PM Narendra Modi to review expansion plan for NH-24
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to take stock of the expansion work of NH-24 on Wednesday in his monthly Pragati meeting. The project has been moving at snail’s pace 10 months after Modi laid the foundation stone for this project due to several hurdles including encroachments and two bridges over the Yamuna which await the green tribunal’s nod. Till now one package of the project stretch–Delhi border to Dasna–has not been awarded and NHAI is waiting for environment clearance for expanding this section as well. Government had hoped to show some visible progress by the time Uttar Pradesh goes for polls. In the past, the UPA government too had failed to widen the highway in 10 years of its rule. Sources said the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has referred the case of building two parallel bridges along the existing ones on Yamuna to its expert committee. “The case is scheduled to come up for hearing on November 15. We are hopeful of a favourable order as we are taking enough measures to protect the flow of river,“ said an NHAI official. A 2014 NGT order restricts any construction on Yamuna floodplains without its approval. The official added the work for widening of Delhi border to Dasna section would be awarded within a week. NHAI has received four bids after re-floating tenders. During the review meeting, highway ministry is likely to submit the need to expedite environment clearance and getting nearly 34 hectares from Delhi Development Authority , which NHAI can hand over to Delhi forest department for compensatory afforestation. “We also expect removal of encroachments and rehabilitation of 500-odd slums in Delhi will be expedited for which we are ready to pay the compensation,“ said an NHAI official. In the case of Dasna to Hapur section, which has already been awarded, NHAI is waiting for forest clearance from Uttar Pradesh government.There is no other hindrance to carry out expansion work of this portion. To beat the traffic nightmare on one of the most congested highways, NHAI has rolled out a project to widen NH-24 by expanding the Nizamuddin to Dasna stretch to 14 lanes and Dasna to Hapur to six lanes. Montravius Adams Womens Jersey
Delhi’s Rajghat power plant may become waste-to-energy
Delhi government is planning to convert the Rajghat Power Plant into a waste-to-energy plant, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday. The proposal was discussed on Wednesday in a meeting of the inter-ministerial task force appointed by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to tackle the issue of pollution and garbage disposal in the city. “Delhi produces at least 10,000 tonnes of garbage every day while we don’t have capacity to process even half of it,” Jain said. He added that the proposal to convert Rajghat Power Plant into a waste-to-energy plant was discussed with the three municipal corporations. “They all agreed with the plan. It is a viable option and the site is ideal as it is accessible from all three municipalities. We are thinking about starting with a capacity of 4,000 tonnes,” Jain said. “If we do that, we would have enough capacity to at least process the new garbage that is generated every day,” he added. Jain said the committee also discussed plans to start small waste processing plants in vegetable markets, residential societies, hotels and the like. “By doing that, there will be no need to transport garbage to the landfill sites. Our goal is to build a capacity to process more waste than we generate,” he said. “We don’t want to dump more garbage on landfill sites. The only option is to process the waste,” he added. Jain also announced that the government will soon launch a mobile app through which people will be able to know about sanitation workers posted in their area and will also be able to complain in case of their being negligent about duty. “The app will also allow people to inform the concerned authority about garbage in their area that needs to be cleared,” he said. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare Jersey
Google Earth images shed light on where solar rooftops make sense
During his free time on the job as a Google employee, Carl Elkin began tinkering with the company’s 3D mapping program, wondering if it could identify rooftops that receive enough sunlight to make installing solar panels worthwhile. When months later the U.S.