construction process and the production and delivery
of building material as well as equipment needed for construction. Also
important is the energy necessary for running a building during its
lifetime. Energy consumption is associated with the output of emissions,
chiefly carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide. When we regard this impact
in connection with the challenges of the sustainability of our doings,
there is a common consensus - we have to be careful that any impact
is minimized. To accomplish it is not a huge ask, only if a few basic
steps are incorporated into building activity.
The Pioneer, Supplement, 01 May 2003
Even with aggressive research, the hydrogen fuel-cell
vehicle will not be better than the diesel hybrid (a vehicle powered
by a conventional engine supplemented by an electric motor) in terms
of total energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, says a study
recently released by MIT's Laboratory for Energy and the Environment.
And while hybrid vehicles are already appearing on the roads, adoption
of the hydrogen-based vehicle will require major infrastructure changes
to make compressed hydrogen available. If we need to curb greenhouse
gases within the next 20 years, improving mainstream gasoline and diesel
engines and transmissions and expanding the use of hybrids is the way
to go. The new assessment is an extension of a study done in 2000, which
likewise concluded that the much-touted hydrogen fuel cell was not a
clear winner. This time, the MIT researchers used optimistic fuel-cell
performance assumptions cited by some fuel-cell advocates, and the conclusion
remained the same. The hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle has low emissions
and energy use on the road - but converting a hydrocarbon fuel such
as natural gas or gasoline into hydrogen to fuel this vehicle uses substantial
energy and emits greenhouse gases.
The Hindu, 01 May 2003
Encouraged by the results achieved in the wind energy
sector, the Rajasthan Government has renewed the existing policy for
promotion of setting up of wind energy-based power projects through
private capital investment in the state. As part of the new policy --
which will remain in force till 31 March 2009 -- the electricity generated
from wind farms will be purchased at the rate of Rs 3.32 (6.90 cents)
per unit. This rate will be valid for the next 10 years with the provision
for escalation at the rate of two per cent every year. The state government
will make available land for the wind farms at concessional rates to
the investors and the transmission companies will provide infrastructure
and carry out augmentation of the Grid, according to an official release
of the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation. The power capacity of
65 MW based on wind energy has been achieved in Rajasthan within three
years after the announcement of the previous policy in February 2000.
The released pointed out that this capacity had been created one year
ahead of schedule, as they policy had stipulated setting up on 100 MW
capacity wind farms by the private investors, public sector undertakings
and government agencies by 2004. Rs 2500 million ($52.08 million) have
been invested so far by the private sector in wind energy in the state
and 120 million units of electricity is being generated every year.
The Hindu, 03 May 2003
ALF (Ashok Layland Finance) is setting up a wholly owned
subsidiary to play a facilitator role in the development of wind energy.
A new company, Alfin Wind Energy, has already been formed with an equity
capital of Rs 10 million ($0.21 million). Alfin Wind will facilitate
the leasing of the wind energy equipment by identifying the right financial
institution and the power-seeking corporate clients. Described as a
three-way `win all' situation, the subsidiary's move is expected to
help lending institutions like banks to get into a newer income-earning
area, the corporate consumer to pare power use cost and the ALF outfit
the opportunity to earn fee-based revenue by undertaking operation and
maintenance work.
The Hindu, 04 May 2003
Villagers at Kotla Mubarakpur have been splitting hair
trying to manage the cow dung that is produced by 50 cows each house
has. Now they are all set to sign an MoU with the government, under
Bhagidari, to turn cow dung into cooking gas. While there is no place
for cattle to graze in the area, there is even less place for cow dung.
It's all over the place, be it the roads or pits or old wells as cows
wander about all day looking for food. Under a proposal prepared by
the deputy commissioner, South, the RWA (Residents Welfare Association)
of Kotla Mubarakpur will run the plant and get the cow dung collected
while the government will set up the plant estimated to cost Rs 0.3
million ($625). The other partners will include Delhi Jal Board which
is expected to give some land, the Delhi Energy Development Agency which
will set up the plant and the MCD which can help in getting the cow
dung segregated from garbage.
The Indian Express, ExpressNewsline, 07 May 2003
Rajasthan has seen an investment of Rs 2500 million ($52.08
million)in wind-based power generation during last three years, creating
65 MW power capacity. Under the wind energy policy, announced on February
2000, the 10-0 MW wind farms were to be set up by private investors,
public sector undertaking sand government agencies by 2004, officials
said. They said 65 MW capacity had been created one year ahead of schedule
and the remaining 35 MW would be installed shortly. Private sector had
invested Rs 2500 million ($52.08 million) in the wind energy sector
and 120 million units of electricity was being generated every year
officials added. The state government has now formulated a new wind
power policy. The earlier policy was valid up to March 2004. The level
of tariff protection with guaranteed escalation and wheeling charges
provided in the 2000 policy, in accordance with non-conventional energy
sources ministry guidelines, imposed a heavy financial burden on Rajasthan
Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd.
Business Standard, 7 May 2003
As the mercury rises, so do tempers thanks to frequent
power cuts. The problem has assumed such proportions that the country
as a whole is facing a shortfall of about 40,000 MW. But there is good
news for those rising tempers. Coal and nuclear power are no more the
only sources of generating energy. Researchers are working on non-conventional
sources such as solar energy, wind and even garbage to meet the country's
needs. According to officials in the minister of non-conventional energy
sources such as solar, wind and biomass.' Only a meagre 1.5% of India's
non-conventional energy resources is being exploited, with Tamil Nadu
accounting for the lion's share of two-third of the total energy generated.
According to one estimate, if all the solar energy available around
the world could be harnessed, it would be enough to provide as much
as 20,000 times the present world energy consumption. After a reassessment
of the gross potential of non-conventional energy sources, the ministry
of non-conventional energy sources has upgraded India's potential realization
in the wind power sector from 20,000 MW to 45,000 MW.
The Hindu Business Line, 10 May 2003
India has developed its first hydrogen-fuelled two wheeler
and generator set. The testing phase of five motorcycles developed by
BHU (Banaras Hindu University) has been completed successfully. The
ministry of non conventional energy, which funded the project, is going
to fund the manufacture of 50 more hydrogen fuelled motorcycles that
will be tested in various cities, said the senior advisor to the non-
conventional energy ministry, Mr S K Chopra. Each motorcycle will require
about 20-25 kg of hydrogen storage material to cover a distance of up
to 100 kilometers. BHU has synthesized new composite metallic hydride
for storing hydrogen.
The Statesman, 11 May 2003
This Southern California valley is at an epochal stage
in the ancient and deeply ambivalent relationship between man and cow
manure. The milk flows richly here, thanks to 350,000 dairy cows, one
of the World's densest concentrations of cows. But with these animal
comes their waste: 1.5 MT a year. 'Manure is becoming a bigger problem,'
said Mr Mark Lambooby, 41, one of 260 farmers in this valley of 50 square
miles known as the Chino Basin. That is because of half million people
and counting live here, too. Downtown Los Angles is a mere 35 miles
away, and Orange County a stone throws. With this kind of geography
in its favour, people will build houses here, no matter how much it
smell or how many flies strife their barbecues. Not that they are without
complaint. The dairy farmers here are already a beleaguered lot, coping
with falling milk prices and environmental lawsuits over seepage from
unlined waste ponds, among other serious problems. Then there are the
new residents who call the local milk producers Council from tract homes
abutting dairies to ask if it is fly season or if anything can be done
about the odour. The plant uses technology that heats the cow manure,
releasing methane in sufficient quantities to fuel a gas turbine and
create electricity. The solid waste remain are used for fertilizer,
and the waste water is mostly recirculated, with some used to grow alfalfa
around the plant to help feed the cows and provide greenery.
The Asian Age, 12 May 2003
Haryana has bagged first prize in the Solar Photo-Voltaic
programme and has been listed as the best state in the implementation
of the programme in the country' for the year 2001/02. While informing
this, spokesman of the Non-Conventional Energy Sources department said
that union minister of state, Mr M Kannappan will give away the awards
in New Delhi. The Director, Haryana State Energy Development Agency,
Mr K K Khandelwal will receive the awards on the behalf of the state
government. He said that this conference was convened by the union government
to review the performance of various states and discuss ways to promote
renewable energy programmes in the country for the current financial
year.
The Statesman, 13 May 2003
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Mr M Kannappan,
for Non-Conventional Energy Sources gave away 24 awards to state nodal
agencies/departments for excellence in performance in the area of renewable
energy programmes. Seventeen states were given awards for excellence
in performance in the areas of solar, biogas, wind, small-hydro programmes.
The awards were distributed at the conclusion of a 2-day annual conference
on 'Approach to Promote Renewable Energy During 2003/04'.
The Indian Express, 13 May 2003
British researchers believe that they have made a groundbreaking
scientific discovery after apparently managing to 'create' energy from
hydrogen atoms. In results independently verified at Bristol University,
a team from Gardner Watts - an environmental technology company based
in Dedham, Essex - show a 'thermal energy cell' which appears to produce
hundreds of times more energy than that put into it. If the findings
are correct and can be reproduced on a commercial scale, the thermal
energy cell could become a feature of every home, hating water for a
fraction of the cost and cutting fuel bills by at least 90%. The makers
of the cell, which passes an electric current through a liquid between
two electrode, admit that they cannot explain precisely how the invention
works. According to Mr Davies, the cell is the product of research into
the fundamental properties of hydrogen, the most common element in the
universe. He argues that calculations based on quantum theory, the laws
of the sub-atomic world, suggest that hydrogen can exist in a so-called
metastable state that harbours a potential source of extra energy. This
theory suggests that if electricity were passed into a mixture of water
and a chemical catalyst, the extra energy would be released in the form
of heat. After some experimentation, the team found that a small amount
of electricity passed through a mixture of water and potassium carbonate
- potash - released an astonishing amount of energy.
The Hindu, 20 May 2003
Union Agriculture Minister Mr Ajit Singh advocated decentralization
of production and use of biofuels in the country. In Indian conditions,
a programme for promotion of bio-fuels will succeed only if their production
and use can be decentralized, Mr Singh said while inaugurating a Conference
on Biofuels here. The Minister said that ways of extracting ethanol
direct from sugarcane have to be looked at as the country was already
facing glut of sugar. 'This will benefit millions of sugarcane farmers
in the country,' he said.
The Hindu, 20 May 2003
Having demonstrated the feasibility of a 5-KW fuel cell,
the Hyderabad-based IICT (Indian Institute of Chemical Technology) is
now planning to fabricate compact units of these fuel cells and target
them for varied applications. IICT and SPIC, Chennai have set up a pilot
plant for the development of fuel cells using the catalysis method.
The two, along with the Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy
and the BHEL R&D unit, Hyderabad have developed a methanol reformer
for a 10 KW fuel cell. IICT's research initiatives got a fillip recently
with the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources sanctioning a support
of Rs 15 million ($0.31 million) for the development of a prototype
50 KW fuel cell, Dr Raghavan said. The laboratory's scientists use an
indigenous catalyst to reform methanol to produce hydrogen for the fuel
cells. The energy thus produced in the fuel cells is considered clean.
Worldwide, researchers use different raw material to produce hydrogen.
These include naphtha, natural gas, methanol and two hydrogen byproducts.
The Hindu Business Line, 21 May 2003
The non-banking finance company Rabo India Finance and
BTS, a Swiss Government-affiliated entity, is setting up a $30-million
private equity fund dedicated to renewable energy projects in the country.
The company is in the process of scouting for both domestic and overseas
investors for the Indian Renewable Energy Equity Fund, as it is called,
for the present, said a senior official with Rabo India Finance. Rabo
India Finance will be the country advisor for the private equity fund.
The legal and accounting aspects as well as documentation work would
be looked after by the Swiss partner. The identification, assessment
and monitoring of the projects would be the task of Rabo India Finance.
BTS is a Zurich-headquartered financial advisor and investment company
specialized in facilitating business and investment in the Indian sub-continent.
