Renewable Energy will be at an all-time high this year despite the headwinds from higher cost and supply chain bottlenecks. A report by International Energy Agency states that this year's capacity of electricity generation by renewable sources will supersede the record set in 2021

New report says renewable energy supply at all-time high

Corporate giants around the world are planning to spend almost $1 billion on a new strategy to tackle climate change. This strategy is not about shifting to renewable energy nor is it about planting more trees the strategy is to pull Carbon dioxide emissions right out of the air in 2021. WION tells you more in this report.

Vacuuming carbon from the air could help stop climate change says scientists

The train system of Japan is a matter of pride for the country as it is one of the most important transport systems for the public and it is well known for its speed and accessibility. The train system will be adding another feather to its cap as they are about to take an extremely important decision.

Tokyo Railways have decided that the trains running through Shibuya and other stations of the city will switch to renewable energy sources. The seven train lines and one tram line that operates in the region will have zero carbon dioxide emissions as a result of this move.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-executes-indian-origin-man-over-drug-trafficking-charges-474166">Singapore executes mentally disabled Indian-origin Malaysian man</a>

The use of renewable energy will not be limited to just the trains as lighting, vending machines and even security screens will be powered by alternative sources in these stations as Tokyu became the first operator in the country to achieve the target of creating a complete emission-free system.

According to a report by Associated press, the move was welcomed by Nicholas Little, director of railway education at Michigan State University’s Center for Railway Research and Education.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-day-after-twitter-takeover-elon-musk-reacts-to-concerns-over-free-speech-474170">A day after Twitter takeover, Elon Musk reacts to concerns over free speech</a>

“I would stress the bigger impacts come from increasing electricity generation from renewable sources,” he said. “The long-term battle is to increase production of renewable electricity and provide the transmission infrastructure to get it to the places of consumption,” he said.

On the other hand, Ryo Takagi, a professor at Kogakuin University and specialist in electric railway systems, said that the move is a start but the goal is still quite far away from the railway companies.

“But I am not going out of my way to praise it as great,” Takagi said.

“Bigger gains would come from switching from diesel trains in rural areas to hydrogen powered lines and from switching gas-guzzling cars to electric,” he was quoted as saying by the AP report.

The train system of Japan is a matter of pride for the country as it is one of the most important transport systems for the public and it is well known for its speed and accessibility.

The train system of Japan is a matter of pride for the country as it is one of the most important transport systems for the public and it is well known for its speed and accessibility. The train system will be adding another feather to its cap as they are about to take an extremely important decision. Tokyo Railways have decided that the trains running through Shibuya and other stations of the city will switch to renewable energy sources. The seven train lines and one tram line that operates in the region will have zero carbon dioxide emissions as a result of this move. Also read | Singapore executes mentally disabled Indian-origin Malaysian man The use of renewable energy will not be limited to just the trains as lighting, vending machines and even security screens will be powered by alternative sources in these stations as Tokyu became the first operator in the country to achieve the target of creating a complete emission-free system. According to a report by Associated press, the move was welcomed by Nicholas Little, director of railway education at Michigan State University’s Center for Railway Research and Education. Also read | A day after Twitter takeover, Elon Musk reacts to concerns over free speech “I would stress the bigger impacts come from increasing electricity generation from renewable sources,” he said. “The long-term battle is to increase production of renewable electricity and provide the transmission infrastructure to get it to the places of consumption,” he said. On the other hand, Ryo Takagi, a professor at Kogakuin University and specialist in electric railway systems, said that the move is a start but the goal is still quite far away from the railway companies. “But I am not going out of my way to praise it as great,” Takagi said. “Bigger gains would come from switching from diesel trains in rural areas to hydrogen powered lines and from switching gas-guzzling cars to electric,” he was quoted as saying by the AP report.

Major Japan railway goes green, makes complete shift to renewable energy

According to a new analysis, wind and solar generated a 10% of global electricity for the first time in 2021. This could pave a way for a less warm and a green world.

Wind & Solar: Future of global electricity

A German retiree facing sky-high energy bills is turning to a wood-burning stove. The owner of a dry cleaning business in Spain adjusted her employees’ work shifts to cut electric bills and installed solar panels. A mayor in France said he ordered a hiring freeze because rising electrical bills threaten a financial “catastrophe.”

Europeans have long paid some of the world’s highest prices for energy, but no one can remember a winter like this one. Lives and livelihoods across the continent are being upended by a series of factors, including pandemic-induced supply shortages and now geopolitical tensions that are driving some energy prices up fivefold.

Matters could get worse if tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate further, potentially interrupting the flow of gas. Russia provides more than one-third of Europe’s natural gas, which heats homes, generates electricity and powers factories. Even as politicians and leaders in capitals across Europe are freezing prices, slashing taxes on energy and issuing checks to households hardest hit by the price increases, concerns are growing about what the persistently high prices could mean for peoples’ jobs and their ability to pay their bills.

“People are very upset and very distressed,” said Stefanie Siegert, who counsels consumers in the eastern German state of Saxony who find themselves struggling to pay their gas and power bills.

Germany has so far not seen protests over exorbitant energy bills like those that filled streets in Spain last year, or an explosive outcry over inequality on the level of the yellow vest movement that rocked France in 2018. But Siegert, whose agency counseled more than 300 customers in January — three times its monthly average — said she wouldn’t be surprised if the anger directed at the prospect of a vaccine mandate shifted its sights to energy prices.

“When you talk with people, you feel their anger,” she said. “It is very depressing.”

Charged in one month what he used to pay in a year

Henry Backhaus, 65, is among tens of thousands of Germans who were dropped by private energy companies that could not afford to buy wholesale electricity and gas at soaring rates. Under German law, the local utility was then required to step in, but it sent him a bill for 747 euros (nearly $850) a month — more than he had been paying for an entire year.

“I am a retiree,” he said, looking over the stack of paperwork spread out on his dining room table. “That is more than what I can afford.”

But Backhaus, who lives in a three-story house in Saxony, has an alternative that might make him the envy of the millions of other Germans stuck with high energy bills: He has a large wood stove in his living room and, in his basement next to his gas-fired furnace, a furnace that burns coal or wood.

The stove and furnace, installed before the house was connected to a gas main, allow him to turn down the dial on his radiators to just 18 degrees Celsius, or 64 Fahrenheit, essentially cutting his gas bill in half.

“I still have a reserve of coal briquettes and stacks of dried wood,” he said, poking another log into the stove. “But this is only temporary. It is not a long-term solution.”

Most people don’t have the option of burning wood or coal, relying instead on piling on layers of clothing. In Britain, the government’s price cap on energy bills was recently raised 54%, increasing annual charges to 1,971 pounds. That increase will affect 22 million households beginning in April, contributing to broadening worries in Britain about the rising cost of living.

Similar concerns can be found throughout the continent.

Athina Sirogianni, 46, a freelance translator in Athens, Greece, said she remembered fondly the day about a decade ago when her building switched from oil to natural gas. The move cut her utility bill in half.

Now, her heating bill is nearly triple last year’s.

“I keep trying to think of where I can cut spending so I can afford the bills,” she said, adding that she hasn’t visited the hairdresser in nearly a year, and has pared back her food shopping to the essentials.

‘The more we produce, the more we lose’

The price of energy is also forcing shutdowns or slowing production at manufacturers across Europe, even as they are eager to fill a backlog of orders and resume levels of business from before the pandemic.

The smelting industry has been especially hit hard. Nyrstar, the world’s second-largest zinc processor, produces nearly 500 tons of the metal each day at a sprawling factory in Auby, in northern France, a complex that consumes as much energy as the French city of Lyon.

When its electrical rates surged from 35 euros to 50 euros per megawatt-hour to 400 euros in December, it made no sense to keep the factory running, said Xavier Constant, Nyrstar France’s general manager. At that rate, he said, “the more we produce, the more we lose,” and so the plant shut down last month for three weeks.

Nyrstar temporarily halved production at its other European plants in October when the energy crisis set in, prompting a brief spike in the global price of zinc.

Last fall, fertilizer plants in Britain were forced to close because of gas prices. And several German companies that produce glass, steel and fertilizer have also scaled back production in recent months.

To ease the burden of the high prices, the government in Berlin reduced by half an energy surcharge on bills aimed at funding the country’s transition to renewable sources of power, and plans to phase it out by the end of next year.

But industry leaders say that is not soon enough. Almost two-thirds of the 28,000 companies surveyed by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry this month rated energy prices as one of their biggest business risks. For those in the industrial sector, the figure was as high as 85%.

Small businesses, too, are scrambling for ways to cut costs.

Pilar Ballesteros Parra, who co-owns Ronsel, a dry cleaning business in Madrid that employs 10 people, said that her company’s electricity rates had risen about 20% from the previous year. In reaction, she has reorganized her employees’ work schedule, starting the early shift earlier and pushing the late shift further into the evening so the dry-cleaning equipment can run when rates are lowest.

She is also installing solar panels on the company’s building, outside of the Spanish capital, so that Ronsel can generate at least 60% of its own energy. The government is helping her with a 35% subsidy of the $45,000 investment.

“Our building faces southwest and gets a lot of sun, so that means that we should be almost self-sustainable during the coming months of spring and summer, which will be a big relief,” she said.

Still, she said, the energy crunch and overall price inflation meant that she saw little chance of sparing her customers some of the burden.

“There’s clearly this electricity headache, but there’s also now wage inflation and much higher gas bills for our vans,” she said. “In a few months, it’s clear that some of these costs will have to be passed on to our clients if we want to keep going.”

For public budgets, ‘like riding a roller coaster’

A broad range of public institutions are facing strains from higher power bills. In Poland, hospitals that have already been financially stretched by the coronavirus pandemic now question if they can keep their doors open.

“Managing a hospital in Poland is more and more like riding a roller coaster,” Robert Suroweic, who manages the Provincial Hospital in Gorzow, said on Twitter. He said the facility’s electricity prices had increased 100%.

He and other hospital directors have appealed to the government in Warsaw to intervene, saying the recent cuts to taxes on energy and gasoline were not enough.

In Germany, there is rising tension in municipally owned utilities that must accept customers, like Backhaus in Saxony, whose relatively low-cost contracts have been dropped by private energy companies because the companies can’t pay ballooning energy rates.

The municipal utilities are forced to increase the rates for these new customers, often almost astronomically high, to cover the cost of buying extra energy on the spot market at record prices. That leads to tensions in communities, and can threaten municipal finances.

“Anyone who wants to will be supplied with energy by the municipal utilities,” said Markus Lewe, president of the German Association of Cities and Towns. “But it must not lead to the municipal utilities and their loyal customers being asked to pay for questionable business models of other providers and having to answer for their shortsighted financing.”

He called on the federal government to intervene, to protect cities from the price instability.

In France, local leaders are also looking to the federal government to help ease the sting of skyrocketing energy bills.

Boris Ravignon, the mayor of Charleville-Mézières, said his city is facing “a catastrophe” after its January energy bill more than tripled, wiping out the region’s budget surplus for infrastructure and public services in a single month. The city is trying to cut costs by switching streetlights to LED bulbs, which use less electricity, and has proposed a new hydroelectric project.

The mayor has already frozen planned hirings and said the city may have no choice but to raise the cost of public services like water, transportation, fees to use sports halls like the city’s public pool, and cultural events.

“We really want to protect citizens from these increases,” Ravignon said. “But when prices reach such crazy heights, it’s impossible.” 
&nbsp;

A German retiree facing sky-high energy bills is turning to a wood-burning stove. The owner of a dry cleaning business in Spain adjusted her employees’ work shifts to cut electric bills and installed solar panels.

