Feature Article

Is a vast undersea grid bringing wind-generated electricity from the North Sea to Europe a feasible proposition or an overpriced fantasy?

Europe says it is embarking on an unprecedented overhaul of its electricity system. But it must do more to convince the private sector that it is serious. (Editorial)

Japan has initiated a WTO challenge against Ontario

The Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) platform was formally launched by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on 18 November 2010/ This article focuses on the REC mechanism, and the issues and challenges involved for India.

The article assesses the impact of solar home lighting system  under remote village electrification programme (RVEP) in Assam, Jharkhand and Meghalaya.
 

More than a billion people spread across 54 countries inhabit Africa, the world's second largest continent. People from Kenya to Ghana, from Sudan to Zambia, from Uganda to Lesotho are under threat from dam building.

Sri Lanka is becoming a power hungry nation. Several coal power plants with a total generation capacity of 3,200 MW are on the anvil. The country’s new energy minister, Champika Ranawaka, wants a nuclear power plant by 2025. That’s a sure sign of change: Ranawaka started his career as an activist against coal power. He was the environment minister in the last government.

The role of local governments is of direct tangible importance to climate adaptation debates because, although many processes are global, most impacts will be local. At a practical level one important way in which panchayats can make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is by helping in the harnessing of renewable energy sources.

Till September 6, Gujarat’s Secretariat campus in Gandhinagar boasted the largest installation of solar panels in India. Now it has another distinction— the campus has become home to the country’s first smart grid. A smart grid transmits and distributes electricity using information and communication technology. It helps control electricity use by making consumption patterns more visible.

SOLAR cells get damaged and lose efficiency from constant exposure to sunlight. Then how is it that plants show little wear and tear though they too capture the Sun’s energy during photosynthesis? The secret lies in the ability of light-capturing molecules in plants to break down and reassemble all the time.