-based engineer showed a handful of colleagues the results of his labor, they had a eureka moment. “The lightbulb kind of went off,” said Joel Conkling, Elkin’s colleague at the California-based company. “It felt like intuitively it had some real potential.” Soon after, a team followed Elkin’s lead and designed Project Sunroof. The project website uses Google Earth’s high-resolution aerial images to calculate any roof’s solar energy potential. For homeowners, figuring out whether installing thousands of dollars worth of solar panels is a sound investment can be confusing. Project Sunroof aims to make the decision easier – and speed up the adoption of solar energy, which today accounts for less than 1 percent of U.S. electricity generation. Homeowners interested in assessing their property’s solar potential can enter their address on Project Sunroof’s website, and in roughly a second get a calculation of how many hours of usable sunlight their roof receives, Conkling said. Thousands of lines of computer code analyze factors such as the shade trees cast on a roof, its orientation and local weather patterns, he said. Project Sunroof then connects users whose roof is suitable for solar panels with companies that install them. “People can come in and very quickly and very easily get a pretty sophisticated understanding of their solar potential and whether it makes sense for them to go solar,” said Conkling, a product manager for Project Sunroof. The response has been encouraging, he said. Last month, Project Sunroof was among 13 projects from around the world to win a Momentum for Change award, which recognises innovative and potentially transformative ways to tackle climate change and move toward a low-carbon future. “We were impressed by the scalability of the technology with more and more states and homes able to utilize it,” said Nick Nuttall, a spokesman for the Bonn-based U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, which presents the award. Since launching last year, Project Sunroof has expanded from offering analysis of rooftops in two states to 42 states, from New York to California. Thousands of users have been connected with solar-panel installers, Conkling told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. In many states, homeowners who produce solar energy can sell all or part of it the power grid. Such payments – and other incentives – are often essential to help offset the steep upfront investment, which can run between $17,000 and $24,000 for a typical solar panel system, according to data from research firm GTM Research. Other U.S. companies also map the solar potential of roofs, including Geostellar and Mapdwell. But Conkling said he is confident that Google Earth’s global reach and high definition images can help it cover more ground and provide estimates with an unprecedented degree of accuracy. Nuttall, of the U.N. climate secretariat, agrees the system potentially could be used in many more places. “There seems no reason why one day it could not go global,” he said. In recent years, Google has invested nearly $2.5 billion in clean energy wind and solar projects, according to the company’s corporate website. Andrej Sekera Jersey
Investment in smart grid, battery storage and efficiency falls 76 per cent
Investments in smart grid, battery storage and efficiency companies globally dropped 76.4 per cent to $102 million in the quarter ended September 2016 from $443 million investments made in the previous quarter (Apr-June 2016), according to a latest report by Mercom Capital Group, a clean energy consultancy. Third quarter funding has dropped by 79.3 per cent as compared to the corresponding quarter last year when $ 493 was gathered in investments. Mercom said in its report the top funded company was Ecobeean — an efficiency firm which manufactures Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat – that raised $35 million from Amazon Alexa Fund. Other notable investments were Skeleton Technologies raising $14.5 million from FirstFloor Capital and Sense attracting $ 14million from Shell Technology Ventures. Mercom in its report titled “Funding and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Activity for Smart Grid, Battery Storage and Energy Efficiency Sectors” covered specific details of the three sub-sectors. Smart Grid Venture capital (VC) funding for smart grid companies was around $11 million in the third quarter of 2016 compared to $81 million in the same period in 2015. Also, smart grid companies raised $222 million in the second quarter 2016. Battery Storage Investments in battery storage companies declined sharply to $30 million compared to $96 million in the same period in 2015. Battery storage companies had earlier raised $125 million in Q2 2016. Since 2013, $1.1 billion has been raised in this sector, Mercom said. Efficiency Similarly, investments in energy efficiency technology companies fell again this quarter with $61 million raised compared to $86 million in Q2 2016. On a year-on-year comparison, efficiency companies in the third quarter 2015 collected a much higher $316 million. Seventeen investors participated in Energy Efficiency VC deals in the quarter as compared to 18 in the previous quarter. Mercom delivers market intelligence and funding and M&A reports covering Smart Grid, Battery Storage & Energy Efficiency, and solar energy sector. The firm also advises companies on new market entry, custom market intelligence and strategic decision-making. Tom Kuhnhackl Jersey
Resolve core issues, not just financials: Industry