A German retiree facing sky-high energy bills is turning to a wood-burning stove. The owner of a dry cleaning business in Spain adjusted her employees’ work shifts to cut electric bills and installed solar panels. A mayor in France said he ordered a hiring freeze because rising electrical bills threaten a financial “catastrophe.” Europeans have long paid some of the world’s highest prices for energy, but no one can remember a winter like this one. Lives and livelihoods across the continent are being upended by a series of factors, including pandemic-induced supply shortages and now geopolitical tensions that are driving some energy prices up fivefold. Matters could get worse if tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate further, potentially interrupting the flow of gas. Russia provides more than one-third of Europe’s natural gas, which heats homes, generates electricity and powers factories. Even as politicians and leaders in capitals across Europe are freezing prices, slashing taxes on energy and issuing checks to households hardest hit by the price increases, concerns are growing about what the persistently high prices could mean for peoples’ jobs and their ability to pay their bills. “People are very upset and very distressed,” said Stefanie Siegert, who counsels consumers in the eastern German state of Saxony who find themselves struggling to pay their gas and power bills. Germany has so far not seen protests over exorbitant energy bills like those that filled streets in Spain last year, or an explosive outcry over inequality on the level of the yellow vest movement that rocked France in 2018. But Siegert, whose agency counseled more than 300 customers in January — three times its monthly average — said she wouldn’t be surprised if the anger directed at the prospect of a vaccine mandate shifted its sights to energy prices. “When you talk with people, you feel their anger,” she said. “It is very depressing.” Charged in one month what he used to pay in a year Henry Backhaus, 65, is among tens of thousands of Germans who were dropped by private energy companies that could not afford to buy wholesale electricity and gas at soaring rates. Under German law, the local utility was then required to step in, but it sent him a bill for 747 euros (nearly $850) a month — more than he had been paying for an entire year. “I am a retiree,” he said, looking over the stack of paperwork spread out on his dining room table. “That is more than what I can afford.” But Backhaus, who lives in a three-story house in Saxony, has an alternative that might make him the envy of the millions of other Germans stuck with high energy bills: He has a large wood stove in his living room and, in his basement next to his gas-fired furnace, a furnace that burns coal or wood. The stove and furnace, installed before the house was connected to a gas main, allow him to turn down the dial on his radiators to just 18 degrees Celsius, or 64 Fahrenheit, essentially cutting his gas bill in half. “I still have a reserve of coal briquettes and stacks of dried wood,” he said, poking another log into the stove. “But this is only temporary. It is not a long-term solution.” Most people don’t have the option of burning wood or coal, relying instead on piling on layers of clothing. In Britain, the government’s price cap on energy bills was recently raised 54%, increasing annual charges to 1,971 pounds. That increase will affect 22 million households beginning in April, contributing to broadening worries in Britain about the rising cost of living. Similar concerns can be found throughout the continent. Athina Sirogianni, 46, a freelance translator in Athens, Greece, said she remembered fondly the day about a decade ago when her building switched from oil to natural gas. The move cut her utility bill in half. Now, her heating bill is nearly triple last year’s. “I keep trying to think of where I can cut spending so I can afford the bills,” she said, adding that she hasn’t visited the hairdresser in nearly a year, and has pared back her food shopping to the essentials. ‘The more we produce, the more we lose’ The price of energy is also forcing shutdowns or slowing production at manufacturers across Europe, even as they are eager to fill a backlog of orders and resume levels of business from before the pandemic. The smelting industry has been especially hit hard. Nyrstar, the world’s second-largest zinc processor, produces nearly 500 tons of the metal each day at a sprawling factory in Auby, in northern France, a complex that consumes as much energy as the French city of Lyon. When its electrical rates surged from 35 euros to 50 euros per megawatt-hour to 400 euros in December, it made no sense to keep the factory running, said Xavier Constant, Nyrstar France’s general manager. At that rate, he said, “the more we produce, the more we lose,” and so the plant shut down last month for three weeks. Nyrstar temporarily halved production at its other European plants in October when the energy crisis set in, prompting a brief spike in the global price of zinc. Last fall, fertilizer plants in Britain were forced to close because of gas prices. And several German companies that produce glass, steel and fertilizer have also scaled back production in recent months. To ease the burden of the high prices, the government in Berlin reduced by half an energy surcharge on bills aimed at funding the country’s transition to renewable sources of power, and plans to phase it out by the end of next year. But industry leaders say that is not soon enough. Almost two-thirds of the 28,000 companies surveyed by the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry this month rated energy prices as one of their biggest business risks. For those in the industrial sector, the figure was as high as 85%. Small businesses, too, are scrambling for ways to cut costs. Pilar Ballesteros Parra, who co-owns Ronsel, a dry cleaning business in Madrid that employs 10 people, said that her company’s electricity rates had risen about 20% from the previous year. In reaction, she has reorganized her employees’ work schedule, starting the early shift earlier and pushing the late shift further into the evening so the dry-cleaning equipment can run when rates are lowest. She is also installing solar panels on the company’s building, outside of the Spanish capital, so that Ronsel can generate at least 60% of its own energy. The government is helping her with a 35% subsidy of the $45,000 investment. “Our building faces southwest and gets a lot of sun, so that means that we should be almost self-sustainable during the coming months of spring and summer, which will be a big relief,” she said. Still, she said, the energy crunch and overall price inflation meant that she saw little chance of sparing her customers some of the burden. “There’s clearly this electricity headache, but there’s also now wage inflation and much higher gas bills for our vans,” she said. “In a few months, it’s clear that some of these costs will have to be passed on to our clients if we want to keep going.” For public budgets, ‘like riding a roller coaster’ A broad range of public institutions are facing strains from higher power bills. In Poland, hospitals that have already been financially stretched by the coronavirus pandemic now question if they can keep their doors open. “Managing a hospital in Poland is more and more like riding a roller coaster,” Robert Suroweic, who manages the Provincial Hospital in Gorzow, said on Twitter. He said the facility’s electricity prices had increased 100%. He and other hospital directors have appealed to the government in Warsaw to intervene, saying the recent cuts to taxes on energy and gasoline were not enough. In Germany, there is rising tension in municipally owned utilities that must accept customers, like Backhaus in Saxony, whose relatively low-cost contracts have been dropped by private energy companies because the companies can’t pay ballooning energy rates. The municipal utilities are forced to increase the rates for these new customers, often almost astronomically high, to cover the cost of buying extra energy on the spot market at record prices. That leads to tensions in communities, and can threaten municipal finances. “Anyone who wants to will be supplied with energy by the municipal utilities,” said Markus Lewe, president of the German Association of Cities and Towns. “But it must not lead to the municipal utilities and their loyal customers being asked to pay for questionable business models of other providers and having to answer for their shortsighted financing.” He called on the federal government to intervene, to protect cities from the price instability. In France, local leaders are also looking to the federal government to help ease the sting of skyrocketing energy bills. Boris Ravignon, the mayor of Charleville-Mézières, said his city is facing “a catastrophe” after its January energy bill more than tripled, wiping out the region’s budget surplus for infrastructure and public services in a single month. The city is trying to cut costs by switching streetlights to LED bulbs, which use less electricity, and has proposed a new hydroelectric project. The mayor has already frozen planned hirings and said the city may have no choice but to raise the cost of public services like water, transportation, fees to use sports halls like the city’s public pool, and cultural events. “We really want to protect citizens from these increases,” Ravignon said. “But when prices reach such crazy heights, it’s impossible.”

How Europeans are responding to exorbitant gas and power bills

Germany has shut down half of its six nuclear power plants, kickstarting its 11-year plan to phase out the use of atomic power.

Under Germany’s energy transition policy, the nuclear plants in the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were decommissioned on December 31, 2021, after three-and-a-half decades of operation, as the European country shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Notably, the Brokdorf power plant, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Hamburg on the Elbe River – became a particular target of anti-nuclear protests following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union.

The last three nuclear power plants — Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II — will be turned off by the end of 2022

"For the energy industry in Germany, the nuclear phase-out is final," Reuters quoted Kerstin Andreae, the head of energy industry association BDEW, as saying.

The six nuclear power plants contributed to around 12 per cent of electricity production in Germany in 2021, BDEW preliminary figures showed.

The share of renewable energy was almost 41 per cent, with coal generating just under 28 per cent and gas around 15 per cent.

The move to make renewable energy the primary source was taken by the centre-left government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2002.

His successor, Angela Merkel, had decided to speed up the process in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan and set 2022 as the final deadline for shutting them down.

Germany aims to make renewables meet 80 per cent of power demand by 2030 through expanding wind and solar power infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)

Germany has shut down half of its six nuclear power plants, kickstarting its 11-year plan to phase out the use of atomic power. Under Germany’s energy transition policy, the nuclear plants in the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were decommissioned on December 31, 2021, after three-and-a-half decades of operation, as the European country shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Germany has shut down half of its six nuclear power plants, kickstarting its 11-year plan to phase out the use of atomic power. Under Germany’s energy transition policy, the nuclear plants in the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were decommissioned on December 31, 2021, after three-and-a-half decades of operation, as the European country shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Notably, the Brokdorf power plant, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Hamburg on the Elbe River – became a particular target of anti-nuclear protests following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union. The last three nuclear power plants — Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II — will be turned off by the end of 2022 "For the energy industry in Germany, the nuclear phase-out is final," Reuters quoted Kerstin Andreae, the head of energy industry association BDEW, as saying. The six nuclear power plants contributed to around 12 per cent of electricity production in Germany in 2021, BDEW preliminary figures showed. The share of renewable energy was almost 41 per cent, with coal generating just under 28 per cent and gas around 15 per cent. The move to make renewable energy the primary source was taken by the centre-left government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2002. His successor, Angela Merkel, had decided to speed up the process in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan and set 2022 as the final deadline for shutting them down. Germany aims to make renewables meet 80 per cent of power demand by 2030 through expanding wind and solar power infrastructure. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany pulls the plug on 3 of six nuclear power plants, remaining to be shut by 2022-end

A new study by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) shows that India can leapfrog to a more sustainable power system by 2030, thanks to dramatic cost reductions in battery storage and wind and solar energy.

In the publication, "Least Cost Pathway for India's Power System Investments", the researchers examined a least-cost investment pathway to meet India's electricity demand through 2030.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-set-to-achieve-450-gw-renewable-energy-installed-capacity-by-2030-centre-420061">India set to achieve 450 GW renewable energy installed capacity by 2030: Centre</a>

According to the study, if India achieves its goal of installing 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030, it could reduce electricity costs by eight to ten per cent, provided that the price of renewable energy and batteries continue to fall. 
 
2030 will see&nbsp;the carbon emissions intensity of India's&nbsp;electricity supply dropping by 43 to 50 per cent from 2020 levels.

In light of rapid industrialization and rising incomes, India, home to more than 1 billion people, has set ambitious clean-energy targets to reduce pollution and combat climate change while meeting growing electricity demands. 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow that India would install 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2022, up from 100 GW currently, and 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-at-unga-india-to-become-the-worlds-biggest-green-hydrogen-hub-415915">PM Modi at UNGA: India to become the world's biggest Green Hydrogen hub</a>

"We found that building such high levels of renewable energy would actually be economical for India, thanks to the cost reductions in clean technologies that have occurred much faster than anticipated," said Berkeley Lab scientist and the study`s lead author, Nikit Abhyankar. 
 
"However, the key to achieving the lowest costs, while maintaining grid reliability, lies in complementing the renewable energy buildout with flexible resources such as energy storage and demand response, and utilizing the existing thermal power assets in the country in the most efficient manner." 
 
Researchers at Berkeley Lab found that nearly half of India's electricity supply could be carbon-free by 2030, compared to only 25 per cent in 2020. In order to achieve this, renewable energy capacity would have to quadruple over the next decade.

Watch |&nbsp;Portugal's 70% of power is generated by renewable sources of energy

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/portugals-70-of-power-is-generated-by-renewable-sources-of-energy-416837/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The researchers also found that integrating renewable energy with flexible resources such as shifting agricultural electricity consumption to solar hours, using batteries to store four to six hours of daily energy for nighttime use, and utilising flexibility in existing thermal power plants saves money over building new coal or gas-fired plants. 
 
The study shows that by 2030 coal consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector can almost hold at 2020 levels. It is therefore unlikely that switching to clean energy sources will result in job losses in mining and transportation over the near to medium term, giving India time to plan for a longer-term transition.

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) shows that India can leapfrog to a more sustainable power system by 2030, thanks to dramatic cost reductions in battery storage and wind and solar energy.

A new study by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) shows that India can leapfrog to a more sustainable power system by 2030, thanks to dramatic cost reductions in battery storage and wind and solar energy. In the publication, "Least Cost Pathway for India's Power System Investments", the researchers examined a least-cost investment pathway to meet India's electricity demand through 2030. Also read | India set to achieve 450 GW renewable energy installed capacity by 2030: Centre According to the study, if India achieves its goal of installing 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity by 2030, it could reduce electricity costs by eight to ten per cent, provided that the price of renewable energy and batteries continue to fall. 2030 will see the carbon emissions intensity of India's electricity supply dropping by 43 to 50 per cent from 2020 levels. In light of rapid industrialization and rising incomes, India, home to more than 1 billion people, has set ambitious clean-energy targets to reduce pollution and combat climate change while meeting growing electricity demands. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow that India would install 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2022, up from 100 GW currently, and 500 GW of non-fossil power by 2030. Also read | PM Modi at UNGA: India to become the world's biggest Green Hydrogen hub "We found that building such high levels of renewable energy would actually be economical for India, thanks to the cost reductions in clean technologies that have occurred much faster than anticipated," said Berkeley Lab scientist and the study`s lead author, Nikit Abhyankar. "However, the key to achieving the lowest costs, while maintaining grid reliability, lies in complementing the renewable energy buildout with flexible resources such as energy storage and demand response, and utilizing the existing thermal power assets in the country in the most efficient manner." Researchers at Berkeley Lab found that nearly half of India's electricity supply could be carbon-free by 2030, compared to only 25 per cent in 2020. In order to achieve this, renewable energy capacity would have to quadruple over the next decade. Watch | Portugal's 70% of power is generated by renewable sources of energy The researchers also found that integrating renewable energy with flexible resources such as shifting agricultural electricity consumption to solar hours, using batteries to store four to six hours of daily energy for nighttime use, and utilising flexibility in existing thermal power plants saves money over building new coal or gas-fired plants. The study shows that by 2030 coal consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector can almost hold at 2020 levels. It is therefore unlikely that switching to clean energy sources will result in job losses in mining and transportation over the near to medium term, giving India time to plan for a longer-term transition. (With inputs from agencies)

By 2030, India will be able to meet its electricity needs through renewable energy: Study

General&nbsp;Electric&nbsp;said on Tuesday&nbsp;it would spilt into three public companies, as the storied US&nbsp;industrial conglomerate seeks to streamline its business, pare down debt and breathe life into a share price battered over several years.