The Hindu Business Line, 21 May 2003
Jatropha curcas (Seemai kattamanakku in Tamil) hitherto
considered as a wild oilseed plant of the tropics is now been credited
as a most promising bio-fuel crop very much ideally suited for growing
in the wasted lands of the country. 'This potential bio-diesel crop
can bring about major economic activity providing income and employment
opportunities to the rural communities,' says Dr E Vadivel, Dean, Horticultural
College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,
Coimbatore. An accomplished agricultural and research technologist specializing
in bio-fuels and rural livelihood security through wasted lands development,
Vadivel has been working on Jatropha for the past several years. Vadevel
has perfected the technology for extracting the seed oil, refining it
and tested it extensively in diesel engines in various combinations
as well. Jatropha cultivation generates an income of Rs 25,000 ($520.83)
per hectare in a year, and if grown over 200 hectares in a village,
it can provide adequate employment to all landless workers all through
the year,' explains Vadivel. Jatropha curcas of physic nut is a large
multi-purpose oil-yielding shrub. Belonging to Euphorbiaceae (castor
family), this tropical and sub-topical crop can thrive well in low rainfall
regions and problem soils. It is a hardy, drought-tolerant crop, and
this quick growing crop can be established easily without much care.
Jatropha plants are not browsed by animals, and the crop is widely propagated
through seeds and vegetative means. Mass propagation through stem cuttings
will ensure uniformity and early establishment. The plants reach a height
of three meters within three years, according to him. Jatropha does
not thrive in wetland conditions. The plants grow luxuriantly even in
marginal, stony and sandy tracts. It can be grown in the hedges at a
spacing of 15 to 20 CM by 15 to 25 CM in single or double-rows for conserving
soil. For commercial plantations, the crop can be grown at an espacement
of about 2 M by 1.5 M or even 3 M by 3 M. A dry climate has been found
to greatly improve the oil yields of the seeds. However, three to four
irrigations a month during summer will help in improving the growth
of the plants. Plants raised from the seeds take 3 to 4 years to yield
seeds. However, the stem cuttings with rapid growth will start yielding
in less than a year of planting. Seed production varies from 0.4 tonnes
initially to ten tonnes per hectare per year, as the bushes grow larger.
The plants respond well to the addition of small quantities of calcium,
magnesium and sulphur. It does well when rich organic nutrition is provided.
Mycorrhizal associations have been observed, and they are known to aid
the plant's growth under conditions where phosphorus availability is
low. The extraction process standardized for edible oils can be adopted
for extracting Jatropha curcas seed oil also. The filtering mechanisms
have been modified, and other parameters for preparing the matured seed
for extracting oil have been standardized.
The Hindu, 22 May 2003
top
Wind energy has become the least expensive renewable energy
technology in existence. In India, the life cycle cost of one kilowatt
hour of electricity from wind works out to just Rs 1.17(2.43 cents).
These winds of fortune are blowing; blowing thick and fast across Tamil
nadu. The state has notched up the first position in generating wind
energy in the country during 2002/03, according to the annual report
of the union ministry of non-conventional energy. The Tamil Nadu Chief
Minister Ms J Jayalalitha has said that under her regime every department
was setting new records following her avowed goal of making Tamil Nadu
the 'Number one' state. The state had generated 133 MW out of the total
232 MW generated in the country during the last financial year. The
overall production in India was 1800 MW till now, of which 990 MW or
55% was contributed by Tamil Nadu.
The Times of India, 2 June 2003
The BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd) announced the
successful deployment of its space grade solar panels on the recently
launched satellites INSAT 3A and GSAT2 by the ISRO (Indian Space Research
Organisation). The BHEL has also entered into an agreement with the
ISRO for fabrication and delivering of space quality batteries for use
in their satellites. These special batteries, to be charged by solar
panels, will provide power to spacecraft systems. The ISRO would provide
the technology for fabrication and testing for such batteries, for which
the BHEL is setting up a specialised facility at its Bangalore unit.
The ISRO has provided funding support for both solar panel and battery
assembly facilities.
The Hindu, 05 June 2003
Wind power is back in favour. In 2002-03 and 2001-02,
the country added 241 MW and 288 MW of installed capacity of wind power,
against 172 MW and 143 MW in the previous two years. At the beginning
of the current year, the installed capacity is 1869.2 MW. By all accounts,
the boom will continue this year too. This time, unlike the mid-1990s,
wind energy is sought for more reasons than just for the depreciation
benefits. A combination of several factors accounts for the current
demand. Grid power is getting costlier. In Tamil Nadu (which has 53
per cent of wind power capacity), power cost has gone up from Rs 3.30
(6.86 cents) per unit to Rs 3.65 (7.59 cents) in the last one year.
Last year, the State added 133 MW against 45 MW in the previous year-
accounting for 55% of the capacity added in the whole country. At Rs
50 million ($1.04 million) per MW for set-up and Rs 0.5 million ($520.83)
per MW per year for operations, wind power makes economic sense, says
industry. Each MW can produce some 2.5 million - 3.0 million units per
year, the variable cost per unit works out to around some cents per
unit.
The Hindu Business Line, 16 June 2003
The Rs 6000 million ($125 million) Suzlon Developers Pvt
Ltd is setting up a Rs 350 million ($7.29 million) wind turbine and
blades manufacturing unit in Pondicherry. The unit is expected to go
on stream by December, Mr Tulsi Tanti, Chairman and Managing Director
of Suzlon, told Business Line. Suzlon has manufacturing centres at Diu
and Daman. Since the company is getting more business from the South,
as well as from overseas markets, the company thought it fit to have
another production centre in Pondicherry, Mr Tanti said. The company
received an order for 50 turbines from the US and 24 have been supplied
so far. Alongside, Suzlon has submitted a proposal to the Tamil Nadu
Electricity Board, seeking permission to set up a 100 MW sub-station
in the State. This is expected to cost around Rs 200 million ($4.17
million). On the other hand, the TNEB was not willing to put up sub-stations
and grid lines, unless generation capacity came up - a veritable catch-22
situation. To break the jinx, Suzlon, as a wind turbine supplier, is
interested in putting up also the sub-station and the grid lines, and
adjust the cost against the `infrastructure charges' levied by the TNEB.
The Hindu Business Line, 16 June 2003
An estimate drawn up by the IDFC (Infrastructure Development
Finance Corporation), each unit of electricity produced by wind power,
could earn 15 paise worth of carbon credits. According to the IWPA (Indian
Wind Power Association), the country produces around 1.3 billion units
of electricity every year. The value of the CERs (certified emissions
reductions) works out to about Rs 200 million ($4.17 million). The wind
power producers are alive to this. The IWPA, proposes to set up a wind
power sellers consortium - Windcon - to help its members sell CERs.
The `prototype carbon fund' of the World Bank and other agencies which
buy CERs from wind farms, require a minimum project size of 15 MW. Therefore,
the IWPA proposes to bundle the projects to the minimum size. With a
total installed capacity of more than 1,870 MW, the country is the fifth
largest wind power producer in the world. Since wind power capacities
are on the rise, and the PLF (plant load-factor) are increasing with
better machines, generation could go up. This means, there is earning
potential from carbon credit trading.
The Hindu Business Line, 16 June 2003
The Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources is interacting
with the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to enable an attractive
tariff regime for renewables, according to the Union Minister of State
for Non-conventional Energy Sources, Mr M. Kannappan. Addressing a conference
on "Green Power" organised by the Confederation of Indian
Industry-Southern Region here today, the Minister said that the restructuring
of the electricity sector and establishment of independent regulatory
commissions has led to changes in policies at the State level. Therefore,
a fresh set of tariff guidelines for renewable energy technologies are
needed, and are likely to be ready soon, he said. A renewable energy
policy statement has been prepared and provisions enabling such guidelines
have been incorporated in the Electricity Act 2003, he said. It provides
for regulatory commissions to promote power generation from renewable
sources and cogeneration by enabling measures for grid connectivity,
third party sale and specify percentage of power to be purchased from
such sources in the area of a distribution license. It will also promote
the development of a market and trade, he said. The total installed
capacity of renewable sources is about 3878 MW, about 3.5 per cent of
the total power generation capacity. The Government hopes to boost this
to about 10% share for renewables by 2012. This means that investments
of about Rs 600 billion ($12.5 billion) would be needed, with the private
sector bringing in Rs 150 billion ($3.13 billion) as equity and the
balance on credit from financial institutions and banks. The Government
welcomes joint ventures with foreign partners and also 100% equity participation
by foreign promoters if they are setting up hardware production facilities,
he said.
The Hindu Business Line, 20 June 2003
India will increase its renewable energy share by 10%
and will produce by 2012 about 10,000 MW of power from alternative sources.
This was disclosed by minister of state for non-conventional energy
M Kannappan today at the opening of the second national conference and
exposition on green power, organised by the Confederation of Indian
Industry here. Mr Kannappan said India would be looking for Rs 600 billion
worth of private and FDI (foreign direct investment) to meet this goal.
"This offers a business potential of nearly $20 billion for potential
investors in the renewable energy technologies sector," he pointed
out. At the two-day meet, the CII released a status paper on renewable
energy in India which said around 75,000 megawatts of the current installed
capacity of nearly 108,000 MW is thermal energy which is "costly
and releases higher emissions resulting in environmental degradation".
The Economic Times, 20 June 2003
Anxious about how much power traffic lights consume? Well,
if the Delhi Government has it's way, electricity bills of the capital's
traffic department , at least, will be slashed. In a bid aimed at conserving
electricity, the Delhi government has ambitious project to solarise
the traffic signals in New Delhi. Interestingly , it was only after
the success of solar traffic lights on NH8 that the administration made
to moves to solarising major traffic signals in Delhi. Though, initially
only 50 out of 600 traffic signals would be solarised, the government
hopes to completely solarise Delhi in the next three years. The environment-friendly
project has been awarded to Luminelle, a non-profit organisation working
with solar technology. The cost will vary from Rs.1.2 million ($2500)-1.5
million ($3125) per light. "Our target is 50 lights by the end
of the financial year", says Indrajit Dasgupta, chairman, Luminelle.
The project has received a shot in the arm from the ministry of non-conventional
energy.
The Economic Times, 22 June 2003
Grid power can never reach this island, where energy meters
are to be introduced utilising the money from the `Green Oscar', the
award received by Mr S.P. Gon Chaudhuri, Director of the West Bengal
Renewable Energy Development Agency, said. WBREDA is the State Government's
apex agency for promoting renewable energy. In an interview with Business
Line soon after his return from London where he was given the award,
Mr Gon Chaudhuri said he proposed to utilise the entire ? 30,000 prize
money to introduce energy metres at Mousuni and Sagar Island in the
Sundarbans. The meters are being made by Tata Power. At a time when
introducing energy meters for making consumers pay, has become the cornerstone
of the reforms programme for the Indian power sector, this project which
will also help conserve energy, helped him win the award given by the
UK-based Ashden Trust. The awards, into their third year now, were created
by the Sainsbury Family Trusts for sustainable renewable energy projects
in developing countries. This year another award in this category was
introduced for a UK project. "Through these awards we aim to demonstrate
the value that renewable energy brings to local communities and their
environment both in the developed and the developing world,'' a the
Ashden award Web site said.
The Hindu Business Line, 24 June 2003
A new e-learning programme for professionals and adult
learner was launched at the US Embassy here today. The "Environment
Impact Assessment for Energy Sector Projects" course is being sponsored
by the USAID (US Agency for International Development, which will be
available both on CD-ROM and Internet. This programme provides an overview
of the EIA (environmental impact assessment) and the SIA (social impact
assessment) processes for energy projects in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
The Hindu, 26 June 2003
The Chennai-based Shriram group intends to invest at least
Rs 600 million ($12.5 million) in the current year in wind power. The
investment was being made both because of the tax benefit (80% depreciation
in the first year), as well as the "attractive returns" post
payback period, Shriram Investment Ltd's General Manager, Mr N. Mani.
The group has already invested in wind power - it has 16 windmills in
Tamil Nadu and another 17 in Karnataka, with a total installed capacity
of about 15 MW. But the current year investments would most probably
be made in Rajasthan, which has a "very friendly" wind power
policy - a 20-year PPA (power purchase agreement), power purchase at
the rate of Rs 3.25 ($6.76 cents) per unit with a five per cent escalation
in the first ten years, permitted third party sales and wheeling charges
of 10%. The group is looking at Jaisalmer as a possible location.