The government’s plan to make state run banks takeover distressed assets could be seen as a shot in the arm for the beleaguered power sector, but industry players say the success of the move would hinge on resolving issues related to electricity offtake. The government is considering encouraging state-run banks to acquire assets of loan defaulters in steel, power and shipping sectors, and rope in state-run companies to manage them, in an attempt to help the lenders get rid of non-performing assets. “This move would have helped the distressed projects if the main problem was financing or quality of management. But more than 24,000 mw of projects are stranded either due to lack of fuel or due to lack of power purchase agreements. A change of hands wouldn’t resolve the fundamental issues of the sector,” said Ashok Khurana of the Association of Power Producers. The association estimates that around 14,000 mw of power generation capacity has coal available, but are stranded due to lack of power purchase agreements, while another 10,500 mw of capacity is stranded due to lack of coal. A senior government official said banks would soon start discussions with the power ministry to explore the viability of the plan to take over distressed assets and getting PSUs to run these plants till a new promoter is found. Banks are exploring if they can give the operation contracts to PSUs. In the past, public sector units like NTPC have seen proposals from the private sector, but turned them down on valuation concerns, a problem that may be resolved if the banks were to step in. PSUs have also been reluctant to acquire private sector assets on worries of being potentially questioned by government auditor Comptroller and Auditor General or the CBI. But this new proposed route may remove those roadblocks as well. A senior NTPC executive told ET: “We have been looking at acquisition of private plants but valuation of assets has been the biggest challenge. The issue would not be there if banks join in. We may explore options together with banks.” Growth in electricity generation has been slow as demand from state-run power distribution companies (discoms) remained muted, with them opting for planned outages instead of buying more power to keep a check on their bills. In the second quarter of 2016-17, total generation growth was a dismal 1.3% yearon-year. Thermal power generation expanded just 0.3%, even as the inventory coal increased. In a recent report, ICICI Securities said the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana to revive state distribution companies may take more time to influence demand for power. “First half of FY17 power generation growth was recorded at 5.2% year-on-year; corroborating our belief that impact of UDAY implementation on power demand will be weaker than expected and will take longer to play out,” it said. Ryan Miller Authentic Jersey
Government plans to rationalise power tariffs
The government plans to make electricity billing more efficient and transparent by reducing the number of categories of consumers, which should improve tariff collection and improve the health of distribution companies. The Central government and states have begun talks to rationalise various categories of consumers. Currently , states have different and complex tariff structure with various categories and sub-categories of power consumers, officials said. A senior power ministry official said a committee constituting officials from Union power ministry , state power departments, central and state electricity regulators and Central Electricity Authority will look into simplifying categories of electricity consumers across states. “The idea is to have similar categories and sub-categories of power consumers in all states. We are trying to minimise the tariff categories,“ he said. Most states had agreed to the idea of having uniform tariff categories of electricity consumers at a two-day conference of Union and sta te power ministers held earlier this month in Vadodara. “Tariff rationalisation is one of the key resolutions adopted by the states at the conference,“ the official said. The Economic Survey of 2015-16 released by the government in February had pointed out that India should simplify its power tariff structure by classifying its consumers in just 23 categories to bring transparency and efficiency in billing. “Simplification of tariffs with, perhaps no more than 2-3 tariff categories, will improve transparency and may well yield consumption and collection efficiency, along with governance benefits,“ it had said. According to the survey, “The complexity may prevent consumers from fully responding to tariffs due to the high cost of processing the price information, a behavioural effect referred to as salience.” Tavon Wilson Womens Jersey
Aviation Min holds parleys with stakeholders for Budget inputs
Civil Aviation Ministry today held discussions with stakeholders to seek their suggestions for the Union Budget, days after unveiling the ambitious regional air connectivity scheme. The meeting was attended by Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, his deputy Jayant Sinha, Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey and other senior ministry officials. “We had a meeting with all stakeholders. We asked them to give suggestions keeping our sector’s growth (in mind). They said they will do an exercise among themselves. Then they will come back to us. Whatever suggestions are there we will look at how to take them forward,” Raju told PTI here. Speaking on the sidelines of the launch of AAI’s new subsidiary, he emphasised that the government wants to sustain the growth in the aviation sector and also create more jobs. Albert Wilson Jersey