The split marks the end of the 129-year-old conglomerate that was once the most valuable US&nbsp;corporation and a global symbol of American business power.

The ambitious move drove an 8.2 per cent&nbsp;rise in GE shares in premarket trading.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-companies-to-keep-prices-high-as-supply-chain-headaches-persist-424649/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

GE has faced investor skepticism about its ability to turn a corner since the 2008 financial crisis, while struggling with rising debt. The company was also removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2018 following years of sliding valuation.

The Boston-based company said the three divisions would focus on energy, healthcare and aviation. It will combine GE Renewable Energy, GE Power, and GE Digital and spin-off the business in early 2024.

GE will also separate the healthcare company, in which it expects to retain a stake of 19.9 per cent, in early 2023.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nuclear-powered-spacecrafts-are-on-the-way-blue-origin-general-electric-roped-in-by-nasa-398058">Also read |&nbsp;Nuclear-powered spacecrafts are on the way: Blue Origin, General Electric roped in by NASA</a>

Following the split, it will become an aviation company, which will be helmed by Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Culp.

"By creating three industry-leading, global public companies, each can benefit from greater focus, tailored capital allocation, and strategic flexibility to drive long-term growth and value," Culp said in a statement.

Scott Strazik will head the combined Renewable Energy, Power and Digital business and Peter Arduini will lead GE Healthcare, the company said in a statement.

General Electric said on Tuesday it would spilt into three public companies, as the storied US industrial conglomerate seeks to streamline its business, pare down debt and breathe life into a share price battered over several years.

General Electric said on Tuesday it would spilt into three public companies, as the storied US industrial conglomerate seeks to streamline its business, pare down debt and breathe life into a share price battered over several years. The split marks the end of the 129-year-old conglomerate that was once the most valuable US corporation and a global symbol of American business power. The ambitious move drove an 8.2 per cent rise in GE shares in premarket trading. GE has faced investor skepticism about its ability to turn a corner since the 2008 financial crisis, while struggling with rising debt. The company was also removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average in 2018 following years of sliding valuation. The Boston-based company said the three divisions would focus on energy, healthcare and aviation. It will combine GE Renewable Energy, GE Power, and GE Digital and spin-off the business in early 2024. GE will also separate the healthcare company, in which it expects to retain a stake of 19.9 per cent, in early 2023. Also read | Nuclear-powered spacecrafts are on the way: Blue Origin, General Electric roped in by NASA Following the split, it will become an aviation company, which will be helmed by Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Culp. "By creating three industry-leading, global public companies, each can benefit from greater focus, tailored capital allocation, and strategic flexibility to drive long-term growth and value," Culp said in a statement. Scott Strazik will head the combined Renewable Energy, Power and Digital business and Peter Arduini will lead GE Healthcare, the company said in a statement.

General Electric to split into three companies; shares jump 15%

A team of engineers at Australia's University of Newcastle and have developed a patented thermal block material, which its inventors hope can be used to ease the transition away from coal-fired power.

Australian engineers patent thermal slab to store renewable energy

As the fight against climate change becomes more important, the islands off the northeast coast of Scotland are increasingly turning to renewables. Scottish islands are setting an example for others.

Renewable energy innovation: Scottish islands setting example for others

The Portuguese port receives sunshine throughout the year, making it the perfect destination for renewable sources of energy. In fact, solar parks and wind turbines generates nearly 70% of Portugal's energy.

Portugal's 70% of power is generated by renewable sources of energy

Facebook has signed a deal to buy renewable energy in India from a local firm's wind power project, the social media giant's first such deal in the South Asian nation, the companies said on Thursday.

The 32-megawatt wind power project, located in southern Karnataka state, is part of a larger portfolio of wind and solar projects that Facebook and Mumbai-based CleanMax are working together on for supplying renewable power into India's electrical grid, they said in a joint statement.

CleanMax will own and operate the projects, while Facebook will buy the power off the grid using environmental attribute certificates, or carbon credits, the companies said.

Facebook's head of renewable energy, Urvi Parekh, told Reuters the company typically doesn't own the power plants but instead signs "long-term" electricity purchasing agreements with the renewable power company.

"That enables the project to seek out the financing that it would need," she said.

India is Facebook's biggest market by users.

In Singapore, Facebook has announced similar partnerships with energy providers Sunseap Group, Terrenus Energy and Sembcorp Industries on projects that can produce 160 MW of solar power, Parekh said.

The electricity generated from these plants will power the&nbsp;tech&nbsp;giant's first Asian data centre https://reut.rs/3uPvtrv that is set to start operations next year, she added.

Data centres driving&nbsp;tech&nbsp;companies like Facebook use up as much as 1% of the world's total energy, the International Energy Agency said last year.

Tech&nbsp;companies like Amazon, Alphabet Inc, and Microsoft have pledged to operate carbon-free and achieve net-zero emissions, as demand for data and digital services is expected to see a sustained rise.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced separately on Thursday that the company's global operations are now supported wholly by renewable energy and that it has reached net-zero emissions.

Facebook has signed a deal to buy renewable energy in India from a local firm's wind power project, the social media giant's first such deal in the South Asian nation, the companies said on Thursday.

Facebook has signed a deal to buy renewable energy in India from a local firm's wind power project, the social media giant's first such deal in the South Asian nation, the companies said on Thursday. The 32-megawatt wind power project, located in southern Karnataka state, is part of a larger portfolio of wind and solar projects that Facebook and Mumbai-based CleanMax are working together on for supplying renewable power into India's electrical grid, they said in a joint statement. CleanMax will own and operate the projects, while Facebook will buy the power off the grid using environmental attribute certificates, or carbon credits, the companies said. Facebook's head of renewable energy, Urvi Parekh, told Reuters the company typically doesn't own the power plants but instead signs "long-term" electricity purchasing agreements with the renewable power company. "That enables the project to seek out the financing that it would need," she said. India is Facebook's biggest market by users. In Singapore, Facebook has announced similar partnerships with energy providers Sunseap Group, Terrenus Energy and Sembcorp Industries on projects that can produce 160 MW of solar power, Parekh said. The electricity generated from these plants will power the tech giant's first Asian data centre https://reut.rs/3uPvtrv that is set to start operations next year, she added. Data centres driving tech companies like Facebook use up as much as 1% of the world's total energy, the International Energy Agency said last year. Tech companies like Amazon, Alphabet Inc, and Microsoft have pledged to operate carbon-free and achieve net-zero emissions, as demand for data and digital services is expected to see a sustained rise. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced separately on Thursday that the company's global operations are now supported wholly by renewable energy and that it has reached net-zero emissions.

Facebook signs first deal to buy renewable energy in India

Renewables have taken over fossil fuels as European Unions' main source of electricity. Watch this video to know more.

Renewables beat fossil fuels in electricity mix in EU

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundations Tuesday for what he said would be the world's largest renewable energy park, set to produce a massive 30 gigawatts of electricity.

The vast project in the Kutch region of western Gujarat state spread over&nbsp;an area of 72,600 hectares (180,000 acres) — the size of Singapore&nbsp;— will contain solar panels, solar energy storage units and windmills.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-pm-johnsons-visit-dominic-raab-jaishankar-seek-to-deepen-india-uk-ties-349926" hreflang="en">Ahead of PM Johnson's visit, Dominic Raab, Jaishankar seek to deepen India, UK ties</a>

"The hybrid renewable energy park will be largest in the world and generate 30,000 megawatts of power," Modi said as he inaugurated the energy park as well as an adjacent desalination plant.

"Energy security and water security are vital in the 21st century," Modi said. "The two major projects of the renewable energy park and the desalination plant inaugurated today in Kutch are steps towards achieving the two."

The energy project in Modi's home state will account for a large chunk of India's ambitious target of generating 175 GW in renewable energy by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-pays-tribute-to-sardar-patel-on-his-death-anniversary-349834" hreflang="en">PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel on his death anniversary</a>

Modi, 70, said it would also help the world's second-most populous country reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 million tonnes per year.

The desalination plant will be able to process 100 million litres of water a day for 800,000 people living in the arid region bordering Pakistan.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundations Tuesday for what he said would be the world's largest renewable energy park, set to produce a massive 30 gigawatts of electricity.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundations Tuesday for what he said would be the world's largest renewable energy park, set to produce a massive 30 gigawatts of electricity. The vast project in the Kutch region of western Gujarat state spread over an area of 72,600 hectares (180,000 acres) — the size of Singapore — will contain solar panels, solar energy storage units and windmills. Also read| Ahead of PM Johnson's visit, Dominic Raab, Jaishankar seek to deepen India, UK ties "The hybrid renewable energy park will be largest in the world and generate 30,000 megawatts of power," Modi said as he inaugurated the energy park as well as an adjacent desalination plant. "Energy security and water security are vital in the 21st century," Modi said. "The two major projects of the renewable energy park and the desalination plant inaugurated today in Kutch are steps towards achieving the two." The energy project in Modi's home state will account for a large chunk of India's ambitious target of generating 175 GW in renewable energy by 2022 and 450 GW by 2030. Also read| PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel on his death anniversary Modi, 70, said it would also help the world's second-most populous country reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 million tonnes per year. The desalination plant will be able to process 100 million litres of water a day for 800,000 people living in the arid region bordering Pakistan.

PM Modi lays foundations for renewable energy megapark

An Australian state recently achieved an amazing feat!&nbsp;The island state of Tasmania now runs on 100% renewable energy.

The state has met its goal to become fully self sufficient in terms of green energy two years ahead of schedule. The feat was achieved in November, when out of 31 wind turbines, the 29th went online.

Now, essentially the state has&nbsp;access to more energy than it needs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/pm-modi-interacts-with-vestas-ceo-henrik-andersen-highlights-indias-efforts-to-harness-renewable-energy-333041" hreflang="en">PM Modi interacts with Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, highlights India’s efforts to harness renewable energy</a>

“We have reached 100% thanks to our commitment to realizing Tasmania’s renewable energy potential through our nation-leading energy policies and making Tasmania attractive for industry investment, which in turn is creating jobs across the state, particularly in our regions”, Energy Minister Guy Barnett said in a statement.

Tasmania is known for its environment friendly forward thinking solutions. In fact, as long ago as 1895, the Duck Reach Power Station opened in the city of Launceston, when it ran entirely on hydropower.

In the last two year, all state’s energy needs were met through hydroelectric systems, along with wind energy generation.

Now, the state wants to double its generation of renewable energy, with a target of 200 per cent by 2040.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/south-asia/latest-world-news-to-combat-asias-next-clean-energy-battle-indonesia-needs-to-sign-new-renewable-energy-contract-report-278496" hreflang="en">To combat Asia's energy battle, Indonesia needs to sign new renewable energy contract: Report</a>

In the last ten years, Australia’s generation of renewable energy doubled. But even then, fossil fuels accounted for 94 per cent of the country’s resource usage. Oil accounted for 39 per cent, coal for 29 per cent, and natural gas for 26 per cent.

The country is also one of the largest exporters of energy in the world. 88 per cent of black coal production in the country was sent to another country in the last two years.

Another state - Victoria recently announced plans to invest $1.2 billion in renewable energy. But the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison views gas as the primary way to help the economy recover from COVID-19.

An Australian state recently achieved an amazing feat! The island state of Tasmania now runs on 100% renewable energy. The state has met its goal to become fully self sufficient in terms of green energy two years ahead of schedule.