The Hindu Business Line, 26 June 2003
top
TCI (Transport Corporation of India Ltd), the Hyderabad-based
Rs 5370 million ($111.88 million) private sector freight transportation
major, is diversifying into power generation. The company is setting
up a 2.5 MW capacity wind power project in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs
97 million ($2.02 million). The company has recently amended the main
objects clause of its Memorandum of Association to authorise itself
to enter into this new activity. The shareholders have approved this
resolution through postal ballot.
The Hindu Business Line, 10 July 2003
Fuel cell systems can be made to work using far less platinum
or gold than previously thought, a discovery that could considerably
cut the cost of the futuristic technology, researchers said. Touted
as a replacement for the internal combustion engine and one of the most
important power sources of the 21st century, fuel cells create electricity
with little pollution by combining hydrogen and oxygen. Platinum metals
are used in the electrocatalyst layer of fuel cells and to produce and
purify hydrogen to feed the fuel cell, contributing in part to the high
current cost of the technology. But researchers at Tufts University
have found that only a tiny amount of gold or platinum in non-metallic
form is needed to create an active catalyst to purify the hydrogen before
it is used in fuel cells.
Business Standard, 5 July 2003
To Mr S P Gon Chaudhuri receiving an international award
like Green Oscar from British farming, food and sustainable energy minister
Lord Whitty or talking to Prince Charles in this connection were moments
of happiness. But to this director of the WBREDA (West Bengal Renewable
Energy Development Authority) much more happier moments were seeing
the glaring faces of the people of the Saugar islands on 5 April 2003
when they switched on the light at their homes for the first time in
their life. Even if the people of these remote islands, isolated from
the mainland by turbulent, wide rivers and washed by the water of the
Bay of Bengal on the south, had ever dreamt of electricity in the vast
ocean of darkness at night, they never considered it feasible. The laying
of electricity grid in the islands and connecting them with the mainland
was considered difficult and costly proposition. But thanks to the tireless
efforts of Mr Gon Chaudhuri and his team, and the use of renewable energy
source like solar energy, electricity has now become a reality at least
for 20,000 inhabitants there. Eight mini-power stations with capacities
of 400 kilowatt each had been set up for generation of electricity and
mini-grids, isolated from the mainland grid, have been developed for
supply of power to the households. All this has cost WBREDA over Rs
80 million ($1.67 million). This commendable work has fetched him the
prestigious Ashden Award (Green Oscar) for 2003. What brought this electrical
engineer, who started his career in 1973 as a resident engineer at a
small hydel power station run by the Tripura government, to this new,
non-conventional area to which city-dwellers are still apathetic? Says
Mr Gon Chaudhuri: 'You can attribute it to my commitment to the village
people, who are deprived of normal civic facilities like electricity
enjoyed by city-dwellers. I had a feeling that villages, particularly
isolated ones can use solar or other non-conventional energy to improve
their standard of living. You know, I'm from Tripura. When I saw tribal
people, working in road construction there, carrying cooked food for
lunch, it occurred in my mind why they should not use solar cooking
appliances. Moreover, in early 1980s, literature was coming in on non-conventional
or renewable energy. Some central government agencies were also conducting
research in this field. All this attracted me to start work in this
field.' He considers electrification in a part of Saugar islands is
just the beginning. 'Only 20,000 out of 0.4 million people in the Sunderbans
are now getting solar electricity. It should reach every household there.
We have to go a long way,' he says.
The Financial Express, 6 July 2003
The President, Mr A P J Abdul Kalam, has suggested large-scale
harnessing of nuclear and solar power to generate energy, crucial for
development and removal of poverty. Inaugurating a symposium on 'Energy,
Environment and Sustainable Development' organized by the Indira Gandhi
Institute of Development Research, Dr Kalam said the current sources
of energy, oil and coal, were depleting and, therefore, one had to look
for renewable sources. He envisioned setting up of a solar power station
of the capacity of 500 MW, besides having a network of nuclear power
stations. Dr Kalam said there was tremendous hesitation in going in
a big way for nuclear and solar energy and pointed out that the demand
for power would rise to 0.3 million MW in two decades and the country
would be required to tripple the present level of generation of 0.1
million MW.
The Hindu, 7 July 2003
India is all set to prepare a hydrogen energy roadmap
to find out how such break through technologies can be taken out of
research laboratories to the common man. Also known as freedom fuel',
hydrogen is being booked at as an environment-friendly fuel for transportation
and production of power not only in India but also in developed countries
such as the USA, Japan and Canada and in Europe. ' Several major institutions
in India have developed innovative materials and technologies for safe
and efficient storage of hydrogen. BHU (Banaras Hindu University) is
in the process of patenting its metal hydride driven motorcycle,' minister
of non-conventional energy sources, Mr M Kannappan, said. The metal
hydride technology developed by BHU is capable of absorbing and releasing
hydrogen very efficiently.
The Statesman, 08 July 2003
Renewable energy will become a major source of power by
2050 when it is expected to account for 50% of all energy sources, the
winner of the 2003 Green Oscar award, Mr S P Gon Chaudhuri, said. He
cited the instance of the Sagar Island, an off-grid area in the Sundarbans
in West Bengal, where people have accepted the solar systems in their
houses as the normal energy source. Although at 3%, the worldwide share
of renewable energy systems was minimal, the process of phasing out
has already begun, he felt. He said that the new Electricity Act, 2003
would give a special fillip to the cause of this energy form mainly
through the open access that it provides especially for setting up captive
sources.
The Hindu Business Line, 09 July 2003
Scientists have developed a hydrogen-making catalyst that
uses cheaper materials and yields much fewer contaminants than do the
current processes, while extracting the element from common renewable
plant sources. Further, the new catalyst lies at the heart of a chemical
process the authors say is a significant advance in producing alternate
fuels from domestic sources. In the journal Science, James Dumesic,
John Shabaker and George Huber, of the University of Wisconsin at Madison,
report developing the catalyst from nickel, tin and aluminium and using
it in a process called APR (aqueous-phase reforming), which converts
plant by-products to hydrogen. The process performs as well as current
methods that use precious metals such as platinum, yet runs at lower
temperatures and is much cleaner. Hydrogen is a 'clean' fuel because
when it burns, it combines with oxygen to form water; no toxic by-products
or greenhouse gasses are produced in the process. The APR process extracts
hydrogen from a variety of biological sources, especially simple carbohydrates
and sugars generated by common plants. Platinum is known to be an excellent
catalyst in a number of chemical reactions. It is one component in a
car's catalytic converter, for example, that helps remove toxins from
automobile exhaust. Catalytic platinum and nickel stand out from other
metals (such as copper or iron) because they process reaction molecules
much faster.
The Hindu, 10 July 2003
In a bid to rope in the corporate sector to invest in
the setting-up and running of renewable energy projects, the Centre
is looking at a proposal to introduce open bidding for certain select
areas. Sources said under the proposed scheme, mooted by a planning
commission working group, bids would be invited to fix the level of
subsidy that would be extended by the prospective investor for setting
up a project in a cluster of remote and unelectrified village or a cluster
of such villages. The essence of the model that has been evolved for
ensuring private sector participation in decentralised projects is now
under serious consideration of the Government. The MNES (Ministry of
Non-Conventional Energy Sources) would invite bids for a certain cluster
of 20 remote villages in say, Singbhum district in Jharkhand. Bidders
would then be asked to submit their proposals on electrifying these
villages, including their investment plans and the amount of subsidy
they need from the Government for executing and running the project.
According to Mr S P Gonchaudhuri, Director of the WBREDA (West Bengal
Renewable Energy Development Agency), although the process of phasing
out what is now known as conventional sources of power has already begun,
the corporate sector has a meagre presence in the non-renewable energy
sector as far as running services is concerned, though there are many
players - big and small - in the equipment market. Mr Gonchaudhuri recently
won international recognition both for WBREDA and himself through his
efforts at promoting sustainable projects for electrification in off-grid
areas in the Sundarbans through decentralised projects. He felt there
was a major business opportunity in the electrification of off-grid
areas, where households buy kerosene at Rs 20 (41.6 cents) a litre to
light up their homes. 'If you can sell them the concept of solar power
which will bring light at a cost of Rs 70 ($1.46) per month, your job
is done,' he said hinting at the huge untapped potential.
The Hindu Business Line, 12 July 2003
Like Brazil and the USA, India could be reducing its expenditure
on petrol and diesel with increasing use of ethanol and bio-diesel.
A Planning Commission report presented today to the Prime Minister,
Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, speaks about gradually introducing bio-fuels
to save foreign exchange and also, bring down environmental pollution.
One significant added benefit will be the possibility of increasing
employment. The report called for wider use of the ethanol programme
mixing it with petrol and also, launching a national mission on bio-diesel.
The report speaks of several major advantages of ethanol and bio-diesel.
For example, if sufficient quantities of bio-diesel are produced by
2005, imports could be reduced and Rs 8300 million ($172.92 million)
saved annually. It would also help in achieving Euro III emission norms
before April 2005. Using of bio-fuels would ensure that there would
be less pollution and less global warming. Bio-fuels are usually made
out of crop residues and similar vegetable products. Some of the plants
can also be grown in arid areas and wastelands. This would help to improve
the quality of the areas.
The Statesman, 13 July 2003
The government has announced the formation of a NHEB (National
Hydrogen Energy Board) for preparing the roadmap for the hydrogen energy
sector and monitor its implementation in an integrated manner. Announcing
the government decision, minister of MNES Mr M Kannappan said this board
will be under MNES. This board will bring about the much needed coordination
among the various researchers and institutions who are all working in
this direction. This would help in preparing the national roadmap for
hydrogen fuel sector. He said MNES would also be organizing an international
workshop on hydrogen energy and fuel cells would have to be based on
specific needs. The two major areas of focus in our new technology programmes
are alternate fuels for transportation, which includes electric vehicles,
biofuels, fuel cells and hydrogen energy and decentralized production
of power, which in turn includes biofuels, hydrogen energy, fuel cells,
geothermal energy and tidal energy.
The Financial Express, 13 July 2003
NEPC India expects to make profits this year, thanks to
the boom in the wind energy sector. With orders for 127 wind energy
generators currently under execution, and 211 more under 'almost booked'
category, the current year's turnover is expected to be around Rs 2000
million ($41.67 million), only from domestic sales, said the company's
Vice-Chairman, Mr Raj Kumar Khemka. Last year, the company achieved
a turnover of Rs 183.2 million ($3.82 million). The recently-incorporated
joint venture in Kazakhsthan (called Turkesthanenergo-NEPC), which is
expected to put up a 100 MW wind farm in the former Soviet Union, is
expected to generate export orders, Mr Khemka told Business Line recently.
Another joint venture, in Tanzania, is in the process of being set up.
NEPC India (formerly, NEPC Micon, whose Danish collaborator is now in
India on its own as NEG Micon) specialises in the manufacture of smaller
capacity machines, of 225-250 KVA. Many other manufacturers, such as
NEG Micon, Suzlon and Enercon, are marketing higher capacity machines,
of even up to 1.25 MW. But according to Mr Khemka, it does not make
much sense in putting up higher capacity machines, in a country such
as India, where the wind density is not high. 'Our cost per unit of
generation is much lower than our competitors,' he said. This view has
the support of some customers. Mr C M Sambasivam, Head - Operations,
Alfin Wind Energy (a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland Finance Ltd) said,
'the problem with large capacity machines is, if one machine fails a
lot of generating capacity is lost. With smaller machines, we are able
to spread the risk of failure'. Alfin Wind Energy is in the process
of developing a Rs 600 million ($12.5 million) wind farm of 82 wind
mills, and has chosen to go in for NEPC machines.
The Hindu Business Line, 18 July 2003
Enercon India Ltd, a joint venture between the German
power major, Enercon GmbH, and the Mehra Group, today commissioned a
21-MW wind energy project at Chitradurga in Karnataka. This is the second
such project executed by Enercon's subsidiary, Enercon Windfarm Karnataka
Ltd, in Chitradurga. According to company officials, Enercon's total
wind energy capacity in Karnataka will go up to around 100 MW or 57.5
million units. 'The total project cost stands at Rs 1100 million ($22.92
million). Around Rs 400 million ($8.33 million) of this has been funded
through a non-convertible debenture issue by Enercon which was picked
up entirely by IL&FS,' a senior company official said. Enercon also
has an FIPB approval, acquired last June, to bring in Rs 260 million
($5.42 million) as foreign direct investment. The project is one of
the 20 projects worth Rs 132410 million ($2758.54 million) approved
by the Karnataka Government after the global investors' meet, or GIM,
held in Bangalore in the year 2000.