Vijayawada airport’s new terminal building to be completed in December
The new interim terminal building at Vijayawada airport in Gannavaram will be completed by the end of December, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in a meeting with airline operators at his office here on Tuesday. As per the agreement with Simplex Infrastructures Limited executing the project from October 2015, the new terminal was to be completed by January 2017. Now, it looks like it will be completed one month ahead of schedule. The new terminal building being constructed at the cost of Rs 135 crore will have 1,300 sq mts of plinth area and can accommodate 500 people during peak time. As per the half-year report, the airport had made significant progress in both air traffic and passenger footfall. Compared to 2015-16, in the first six months of the current fiscal, there has been 72 percent growth in passenger traffic and 78 percent growth in aircraft movement. During the Krishna Pushkarams festival a couple of months ago, the region saw an increase in air traffic. The higher demand has led to airline operators wanting more operations. At present five airline operators are operating in the airport and two more airline operators are on the cards to start their operations in the next few months. The Chief Minister called upon airlines operators to help increase the air passenger footfall in the State and make Andhra Pradesh an aviation hub. He wanted them to participate in the bidding with regard to air connectivity to be called by the central government shortly. He requested the airline operators to increase the air connectivity between Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada -Hyderabad, Vijayawada-Tirupati, Vijayawada-Kadapa. He welcomed the suggestion of the airline operators for affordable transport from the airport to the nearest towns and cities. Jose Cruz Jr. Authentic Jersey
India could shell out $12 billion for new fighter jets
The South Asian nation’s government has sent letters to several companies regarding a new fleet of military aircraft, to be jointly produced with local firms. A potential deal, according to experts, could be worth up to $12 billion. “India is looking at paying $65 to $80 million per aircraft for 150 aircraft,” says Ben Moores, a defense and aviation analyst at IHS Jane’s. The country faces an elevated sticker price for the fighters because government rules require most of the manufacturing to take place in India. The requirement, which is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, is believed to have been a roadblock in India’s most recent military aircraft deal with France. That deal, which originally called for French company Dassault to supply the Indian air force with 126 Rafale fighters, underwent lengthy negotiations due to disputes over the local production clause. Under the final terms of the sale agreed by India and France last month, India will only get 36 jets. Donald Trump Womens Jersey
IATA DG Calls For Further Regulatory Reform in India
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for an appraisal of India’s regulatory structure, particularly as it relates to taxation, public-private partnerships in airport privatization and the country’s prospects for joining the carbon offset and reduction scheme. As aviation traffic increases “India will need to deal with the problem of infrastructure in advance or risk safety,” said IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac on his 50th day in his new position. De Juniac noted that India is one of the first countries he visited since assuming IATA’s top post. “It is not by chance, as India is one of the key markets,” he said. A recent IATA forecast projected India will surpass the UK as the world’s third largest market by 2026. Calling the new civil aviation policy “ambitious with many positive elements,” De Juniac expressed concern that India’s new so-called regional connectivity scheme not only caps fares but also imposes an additional tax on flights between major cities to fund operations. “We understand there is a need for connectivity to small towns and cities, but the aviation sector is overburdened by taxes and charges,” he warned. “We are a nice target for charges.” Sustainable development requires a cost structure with fewer taxes, he added. The regulatory structure remains a cause for unease as airlines face huge costs increases. “The Airport Economic Regulatory Authority [AERA] has been unable to preserve its independence sufficiently and has not been able to implement its own tariff orders, such as the one to reduce Delhi’s charges by 96 percent,” said De Juniac. “In addition, the hybrid till that has been imposed in the policy will further hit airline margins, which are 6 percent in a good year as compared to airports, which have a profit of 30 to 40 percent.” Tanner Kero Authentic Jersey