An Australian state recently achieved an amazing feat! The island state of Tasmania now runs on 100% renewable energy. The state has met its goal to become fully self sufficient in terms of green energy two years ahead of schedule. The feat was achieved in November, when out of 31 wind turbines, the 29th went online. Now, essentially the state has access to more energy than it needs. Also read: PM Modi interacts with Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, highlights India’s efforts to harness renewable energy “We have reached 100% thanks to our commitment to realizing Tasmania’s renewable energy potential through our nation-leading energy policies and making Tasmania attractive for industry investment, which in turn is creating jobs across the state, particularly in our regions”, Energy Minister Guy Barnett said in a statement. Tasmania is known for its environment friendly forward thinking solutions. In fact, as long ago as 1895, the Duck Reach Power Station opened in the city of Launceston, when it ran entirely on hydropower. In the last two year, all state’s energy needs were met through hydroelectric systems, along with wind energy generation. Now, the state wants to double its generation of renewable energy, with a target of 200 per cent by 2040. Also read: To combat Asia's energy battle, Indonesia needs to sign new renewable energy contract: Report In the last ten years, Australia’s generation of renewable energy doubled. But even then, fossil fuels accounted for 94 per cent of the country’s resource usage. Oil accounted for 39 per cent, coal for 29 per cent, and natural gas for 26 per cent. The country is also one of the largest exporters of energy in the world. 88 per cent of black coal production in the country was sent to another country in the last two years. Another state - Victoria recently announced plans to invest $1.2 billion in renewable energy. But the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison views gas as the primary way to help the economy recover from COVID-19.

This Australian state now runs on 100% renewable energy

Solar panel farms are cropping up in Iran which is aiming to shift to renewable energy, according to the country's West Asia News Agency (WANA).

Your Story: Iran turns to solar panels in shift to renewable energy

Solar panel farms are cropping up in Iran which is aiming to shift to renewable energy, according to the country's West Asia News Agency (WANA). WANA reports that solar panel farms are emerging in several Iranian cities as well as solar energy equipment in people's homes.

Iran turns to solar panels in shift to renewable energy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with&nbsp;the chief of&nbsp;Vestas wind systems&nbsp;Henrik Andersen to discuss&nbsp;innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the energy transition.

During their video chat, the duo spoke about a host of issues related to the wind energy sector. During the interaction, PM Modi also highlighted the steps taken by India to harness wind energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations.

“Had an insightful interaction with Mr. Henrik Andersen, President and CEO, Vestas. We discussed a series of issues relating to the wind energy sector. Highlighted some of India’s efforts to harness renewable energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations,” tweeted PM Modi.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Had an insightful interaction with Mr. Henrik Andersen, President and CEO, <a href="https://twitter.com/Vestas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vestas</a>. We discussed a series of issues relating to the wind energy sector. Highlighted some of India’s efforts to harness renewable energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1313413850276872192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Vestas CEO Andersen said that the talk with PM Modi on innovative ideas can push the envelope in the energy transition. He dubbed the interaction with PM Modi as very insightful.

“Great talk with Honourable PM Narendra Modi on innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the energy transition. Very insightful and we are very much looking forward to a continued collaboration and increased footprint in India,” tweeted Vestas CEO Andersen.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“Great talk with Hon’ble PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> on innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/energytransition?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#energytransition</a>. Very insightful and we are very much looking forward to a continued collaboration and increased footprint in India.” <a href="https://twitter.com/Vestas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vestas</a>’ Henrik Andersen. <a href="https://t.co/bUtcoLsD7G">pic.twitter.com/bUtcoLsD7G</a>
— Vestas Wind Systems (@Vestas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Vestas/status/1313500010718298117?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Headquarted in Aarhus, Denamrk, and working towards a sustainable future, Vestas is among the biggest wind turbine companies in the world and is considered a pioneer in the industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with the chief of Vestas wind systems Henrik Andersen to discuss innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the energy transition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday interacted with the chief of Vestas wind systems Henrik Andersen to discuss innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the energy transition. During their video chat, the duo spoke about a host of issues related to the wind energy sector. During the interaction, PM Modi also highlighted the steps taken by India to harness wind energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations. “Had an insightful interaction with Mr. Henrik Andersen, President and CEO, Vestas. We discussed a series of issues relating to the wind energy sector. Highlighted some of India’s efforts to harness renewable energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations,” tweeted PM Modi. Had an insightful interaction with Mr. Henrik Andersen, President and CEO, @Vestas. We discussed a series of issues relating to the wind energy sector. Highlighted some of India’s efforts to harness renewable energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 6, 2020 × Vestas CEO Andersen said that the talk with PM Modi on innovative ideas can push the envelope in the energy transition. He dubbed the interaction with PM Modi as very insightful. “Great talk with Honourable PM Narendra Modi on innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the energy transition. Very insightful and we are very much looking forward to a continued collaboration and increased footprint in India,” tweeted Vestas CEO Andersen. “Great talk with Hon’ble PM @narendramodi on innovative ideas that can push the envelope in the #energytransition. Very insightful and we are very much looking forward to a continued collaboration and increased footprint in India.” @Vestas’ Henrik Andersen. pic.twitter.com/bUtcoLsD7G — Vestas Wind Systems (@Vestas) October 6, 2020 × Headquarted in Aarhus, Denamrk, and working towards a sustainable future, Vestas is among the biggest wind turbine companies in the world and is considered a pioneer in the industry.

PM Modi interacts with Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen, highlights India’s efforts to harness renewable energy

Alphabet Inc's Google aims to power its data centers and offices solely with renewable energy by 2030, its chief executive told Reuters, becoming the biggest company in the world to commit to ditching coal and natural gas power.

The "stretch goal," as CEO Sundar Pichai described it, will force Google to move beyond the tech industry norm of offseting carbon emissions from electricity use and require technological and political breakthroughs to achieve.

"The problem is so immense, many of us need to lead the way and show solutions," Pichai said. "We’re one small player in this but we can set an example."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/google-rallies-youtubers-against-australian-news-payment-plan-321465" hreflang="en">Google rallies YouTubers against Australian news payment plan</a>

Wildfires burning a record area in the western United States this month have increased public awareness of climate change, Pichai said, and Google wants to bring further attention through its new goal as well as product features.

Wind, solar and other renewable sources accounted for 61% of Google's global hourly electricity usage last year. The proportion varied by facility, with carbon-free sources fulfilling 96% of hourly power needs at Google's wind-swept Oklahoma data center compared with 3% at its gas-reliant Singapore operation.

But Google, which consumes slightly more power annually worldwide than residents and businesses in Delaware, has grown optimistic that it can bridge the gap with batteries to store solar power overnight, emerging sources such as geothermal reservoirs and better management of power needs.

"To plan 24/7 hourly being carbon-free in our data centers and campuses around the world, we see an enormous logistics challenge, which is why we've been hard at work modeling the last year how to get there," Pichai said. "And we feel confident we can get there by 2030."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/tiktok-tracked-android-devices-in-direct-violation-of-googles-policy-319880" hreflang="en">TikTok tracked Android devices in direct violation of Google's policy</a>

He declined to share the likely cost of achieving the goal.

Big Google rivals including Microsoft Corp and Amazon.com Inc have targeted removing more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit over the coming decades, but none of them have publicly set a goal to stop sourcing carbon-based energy.

But the companies share a common goal of catalyzing businesses and governments to curb climate pollution before 2030, when scientists say global warming could become catastrophic if unchecked.

Jennifer Layke, global director at research group World Resources Institute, which has received Google funding, said the company inspired others in the United States and Europe over the last decade but its efforts must now spur action in crucial polluting regions such as China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam.

"If we can't shift from carbon, we will suffer the firestorms and the droughts," she said.

Google has been carbon-neutral since 2007, meaning it has planted trees, bought carbon credits and funded large amounts of wind power in places where it is abundant to offset its tapping of coal and natural gas power in other regions. It also said Monday that its estimated 1 million metric tons of emissions between 2006 and its 1998 launch now have been offset.

The company's new goals include bringing 5 gigawatts of renewable energy near some suppliers, funding tree planting beyond its offset needs and sharing data or forging partnerships with 500 governments around the world to try to cut 1 gigaton of carbon emissions annually by 2030.

Google said it would continue to offset carbon emissions unrelated to electricity use, such as from employee travel.

Its carbon-free electricity goal satisfies one demand of 2,000 Google employees who last November petitioned the company to stop selling data storage and other cloud computing tools to oil companies.

Pichai said the company would continue to "support everyone" with its cloud services and help oil and gas companies transition to tapping other sources.

Alphabet Inc's Google aims to power its data centers and offices solely with renewable energy by 2030, its chief executive told Reuters, becoming the biggest company in the world to commit to ditching coal and natural gas power.

Alphabet Inc's Google aims to power its data centers and offices solely with renewable energy by 2030, its chief executive told Reuters, becoming the biggest company in the world to commit to ditching coal and natural gas power. The "stretch goal," as CEO Sundar Pichai described it, will force Google to move beyond the tech industry norm of offseting carbon emissions from electricity use and require technological and political breakthroughs to achieve. "The problem is so immense, many of us need to lead the way and show solutions," Pichai said. "We’re one small player in this but we can set an example." Also read: Google rallies YouTubers against Australian news payment plan Wildfires burning a record area in the western United States this month have increased public awareness of climate change, Pichai said, and Google wants to bring further attention through its new goal as well as product features. Wind, solar and other renewable sources accounted for 61% of Google's global hourly electricity usage last year. The proportion varied by facility, with carbon-free sources fulfilling 96% of hourly power needs at Google's wind-swept Oklahoma data center compared with 3% at its gas-reliant Singapore operation. But Google, which consumes slightly more power annually worldwide than residents and businesses in Delaware, has grown optimistic that it can bridge the gap with batteries to store solar power overnight, emerging sources such as geothermal reservoirs and better management of power needs. "To plan 24/7 hourly being carbon-free in our data centers and campuses around the world, we see an enormous logistics challenge, which is why we've been hard at work modeling the last year how to get there," Pichai said. "And we feel confident we can get there by 2030." Also read: TikTok tracked Android devices in direct violation of Google's policy He declined to share the likely cost of achieving the goal. Big Google rivals including Microsoft Corp and Amazon.com Inc have targeted removing more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit over the coming decades, but none of them have publicly set a goal to stop sourcing carbon-based energy. But the companies share a common goal of catalyzing businesses and governments to curb climate pollution before 2030, when scientists say global warming could become catastrophic if unchecked. Jennifer Layke, global director at research group World Resources Institute, which has received Google funding, said the company inspired others in the United States and Europe over the last decade but its efforts must now spur action in crucial polluting regions such as China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. "If we can't shift from carbon, we will suffer the firestorms and the droughts," she said. Google has been carbon-neutral since 2007, meaning it has planted trees, bought carbon credits and funded large amounts of wind power in places where it is abundant to offset its tapping of coal and natural gas power in other regions. It also said Monday that its estimated 1 million metric tons of emissions between 2006 and its 1998 launch now have been offset. The company's new goals include bringing 5 gigawatts of renewable energy near some suppliers, funding tree planting beyond its offset needs and sharing data or forging partnerships with 500 governments around the world to try to cut 1 gigaton of carbon emissions annually by 2030. Google said it would continue to offset carbon emissions unrelated to electricity use, such as from employee travel. Its carbon-free electricity goal satisfies one demand of 2,000 Google employees who last November petitioned the company to stop selling data storage and other cloud computing tools to oil companies. Pichai said the company would continue to "support everyone" with its cloud services and help oil and gas companies transition to tapping other sources.

Google sets unprecedented goal to tap only renewable power by 2030

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/latest-south-east-asia-news-reward-offered-by-indonesia-to-whoever-can-remove-a-tire-stuck-on-a-crocodiles-neck-277740">Indonesia </a>needs to sign a new renewable energy contract in the next three years to counter its massive demographic shift, according to a report in 'Indonesia&nbsp;Clean Energy Outlook'.

The country&nbsp;is Southeast Asia's largest economy and democracy and is rapidly&nbsp;approaching a demographic shift in the next ten years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/latest-south-east-asia-news-reward-offered-by-indonesia-to-whoever-can-remove-a-tire-stuck-on-a-crocodiles-neck-277740">Reward offered by Indonesia to whoever can remove a tire stuck on a crocodile's neck</a>

Experts claim that Asia's next clean energy battle will not be in India or China but in Indonesia.&nbsp;In a decade, almost half of its population will enter the workforce and 7 out of 10 people will be working by 2030, the report said. 
&nbsp; 
The country's conventional poverty rate has declined and it is experiencing enormous urban migration.&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-indonesias-mt-sinabung-erupts-696#mt-sinabung-spews-massive-smoke-117135">Indonesia's Mt Sinabung erupts</a>

Although the situation is similar to that of other countries in Southeast Asia, it has not negotiated a new renewable energy contract in three years. &nbsp;

According to the report, it will become the largest contributor to the region's ballooning energy demand over a short period of time due to rapid growth and will soon&nbsp;join both India and China as a global hotspot for power needs.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indonesia-to-increase-imports-from-india-amid-new-delhi-malaysia-spat-report-276398">Indonesia to increase imports from India amid New Delhi-Malaysia spat</a>

Indonesia's&nbsp;electricity needs are reportedly set to almost double in the next 10 years. Without immediate measures, it can offset the region's positive growth due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the report claimed.