The Hindu Business Line, 19 July 2003
Given the focus internationally on hydrogen, a new group
chaired by Planning Commission member Mr N K Singh has been formed to
decide how best to give a push to clean hydrogen energy and specific
uses ranging from fueling vehicles to generating power. The group will
give its report in six weeks. The US has shown interest in joining hands
with India, which already has a demonstration programme of motorcycles,
gensets and cookers. During his recent visit, US assistant secretary
of state Mr John Turner said their hydrogen initiative was a long-term
commitment with substantial funds to iron out problems related to cost
and distribution. A two-hour meeting on 18 July in the Planning Commission,
chaired by commission chief Mr K C Pant, was attended by officials from
the PM's office, the ministries of finance, external affairs, petroleum,
non-conventional energy sources and science and technology as well as
institutes like IIT, Delhi, TERI, Benares Hindu University and the Indira
Gandhi Institute of Development Research.
The Times of India, 19 July 2003
With the WTO (World Trade Organisation) turning out to
be a managed trading system rather than a market-based system, it would
be imperative to guard against fluctuation in prices and assure producers
security in terms of income. We have to be vigilant to constantly monitor
(the) international situation and evolve mechanisms for rapid counter-actions,
said Dr Mangala Rai, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Agriculture,
Department of Agricultural Research & Education and Director-General
of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Addressing the 49th annual
convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and later
while interacting with newspersons here, Dr Rai said international prices
were more volatile than domestic prices and this had made primary producers
desperate. He said several objectives of WTO such as moving food production
from developed countries to developing nations and reducing subsidies
to facilitate the competitiveness of developing nations were yet to
be met. Besides, there were distortions in trade on account of non-tariff
barriers. According to him, some sections in Trade Related Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS) in the World Trade Agreement 'warrant re-orientation
of the national system to successfully encounter new challenges'. In
this context, he enlisted the elements that were required to be addressed
'by way of safeguards through controls so that monopolies are not allowed
to proliferate'. In fact, studies on the returns from the investments
made in agricultural research have shown that the marginal contribution
of agricultural research to productivity growth has been 48%. He said
that agriculture for prosperity needs post-harvest technologies for
loss reduction, value-addition, product development and byproducts utilization
and efficient energy and resource management.
The Hindu Business Line, 21 July 2003
Juli flower, the wild thorny plant that has been a menace
to many a farmer, has now acquired commercial value. Thanks to the 35
biomass-based power plants in Andhra Pradesh, the farmer can now get
nearly Rs 800 ($16.67) for a tonne of the plant material. According
to the office bearers of the Biomass Energy Developers Association,
the farmers, who took pains to uproot the deep-rooted plants earlier,
are now coming forward to cultivate it in their fields. It is estimated
that the farmer, on the average, can earn more than Rs 15,000 ($312.5)
per acre by selling the plant material. These plants continue to grow
even after being cut and the farmer can harvest the crop every one-and-a-half
year.
The Hindu Business Line, 22 July 2003
Like all education campuses, the BJU (Banaras Hindu University)
too has its share of motorcycles screaming through the campus daily.
As an established symbol of youth freedom, bikes have become an important
component of campus life. However, BHU's two-wheelers do not run on
any ordinary fuel. They burn the freedom fuel-hydrogen. Among the non-BHU
enthusiasts to have rode a hydrogen bike is secretary, Ministry of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources, Mr Ajai Vikram Singh. Mr Singh vouches for the new age
bikes and hopes, 'Indian companies will read the writing on the wall'.
The government, he adds, has woken up to the 21st century fuel and make
hydrogen a commercial reality in the country, the private sector must
join in. Following worldwide resource mobilization towards research
on making hydrogen the next generation energy source, the government
has constituted a Hydrogen Energy Board. The report, Mr Singh says,
will help all stake holders in project hydrogen to streamline efforts
and share the financial burden. While President George Bush committed
$1.7 billion (about Rs 85000 million ($1770.83 million) to the American
hydrogen vision, Mr Singh's ministry has Rs 150 million ($3.13 million)
to affect a difference at least till the end of the Tenth Plan (2007).
Although at this stage, the government is not in a position to splurge
money on the project but if resources (both intellectual and financial)
are tied across different departments and private players, project hydrogen
could make a formidable beginning. Nationwide, about 22 projects on
hydrogen are going on. Of this, the Chennai-based science foundation,
SPIC, has developed a proton exchange membrane fuel cell which runs
a limo van. 'Project hydrogen hinges on making hydrogen fuel cells on
commercially viable proposition. In the US, the average cost of such
cells is $4000 per kilowatt. Affordability will mean brining it down
to $30 per kilowatt. As of now, the cost of running a BHU-styled hydrogen
enabled bike is Rs 25,000 ($520.83). Further, with conventional fuel
becoming a common item in 30 years, the cost of hydrogen run vehicles
is expected to fall much below the running costs of petrol or diesel
cars. Since the developed nations are busy evolving and patenting rights
over the freedom fuel, India will stand to loose if in 30 years, hybrid
fuel become the international practice for automobiles.
The Pioneer, 25 July 2003
They come from solar devices at traffic signals in Navi
Mumbai. All eleven major traffic junctions in Navi Mumbai have these
signals save electricity as operate on solar energy. The NMMC (Navi
Mumbai Minicipal Corporation) introduced them as part of its efforts
to modernize the traffic system in the city. They indicate to the drivers
when to start the engine and readies them for the green signal, the
timers are programmed on the basis of the average vehicular movement
at the junctions along the roads. The signals are equipped with a back
up batter device which helps the signals function for a few days even
in the absence of sunlight. Speaking about the benefits of having countdown
signals, Mr G V Rao, executive engineer at NMMC said, 'it saves fuel,
prevents accidents and has lowered pollution levels at the signals,
people switch off the engine when they know how much time they have
to wait.
The Asian Age, 26 July 2003
India possesses sufficient resources to generate 5000
mw of installed wind power capacity by 2007, participants at a recent
discussion said. At a roundtable on evolving a roadmap to achieve the
above target, the participants said the involvement of power utilities,
oil majors and financial institutions would be required to set up Utility
Scale Area-based mega wind projects (100 MW and above capacity), and
the government should come up with a policy that encouraged the stakeholders
to explore this avenue. The discussion was organized by the Indian Wind
Energy Association, a non-profit apex organization of the producers
of wind energy. It was suggested that the Centre explore the possibility
of setting up a wind-farm development company - possibly as a public
sector undertaking - to kick-start the project. The Ministry of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources - in association with the Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorolgy, State nodal agencies and the Centre for Wind Energy Technology,
a Government body under the MNES - has installed more than 476 wind
monitoring masts. Based on this exercise, the MNES has been identifying
areas suitable for wind farming.
The Hindu, 28 July 2003
To complete electrification of about 18,000 villages in
remote areas in the country by 2012, the MNES (Ministry of Non-Conventional
Energy Sources) has demanded that the centre released Rs 13000 million
($270.83 million)in addition to its existing commitment of Rs 7350 million
($153.13 million). As per power ministry's APDRP (accelerated power
development and reforms programme), out of the current 80,000 unelectrified
villages, 18,000 were to be electrified by the MNES through renewable
energy sources, since the villages' geographical location made it impossible
for the conventional grid to carry electricity. But having worked out
economics of the policy guideline, the MNES argued that even during
the 10th Plan period which ends in 2007, if majority of remote villages
were to be electrified, an increase of funds was essential. The Power
Ministry has been examining the MNES proposal, but insisted that a review
of the finances would take place after establishing a new definition
of rural electrification. A meeting of 11 state power ministers in the
capital two months ago yielded a suitable conviction at both the central
and state levels that the existing definition be replaced with a realistic
one.
The Pioneer, 28 July 2003
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For hundreds of villages in Karnataka, vegetable oil obtained
from Pongamia (Honge) seed, which has been used to produce electricity,
has changed the course of their lives. It all began when Udipi Shrinivasa,
a professor of mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore, used Pongamia oil instead of diesel to produce power in rural
areas. Professor Shrinivasa stumbled upon this fact in the course of
an outreach programme in 1994. He realized that integrated development
of villages is possible if oil from trees is developed as an alternative
to petro-diesel. He zeroed in on Pongamia Pinnata (Karanji in Hindi)
as this tree grows naturally throughout India and its oil is not food
grade. The tree is easy to grow, long lived and at maturity yields about
100 kg of seeds per year. Out of this one can yield 25 litres of oil
and can use it in generator sets to produce electricity. By 1999, with
the help of funding from the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources,
Government of India, Professor Shrinivasa's nonprofit organization,
SuTRA (Sustainable Transformation of Rural Areas), had demonstrated
the viability of the idea. In a 40 sq km area in Kagganahalli district
in Karnataka, which is drought prone but endowed with Karanji trees,
SuTRA pumped water from deep bore-wells using electricity from generators
run solely on Karanji oil pressed from locally gathered oil seeds.
The Financial Express, 3 August 2003
Yoshiko Tkahashi is no environmental activist, but in
the last year she has become an ardent fan of the solar panels that
generate most of the electricity for her 1100 sq foot home. Using solar
power, which was included with the new house that she and her husband
bought a little more than a year ago, has not only cut the family's
electricity bill by 17% but also made her feel good about helping fight
global warming. Japan is almost completely dependent on imported fuel,
which makes its prices for electricity among the highest in the world.
In response, the Japanese have worked for a decade to build up their
renewable energy resources, and the effort is starting to pay off. Japan
now generates half the world's solar power, and the market for solar
technology is expected to grow fivefold, to about $4 billion by the
end of the decade, according to the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association.
The Times of India, 4 August 2003
A US company has developed the world's most efficient
solar power cells capable of converting 36% of the sun's rays into electricity,
nearly three times that of ordinary existing solar cells. Spectrolab,
a subsidiary of Boeing based in California, US, has used its Improved
Triple Junction concentrator cells to focus on the sun's rays to boost
the energy received by the solar panel called the photovoltaic cell.
The record energy conversion rate was achieved by modifying alloy elements
in the top and middle layers. 'We adjusted the band gaps of the middle
cell and the top cell to achieve maximum performance,' says Nasser Karam,
Spectrolab's vice president of advanced technology.
The Hindustan Times, 9 August 2003
Bangkok ice-cream vendors who currently pedal their carts
in the baking sun are hoping to benefit from a locally invented device
that will allow them to store energy and drive their carts using solar
power. A 50 x 60 cm solar cell built into the cart roof will capture
solar power in a battery. Pracha Prakoonsuksapan, the managing director
of AHT (Asia), a local freezer manufacturer who has developed what he
calls a solar-cell ice-cream cart, told The Nation that once the battery
is fully charged, the vendor can switch to a mode that allows the motor
to drive the cart. It should be able to store energy for two hours after
the sun has disappeared. An initial prototype is expected to carry 150
kg of ice create at 15 km per hour.
The Financial Express, 11 August 2003
Power equipment major, BHEL has achieved yet another feat
in the area of harnessing renewable energy with the commissioning of
India's largest stand-alone SPV (solar photovoltaic) power plant at
Mousuni Island in West Bengal. With this, 700 homes across the Island,
which were otherwise isolated from the West Bengal State Electricity
Grid, have been illuminated. The 105 kWp SPV power plant will also cater
to the needs of potable drinking water of the villagers. Significantly,
the commissioning of this SPV based power plant will usher in a new
era of prosperity and will change the quality of life for the people
of Mousuni Island, as it will pave the way for setting up of village
based cottage industries, telecommunication and infrastructure, besides
providing thrust to tourism. The company had secured the largest ever
contract for seven Grid Interactive Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants
of 100 kW each from Lakshadweep administration jointly funded by the
ministry of non-conventional energy sources, Government of India and
the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, the project envisaged setting up
of such power plants at Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni,
and Kavaratti islands. With the completion of this project in October
2003, the contribution of BHEL's solar power plants to Lakshadweep's
generating capacity will touch 1 MW. Besides helping in conserving the
environment and ecology of the islands, the power plants in these islands
will also yield substantial savings on fuel costs.
