Feature Article

Plans to use concentrating solar power plants in the Sahara to generate and export electricity have been on the table for years. Now, it looks as though political will might help move things forward.

In conversation with Mr. Jakob Lau Hoist, COO of the Danish Wind Industry Association.

India is abundantyl gifted with a variety of renewable energy sources; however not all states are endowed with same level of renewable energy sources. The enactment of the Electricity Act 2003 (EA 2003) stimulated the development of RE-based power generation by mandating State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC) with the responsibility to promote RE generation within the state.

The state of Karnataka is bestowed with good wind energy potential. Of the 48,561 MW wind energy potential identified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for the country, 12,950 MW has been assessed for Karnataka. According to the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited, the total wind power installed capacity as of January 2010 stands at 1,368 MW.

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, the central power regulator of India, is all set to implement the REC Mechanism any time soon. The Commission believes that the introduction of Renewable Energy Certificates can turn around the market for renewable energy, thus opening up new avenues for renewable energy generators.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are a market-based instrument to promote RE power. The REC is a policy instrument which provides evidence that an electricity generator has produced a certain quantum of power from a renewable energy source such has wind, solar, biomass, waste to energy etc.

It is well understood that access to cheap, clean and copious energy sources is essential for modern technological societies. Over the last century, fossil fuels did provide the world with unprecedented development, there was, however, insufficient clarity about the criteria for

On 14th January, 2010 the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) notified the CERC (Terms and Conditions for recognition and issuance of Renewable Energy Generation) Regulations, 2010.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India has come out with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) with the objective of establishing India as a global leader in solar energy by creating policy conditions for its diffusion across the country as soon as possible.

Climate change is definitely the biggest story of the 21st century. But its sheer complexity and urgency is defeating us. For the past 19 years-the first intergovernmental negotiations took place in Washington DC, USA in early 1991-the world has been arguing about what it knows but doesn't accept.