However, Indonesia expects to put an end to stalled clean energy growth in March.

According to sources, a ministry regulation has been&nbsp;aiming to attract investment in the sphere of renewable energy.&nbsp;Malaysia and Vietnam have supported Indonesia in its endeavour.

Indonesian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indonesia-presidential-election-prabowo-subianto-vs-joko-widodo-209329">Joko Widodo</a> implied in a speech last year that reducing coal will become a national policy.

However, to meet the goal of 23 per cent renewables from 12 per cent in its energy mix by 2025 it will need to cancel coal projects which already exist in the construction pipeline.&nbsp;

Indonesia needs to sign a new renewable energy contract in the next three years to counter its massive demographic shift, according to a report in 'Indonesia Clean Energy Outlook'.

Indonesia needs to sign a new renewable energy contract in the next three years to counter its massive demographic shift, according to a report in 'Indonesia Clean Energy Outlook'. The country is Southeast Asia's largest economy and democracy and is rapidly approaching a demographic shift in the next ten years. Also read: Reward offered by Indonesia to whoever can remove a tire stuck on a crocodile's neck Experts claim that Asia's next clean energy battle will not be in India or China but in Indonesia. In a decade, almost half of its population will enter the workforce and 7 out of 10 people will be working by 2030, the report said. The country's conventional poverty rate has declined and it is experiencing enormous urban migration. Also see: Indonesia's Mt Sinabung erupts Although the situation is similar to that of other countries in Southeast Asia, it has not negotiated a new renewable energy contract in three years. According to the report, it will become the largest contributor to the region's ballooning energy demand over a short period of time due to rapid growth and will soon join both India and China as a global hotspot for power needs. Also read: Indonesia to increase imports from India amid New Delhi-Malaysia spat Indonesia's electricity needs are reportedly set to almost double in the next 10 years. Without immediate measures, it can offset the region's positive growth due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the report claimed. However, Indonesia expects to put an end to stalled clean energy growth in March. According to sources, a ministry regulation has been aiming to attract investment in the sphere of renewable energy. Malaysia and Vietnam have supported Indonesia in its endeavour. Indonesian President Joko Widodo implied in a speech last year that reducing coal will become a national policy. However, to meet the goal of 23 per cent renewables from 12 per cent in its energy mix by 2025 it will need to cancel coal projects which already exist in the construction pipeline.

To combat Asia's energy battle, Indonesia needs to sign new renewable energy contract: Report

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday lauded India for its work in the field of renewable energy and said Berlin intends to work very closely on sustainable development and climate protection including waste management and availability of pure water.

"We intend to work very closely on sustainable development and climate protection. There are many areas both in environmental like waste management pure water and climate issues. India has rather low CO2 footprints. The future industrial development, of course, needs to be as sustainable as possible. 74 GW of renewable energy is here in India and that something that you have reiterated and moved forward. I can congratulate you on that part," Merkel said.

The German chancellor, who is in India for the fifth round of Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), made these remarks during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Merkel thanked the Indian government for the warm hospitality and said the two countries are linked with strategic and friendly relationship. "I want to thank you personally and your minister for the warm hospitality. Our two countries are linked by a strategic relationship and also a friendly relationship."

Chancellor Merkel was accompanied by ministers of foreign affairs, science and education, food and agriculture, and an official delegation. A business delegation comprising leaders of German companies also accompanied Chancellor Merkel. During the visit, Merkel held meetings with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi.

India and Germany held delegation-level talks and exchanged five joint declarations. Both countries also signed 17 Memoranda of Understandings.

"These memoranda of understandings show how broad our field of cooperation is and a declaration that we have adopted illustrated once again," Merkel said.

Merkel also asserted that Germany wishes to work with India in the field of technology.

"India has a huge potential here especially when it comes to digitalisation but the development is very fast and its a challenge. And if we work together it would be a wonderful way of cooperation," Merkel said.

The German chancellor said that the agreements are on trade innovation, investment and knowledge.

She noted that the economic relations between India and Germany have strengthened but they could be further intensified.

Merkel said that the two sides also discussed the issues of education and research cooperation.

"20,000 Indian nationals are studying in Germany. We would like to see even more. When it comes to vocational training, we want to have the exchange of teachers too," she added.

Merkel also called for improving cultural exchanges between the two nations.

"The exchange of culture is the field we can bring people together Germany can learn a lot about Indian culture. Indian culture is not present in Germany as it should be," she said.

During her address, Merkel also remembered Mahatama Gandhi and said that his peaceful revolution was inspiring for so many people across the globe.

"The fact that I can stand here before you today is linked to the fact that thirty years ago a wall was brought down in Berlin and was opened after a peaceful process and that shows us our tradition that Indian and German can be proud of," she said.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday lauded India for its work in the field of renewable energy and said Berlin intends to work very closely on sustainable development and climate protection including waste management and availability of pure water.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday lauded India for its work in the field of renewable energy and said Berlin intends to work very closely on sustainable development and climate protection including waste management and availability of pure water. "We intend to work very closely on sustainable development and climate protection. There are many areas both in environmental like waste management pure water and climate issues. India has rather low CO2 footprints. The future industrial development, of course, needs to be as sustainable as possible. 74 GW of renewable energy is here in India and that something that you have reiterated and moved forward. I can congratulate you on that part," Merkel said. The German chancellor, who is in India for the fifth round of Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), made these remarks during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Merkel thanked the Indian government for the warm hospitality and said the two countries are linked with strategic and friendly relationship. "I want to thank you personally and your minister for the warm hospitality. Our two countries are linked by a strategic relationship and also a friendly relationship." Chancellor Merkel was accompanied by ministers of foreign affairs, science and education, food and agriculture, and an official delegation. A business delegation comprising leaders of German companies also accompanied Chancellor Merkel. During the visit, Merkel held meetings with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Modi. India and Germany held delegation-level talks and exchanged five joint declarations. Both countries also signed 17 Memoranda of Understandings. "These memoranda of understandings show how broad our field of cooperation is and a declaration that we have adopted illustrated once again," Merkel said. Merkel also asserted that Germany wishes to work with India in the field of technology. "India has a huge potential here especially when it comes to digitalisation but the development is very fast and its a challenge. And if we work together it would be a wonderful way of cooperation," Merkel said. The German chancellor said that the agreements are on trade innovation, investment and knowledge. She noted that the economic relations between India and Germany have strengthened but they could be further intensified. Merkel said that the two sides also discussed the issues of education and research cooperation. "20,000 Indian nationals are studying in Germany. We would like to see even more. When it comes to vocational training, we want to have the exchange of teachers too," she added. Merkel also called for improving cultural exchanges between the two nations. "The exchange of culture is the field we can bring people together Germany can learn a lot about Indian culture. Indian culture is not present in Germany as it should be," she said. During her address, Merkel also remembered Mahatama Gandhi and said that his peaceful revolution was inspiring for so many people across the globe. "The fact that I can stand here before you today is linked to the fact that thirty years ago a wall was brought down in Berlin and was opened after a peaceful process and that shows us our tradition that Indian and German can be proud of," she said.

Merkel lauds India for its initiatives in the field of renewable energy

The US Environmental Protection Agency granted some refineries full waivers from biofuels regulation for the 2018 compliance year, even though the Department of Energy had recommended partial exemptions, according to an EPA memo seen by Reuters.

The decision upset the powerful US corn lobby, already angry at the Trump administration's move in August to grant 31 full exemptions to refineries, freeing them from an at-times costly obligation to use biofuels such as corn-based ethanol.

Democratic presidential candidates also seized on the administration's use of waivers on Tuesday, calling them a giveaway to the oil industry that hurts farmers already struggling from the effects of the US trade war with China.

The issue shows how President Donald Trump has struggled to simultaneously please the corn and oil industries, key political constituencies leading into next year's presidential election that has routinely clashed over future biofuels policy.

The August 9 memo showed the EPA granted "full exemptions for those 2018 small refinery petitions where DOE recommended 50 per cent relief."

The memo, signed by Anne Idsal, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, did not specify how many refineries were involved.

Trump's EPA has disregarded DOE advice on waivers in the past, Reuters has reported, marking a break from the Obama administration’s EPA, which had often either adopted energy department recommendations or, when it did not, ruled against exempting oil refiners.

An EPA official did not immediately comment.

Agency officials and oil industry representatives have defended the EPA's expanded use of waivers under the Trump administration, saying they protect refining jobs and there is no evidence they have any impact on ethanol demand.

"Small refinery exemptions are a critical lifeline for small refineries across the US," said a spokesman for the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers refining group.

But biofuel industry representatives called the memo evidence the agency is biased in favour of the oil industry.

"Granting favours to refiners that aren’t really facing an economic hardship is just one of the multiple problems with EPA’s handling of small refinery exemptions," said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board, on the sidelines of an industry event.

"The memo clearly shows that EPA continues to disregard the recommendations of DOE," Geoff Cooper, head of the Renewable Fuels Association industry group, said in an email.

In a clear sign the issue has become a potential political vulnerability for Trump, White House hopeful Democratic Senator Cory Booker seized on the news of the memo, calling the administration's use of the waiver program an "abuse of power."

He added, "Time and time again, this president and his administration have used their power to prop up their political allies, like oil companies, at the expense of hardworking American farmers, and now, they're doing it against the advice of their own Department of Energy."

Mayor Pete Buttigieg also mentioned small refinery waivers on Tuesday during a campaign stop in Iowa, calling them "big giveaways to oil," drawing applause from his crowd.

The US Renewable Fuel Standard requires oil refineries to blend biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, into their fuel or purchase credits from those that do.

The law is intended to help farmers and cut US dependence on foreign oil but refiners say it costs them a fortune.

The RFS, however, allows the EPA to grant waivers from the regulation to small refining facilities of 75,000 barrels per day or less if they can prove that compliance would cause them disproportionate economic hardship.

This process sees the DOE assess applications and provide recommendations to the EPA, which then makes a final decision.

While the EPA publishes the number of waiver applicants and recipients each year, it keeps their identities secret, arguing the information is business-sensitive.

Since Trump took office, the EPA has vastly expanded its use of the exemptions, providing waivers to small facilities owned by billionaire investor Carl Icahn and oil majors, such as Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, Reuters has reported.

Under pressure over the most recent round of 31 waivers, Trump last month promised a "giant package" to farmers to boost the market for ethanol.

That plan has yet to be released.

The US Environmental Protection Agency granted some refineries full waivers from biofuels regulation for the 2018 compliance year, even though the Department of Energy had recommended partial exemptions, according to an EPA memo seen by Reuters.

The US Environmental Protection Agency granted some refineries full waivers from biofuels regulation for the 2018 compliance year, even though the Department of Energy had recommended partial exemptions, according to an EPA memo seen by Reuters. The decision upset the powerful US corn lobby, already angry at the Trump administration's move in August to grant 31 full exemptions to refineries, freeing them from an at-times costly obligation to use biofuels such as corn-based ethanol. Democratic presidential candidates also seized on the administration's use of waivers on Tuesday, calling them a giveaway to the oil industry that hurts farmers already struggling from the effects of the US trade war with China. The issue shows how President Donald Trump has struggled to simultaneously please the corn and oil industries, key political constituencies leading into next year's presidential election that has routinely clashed over future biofuels policy. The August 9 memo showed the EPA granted "full exemptions for those 2018 small refinery petitions where DOE recommended 50 per cent relief." The memo, signed by Anne Idsal, EPA’s acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, did not specify how many refineries were involved. Trump's EPA has disregarded DOE advice on waivers in the past, Reuters has reported, marking a break from the Obama administration’s EPA, which had often either adopted energy department recommendations or, when it did not, ruled against exempting oil refiners. An EPA official did not immediately comment. Agency officials and oil industry representatives have defended the EPA's expanded use of waivers under the Trump administration, saying they protect refining jobs and there is no evidence they have any impact on ethanol demand. "Small refinery exemptions are a critical lifeline for small refineries across the US," said a spokesman for the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers refining group. But biofuel industry representatives called the memo evidence the agency is biased in favour of the oil industry. "Granting favours to refiners that aren’t really facing an economic hardship is just one of the multiple problems with EPA’s handling of small refinery exemptions," said Kurt Kovarik, vice president of federal affairs for the National Biodiesel Board, on the sidelines of an industry event. "The memo clearly shows that EPA continues to disregard the recommendations of DOE," Geoff Cooper, head of the Renewable Fuels Association industry group, said in an email. In a clear sign the issue has become a potential political vulnerability for Trump, White House hopeful Democratic Senator Cory Booker seized on the news of the memo, calling the administration's use of the waiver program an "abuse of power." He added, "Time and time again, this president and his administration have used their power to prop up their political allies, like oil companies, at the expense of hardworking American farmers, and now, they're doing it against the advice of their own Department of Energy." Mayor Pete Buttigieg also mentioned small refinery waivers on Tuesday during a campaign stop in Iowa, calling them "big giveaways to oil," drawing applause from his crowd. The US Renewable Fuel Standard requires oil refineries to blend biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, into their fuel or purchase credits from those that do. The law is intended to help farmers and cut US dependence on foreign oil but refiners say it costs them a fortune. The RFS, however, allows the EPA to grant waivers from the regulation to small refining facilities of 75,000 barrels per day or less if they can prove that compliance would cause them disproportionate economic hardship. This process sees the DOE assess applications and provide recommendations to the EPA, which then makes a final decision. While the EPA publishes the number of waiver applicants and recipients each year, it keeps their identities secret, arguing the information is business-sensitive. Since Trump took office, the EPA has vastly expanded its use of the exemptions, providing waivers to small facilities owned by billionaire investor Carl Icahn and oil majors, such as Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp, Reuters has reported. Under pressure over the most recent round of 31 waivers, Trump last month promised a "giant package" to farmers to boost the market for ethanol. That plan has yet to be released.