The Pioneer, Supplement, 14 August 2003
The petroleum ministry has decided to constitute an India
Hydrogen Corpus Fund, with contribution from all public sector oil units,
to develop hydrogen as an automobile fuel. IOC will be the nodal agency
for the fund. IOC has been directed to prepare a roadmap for two years
to initiate work in identified areas such as production of hydrogen,
its storage and distribution. The oil company will also organize large-scale
field trials in the next five years in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers.
The Planning Commission has also set up a committee under its member
Mr N K Singh to set out a roadmap for the introduction of hydrogen as
an alternative fuel in the country. The committee will assess India's
comparative advantages in developing hydrogen, suggest research initiatives
and work out a schedule for the introduction of the new technology.
Hydrogen does not occur in free state in large quantities. It is extracted
from water through electrolysis. The economics of hydrogen fuel cell
technology is a major hurdle to its commercialization.
Business Standard, 15 August 2003
In a bid to expand and diversity, BHEL said it would aggressively
start taking up non-conventional energy projects and has entered into
a strategic tie-up with Netherlands-based Nordex for a pilot project
in wind energy. 'We will go aggressively for non-conventional energy
projects. We are now bidding for more and more wind energy and other
such projects,' BHEL's director of industrial systems and products Mr
H W Bhatnagar said.
The Times of India, 16 August 2003
As the country faces the tough task of balancing its growing
energy needs, the environmental damage from fossil energy sources and
the energy security, a programme to produce bio-fuels that can be transport-fuel
substitutes and blend them - ethanol with motor spirit and bio-diesel
with HSD (high speed diesel) - is proposed by the Planning Commission.
The oil generated would be blended with diesel after trans-esterification
to substitute imported diesel. It is estimated that petro-diesel demand
by the end of the 10th Plan should be 52.33 MT. In order to achieve
five per cent replacement of petro-diesel by bio-diesel by 2006/07,
there is need to bring minimum 2.29 million hectares under Jatropha
curcas plantation. A demonstration project could be taken up on 0.4
million hectares in eight states. Of this, 0.2 million hectares of plantation
might be taken up on understocked forest lands in Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh,
Gujarat and Tripura, and 0.2 million hectares of plantation on non-forest
lands spread over UP, MP, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. The demonstration
project would establish the feasibility of production of Jatropha-based
bio-diesel as a substitute for diesel and a source for energy security,
particularly for rural areas. After the completion of the demonstration
project, the next phase of the National Mission should be a self-sustaining
expansion of plantation and setting up of corresponding facilities for
seed collection, oil extraction, and trans-esterification. According
to the report, ethanol might be manufactured using molasses as the raw
material. Industry should be encouraged to supplement the production
of alcohol from molasses by producing alcohol from sugarcane juice directly
in areas where cane is surplus. Officials in the Plan panel told that
the report on development of bio-fuel was presented to the Prime Minister,
Mr A B Vajpayee. The project would have to be so processed for obtaining
clearance of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, after which
it would be launched.
The Hindu Business Line, 18 August 2003
The government has planned a major initiative to develop
hydrogen as an auto fuel. The petroleum ministry has decided to constitute
an India Hydrogen Corpus Fund with contribution from all oil companies.
IOC will be the nodal agency for the fund. The ministry has decided
that the research and development division of IOC will set up a dedicated
team to work on hydrogen fuel in which persons from other organizations
may also be included. It would also organize large-scale field demonstration
trials in the next five years in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers.
The Statesman, 18 August 2003
The most abundant element in the universe - hydrogen -
may one day fuel your car. But some scientists are not so sure that's
a good idea. Hydrogen has been used for the past decade to power fuel
cells, which are something like batteries and use a chemical reaction
to produce electricity. The fuel cells are promoted as a way to reduce
pollution and dependence on foreign oil. They won the endorsement of
President George W. Bush in January 2003 when he pledged $1.2 billion
for hydrogen research, and American automakers are testing fleets of
experimental vehicles. Fuel cells power components on the space shuttle
and more than 50 experimental cars and buses now use them on American
and European roads. Experts do not expect mass production of hydrogen-powered
cars until at least 2010. But federal funding commitments have rekindled
debates. Scientists at the California Institute of Technology warn that
a sudden shift to hydrogen fuel cells could send more hydrogen into
the upper atmosphere, cooling the skies and damaging the protective
ozone layer.
The Indian Express, 20 August 2003
After its successful two-year stint in creating energy
awareness through its hi-tech energy education park the WBREDA (West
Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency) would now set up similar
projects across the country. After the Energy Education Park clicked,
we have been approached by these state governments for technical know-how
on setting up such parks,' he said after unveiling its Rs 9.2 million
($0.19 million) exhibit 'A Journey to the Sun' last evening. Mr Chaturvedi,
this year's green Oscar award winner, said after the agreements are
clinched, WBREDA would replicate the energy education parks on a turn-key
basis. 'We would be responsible for similar projects ion the country
from the concept to implementation state,' he said. Inaugurating the
project, the West Bengal chief minister, Mr Budhadeb Bhattacharjee,
called for full utilization of non-conventional sources of energy in
the state to meet the occasional deficits and for attaining power sufficiency.
The Hindu Business Line, 20 August 2003
The city-based GNCL (Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd), the largest
manufacturer of LAM coke in the non-captive segment in the country,
has announced its tie-up with Suzlon Energy for setting up a 1.25 MVA
wind farm in Gujarat. GNCL will contribute about 30% of the total project
cost of Rs 55 million ($1.15 million), while the balance 70% amounting
to Rs 38.5 million ($0.80 million) will be financed by a term loan.
According to GNCL sources, the company expects to save in income tax
payable this fiscal on the company's profits, which will be exempted
in view of the higher depreciation benefit available on the wind farm
project.
The Hindu Business Line, 21 August 2003
In line with its policy to harness the hydro power potential
of the state, the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department has
identified two perennial nallahs including Nachlana and Pogal in Banihal
tehsil for construction of mini hydro electric projects with the capacity
of one mega watt each. The state minister for Power Development, Mr
Mohammad Sharief Niaz, announced this while addressing series of public
meetings in Banihal Tehsil of Doda district recently.
The Hindu Business Line, 22 August 2003
Robo India Finance has tied up with a Swiss-based private
equity fund BTS Group to set up a $30-million private equity fund dedicated
to renewable energy projects in the country. Mr Somak Ghosh, Director,
project advisory and infrastructure management, Rabo India said: 'In
the area of sustainable banking and renewable energy initiatives, we
can add value with our worldwide expertise. The company is in the process
of scouting for both domestic and overseas investors for its renewable
energy fund named as the Indian Renewable Energy Equity Fund. Rabo India
Finance will be the country advisor for the private equity fund. Mr
Ghosh said that Rabo has completed the project financing and advisory
works of three hydel projects recently. The total project cost of these
three projects is estimated at Rs 5000 million ($104.17 million). Rabo
has a debt exposure of Rs 850 million ($17.70 million)in these projects.
The special status provided to the renewable energy projects allowed
the firms to sell power directly to third parities, he added.
The Asian Age, 23 August 2003
India has the potential to generate 45,000 MW of power
from wind compared with the current capacity of a mere 1900 MW. The
country can generate enormous quantity of power from wind. However,
a clearly defined national renewable energy policy is needed for that,'
Rakesh Bakshi, an expert on wind energy, told.
Business Standard, 28 August 2003
Solar panels to run the burgeoning number of ATM (automatic
teller machines) could become a reality soon, especially in India where
regular power outages throw their functioning out of gear, claims NCR
Corporation specializing in ATMs, retail systems, data warehouses and
some types of IT services. The company feels the concept of solar powered
ATMs is particularly relevant to India to expand the retail-banking
network to areas with infrastructure deficiencies like power shortages.
While the research indicated that regions blessed with high levels of
sunshine were perfect for solar-powered ATMs, results were also promising
for less sunny locales. Testing took place in Dundee in March to determine
the levels of light required to operate a wireless ATM. Even in cloudy
conditions dominant in Scotland in March, the tests showed that generating
solar power was possible, though a bigger panel would be needed to get
a performance similar to that in the more sunny regions of the world.
The Hindu, 28 August 2003
top
Rural folks living in remote areas in India and the world
over, without the provision of electricity, may have something to cheer
about. For, even without power, they may soon be able to utilize the
services of ATMs (automated teller machines) for their monetary transactions.
Clearly, the future of the ATM industry is bright. NCR Corporation,
in collaboration with the University of Dundee, has announced that its
research to run ATMs on direct current from batteries powered by a solar
panel may be the key to ATM deployment in some of the most remote corners
of the globe. Solar panels are easy to set up and would enable an ATM
to operate for long periods without battery changes. In areas with high
levels of sunlight or where usage is light, continuous operation is
possible using this technology. According to Mr Deepak Chandnani, Managing
Director, NCR Corporation India Pvt Ltd, 'As a market and thought leader,
NCR constantly looks at innovative technologies to broaden the offerings
to the banking industry and spearhead future growth. The concept of
solar-powered ATMs is particularly relevant to India to expand the retail
banking network to areas with infrastructure deficiencies like absence
of wired connectivity or power shortages.'
The Hindu Business Line, 29 August 2003
The WBREDC (West Bengal Rural Energy Development Corporation)
is planning to outsource some of its jobs, the Chairman, Dr Sujan Chakraborty,
said. Pointing out that there was no dearth of technical manpower in
the rural areas of West Bengal, Mr Chakraborty said that a co-operative
of rural technicians was likely to be formed to act as a service organization.
He said that the fledgling WBREDC (formed in 1998) had on its rolls
mostly retired WBSEB employees and it was not in a position to afford
a large manpower strength. Dr Chakraborty indicated that there were
plans to introduce this (Geographical Information System) all over the
state, adding that this would also help cut costs. The WBREDC chief
also revealed his plans of getting into local-level generation using
the non-conventional energy route. He said that a Rs 6990 million ($145.63
million) scheme for energizing 13,698 virgin mouzas (below the block
level) in the State was sanctioned for WBREDC. Of this, 6500 mouzas
were likely to be covered by October 2003 (which he admitted was three
months behind schedule) while the remaining would be completed by 2005/06.
The Hindu Business Line, 30 August 2003
Windmill, which has emerged as a viable source of alternative
energy in the last five to seven years, hopes to consolidate its prospects
with a fresh incentive expected to trigger its future growth. The industry
is awaiting the final approval of an interest subsidy of five per cent
on term loans provided by banks under the TUF (Technology Upgradation
Fund) scheme for the textile industry. According to the Indian Wind
Power Association, the incentive will give a boost to the windmill farms,
which have seen an accretion in its capacity by 241 MW to the overall
capacity of 1869 MW. Addressing the annual general meeting, the President
of the association, Mr P R Ramasubrahmaneya Rajha, said that besides
the incentive under the TUF scheme, the industry expects an impetus
to its growth from the liberal incentives policy under the new Electricity
Act 2003.
The Hindu Business Line, 30 August 2003
Describing hydro power as the cheapest pollution-free
energy opposition, Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee said the country
would produce additional hydro power of 34,000 MW and light up every
household in the country by the year 2012. 'The country is committed
to provide light in every village by 2007 and every household by 2012,'
Mr Vajpayee said after laying the foundation stone of the 520 MW Omkareshwar
hydro power project.
The Statesman, 31 August 2003
Anand Rangarajan's claims are not modest. His company's
technology, he says, not only has the potential to limit power blackouts
but also promises to reduce pollution and save billions. Mr Rangarajan,
who is with the WorldWater Corporation, a solar-energy technology company,
and his colleague, Thomas McNulty, have invented a system for switching
to backup solar power within seconds of a power failure. Mr Rangarajna
and McNulty have essentially patented a box that combines switches and
electrical circuits, permitting a supple integration between solar and
electrical power. When the power grid is supplying electricity normally,
the box routes excess power to the utility. If the power grid goes down,
the box shuts off its connection with the utility, reconfigures voltages
and routes electricity to the irrigation system.
