Low Carbon News in India in March 2015
Funds Released for Solar City Project
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has released the first installment of funds for the project for developing Kochi into the first Solar City of the state. As per the Government Order issued the other day, `19.42 lakh was allotted to Kochi for the development programme. The amount allotted, as per the order, should be used for the preparation of the Master Plan for the project within a year along with few DPRs (detailed project reports)that can be implemented. The reports should be submitted to ANERT(Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology), which will be implementing the project.
As per the plan, the Centre will provide a total of `48.84 lakh for the project which will be mainly used for the preparation of the Master Plan, oversight of implementation of the project, setting up of Solar City Cell and its functioning for three years and for other promotional activities.
The project mainly aims at installing solar energy systems to power streetlights, garden lights, households, hotels, restaurants and major administrative offices, thereby making Kochi the first solar city of the state. It is being launched as part of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s(MNRE) plan to develop 60 solar cities in India.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been supporting projects at academic institutions, research and development organizations and industry for development of hydrogen and fuel cells. A total twenty six RD&D projects on hydrogen and fuel cells are presently under implementation with the support of the Ministry.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited R&D Centre, Faridabad has developed a proposal for setting up a Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells in the campus of the National Institute of Solar Energy at Gwalpahari, Gurgaon, Haryana
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=28
MP Initiates Low Carbon Development Plans in Bolangir
Member of Parliament Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has been championing the cause of climate change and low carbon development. In a recent initiative, he is planning development activities in his constituency, Bolangir in Odisha, based on renewable energy says the Climate Parliament press release. His vision is to provide energy access to his people, with greener and more sustainable energy alternatives which will also be useful in mitigating climate change.
A second-time Lok Sabha MP, Mr. Kalikesh Singh Deo, is keenly aware of the need of his constituency and the state that need urgent attention on a number of development parameters. Energy access and affordability is an essential need in day-to-day lives. As an immediate first step, he has supported a study to assess the potential of low carbon development and clean energy access in his constituency Bolangir.
This study is an integral part of his broader commitment to provide inclusive and sustainable development to the people by enhancing clean energy access at local level by implementing, replicating and disseminating information about renewable energy and other low carbon initiatives, at different levels and platforms; to promote suitable policy measures and other State and National initiatives for combating climate change and scaling up low carbon inclusive growth.
Renewable Energy for Boosting Agriculture
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched solar pumping programme for irrigation and drinking water under off-grid and decentralized solar applications scheme for 1,00,000 pumps during 2014-15. The Minister further stated that for this purpose, Rs.400 Crores have been allocated for current Financial Year. So far, 19,501 Solar pumps for irrigation have been installed in the country
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=28
Subsidy on Rooftop Solar Power Plants
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has proposed to reduce the subsidy on rooftop solar power plants to 15% from the present level of 30% due to decline in price of solar panels, large target set for rooftop solar power plant and limited availability of funds for subsidy. Several steps are being taken by the Government which are as follows:
(i) The Ministry is implementing a ‘Grid Connected Rooftop and Small Solar Power Plants Programme’ that encourages the installation of solar rooftop systems across the country.
(ii) There are provisions of concessional import duty/excise duty exemption, accelerated depreciation and tax holiday for setting up of grid connected rooftop power plants.
(iii) Department of Financial services has instructed to all Public Sector Banks to encourage home loan/ home improvement loan seekers to install rooftop solar PV plants and include cost of system in their home loan proposals.
(iv) State Electricity Regulatory Commissions of seventeen States have notified regulatory framework on net-metering/feed-in-tariff to encourage rooftop solar plants.
(v) Public awareness is being created through electronic & print media, workshops, seminars and capacity building programmes.
(vi) Subsidy is being provided to make the scheme more attractive and online submission of proposals is being encouraged.
(vii) Implementation is being done through State Nodal Agencies, Multi Government Agencies, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Distribution Companies etc. to ensure better reach across the country.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=28
Smart cities scheme to be rolled out next month
The Modi Government’s flagship ‘smart cities’ scheme will be rolled out from next month, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday.
“The Government is in an advanced stage of consultations, which will be over by the end of this month. Next month, we will roll out the much awaited scheme,” Naidu said at the National Symposium on Sustainable Smart Cities here.
The Ministry had about four rounds of consultations with States, talks with 15 foreign countries such as US, Barcelona, Japan, and Singapore, among others.
Smart cities, which will be developed on the PPP model, would incorporate measures such as LED lighting, rainwater harvesting, solid waste management, green buildings, and more metro rail, among others.
Setting up of Non-Conventional Power Plants
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a target of capacity addition of 29,800 MW from various renewable energy sources during 12th Five Year Plan period. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. The target comprises of 15,000 MW from wind, 10,000 MW from solar, 2,100 MW from small hydro and 2,700 MW from bio-power. During the period 2012-13 to 2014-15 (upto 31.01.2015), an aggregate capacity of 9124 MW of renewable energy projects have been installed in the country.
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/pmreleases.aspx?mincode=28
Energy Efficiency in Buildings Laboratory Bangalore – India March 3-5, 2015
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and its local partners hosted a deep-dive workshop to support the development and implementation of ambitious, practical strategies for reducing building energy consumption in the Bangalore market.
To achieve that goal, various stakeholders in Bangalore’s commercial building sector convened to diagnose and tackle key barriers to energy efficiency
http://www.mahindraworldcity.com/news/energy-efficiency-in-buildings-laboratory-bangalore-india.aspx
Smart Cities India 2015 – Conference and Exhibition
The exhibition and conference was aimed to connect Indian and foreign exhibitors, with various ministries, state governments, municipal bodies, industry leaders, decision makers, and stakeholders, who are developing smart cities.
Resource management in cities is critical to the transition towards becoming “smart”. In order to get there, it is essential that resource management goals with clear implementation and monitoring indicators are established for energy, waste, water and transport. In order to ensure grid reliability, zero waste, 24×7 safe water availability and suitable transport facilities, availability and utilization of green energy would be paramount.
http://grihaindia.org/index.php?option=com_events&limitstart=0&order=&title=&id=108#detail