US EPA granted full biofuel waivers to refineries despite Energy Dept advice: memo

To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-vows-to-take-strategic-partnership-with-pacific-island-states-to-new-heights-251857">Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix during the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly here.

He also announced the allocation of $12 million grants ($1 million to each PSIDS) towards the implementation of high impact developmental project in the area of their choice.

"In addition, a concessional Line of Credit of $150 Million which can be availed by the PSIDS for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate-related projects based on each country's requirement was announced," said the release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

This is the first time Prime Minister has met the leaders of the PSIDS on the margins of UNGA in plurilateral format.

The leaders deliberated on a wide range of issues including sharing of development experiences for the attainment of SDGs, enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, joining the newly launched Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, capacity building, implementation of projects under the India-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-inaugurates-gandhi-solar-park-at-un-headquarters-launches-commemorative-postage-stamp-251853">UN</a> Development Partnership Fund and a roadmap for future India-PSIDS cooperation, read the release.

It also added that during the first and second editions of the FIPIC summits in Fiji (2015) and Jaipur (2016), PM Modi expressed India's desire to be a close partner of the Pacific Islands nations and its readiness to work closely to advance their developmental agenda.

The Prime Minister also emphasized that India and the PSIDS have shared values and a shared future. Moreover, he highlighted the need for development policies to be inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to empowerment and improvement of the quality of people's lives.

"India is equally committed to tackling the impact of climate change and supports efforts of the PSIDs to achieve their developmental goals through necessary developmental and technical assistance," PM Modi said.

Adding that PM Modi has offered to organize a Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in a Pacific regional hub under 'India for Humanity' programme, the press release further stated that the Prime Minister also announced a Distinguished Visitors Programme under which eminent persons from these countries can visit India.

"India would also welcome the visit of a Parliamentarian delegation from the PICs to India. To continue High-Level engagement, PM extended an invitation to all the leaders for the 3rd FIPIC Summit to be held in Port Moresby in the first half of 2020," read the release.

The meeting was attended by the Heads of delegation of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, The Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Vanuatu.&nbsp;

To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix during the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly here.

To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for increasing the share of renewable energy in the total energy mix during the India-Pacific Islands Developing States (PSIDS) Leaders' Meeting held on the sidelines of the 74th session of United Nations General Assembly here. He also announced the allocation of $12 million grants ($1 million to each PSIDS) towards the implementation of high impact developmental project in the area of their choice. "In addition, a concessional Line of Credit of $150 Million which can be availed by the PSIDS for undertaking solar, renewable energy and climate-related projects based on each country's requirement was announced," said the release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. This is the first time Prime Minister has met the leaders of the PSIDS on the margins of UNGA in plurilateral format. The leaders deliberated on a wide range of issues including sharing of development experiences for the attainment of SDGs, enhancing cooperation in renewable energy, joining the newly launched Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, capacity building, implementation of projects under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and a roadmap for future India-PSIDS cooperation, read the release. It also added that during the first and second editions of the FIPIC summits in Fiji (2015) and Jaipur (2016), PM Modi expressed India's desire to be a close partner of the Pacific Islands nations and its readiness to work closely to advance their developmental agenda. The Prime Minister also emphasized that India and the PSIDS have shared values and a shared future. Moreover, he highlighted the need for development policies to be inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to empowerment and improvement of the quality of people's lives. "India is equally committed to tackling the impact of climate change and supports efforts of the PSIDs to achieve their developmental goals through necessary developmental and technical assistance," PM Modi said. Adding that PM Modi has offered to organize a Jaipur Foot Artificial Limb Fitment Camp in a Pacific regional hub under 'India for Humanity' programme, the press release further stated that the Prime Minister also announced a Distinguished Visitors Programme under which eminent persons from these countries can visit India. "India would also welcome the visit of a Parliamentarian delegation from the PICs to India. To continue High-Level engagement, PM extended an invitation to all the leaders for the 3rd FIPIC Summit to be held in Port Moresby in the first half of 2020," read the release. The meeting was attended by the Heads of delegation of Fiji, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Nauru, Republic of Palau, Independent State of Papua New Guinea, The Independent State of Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and Republic of Vanuatu.

PM Modi calls for increasing share of renewable energy at PSIDS leaders' meet

The Conflict In West Asia Highlights The Need For India To Reduce Dependence On Oil

WION Edit: Renewable Energy for Economic autonomy & A peaceful world?

Global energy transition is on a fast track and India is not far behind. India’s absolute commitment towards carbon neutral economy is well appreciated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the biggest supporters of expanding green and sustainable sources of energy, thereby mitigating risks of damaging the environment. 
 
With reference to energy transition, countries like Iceland, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, Denmark, China and the United States are setting benchmarks for the rest of the world.

Noticeably strong policy interventions along with heightened investment in sustainable energy remain the major catalysts of energy transition in these countries.&nbsp;

India’s rise to the occasion is noteworthy and quite exciting for local and global stakeholders. Not long ago, coal was considered the ‘backbone’ of India’s power sector, but today renewable sources like solar and wind are well placed to change that narrative. Currently, grid-connected renewable installation capacity driven by wind and solar exceeds 75 gw. Solar with 26 gw is strongly poised to surpass wind (35 gw) as the largest renewable source within a couple of years

During April-December 2018, India added 4,374 mw of grid-connected solar power against the target of 11,000 mw for the financial year.&nbsp;

By the virtue of expanding domestic solar market base and greater emphasis on ‘Make in India’, domestic manufacturers are becoming competitive to counter Chinese import threat. Interestingly, India’s average monthly solar component import reduced from $349 million in 2017-18 to $193 million during April-December 2018. In the context of coal-fired plants being the biggest and cheapest suppliers of power to grid, renewable sources desperately wanted “grid parity”.&nbsp;

No longer do solar and wind power face the burden of high tariff. Near monopoly of coal as a cheaper source of power is under severe threat—even long term existence of coal power is a big question. Market-discovered pricing and mega-scale installations of renewable projects has brought down tariff of renewable power below the so-called conventional ‘grid-party’. Through the auction process, the Solar Energy Corporation of India and Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd discovered solar and wind tariff of Rs 2.44/kWh and Rs 2.43/kWh respectively.&nbsp;

As the coal and renewable story unfolds, coal -- the frugal source of power - loses the coveted tag of the ‘cheapest’ but retains the undesirable tag of `dirtiest’ power.&nbsp;

Despite renewables making significant inroads in the direction of price rationalisation, other factors like long- term price sustainability and efficiency are under relentless scrutiny. Industry analysts pose relevant questions: Are the renewable producers playing to win bids? Will they be able to sustain the low prices?&nbsp;

The renewable power industry is at the growth stage and within the next five years, the real battle might unravel true survivors.

The emerging competition, market structure and customer preferences will decide the winner between the ‘cheapest’ and ‘finest’. It may so happen that the ‘finest’ would be one amongst the cheapest; then, what would happen to the rest?&nbsp;

Till 2022, the domestic renewable market will remain buoyant, subject to continued thrust of government at the helm of affairs. Beyond 2022, many renewable firms may face financial stress; therefore a phase of consolidation is natural.&nbsp;

In India’s energy transition, road transport deserves the utmost attention. Policy makers are clearly pushing for much greener and cleaner technologies.&nbsp;

Lately, electric vehicles (EV) have received government thrust, investors’ interest and consumer acceptance. For the last couple of years, many stakeholders have backed electric cars, which called for a reality check as limiting factors outstripped the enablers.

However, mid-course corrections and reactive measures are being undertaken to strengthen the EV transition. The two-wheeler segment that was not on the immediate radar, started to gain attention.

Faster adoption of EV could be achieved through advancement in storage technology, reducing the cost of EV acquisition, creating adequate charging infrastructure and offering convenient charging facilities. &nbsp;

Natural gas – the cleanest fossil fuel - is destined to impact energy transition in a much bigger way than ever anticipated in India.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-energy-transition-is-on-smooth-road-and-fast-track-in-india-2723961">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Global energy transition is on a fast track and India is not far behind. India’s absolute commitment towards carbon neutral economy is well appreciated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the biggest supporters of expanding green and sustainable sources of energy, thereby mitigating risks of damaging the environment.

Global energy transition is on a fast track and India is not far behind. India’s absolute commitment towards carbon neutral economy is well appreciated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the biggest supporters of expanding green and sustainable sources of energy, thereby mitigating risks of damaging the environment. With reference to energy transition, countries like Iceland, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, Denmark, China and the United States are setting benchmarks for the rest of the world. Noticeably strong policy interventions along with heightened investment in sustainable energy remain the major catalysts of energy transition in these countries. India’s rise to the occasion is noteworthy and quite exciting for local and global stakeholders. Not long ago, coal was considered the ‘backbone’ of India’s power sector, but today renewable sources like solar and wind are well placed to change that narrative. Currently, grid-connected renewable installation capacity driven by wind and solar exceeds 75 gw. Solar with 26 gw is strongly poised to surpass wind (35 gw) as the largest renewable source within a couple of years During April-December 2018, India added 4,374 mw of grid-connected solar power against the target of 11,000 mw for the financial year. By the virtue of expanding domestic solar market base and greater emphasis on ‘Make in India’, domestic manufacturers are becoming competitive to counter Chinese import threat. Interestingly, India’s average monthly solar component import reduced from $349 million in 2017-18 to $193 million during April-December 2018. In the context of coal-fired plants being the biggest and cheapest suppliers of power to grid, renewable sources desperately wanted “grid parity”. No longer do solar and wind power face the burden of high tariff. Near monopoly of coal as a cheaper source of power is under severe threat—even long term existence of coal power is a big question. Market-discovered pricing and mega-scale installations of renewable projects has brought down tariff of renewable power below the so-called conventional ‘grid-party’. Through the auction process, the Solar Energy Corporation of India and Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd discovered solar and wind tariff of Rs 2.44/kWh and Rs 2.43/kWh respectively. As the coal and renewable story unfolds, coal -- the frugal source of power - loses the coveted tag of the ‘cheapest’ but retains the undesirable tag of `dirtiest’ power. Despite renewables making significant inroads in the direction of price rationalisation, other factors like long- term price sustainability and efficiency are under relentless scrutiny. Industry analysts pose relevant questions: Are the renewable producers playing to win bids? Will they be able to sustain the low prices? The renewable power industry is at the growth stage and within the next five years, the real battle might unravel true survivors. The emerging competition, market structure and customer preferences will decide the winner between the ‘cheapest’ and ‘finest’. It may so happen that the ‘finest’ would be one amongst the cheapest; then, what would happen to the rest? Till 2022, the domestic renewable market will remain buoyant, subject to continued thrust of government at the helm of affairs. Beyond 2022, many renewable firms may face financial stress; therefore a phase of consolidation is natural. In India’s energy transition, road transport deserves the utmost attention. Policy makers are clearly pushing for much greener and cleaner technologies. Lately, electric vehicles (EV) have received government thrust, investors’ interest and consumer acceptance. For the last couple of years, many stakeholders have backed electric cars, which called for a reality check as limiting factors outstripped the enablers. However, mid-course corrections and reactive measures are being undertaken to strengthen the EV transition. The two-wheeler segment that was not on the immediate radar, started to gain attention. Faster adoption of EV could be achieved through advancement in storage technology, reducing the cost of EV acquisition, creating adequate charging infrastructure and offering convenient charging facilities. Natural gas – the cleanest fossil fuel - is destined to impact energy transition in a much bigger way than ever anticipated in India. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Energy transition is on smooth road and fast track in India

Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) today said it is investing in new technologies to further reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per vehicle.