The Times of India, 2 September 2003
Malaysian businessman Syed Mokhtar Albukhary is poised
to take over the country's Bakum hydroelectric dam project in Sarawak
state on the island of Borneo. GIIG Capital Sdn. Bhd., a private company
controlled by Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar, signed a preliminary agreement with
Malaysia's Finance Ministry to acquire as much as 60% of Sarawak Hidro
Sdn. Bhd., the main operating company of the Bakun project, according
to government officials. But some senior administration figures are
quietly criticizing the unpublicized deal, contending that it favours
Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar at the government's expense. The Bakun project
is the latest in a string of business deals by 52-year-old Tan Sri Syed
Mokhtar, a confidant of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad who has emerged
as one of Malaysia's most influential businessmen in the past two years.
Among other things, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar has acquired controlling interests
in listed companies such as Malaysia Mining Corporation, a cash-rich
infrastructure concern, and Pernas International Holdings Bhd., a previously
state-owned hotel and manufacturing group. He also controls two power-generation
concerns and owns stakes in two sugar-refining businesses. Last year,
Malaysia awarded a construction contract for the hydroelectric dam to
a group led by Malaysian conglomerate Sime Darby Bhd. And China National
Water Resources, a state-owned Chinese concern involved in building
several dams in China. Meanwhile, Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar began privately
negotiating with Dubai Aluminium, a concern owned by the Dubai government,
to build a $2.1 billion smelter in Sarawak, using the Bakun dam as its
power sources. In September 2002, the businessman presented the government
with a plan to take a 60% interest in bakun. Government officials say
that his proposal, which included a guaranteed sales outlet for Bakun's
electricity to the smelter, impressed Dr Mahathir, who also serves as
Malaysia's finance minister.
The Financial Express, 6 September 2003
Kolkata-based GNCL (Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd), the largest
manufacturer of LAM coke in the non-captive segment, has tied up with
Suzion Energy for setting up a 1.25 MVA windfarm in Gujarat. The total
cost of the project would be around Rs 55 million ($1.15 million). GNCL
will contribute approximately 30% of the project cost or Rs 16 million
($0.33 million). The balance Rs 38.5 million ($0.80 million) will be
financed through a term loan. GNCL would be saving on power and electricity
costs as well. The net worth this year would be higher by the amount
of tax savings arising from the project, the company said. The company
will also be eligible for incentives offered by the government of Gujarat
for companies generating power using non-conventional energy resources.
Business Standard, 8 September 2003
The National Institute of Ocean Technology is committed
to establish the world's first ever floating Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
power plant, on the South-East coast of Tamil Nadu. When the prestigious
1 MW 'demonstration plant' is finally commissioned, probably in the
middle of next year, India would become the first country in the world
to have developed a technology to harness power, using the temperature
difference between warm surface sea water and the cold sea water, available
at a depth of 1100 metres.
The Hindu Business Line, 08 September 2003
The union ministry of non-conventional energy sources
and the ministry of environment and forests have approved a Rs 1636
million ($34.08 million) project for the Haryana State Energy Development
Agency for solar energy to increase market acceptability of solar thermal
technologies. The project, assisted by the United Nations Development
Programme - Global Environment Facility would meet low and medium energy
needs of the industry, especially in the textile sector, a spokesman
of the Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Haryana, said.
The Hindu Business Line, 09 September 2003
The MCD had earlier floated a proposal to convert solid
waste into energy. The principle behind this was that the garbage would
be collected and then burnt to turn turbines producing electricity.
'But the CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) and another NGO, Toxic
Links, raised objections. They said burning of the garbage at such high
temperatures (1400 degrees) would lead to the emission of toxic gases,'
say MCD officials. So although an Indo-Australian company, EDL, had
been asked to undertake the project, it was eventually shelved. EDL
is carrying out the solid waste-to-energy change for the Lucknow Municipal
Corporation. 'Once the segregation of garbage takes off we will revive
this project. The main concern that the CSE had is that the plastic
bags emit toxic fumes. But we can use this strategy with biodegradable
garbage,' say MCD officials. The IDFC is currently studying garbage
management alternatives. But several MCD projects have either been shelved
or are facing major obstacles. First was the solid waste to energy project
initiated under former MCD commissioner Mr S P Aggarwal. Then the MCD
set up a composting plant next to one of its landfill sites to convert
the solid waste to compost.
The Indian Express, ExpressNewsline, 9 September 2003
Karnataka has been successful in popularizing the use
of solar energy with over 60,000 families in the state using solar energy
systems to meet various requirements. According to official sources,
more than 60,000 families in the state are estimated to be using solar
energy systems for purposes of heating water, lighting, pumping water
and to meet other requirements. The ministry of non-conventional energy
sources is providing financial assistance for the installation of solar
home systems, street lighting systems, solar pumps, power plants, dish
type and community type solar cookers to individual and non-profit organizations,
which include schools, hostels, hospitals, colleges and voluntary organizations.
Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd has proposed installation
of 10,000 solar home systems, 1000 solar street lighting systems, 100
solar pumps, 50 numbers of dish type solar cookers, 8 SPV power plants
of 175 kWp aggregate capacity and electrification of 50 remote villages
in the state through solar energy systems under the 2003/04 programme.
The Hindu Business Line, 10 September 2003
A team of researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
has developed a solar-powered, integrated window system that could reduce
dependency on energy grid. Designed to function as a shading system,
the DSWS (Dynamic Shading Window System) uses a solar-energy technology
to convert the sun's light and diverted heat into storable energy that
can be used to also efficiently heat, cool, and artificially light the
same office building. DSWS blocks the harshest rays while allowing the
most pleasing daylight to stay in a building's interior, says a press
release from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The DSWS system is
made of clear plastic panels that fit in between two panes of glass.
On each panel are dozens of small, pyramid-shaped units, or 'modules,'
made from semi- translucent focusing plastic lenses, that track the
motion of the sun. Sensors, embedded in the walls or the roof, ensure
that the units are always facing the sun to capture all incoming rays
while at the same time deflecting harsh, unwanted rays from a building's
interior.
The Hindu, 11 September 2003
The Union Power Ministry has joined hands with the Union
MNES (Ministry of Nonconventional Energy Sources) to set up the Rural
Electrification (Supply) Technology Mission through the decentralized
generation system. The objective of the mission is to provide power
to all villages by 2007 and to all households by 2012. As per current
estimates, nearly half a billion of the country's population staying
in 56,000 villages have no electricity. Of these, 20,000 villages are
in remote areas which are to be electrified using non-conventional sources.
Majority of these villages are located in the eastern and the north-eastern
region. Meanwhile, the President, Dr A P J Kalam, has invited Mr S P
Gonchowdhury, Green Oscar winner director of the West Bengal Renewable
Energy Development Agency, for discussions on Friday the agenda of which
is not known. Confirming the invitation, Mr Gon chowdhury said he hoped
to press the case for promoting renewable energy before the President.
The Hindu Business Line, 16 September 2003
After foraying into the digital water heater segment barely
a month ago, Standard Electric Appliances, manufacturers of the Venus
brand of water heaters, is now planning to launch gas and solar water
heaters. Mr I Ramkumar, Director (Sales), Standard Electric Appliances,
said that gas water heaters, which would be for the domestic as well
as the commercial segment, would be initially launched in the States
of Karnataka, Gujarat and Mumbai. 'We are looking only at these States
because piped gas is easily available here, and this makes the installation
much easier,' he said. These gas water heaters are reportedly not for
storage purposes as the ignition starts and stops with the flow of water.
'While the heater for domestic use provides five litres of water per
minute, the commercial one provides 10 litres of water per minute,'
he said. Mr Ramkumar also said that the gas-heaters reduce the overall
electricity consumption in a household by almost one-third and are also
safe as the ignition starts and stops with the flow of water. The domestic
and the commercial heaters are priced at Rs 5000 ($104.17) and Rs 10,000
($208.33) respectively.
The Hindu Business Line, 16 September 2003
Exide Industries is making a foray into non-conventional
power including the ambitious concept of village lanterns Project Kisan.
It has also launched Project Kisan to drive growth in to the rural areas.
This includes the concept of village lanterns costing Rs 1100 ($22.92)
each in around 10, 000 villages across the country in partnership with
government. This will provide electricity to villages and financing
for these lanterns will be done by various banks. Exide is also tapping
a segment, it was earlier not looking at, in the form of tractor batteries.
The state begin covered in this project include Rajasthan , Himachal
Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh among others.
The Economic Times, 23 September 2003
The NHPC and Uttaranchal government to day signed a memorandum
of understanding for the execution and construction of the 850 MW Kotali-Bhal
Hydro Power Project on the river Ganga at Rishikesh. The MoU was signed
by S Krishnan, principal secretary (energy), and Mr Yogendra Prasad,
managing director of NHPC in the presence of Chief Minster Mr N D Tiwari.
Speaking in the occasion, the chief minister said a vital step had been
taken by the government for providing a new direction in increasing
power capacity of Uttaranchal. Tiwari urged NHPC to undertake implementation
of the Lakwar-Byasi Hydro Power Project also.
Business Standard, 23 September 2003
With ethanol production growing worldwide, Apitco is organizing
a conference on the 'Prospects of ethanol - a sustainable bio-fuel'
in Hyderabad on 26 September. The meet is being organized to showcase
demand and potential for bio-fuels as alternate fuel. Mr S A Srinivasa
Rao, Apitco Managing Director, quoting a Planning Commission report
said over Rs 8300 million ($172.92 million) foreign exchange could be
saved annually by increasing the use of ethanol.
Business Standard, 25 September 2003
India could soon commence construction of a prototype
AHWR (Advanced Heavy Water Reactor), making it the first country in
the world to develop such a reactor as the mainstay of its nuclear power
programme. 'We have completed the designs and even the peer review.
Now we are in the stage of completing the safety review and work on
the construction of the first AHWR could begin as early as next year.'
Mr Anil Kakodkar, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, said in
an exclusive interview there. Mr Kakodkar, who is also secretary in
the department of atomic energy, said the Nuclear Power Corporation
should take about seven years to construct the first AHWR. Mr Kakodkar,
who is in Paris on an official visit, said India is currently adding
nine new units to its nuclear power programme which will take the installed
capacity of the Nuclear Power Corporation form the current 2700 MW to
over 6700 MW by the year 2008. Russia is involved in the construction
of two of the units right now. But India would be happy to accept offers
form other countries, including France, which have expressed interest
in participating in its ambitious project of taking the total nuclear
power capacity to 20,000 MW by the year 2020, he said, 'We are talking
to several countries, including France, on the issue of cooperation,
but they have their won constraints,' Mr Kakodkar said, referring to
the stringent conditions imposed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group which
brings together 40 countries, including major nuclear powers like the
United States, Russia and Britain. The NSG, which was formed - after
India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 - with the aim of closely
monitoring the spread of nuclear technology.
The Asian Age, 30 September 2003
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Princeton electrical engineers have invented a technique
for making solar cells that, when combined with other recent advances,
could yield a highly economical source of energy. The results, reported
in Nature, move scientists closer to making a new class of solar cells
that are not as efficient as conventional ones, but could be vastly
less expensive and more versatile. Solar cells, or photovoltaics, convert
light to electricity and are used to power many devices, from calculators
to satellites. Organic solar cells could be manufactured in a process
something like printing or spraying the materials onto a roll of plastic,
said Peter Peumans, a graduate student in the lab of electrical engineering
professor Stephen Forrest. 'In the end, you would have a sheet of solar
cells that you just unroll and put on a roof,' he said. Researchers
in Forest's lab are now planning to combine the new materials and techniques.
Doing so could yield at least 5% efficiency, which would make the technology
attractive to commercial manufacturers. With further commercial development,
organic solar devices would be viable in the marketplace with 5%-10%
efficiency, the researchers estimated. By comparison, conventional silicon
chip-based solar cells are about 24% efficient. 'Organic solar cells
will be cheaper to make, so in the end the cost of a watt of electricity
will be lower than that of conventional materials,' said Peumans.
The Hindu, 2 October 2003
Suzlon Energy, the largest manufacturer of wind turbines
in the country, is in talks with private equity investors to place up
to 30% of its equity with them. The money raised from the placement
will be used to fund the company's expansion plans. Rabo India Finance
is understood to have been mandated by Suzlon to identify an investor.
Repeated attempts to contact company officials proved futile. The Suzlon
spokesman did not return calls. Normally, Suzlon develops a wind farm
with all necessary infrastructure, including land, civil work electrical
work, WEC (wind energy converters), transmission lines, approach roads,
and often even arranges for financial assistance for the third party.
