India’s International Exhibition and Conference for the Solar Industry..

Intersolar India takes place from December 14–16, 2010 in Mumbai's expansive Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC). It is the premier exhibition and conference for the photovoltaics and solar thermal industries in India. The conference takes place one day offset from the exhibition (Dec. 13-15) at Leela Kempinski Mumbai hotel and features over 70 speakers presenting in more than 15 sessions.

Intersolar India brings together industry professionals from the entire Solar eco-system, including: materials, equipment, PV cell and module manufacturers and distributors; inverter and balance of systems suppliers; mounting and tracking systems suppliers; solar thermal manufacturers and distributors; project developers, service companies; the finance and banking community and policy makers.

A brochure for the exhibition can be found below: Inter Solar India 2010 Conference Program

Register for the Exhibition for free!

Register for the Conference!

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Renewable Energy: Technology, Economics and Environment - Martin , Wolfgang and Andreas

Renewable Energy plays a vital role in today’s energy starved age. Every economy around the world seeks an efficient, reliable, cheap and sustainable energy source to cater to energy security requirements. Renewable Energy development can assist the economy in achieving energy security.

Most of the economies have started developing RE sources. Below figure shows the Renewable Energy generation growth of 2009 vs 2008.

With growing demand of Renewable Energy sources, a techno-commercial knowledge of Renewable Energy projects are also required. Spark Network in its efforts to cater to fulfill the resources requirements of growing RE sector found a very useful publication giving detailed analysis of technology, economics and environment aspects of Renewable Energy. The details of the publication are as follows:

Publication Title: Renewable Energy: Technology, Economics and Environment

Authors:

1. Martin Kaltschmitt

2. Wolfgang Streicher

3. Andreas Wiese

Short Description:

This book presents the physical and technical principles of promising ways of utilizing renewable energies. In this context, firstly the main characteristics of the available renewable energy streams are outlined. Subsequently, the book presents the technologies of heat provision from passive and active solar systems, ambient air, shallow geothermal energy as well as energy from deep geothermal sources. In the preceding chapters the book addresses the processes of electricity generation from solar radiation (photovoltaic and solar thermal power plant technologies), wind energy, and hydropower. In addition, a brief discussions of harnessing ocean energies is included.

The authors provide the important data and parameter sets for the major possibilities of renewable energies utilization which allow an economic and environmental assessment. Such an assessment enables us to judge the chances and limits of the multiple options utilizing renewable energy sources.

“CLICK HERE” to know more about the publication and to purchase it.

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SEL acquires tower and O&M business from STSL and SISL...

A corporate announcement has been made by Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL) to National Stock Exchange (NSE) for acquisition of tower business division of Suzlon Tower and Structures Limited (STSL) and Operations and Maintenance division of Suzlon Infrastructure Services Limited (SISL). STSL and SISL bother are wholly owned subsidiaries of SEL.

The has been made to facilitate reduction in costs, product improvement in operations, maintenance and services, overall advantage from vendors and suppliers of materials and services through common procurement facilities of SEL and efficient material management.

Price of Suzlon Energy on exchanges when the news was posted. [Suzlon Energy - BSE:Rs. 53.40 NSE:Rs. 53.45 ]

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CLP plans big for India-coal, gas and wind projects...

A massive power generation capacity planned by China Light and Power (CLP), the largest foreign power company in India. The capacity shall include thermal projects, wind projects and transmission projects. The investment planned is around Rs. 30,000 Crs; Rs 10,000 Crs have already been invested by the compnay in past eight years in gas, coal and wind projects.  

CLP  is one of the largest power companies in the Asia-Pacific region, with over 50 generation, transmission and distribution assets and retail businesses, with over 19,000 MW of capacity in Hong Kong China, Australia, Philippines and Laos.

CLP entered India in 2002 by acquiring a 655-Mw gas/naphtha based combined cycle plant, Gujarat Paguthan Energy Corporation (GPEC) at Bharuch from Power Plc of the UK. It is planning to expand the capacity by another 1,000 Mw, with gas as fuel.

CLP India has been pre-qualified for two ultra mega power projects (UMPP)s proposed at Orissa and Chattisgarh, revealed Mishra. CLP had not participated in the earlier allocation of UMPPs at Mundra (Gujarat), Sasan (MP), Krishnapatanam (AP)and Tilaiya (Jharkhand).

Spark Network also found that the company is setting up a 1,320 Mw (2x660 Mw) domestic coal-based power project at Jhajjar in Haryana. It plans to commission the first unit by next year and the project is to be fully commissioned by May 2012.

The company is also planning big investments in wind energy. CLP is planning to add an average of 300 Mw every year in the coming years to take its capacity in wind power generation to about 2,000 Mw

It is already the largest wind power generator in the country, with close to 500 Mw of projects. It has operational wind farms at Knadke in Maharashtra (50.4 Mw), Samana in Jamnagar (88.8), Sundatti at Belgaum in Karnataka (20.8 Mw) and Theni in Tamil Nadu (90 Mw). It is also setting up a 12-Mw wind farm in in Samana, 61.6 Mw at Belgaum, 113.6 Mw at Andhra Lake in Maharashtra and 39.6 Mw at Harapanahalli in Karnataka.

Most of these will be executed Enercon and Vestas and the company will sign more development deals with Suzlon, said the executive.