The company said it is also in the process of aligning with stringent EU norms for classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances besides adopting VCI Packaging (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) guidelines for packaging materials.

"Maruti Suzuki is working systematically to reduce vehicle emissions and the impact of manufacturing on the environment... Going forward, we will continue our focus on investing in new technologies and further bring down CO2 emissions per vehicle," MSI Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said in a statement.

As part of company's efforts to use renewable source of energy, MSI plans to install a 5 MW solar power plant at its Gurgaon campus this fiscal, he added.

"At Manesar, our existing 1 MW solar power plant will be complemented by an additional 0.5 MW solar plant," Ayukawa said.

MSI said its Heartect platform helps to lower CO2 emissions between 6 to 8 per cent. Models like the Baleno, Ignis, Swift and Dzire have been built on the new platform.

It claimed to have reduced an estimated over 8.3 lakh tonnes of CO2 emission over the past decade through introduction of CNG, LPG and smart hybrid vehicles.&nbsp;

The company currently has over 50 per cent market share in the domestic passenger vehicle segment.

The company further said it has reduced water consumption per vehicle manufactured by 6 per cent as compared to the previous year at its manufacturing plants in 2017-18.&nbsp;

Besides, there is 1 per cent reduction in CO2 emission while manufacturing every vehicle over the past year, MSI claimed.

"The company will soon adopt international material data capturing system to study parameters like ASR (Automotive Shredder Residue), RRR (Reuse, Recycle and Recover) and substances of concern (like Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr) across all models so that prohibited substances can be identified and eliminated. This initiative will strengthen end of life system (ELV) for vehicles," MSI said.

For exports, the company will align with the European Union system of classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and adopt VCI Packaging (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) guidelines for packaging materials.

By aligning with EU norms the disclosures on components will be comprehensive, it said.

As part of company's efforts to use renewable source of energy, MSI plans to install a 5 MW solar power plant at its Gurgaon campus

Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) today said it is investing in new technologies to further reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per vehicle. The company said it is also in the process of aligning with stringent EU norms for classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances besides adopting VCI Packaging (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) guidelines for packaging materials. "Maruti Suzuki is working systematically to reduce vehicle emissions and the impact of manufacturing on the environment... Going forward, we will continue our focus on investing in new technologies and further bring down CO2 emissions per vehicle," MSI Managing Director and CEO Kenichi Ayukawa said in a statement. As part of company's efforts to use renewable source of energy, MSI plans to install a 5 MW solar power plant at its Gurgaon campus this fiscal, he added. "At Manesar, our existing 1 MW solar power plant will be complemented by an additional 0.5 MW solar plant," Ayukawa said. MSI said its Heartect platform helps to lower CO2 emissions between 6 to 8 per cent. Models like the Baleno, Ignis, Swift and Dzire have been built on the new platform. It claimed to have reduced an estimated over 8.3 lakh tonnes of CO2 emission over the past decade through introduction of CNG, LPG and smart hybrid vehicles. The company currently has over 50 per cent market share in the domestic passenger vehicle segment. The company further said it has reduced water consumption per vehicle manufactured by 6 per cent as compared to the previous year at its manufacturing plants in 2017-18. Besides, there is 1 per cent reduction in CO2 emission while manufacturing every vehicle over the past year, MSI claimed. "The company will soon adopt international material data capturing system to study parameters like ASR (Automotive Shredder Residue), RRR (Reuse, Recycle and Recover) and substances of concern (like Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr) across all models so that prohibited substances can be identified and eliminated. This initiative will strengthen end of life system (ELV) for vehicles," MSI said. For exports, the company will align with the European Union system of classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances and adopt VCI Packaging (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors) guidelines for packaging materials. By aligning with EU norms the disclosures on components will be comprehensive, it said.

Maruti 'investing' in new technologies to bring down CO2 emissions

Tamil Nadu is now one of the top nine markets in the world to have achieved a large share of renewable energy, analysis by the Institute For Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) &nbspmentioned.&nbsp

Renewables currently account for 16% of Tamil Nadu’s electricity generation, its second largest source of energy after coal and is the only Asian market on the list. Its wind turbines have a combined installed capacity of 7.9 gigawatts (GW).&nbsp

As well as being India’s number one state for wind energy, Tamil Nadu is also top for rooftop solar, and third for overall solar capacity including large-scale solar farms.&nbsp

It tops in wind power capacity, with around 7,870 MW as of March 2017, followed by Gujarat (5,429 MW) and Maharashtra (4,752 MW). Tamil Nadu is also India’s oldest power producer in this segment, with most of its wind farms around 25 years old.

In solar, it stands third with 1,697 MW as of June 2017. This includes the world’s second-largest single-site solar farm (648 MW). Andhra Pradesh (2,010 MW) and Rajasthan (1,961 MW) are the frontrunners.

The availability of rich wind and solar energy resources, a wide gap between power demand and supply, and robust government policies helped Tamil Nadu take the lead.

The coastal state sees heavy wind flows for about six months a year and four more months of moderate flows. It also receives 300 days of clear sunshine, experts said.

The other leaders in the list included California, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, South Australia, Spain, Tamil Nadu, Texas, and Uruguay.

Renewables currently account for 16% of Tamil Nadu’s electricity generation, its second largest source of energy after coal and is the only Asian market on the list

Tamil Nadu is now one of the top nine markets in the world to have achieved a large share of renewable energy, analysis by the Institute For Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) &nbspmentioned. Renewables currently account for 16% of Tamil Nadu’s electricity generation, its second largest source of energy after coal and is the only Asian market on the list. Its wind turbines have a combined installed capacity of 7.9 gigawatts (GW). As well as being India’s number one state for wind energy, Tamil Nadu is also top for rooftop solar, and third for overall solar capacity including large-scale solar farms. It tops in wind power capacity, with around 7,870 MW as of March 2017, followed by Gujarat (5,429 MW) and Maharashtra (4,752 MW). Tamil Nadu is also India’s oldest power producer in this segment, with most of its wind farms around 25 years old. In solar, it stands third with 1,697 MW as of June 2017. This includes the world’s second-largest single-site solar farm (648 MW). Andhra Pradesh (2,010 MW) and Rajasthan (1,961 MW) are the frontrunners. The availability of rich wind and solar energy resources, a wide gap between power demand and supply, and robust government policies helped Tamil Nadu take the lead. The coastal state sees heavy wind flows for about six months a year and four more months of moderate flows. It also receives 300 days of clear sunshine, experts said. The other leaders in the list included California, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, South Australia, Spain, Tamil Nadu, Texas, and Uruguay.

Tamil Nadu one of the top sources of renewable energy in the world: Report

By: Asit K. Biswas and&nbspKris Hartley*

In the last 50 years, China has experienced rapid economic transformation. It is now poised to assume membership among the world’s most developed economies. Its strategies on issues like urbanisation and infrastructure are widely studied and occasionally copied.

What is the next step on the growth ladder for the Asian giant? Evidence suggests that the answer lies with smart technology, particularly for urban and environmental management. Technology is playing an instrumental role in China’s modernisation efforts.

This is true across a variety of domains including industrial upgrades, public service delivery, and environmental monitoring and management. It is plausible, then, that the country will connect its growing technological prowess with its global leadership ambitions.

Green technology offers a particularly promising avenue for global influence. China has already staked a claim to global leadership in solar technology. Its domestic industry is prodigious and innovative. The country is taking bold strides to do even more. A proposed global power grid, estimated to cost a staggering USD$50 trillion, seeks to connect solar and wind power infrastructure around the world.

According to the United Nations’ Environment Programme, China’s investments in renewable energy topped USD$78.3 billion in 2017. Most of this was made up of government and corporate research and development. This far outpaced the US’s investment in the same year of USD$46.4 billion.

Now China must deliver both the innovation and scale to bring grand proposals like the global power grid to fruition. It must also navigate the modern era’ increasingly tense geopolitics. This is an important moment to put both its technological and diplomatic skills on display in its quest for superpower status.

Technology leadership

China has focused on several elements of technology in recent decades. These include urban systems, artificial intelligence and transport. One celebrated example is the country’s push for 500 cities to adopt “smart city” initiatives of varying sorts. These include “internet highways” and self-service hospitals.

Another example is Shenzhen’s fleet of electric buses. It’s almost triple the size of New York City’s fleet – conventionally powered or otherwise. The electrification of Shenzhen’s taxi fleet is next on the agenda.

China is also building world-class research capacity in artificial intelligence. It has recently implemented an internet-of-things enabled water diversion project. This spans more than 1,000km. The technology supports crucial capacity upgrades, including interlinked sensors that monitor water conditions and management systems to optimise water flow.

Towards global leadership

In a 2016 speech, the then-chairman of China’s State Grid Corp Liu Zhenya stated that upon the completion of the global energy grid project

… our world will turn into a peaceful and harmonious global village, a community of common destiny for all mankind with sufficient energy, blue skies and green land.

Cynics may bristle at such idealism. But despite its hyperbole, this comment shows how far China’s vision for global leadership has evolved. When an emerging superpower – with the world’s largest population and, soon, the world’s largest economy – makes declarations about its global ambitions, the rest of the world scoffs at its own peril.

Becoming a global leader in solar and other green energy sources comes with great responsibilities. China will need to balance the rapid expansion of productive capacity with environmental stewardship. For example, the negative peripheral effects of solar manufacturing require tighter regulatory control.

Investment in cleaner production systems is also crucial – not only for the health of China’s citizens but also as a model of sustainability for the world.

Looking to a global future

China’s long-run investment perspective and bold capital outlays in the areas of technology, energy, environment, and transport have the potential to define the global future in the way Britain’s industrial revolution did two centuries ago.

The variety and complexity of such projects can generate spin-off technologies that drive global-scale innovations in other fields, in the same way the US’s space exploration led to the transformation of technology for health and medicine, transportation, agriculture, and security.

China has exhibited a pragmatic approach in overcoming domestic economic development challenges in recent decades. The country’s economic reforms, beginning in 1978, embraced market liberalisation as a substitute for the ideology of central planning.

The reforms included investment in infrastructure, education and industrial capacity. This generated substantial negative impacts, including environmental degradation. But there is evidence that China is committed to improving conditions.

One notable example is recent progress clearing the air in Beijing. China should now embrace the same pragmatism in applying technology to global challenges in an inclusive and sustainable fashion.

*Asit K. Biswas is a&nbspDistinguished Visiting Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore and Kris Hartley, Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Melbourne

(This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-china-connect-technological-prowess-with-global-ambitions-95093">original article</a>.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

China’s long-run investment perspective and bold capital outlays in the areas of technology, energy, environment, and transport have the potential to define the global future in the way Britain’s industrial revolution did two centuries ago

By: Asit K. Biswas and&nbspKris Hartley* In the last 50 years, China has experienced rapid economic transformation. It is now poised to assume membership among the world’s most developed economies. Its strategies on issues like urbanisation and infrastructure are widely studied and occasionally copied. What is the next step on the growth ladder for the Asian giant? Evidence suggests that the answer lies with smart technology, particularly for urban and environmental management. Technology is playing an instrumental role in China’s modernisation efforts. This is true across a variety of domains including industrial upgrades, public service delivery, and environmental monitoring and management. It is plausible, then, that the country will connect its growing technological prowess with its global leadership ambitions. Green technology offers a particularly promising avenue for global influence. China has already staked a claim to global leadership in solar technology. Its domestic industry is prodigious and innovative. The country is taking bold strides to do even more. A proposed global power grid, estimated to cost a staggering USD$50 trillion, seeks to connect solar and wind power infrastructure around the world. According to the United Nations’ Environment Programme, China’s investments in renewable energy topped USD$78.3 billion in 2017. Most of this was made up of government and corporate research and development. This far outpaced the US’s investment in the same year of USD$46.4 billion. Now China must deliver both the innovation and scale to bring grand proposals like the global power grid to fruition. It must also navigate the modern era’ increasingly tense geopolitics. This is an important moment to put both its technological and diplomatic skills on display in its quest for superpower status. Technology leadership China has focused on several elements of technology in recent decades. These include urban systems, artificial intelligence and transport. One celebrated example is the country’s push for 500 cities to adopt “smart city” initiatives of varying sorts. These include “internet highways” and self-service hospitals. Another example is Shenzhen’s fleet of electric buses. It’s almost triple the size of New York City’s fleet – conventionally powered or otherwise. The electrification of Shenzhen’s taxi fleet is next on the agenda. China is also building world-class research capacity in artificial intelligence. It has recently implemented an internet-of-things enabled water diversion project. This spans more than 1,000km. The technology supports crucial capacity upgrades, including interlinked sensors that monitor water conditions and management systems to optimise water flow. Towards global leadership In a 2016 speech, the then-chairman of China’s State Grid Corp Liu Zhenya stated that upon the completion of the global energy grid project … our world will turn into a peaceful and harmonious global village, a community of common destiny for all mankind with sufficient energy, blue skies and green land. Cynics may bristle at such idealism. But despite its hyperbole, this comment shows how far China’s vision for global leadership has evolved. When an emerging superpower – with the world’s largest population and, soon, the world’s largest economy – makes declarations about its global ambitions, the rest of the world scoffs at its own peril. Becoming a global leader in solar and other green energy sources comes with great responsibilities. China will need to balance the rapid expansion of productive capacity with environmental stewardship. For example, the negative peripheral effects of solar manufacturing require tighter regulatory control. Investment in cleaner production systems is also crucial – not only for the health of China’s citizens but also as a model of sustainability for the world. Looking to a global future China’s long-run investment perspective and bold capital outlays in the areas of technology, energy, environment, and transport have the potential to define the global future in the way Britain’s industrial revolution did two centuries ago. The variety and complexity of such projects can generate spin-off technologies that drive global-scale innovations in other fields, in the same way the US’s space exploration led to the transformation of technology for health and medicine, transportation, agriculture, and security. China has exhibited a pragmatic approach in overcoming domestic economic development challenges in recent decades. The country’s economic reforms, beginning in 1978, embraced market liberalisation as a substitute for the ideology of central planning. The reforms included investment in infrastructure, education and industrial capacity. This generated substantial negative impacts, including environmental degradation. But there is evidence that China is committed to improving conditions. One notable example is recent progress clearing the air in Beijing. China should now embrace the same pragmatism in applying technology to global challenges in an inclusive and sustainable fashion. *Asit K. Biswas is a&nbspDistinguished Visiting Professor, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore and Kris Hartley, Lecturer in Public Policy, University of Melbourne (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Can China connect technological prowess with global ambitions?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday suggested looking back to the Vedas in a bid to combat climate change.