The company is at present setting up wind farms at two locations in
Maharashtra - Vankusawade and Kavdya Dongar. The total planned capacity
of the Venkusawade wind farm is in excess of 250 MW and is slated to
be the largest of its kind in the world, utilizing single make single
model WECs at a single location. Suzlon is the only company in India
to offer a variety of wind energy generators, ranging from 350 KW to
1.25 MW wind turbines. It has also announced its plans to launch 2 MW
capacity wind energy generators in the year 2004, making it the only
Indian company to do so.
The Economic Times, 2 October 2003
The Hinduja Group is entering the wind power sector with
plans to make it one of its core operations in the future. The wind
power foray is through Alfin Wind Energy Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of ALF (Ashok Leyland Finance Ltd). 'The vision of Alfin is to become
a major player in the wind industry, as a developer, operation and maintenance
service provider and even the manufacturer of wind turbines', Mr S Nagarajan
director-in-charge, Alfin and managing director of ALF said. Alfin is
yet to finalise the wind turbine supplier. 'We have set certain parameters
like the investment needed per KW, easy maintainability, possibility
of internalising skills, performance and service guarantee by the manufacturer,
availability of parts etc', Mr Nagarajan said. Alfin will also present
itself for the Clean Development Mechanism process to trade in carbon
credits. It may be a corporate level arrangement or through the wind
power producers' association or through the government.
The Financial Express, 8 October 2003
Can windmills lead to a decrease in rainfall? This is
the question behind a controversy that is now raging in Maharashtra,
particularly in the drought-hit district of Satara, where, according
to one school of thought, the rainfall deficiency has been caused by
hundreds of windmills that dot the Sahyadri mountain range. Local belief
is that the rotating blades of the windmills disperse the clouds, leading
to about 50% shortfall in rain. People attribute to them the drought
haunting the district for the past three to four years. Dr Vasant Gowarikar,
former Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, has developed a new
technology to predict monsoon and his multi-parameter practice of advanced
mapping of the monsoon has drawn a lot of attention. But local critics
say that the European conditions are not applicable to Maharashtra;
Europe does not depend on monsoon winds for the rainfall, they say.
The district press has even come out with reports that windmills are
being banned abroad.
The Hindu, 10 October 2003
Where does India stand on the global map in harnessing
wind as an alternate source of energy? Today, wind power globally is
the fastest growing energy source with an installed capacity of about
32,000 MW. In the next five year, 60,000 MW of wind energy will be installed
across the globe. Wind energy potential in India is expected to be 45,000
MW, whereas installed capacity is just around 1850 MW. India generates
about 107,000 MW of power - 70% thermal, 24% hydro, 3.5% renewable and
2.5% nuclear. I would say that the energy mix itself is wrong, because
such a heavy dependence on fossil fuel is putting India at a disadvantage.
This position was again reiterated in February 2003 by the prime minister.
But it is yet to happen. Germany today produces 14,000 MW of wind power
and is number one in the world. That is because the German Renewable
Energy Act 2000 spells out that about 9% of generation has to come from
predominantly renewable energy (wind). Renewable energy without such
policy enactment is difficult to come by.
The Economic Times, 11 October 2003
In the next decade, a substantial percentage of power
reaching your homes would be propelled by wind energy. The Central and
State Governments' dream to green the supply of power, seems to be 'reasonably
placed.' Policy-makers envisaged that 10% of the additional power generation
capacity by 2012 will come from renewable energy. Wind energy was expected
to meet a majority of the target. A beginning was made in the Tenth
Plan, which set the target of 3100 MW from the renewable sector. States
like Rajasthan and Karnataka have even agreed to take this proportion
higher upto 12%. States have agreed to buy electricity at Rs 2.25-3.25
per kilowatt-hour. Many more incentive are suggested as guidelines under
the Electricity Act, 2003.
The Pioneer, 13 October 2003
There is a sudden burst of activity in taking fuel cells
to small devices like laptops, mobile phones and such other portable
devices. Most work in the emerging field of fuel cell technology has
until now been aimed at automotive applications. While electronic majors
like Motorola, Casio, Sony and Samsung are spending considerable resources
in researching fuel cells for mobile devices, microfuel cells and mechanical
technologies are said to be racing ahead in cell fuel research. ST Microelectronics,
a silicon chip supplier for mobile phones has reported developing tiny
fuel cells that, when fitted into a mobile handset, can generate all
the electrical energy needed to power the phone from cheap and easily
available organic fuels. Japanese electronics giant Toshiba has introduced
a prototype fuel cell designed to power portable computers by eliminating
dependence on rechargeable batteries. In yet another interesting development
scientists at St Louis University have developed a new biofuel cell
- a better that runs off of alcohol and enzymes - that could replace
the rechargeable batteries found in everything from laptops to personal
digital assistants like palm pilots. Frost and Sullivan predicts that
by 2008, some 3% of mobile telecommunications devices, or 2 million
units, will be powered by fuel cells. A fuel cell is a device that generates
energy using electrochemical reactions instead of fuel combustion. As
they promise cheap and clean energy, fuel cells have generated enormous
interest. A fuel cell operates like a battery, it however does not run
down or require recharging. It will produce energy in the form of electricity
and heat as long as fuel is supplied.
The Economic Times, 16 October 2003
Tamil Nadu is fast emerging as the wind power capital
of the country, both in terms of capacity as well as manufacturing facilities.
Though it is well known that the state has the largest installed wind
power generation capacity, the lesser known fact is that it is home
to seven out of 10 wind turbine manufacturing companies in India. The
companies are: BHEL Ranipet, NEG Micon, Vestas RRB, NEPC India, Pioneer
Asia Wind Turbine Ltd, Chiranjeevi Wind Energy Ltd, and TTG Industries.
The companies based outside the state are Suzlon Energy Ltd, Enercon
India Ltd, GE Wind Energy India and Elecon Engineering Co Ltd. GE has
a manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu as well. All the supporting industries,
institutions and industry bodies are also based in Tamil Nadu.
The Financial Express, 20 October 2003
SMC (Suzuki Motor Corporation) has declared that it will
collaborate with its Indian subsidiary MUL (Maruti Udyog Ltd) to develop
small cars not just for the sub-continent but also for the global markets.
Indicating this to visiting Indian journalists at the preview of the
Tokyo Motor Show here today, the Chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation,
Osamu Suzuki, said, 'MUL is an important overseas venture for us. We
will collaborate with it for developing new models for the global markets.
Such models will also be popular in India.' Elaborating on his company's
collaboration with General Motors, Mr Suzuki said both organizations
were working together to bring out fuel cell vehicles in the small car
segment. The concept car - MR Wagon FCV - unveiled at the Tokyo Motor
Show, would be based on eco-friendly fuel technology and built on the
'Hy Wire' platform being developed by General Motors, he added. At a
press conference at the Tokyo Motor Show, BoB Lutz, Vice President (product
development) of General Motors, said the work on the fuel cell programme
was progressing apace. Unveiling Suzuki's new three dimensional logo,
the SMC's President and Chief Operating Officer, H. Tsuda, said the
launch of MR Wagon signalled the introduction of fuel cell technology
in small cars. The other car, developed in collaboration with GM is
Mobile Terrace. There will be enough space for four people and luggage
even while carrying two high-pressure hydrogen tanks. Giants in the
automobile industry such as Toyota, Fiat, Honda, Audi, BMW, Lamborghini,
Ferrari, Ford and Volvo in the car segment participated in the show.
Big names such as Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Harley-Davdison are
showcasing their range of mini to most powerful motorcycles.
The Hindu, 23 October 2003
Rabo India Finance is putting together a private equity
fund valued at $ 30 million to invest in renewable energy projects in
India. Rabo will look at picking 26% equity in overall projects of size
ranging from $ 25-40 million. Rabo's director (project advisory and
infrastructure management) Somak Ghosh told: 'The placement document
is already being circulated, mainly to European investors, and the first
tranche of $ 15 million is expected to be closed by the end of the year.
The balance is expected to be in place by April next year.' 'We would
be funding projects which are both captive as well as those being set
up by, say, IPP (independent power producers) for supply to state electricity
boards and other customers. We are looking at an average investment
of about Rs 150 million ($3.13 million)-200 million ($4.16 million)
in each project, with a minimum of Rs. 45 million ($0.94 million) and
maximum of Rs.300 million ($6.3 million). This would represent 26% of
equity, making the project size of Rs.1150 million ($23.96 million)
- 1850 million ($38.54 million) if a 2:1 debt equity ratio is leveraged,'
he said.
The Financial Express, 24 October 2003
The 54 year old director of the WBREDA (West Bengal Renewable
Energy Development Agency), Mr S P Gonchowdhury, is a dreamer. He has
advised the United Nations on electrifying remote islands in the South
Pacific and has recently won international recognition - the Green Oscar
- for his project on energizing remote islands in the Sundarbans. But
perhaps his single biggest contribution is bringing into focus the potential
of renewable energy. The President showed particular interest in electrifying
off-grid areas and remote villages with renewable energy. He has optimistic
about the role that solar energy could play in lighting up off-grid
areas. However, he was concerned about the high cost of setting up a
solar power plant. Silicon, the main raw material of a solar cell, pushes
up costs as a high degree of purity is required. Research is on to make
solar cells using less silicon. In India, this R&D is being carried
out by the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science with support
from the MNES (Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources and the Department
of Science and Technology. The US, Germany and Japan are also working
on this.
The Hindu Business Line, 27 October 2003
The street lamps on the 550 metre Eve's Breach (Hawwa)
at Kovalam here will soon be lighted with the electricity generated
from the bio-waste from the hotels that line up the beach. The first
biogas plant that has come up near Hotel Peacock behind the Light House
Tower has the capacity to decompose 500-600 kg of bio-waste and generate
4 KW of electricity for a span of 12 hours. It is estimated that the
electricity generated from this could light up nearly 100 tubelights.
The work on the other two biogas plants would commence after the commissioning
of the first plant, said Mr Jayakumar of Thanal Conservation, Action
and Information Network, an NGO which has been providing the expertise
to set up the biogas plant. The three plants together would produce
12 KW of electricity. About 200 tonnes of waste is generated by the
hotels in the area during peak tourist season, said Mr Sudheesh Kumar,
working president of the Thiruvananthapuram unit of Kerala Hotel and
Restaurants Association. 'It is the first time in the state that in
a project like this, the stake holders have taken such a responsible
stand,' he said.
The Indian Express, 27 October 2003
A national policy on bio-fuels is in the offing. "The
paper is under preparation and should be ready within the next two to
three months," the Minister of State for Non-Conventional Energy
Sources, Mr M Kannappan, said. Presiding over a two-day national conference
on `Tree Borne Oil Seeds as a Source of Energy for Decentralized Planning'
at the PSG College of Technology, the Minister said the MNES in consultation
with concerned agencies and departments was preparing the policy paper.
Stating that bio-fuels was being promoted the world over as an alternative
to petroleum fuels, he said for a country such as India, which imported
70% of petroleum, bio-fuels could go a long way in improving energy
security and in saving scarce foreign exchange. The domestic crude oil
production at present is only about 32 MT, but the country imported
74 MT of crude oil and petroleum products at a huge cost of Rs 780 billion
($16.25 billion).
The Hindu Business Line, 29 October 2003
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The MEDA (Maharashtra Energy Development Agency) has proposed
to the state government imposition of green cess of 5 paise per unit
to leverage financing of renewable energy projects in the state. MEDA,
which is the nodal agency for promotion of renewable energy projects
in the state, hopes collect annually Rs 800 million ($16.67 million)through
such cess.
The Financial Express, 14 November 2003
The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr K.C. Pant,
will represent India in Washington on a global event to prepare for
the three-day IPHE (International Partnership for a Hydrogen Economy)
ministerial meeting, scheduled to begin from 19 November. Official sources
said that the meeting assumes added importance in the wake of hydrogen
emerging as a clean and potential alternative source of fuel to the
fossil ones. Countries such as China, India, Japan and South Korea have
scored considerable breakthrough in research and development in this
field. The US Energy Department will serve initially as the IPHE Secretariat,
unless otherwise decided by consensus of the partners. They include
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Italy,
Japan, Republic of Korea, UK, US and the European Commission among others.
As many countries partake of a common interest in advanced research
in commercial use of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, international
cooperation is crucial to achieve national hydrogen and fuel cell technology
programme goals, sources said. Besides, building a safe and efficient
worldwide infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, transport,
distribution and use is a multinational task that requires careful planning
and cooperation. The sources said that in this context, the IPHE would
offer 'a mechanism to help organize and implement effective, efficient
and focused joint research in hydrogen and fuel cell technology.' The
coordination achieved and instituted through the IPHE would help in
bringing together the world's best minds to make the hydrogen economy
a reality.
The Hindu Business Line, 18 November 2003
The (Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Resources) has
issued guidelines to States on formulating their own policies for inviting
private sector participation in small hydro power projects. This was
stated by Dr. P. Saxena, Director (Small Hydro Power), MNES, who was
here to attend the Afro-Asian Seminar on SHP (Small Hydro Power). MNES
is responsible for overall planning, formulation of policies, and monitoring
the implementation of SHP programme in the country. It is estimated
that India has a potential of about 15,000 MW in small hydro power.
More than 4,200 potential sites with individual capacity of up to 25
MW, aggregating to 10000 MW, have been identified. So far, 466 projects
aggregating to 1530 MW have been set up in 29 States. Another 196 projects,
with an aggregate 609 MW, are under implementation in 22 States. In
order that this share is at least maintained, the Centre announced a
Policy on Hydro Power Development in 1998. In May this year, the Prime
Minister launched a 50000-MW Hydro Power Feasibility Initiative. Promotion
of small and mini hydel projects is one of the objectives of the Hydro
Power Policy in view of the fact that SHP projects offers itself as
the best option for solving the energy crisis in remote and hilly areas,
where extension of grid system is comparatively uneconomical, and also
along canal systems having sufficient drop's.
The Hindu Business Line, 21 November 2003
India looks forward to working with other partners to
realise the goals of the international partnership for hydrogen economy,
as the road to overall global security lies in lessening dependence
of fossil fuels and ensuring that people have access to the energy they
need to sustain life, the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission,
Mr. K. C. Pant, has said. Access to commercial energy is not available
to nearly two billion people, and their needs have to be kept in mind
while mapping out the path of transition into the Hydrogen Era, Mr.
Pant said at the inaugural session of the International Partnership
for Hydrogen Economy (IPHE). Indian scientists have been working on
different aspects of hydrogen for several years, and as a result of
India's comprehensive research in partnership with government, scientific
institutions and industry, he said, adding India has been able to achieve
progress in different aspects, including production, storage and application,
he said.
The Statesman, 21 November 2003
The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr K C Pant,
on Friday said that India's very future depends on seeking viable alternative
energy options to fast-depleting fossil fuels, particularly hydrocarbons.
Addressing the ministerial meeting of the International Partnerships
for a Hydrogen Economy in Washington, Mr. Pant said that India's energy
imports are expected to escalate to twice the current levels within
the next 10 years. This would push the country's import dependence for
commercial energy to around 45% compared to the extant level of 30%.
In this context, he said, India seeks to be part of the global coalition
leading technological advances in the field of energy. "I believe
that India could play a critical role in helping realise the US-led
Organisation for Economic Co-operation for Economic Co-operation and
Development's vision of a carbon-free hydrogen economy. Thus, India,
as an active player, can contribute meaningfully to hydrogen research
aimed at overcoming the technical, economic barriers to actualising
the hydrogen economy," Mr. Pant noted.
The Hindu Business Line, 22 November 2003
India has been chosen vice-chairman of a ministerial level
planning committee of the IPHE (International Partnership for Hydrogen
Energy). The IPHE is an American initiative for creating a multilateral
partnership on hydrogen energy. India, China and Brazil were the only
three developing countries invited to be the founding partners of IPHE.
Other invitees include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland,
Italy, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Sweden, Norway and the European Commission.
The Financial Express, 26 November 2003
The five-day Afro-Asian regional seminar on SHP(small
hydro power) has suggested the establishment of a 'Capital alliance
for small hydro power promotion' for venture capital funding of such
enterprises, whether promoted by public, community or independent entities.
The UNIDO Regional Centre organized the seminar for Small Hydro Power
here recently. Such capital should ideally be provided by a consortium
of donors, including business corporations, for various purposes of
SHP development, and in line with the Global Initiative on Corporate
Social Responsibility, a spokesman of the Energy Management Centre,
which houses the UNIDO Regional Centre. The seminar recognized that
investment and financial resources for the development of SHP resources
was a major impediment in the utilization of hydro power resource potential.
The participants suggested that studies be carried out and deliberations
held on ways to promote local and international financing for small
hydro power projects. UNIDO should help conceptualise community-based,
area-specific SHP projects in cooperation with respective national agencies
for promoting rural development. Programmes should also be organized
to promote awareness and training. This is in line with UNIDO's role
as a facilitator of community-based SHP projects. The seminar affirmed
the importance of SHP generation in view of its economic advantages,
environment-friendliness and impact on poverty alleviation, particularly
for the impoverished populations of remote and rural areas of Africa
and Asia.
The Hindu Business Line, 27 November 2003
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The taskforce on the hydrogen fuel cells initiatives has
finalized its study suggesting ways how India should emerge as the outsourcing
centre for the world wide research and development activities in the
area after IT enabled services. The panel headed by the Planning Commission
member Mr N K Singh is expected to submit its report to the government
in December. According to highly placed sources, the report apart from
hydrogen fuel cells initiatives and financial aspects has suggested
that India could be developed as a hub of R&D activities undertaken
by 14 countries led by the United States provided infrastructural facilities
in the field are further upgraded.
The Financial Express, 01 December 2003
Engineers at the Ohio State University have overcome a
major barrier in the manufacture of high quality light emitting devices
and solar cell materials. Steven Ringel, professor of electrical engineering,
and his colleagues have created special hybrid materials that are virtually
defect-free. The same technology could also lead to faster, less expensive
computer chips. Prof. Ringel directs Ohio State's Electronic Materials
and Devices Laboratory, where he and his staff grow thin films of "III-V"
semiconductors - materials made from elements such as gallium and arsenic,
which reside in groups III and V of the chemical periodic table. Researchers
have tried for years to combine III-V materials with silicon, but only
with limited success. Now that Prof. Ringel has succeeded in producing
the combination with record quality, he has set his sights on a larger
goal. Prof. Ringel's current materials design consists of a substrate
of silicon topped with III-V materials such as gallium and arsenide,
with hybrid silicon-germanium layers sandwiched in-between. The substrate
is 0.7 millimeters thick, while the gallium arsenide layer is only 3
micrometers. Defects are missing or misplaced atoms that trap electrons
within the material, Prof. Ringel explained. That's why engineers typically
measure the quality of a solar cell material in terms of carrier lifetime
- the length of time an electron can travel freely through a material
without falling into a defect.
The Hindu, 04 December 2003
After picking a Kerala village, untouched by electricity
or telephone, for its first Asian rural electrification project, UNIDO
Small Hydro has decided to cross the Arabian Sea to light up the neighbouring
dark continent. It's in Nigeria that UNIDO proposes to set up its next
regional hub for small hydro. At least six countries spread across Asia,
Europe and Africa - the Philippines, Georgia, Sudan, Tanzania, Rwanda,
and Nigeria - had been in the race to be the next regional hub, Mr V
K Damodaran, Managing Director, UNIDO International Centre for Small
Hydro, Hang Ho, China, said. But Nigeria plans does not in anyway hamper
its Indian beginning. In fact, the South Asian regional hub has already
trudged a 30-km mountainous path from Adimali town in central Kerala
to uncover a village absolutely innocent of electricity or even a land
phone.
The Financial Express, 09 December 2003
Surya Roshni Ltd, one of the largest manufacturers of
lighting products, was recently felicitated for its contribution towards
energy conservation at a function organized by the Confederation of
Indian Industry and Godrej GBC to identify 'Energy Efficient Units'
at Chennai.
The Hindu Business Line, 11 December 2003
In an effort to reduce consumption of fossil fuels like
petrol and diesel, the government has announced an action plan to undertake
a pilot project of using hydrogen as the fuel in auto-riksha by the
end of 2005. A target of exploiting hydrogen as fuel in transport sector
on commercial basis has also been fixed, which will be achieved in next
seven years, Petroleum Minister Mr Ram Naik said. India should have
vehicles running on hydrogen fuel by the end of 2010. Mr Naik called
upon the intellectual minds of the Indian energy sector and asked them
to present the government with an action plan. And promised that action
would be taken on the action plan.
The Pioneer, 12 December 2003
The country may develop its first prototype vehicle running
on hydrogen fuel in the next three years, according to the Petroleum
Minister, Mr Ram Naik. Associated infrastructure such as hydrogen dispensing
units may come up over the next decade, he added. Hydrogen finds favour
as a transport fuel since it is clean and efficient. Several international
manufacturers have developed hydrogen-powered fuel cells to run automobiles.
According to Mr Naik, Indian Oil Corporation's Research and Development
Centre has started working on the alternative fuel and a prototype vehicle
is expected in next three years.
The Hindu Business Line, 13 December 2003
The IIP (Indian Institute of Petroleum) is assisting the
Uttaranchal government in developing and testing bio-diesel to ensure
environment-friendly development of the hill state. 'Testing of bio-diesel
and its blends in all types of vehicles is possible at the IIP. The
Institute had been working for the development, selection and adoption
of technology for trans-esterification of oil for the production of
bio-diesel,' the IIP Director, Mr Madhukar Onkarnath Garg, said in his
presentation before the Uttaranchal Chief Minister, Mr N D Tiwari, during
a meeting over the weekend.
The Hindu Business Line, 16 December 2003
Exide Industries Ltd, the storage power systems major,
is commissioning its second wind-solar hybrid power unit at Aurangabad
in Maharashtra taking a firm step forward in its increasing foray into
the area of non-conventional energy. Company sources said that a 10
KW unit is being commissioned today for electrifying the zilla parishad
office there. The Rs 2.4 million ($0.05 million) order was awarded by
the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency. The unit, once commissioned
would be the second such in the country, the first one being commissioned
(also by Exide) in Sagar Islands of the Sundarbans. According to sources,
the Karnataka Government too has shown interest in setting up a similar
project. Within West Bengal, Exide Industries has commissioned a 20
KW solar-wind hybrid project in six villages in Kamalpur and Natendrapur
in the Sagar Islands, which is an off-grid area where there is no access
to conventional power. This unit was commissioned by Exide in April
this year, under an order received from the West Bengal Renewable Energy
Development Agency. Exide Industries, which began its foray into renewable
energy in 1996, is planning to increase its presence and is eyeing a
turnover of about Rs 60 million ($1.25 million) by next fiscal from
this sector. Its present turnover is Rs 30 million ($0.63 million).
While it has implemented solar standalone and grid interactive solar
projects in West Bengal and elsewhere, it also implemented a solar stand
alone set with special batteries at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
base camp in West Sikkim, 14,625 feet above sea level. The electric
boats developed by it recently are proving to be a success with the
various tourism agencies, sources said.
The Hindu Business Line, 17 December 2003
Petrol-from-plastic may be under a cloud, but Punjab is
getting increasingly excited about the prospects of the Jatropha curcas,
a plant that produces a diesel-alternative oil. A native of tropical
America, the plant now thrives throughout Africa and parts of Asia,
and has been tapped variously - and controversially - in developing
countries for its oil content. The seeds of the plant produce a viscous
oil that can be used as a diesel/paraffin substitute, as a cooking and
heating fuel for rural populations or as boiler fuel in industries.
Now four months old, the plants are at least eight months away from
bearing fruit. Once they mature, though, two yields are expected every
year. Already, the effort has received a certificate of approval from
Punjab Agriculture Department director Dr Ajmer Singh.
The Indian Express, 26 December 2003
Titan Energy Systems Ltd, manufacturer of solar powered
products, is expanding its markets in the South. The company's Managing
Director, Mr C S Y S Rao, said that Titan's solar photovoltaic modules
are made from components imported from Schott Solar GmbH, Germany, with
which Titan Energy has an alliance.
The Hindu Business Line, 20 December 2003
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