&quot;Vedas consider the Sun as the soul of the world, it has been considered as a life nurturer. Today, for combating climate change, we need to look at this ancient idea to find a way,&quot; the Prime Minister noted.

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Veda&#39;s consider the sun as the soul of the world, it has been considered as a life nurturer. Today, for combating climate change, we need to look at this ancient idea to find a way: PM Modi at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InternationalSolarAlliance?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InternationalSolarAlliance</a> <a href="https://t.co/NQmGxlM3yB">pic.twitter.com/NQmGxlM3yB</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/972696888653869056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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He also called for framing of regulations and standards to promote solar energy.

Speaking at the first ever International Solar Alliance Summit in New Delhi, the prime minister&nbsp;welcomed the measures to promote the use of affordable technology and called for raising the&nbsp;share of solar electricity in the energy mix.&nbsp;

Foreign dignitaries from 23 nations were in attendance at the summit. The event was co-hosted by India and France.&nbsp;

The President of France gave the inaugural address at the event following by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who talked about solar energy deployment in the country. &nbsp;

&quot;In India, we have launched the world&#39;s largest renewable energy expansion programme which will produce 175-gigawatt electricity from renewable sources by 2022; 100 gigawatts from solar,&quot; the Prime Minister noted.&nbsp;

He also said that distribution of 28 crores LED bulbs in 3 years has saved close to $2 billion and 4 gigawatts of electricity.

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भारत में हमने दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा विस्तार कार्यक्रम शुरू किया है। 
हम 2022 तक renewables से 175 GW बिजली उत्पन्न करेंगे जिसमें से 100 GW बिजली सौर से होगी। हमने इसमे से 20 GW installed solar power का लक्ष्य हासिल कर लिया है: PM
&mdash; PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/972696586131091457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;India will provide 500 training slots for ISA member countries; start solar tech mission to lead research and development in the sector,&quot; PM Modi stated.

He also suggested measures to increase solar energy consumption.

&quot;To promote the use of solar energy, the availability of technology and development, economic resources, reduction in prices, development of storage technology, mass manufacturing, and innovation require a complete ecosystem,&quot; PM Modi said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his country&#39;s commitment toward solar energy promotion on the occasion.&nbsp;

&quot;With PM Modi, we are committed and have same obsession-creating momentum, inspiring people and gathering them to deliver results. But we&#39;re obsessed by concrete results, so now we are creating new momentum, we take new commitment to deliver complete results for our countries and the planet,&quot; Macron noted.&nbsp;

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With PM Modi we are committed&amp;we hv same obsession-creating momentum,inspiring people&amp;gathering them to deliver results.But we&#39;re obsessed by concrete results,so now we are creating new momentum,we take new commitment to deliver complete results for our countries&amp;planet: E Macron <a href="https://t.co/fGzsC2VnZs">pic.twitter.com/fGzsC2VnZs</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/972697068069425153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The summit was attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid&nbsp;among other dignitaries.&nbsp;

PM Modi also suggested measures to increase solar energy consumption

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday suggested looking back to the Vedas in a bid to combat climate change. "Vedas consider the Sun as the soul of the world, it has been considered as a life nurturer. Today, for combating climate change, we need to look at this ancient idea to find a way," the Prime Minister noted. Veda's consider the sun as the soul of the world, it has been considered as a life nurturer. Today, for combating climate change, we need to look at this ancient idea to find a way: PM Modi at #InternationalSolarAlliance pic.twitter.com/NQmGxlM3yB — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018 × He also called for framing of regulations and standards to promote solar energy. Speaking at the first ever International Solar Alliance Summit in New Delhi, the prime minister welcomed the measures to promote the use of affordable technology and called for raising the share of solar electricity in the energy mix. Foreign dignitaries from 23 nations were in attendance at the summit. The event was co-hosted by India and France. The President of France gave the inaugural address at the event following by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who talked about solar energy deployment in the country. "In India, we have launched the world's largest renewable energy expansion programme which will produce 175-gigawatt electricity from renewable sources by 2022; 100 gigawatts from solar," the Prime Minister noted. He also said that distribution of 28 crores LED bulbs in 3 years has saved close to $2 billion and 4 gigawatts of electricity. भारत में हमने दुनिया का सबसे बड़ा नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा विस्तार कार्यक्रम शुरू किया है। हम 2022 तक renewables से 175 GW बिजली उत्पन्न करेंगे जिसमें से 100 GW बिजली सौर से होगी। हमने इसमे से 20 GW installed solar power का लक्ष्य हासिल कर लिया है: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 11, 2018 × "India will provide 500 training slots for ISA member countries; start solar tech mission to lead research and development in the sector," PM Modi stated. He also suggested measures to increase solar energy consumption. "To promote the use of solar energy, the availability of technology and development, economic resources, reduction in prices, development of storage technology, mass manufacturing, and innovation require a complete ecosystem," PM Modi said. French President Emmanuel Macron also expressed his country's commitment toward solar energy promotion on the occasion. "With PM Modi, we are committed and have same obsession-creating momentum, inspiring people and gathering them to deliver results. But we're obsessed by concrete results, so now we are creating new momentum, we take new commitment to deliver complete results for our countries and the planet," Macron noted. With PM Modi we are committed&we hv same obsession-creating momentum,inspiring people&gathering them to deliver results.But we're obsessed by concrete results,so now we are creating new momentum,we take new commitment to deliver complete results for our countries&planet: E Macron pic.twitter.com/fGzsC2VnZs — ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2018 × The summit was attended by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid among other dignitaries.

Turn to vedas to combat climate change: Modi at Solar Summit

China aims to prevent power generated by its renewable energy sector being wasted by 2020, the country&rsquo;s National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Monday.

Power from wind, solar and hydro plants is often wasted as there is not enough transmission capacity to absorb it, leading to high curtailment rates, especially in northwestern China.

The NEA said in a statement that the utilization rate of hydro-power plants in the southwestern provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan should reach around 90 percent by 2017.

It expects the wind power curtailment rate to drop to about 30 percent in the northwestern provinces of Gansu and Xinjiang and to around 20 percent in the northeastern region of Jilin, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia in 2017.

Solar power waste in Gansu and Xinjiang provinces should be controlled below around 20 percent and in Shaanxi and Qinghai to below 10 percent this year, it added.

Power generated from wind and solar power plants in other regions across the country will have to meet the 2017 targets set by the NEA last year, it said in the statement.

China has vowed to raise the portion of its renewable and non-fossil fuel power consumption to 15 percent of the total energy mix by 2020 and 20 percent by 2030.

It also said that it will promote the power trade market and improve its cross-region power transmission capacity to boost renewable energy consumption and cut its coal dependence.

Coal-fired power capacity across the country will be capped at 1,100 gigawatts by 2020, the NEA said.

Power from wind, solar and hydro plants is often wasted as there is not enough transmission capacity to absorb it, leading to high curtailment rates, especially in northwestern China

China aims to prevent power generated by its renewable energy sector being wasted by 2020, the country’s National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Monday. Power from wind, solar and hydro plants is often wasted as there is not enough transmission capacity to absorb it, leading to high curtailment rates, especially in northwestern China. The NEA said in a statement that the utilization rate of hydro-power plants in the southwestern provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan should reach around 90 percent by 2017. It expects the wind power curtailment rate to drop to about 30 percent in the northwestern provinces of Gansu and Xinjiang and to around 20 percent in the northeastern region of Jilin, Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia in 2017. Solar power waste in Gansu and Xinjiang provinces should be controlled below around 20 percent and in Shaanxi and Qinghai to below 10 percent this year, it added. Power generated from wind and solar power plants in other regions across the country will have to meet the 2017 targets set by the NEA last year, it said in the statement. China has vowed to raise the portion of its renewable and non-fossil fuel power consumption to 15 percent of the total energy mix by 2020 and 20 percent by 2030. It also said that it will promote the power trade market and improve its cross-region power transmission capacity to boost renewable energy consumption and cut its coal dependence. Coal-fired power capacity across the country will be capped at 1,100 gigawatts by 2020, the NEA said.

China to stop wastage of renewable energy by 2020

The UK Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy has released figures while auctioning for offshore winds.&nbsp;

Two firms were willing to build offshore wind farms for a subsidy of 57.50 pounds per megawatt hour compared to the new nuclear plant that will be set up for 92.50 pounds per megawatt hour in 2022-23.&nbsp;The auction is&nbsp;awarded&nbsp;to the&nbsp;lowest bidder.&nbsp;

The figures are considered a milestone in the advancement of renewable energy.&nbsp;

A BBC report quoted Emma Pinchbeck, from the wind energy trade body Renewable UK showing her surprised reaction over the figures.&nbsp;

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Offshore Wind just delivered the closest thing to an energy sector mic drop: offshore, onshore wind and solar are cheaper than gas &amp; nukes
&mdash; Emma Pinchbeck (@ELPinchbeck) <a href="https://twitter.com/ELPinchbeck/status/907126683425263616">September 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;We still think nuclear can be part of the mix - but our industry has shown how to drive costs down, and now they need to do the same,&quot; she added.&nbsp;

The price of energy from offshore entity has reduced to half in the past five years.&nbsp;

According to Energy analysts, the UK government policy is responsible for lowering of this price. The policy has provided special incentives to upcoming industry and then pushing them to bid in an auction for their subsidies.&nbsp;

Though the massive reduction in the cost of the offshore wind is considered a huge boost to the renewable industry, the nuclear industry said that nuclear energy will still be needed.

It stated that wind power is irregular and therefore nuclear energy will be required.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Two firms were willing to build offshore wind farms for a subsidy of 57.50 pounds per megawatt hour compared to the new nuclear plant that will be set up for 92.50 pounds per megawatt hour in 2022-23

The UK Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy has released figures while auctioning for offshore winds. Two firms were willing to build offshore wind farms for a subsidy of 57.50 pounds per megawatt hour compared to the new nuclear plant that will be set up for 92.50 pounds per megawatt hour in 2022-23. The auction is awarded to the lowest bidder. The figures are considered a milestone in the advancement of renewable energy. A BBC report quoted Emma Pinchbeck, from the wind energy trade body Renewable UK showing her surprised reaction over the figures. Offshore Wind just delivered the closest thing to an energy sector mic drop: offshore, onshore wind and solar are cheaper than gas & nukes — Emma Pinchbeck (@ELPinchbeck) September 11, 2017 × "We still think nuclear can be part of the mix - but our industry has shown how to drive costs down, and now they need to do the same," she added. The price of energy from offshore entity has reduced to half in the past five years. According to Energy analysts, the UK government policy is responsible for lowering of this price. The policy has provided special incentives to upcoming industry and then pushing them to bid in an auction for their subsidies. Though the massive reduction in the cost of the offshore wind is considered a huge boost to the renewable industry, the nuclear industry said that nuclear energy will still be needed. It stated that wind power is irregular and therefore nuclear energy will be required.

Offshore wind energy cheaper than nuclear power: UK report

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