CLP plans to foray into transmission projects in a tie-up with Gammon India. The partners bid for two projects unsuccessfully and are in the final round of bidding for two mega transmission projects scheduled to be awarded this month and in January.

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Update on Solar Projects in Andhra Pradesh...

Spark Network found that around 1,184 MW of Solar power projects have been proposed by various private developers in Andhra Pradesh.

The proposals have been considered by AP Transco of issuance of evacuation clearances to facilitate the developers to participate in Request for Selection (RfS) to be invited by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd (NVVN) for final allotment.

Currently, three projects of 5 MW each under solar photovoltaic (Solar PV) and one project of 50 MW under solar thermal (CSP) route have been allotted in phase one of RfS called by NVVN.

The price quoted recently by companies like Megha Engineering at about Rs 12 is quite aggressive considering a high of Rs 19 barely two years ago.

This price is also lower than the price fixed by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) at Rs 17.91.

In addition, 11 proposals have been selected with a capacity of 10.5 MW under rooftop photo voltaic and small solar power generation programme (RPSSGP).

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77.8 MW Solar PV projects receives go ahead from IREDA...

Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) projects of around 77.8 MW capacity by Independent Power Produces (IPPs) under phase-1 of the National Solar Mission (NSM) received a  go ahead from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA).

IREDA is a program administrator for 100 MW rooftop SPV Projects under Phase-1 of NSM. IREDA had received initial responses from over 330 developers during the registration process held on July 15. Subsequently during the final registration process, the initially shortlisted 96 project developers applied online.

Spark Network found that the top four States where they are at different stages of implementation include Rajasthan with a total of 12 MW capacity, Andhra Pradesh (10.5 MW), Haryana (8.8 MW), and Punjab (8.5 MW),” he said.

The development of these 100 MW is different from those which are being handled by the NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN).

“The program that is being handled by IREDA is based on State-led initiatives. The States where the respective regulators have been pro-active and come out with attractive tariff rates for solar power within specified timelines, the programs have taken off, as the powers generated through these source will be purchased by the State utilities,” he added.

The role of IREDA is to monitor the performance and pass on the GBI, apart from financing the projects, he added. The projects have to be commissioned by September 2011. The installation cost of solar PV units is about Rs 15 crore per MW.

IREDA, which is under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), is to promote, develop and extend financial assistance for renewable energy projects. Apart from these 100 MW projects, IREDA is also extending loans to those projects developers, implementing projects being handled by NVVN.

Under the National Solar Mission it is being planned to develop plants for 1,100 MW in the first phase and to have 20,000 MW installed capacity by 2022.

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Nuclear contract for 2 N-Reactors is likely between Indian and France.

Spark Network found that France and India are likely to sign a framework contract during President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India for the sale of at least two French atomic reactors but a final deal could take another six months.

The deal is for French nuclear group Areva to supply two reactors estimated at around 7 billion euros ($9.4 billion).

Areva has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nuclear Power Corp of India (NPCIL) for the sale and India has given the green light for construction.

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JSPL’s Raigad expansion project gets in-principle green nod…

Jindal Power’s Rs. 13,140 Crorer expnasion project in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh received an in-principle clearances from the MoEF. This will pave the way for engineering and construction work to resume at the plant site.

The clearance is only for the first two units of 600 MW each under the expansion project. The total capacity of expansion project is 2,400 MW having 4 units of 600 MW each at Tamnar Thermal Power Project in Gharghoda tehsil of Raigarh district.

According to MoEF website "Environmental clearance shall be applicable for 2x600-MW only. However, at a later stage, when firm coal linkage for the third and fourth unit of 600 MW are also available, the project proponent may request the ministry for inclusion of 2x600-MW, which the ministry may consider appropriately on merit.”

The preliminary clearance had been withdrawn by MoEF after some allegations that Jindal Power had not followed the Terms of Reference (TOR) stipulated by the government.

Among the conditions stipulated by the ministry for the grant of final environmental clearance, the company has been asked to secure certain permissions from the Coal Ministry, as some of the plant area falls in coal-bearing area.

In addition, the Environment Ministry has directed the company to finalise a vision document outlining its plans for the site within six months.
The Environment Ministry clearance also makes it mandatory for the company to establish a three-tier green belt around the plant, as well as undertake specific schemes for the welfare of tribals affected by the project.

The company will have to earmark Rs 53.60 crore as a one -time investment on corporate social responsibility activities and recurring expenditure on CSR initiatives shall not be "less than Rs 10.7 crore per annum till the operation of the plant", as per the ministry's clearance.
"The proposed project is to entail an investment of Rs 13,410 crore, of which over Rs 10,000 crore debt has been tied up," the company said after getting the Environment Ministry's nod.

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MTSL 1980 MW Thermal Project at Raigarh - 8 companies in the race…

Spark Network found that around 8 power companies have bided for the 1980 MW Thermal Power Project of Maha Tamil Collieries. The project is proposed to be set up at Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.

Eight power companies are known to have bid for the 1,980-Mw thermal power project of Maha Tamil Collieries, in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.

The list of the companies include Reliance Power, GVK, Lanco Infratech, GMR, L&T, Sterlite Energy, JSW Energy and Indiabulls Power. The cost of the project estimated at Rs. 15,000 Crore. The project being a pit-head will be located right at the attached coal mine. The mine, Gare Pelma – II produces 15 mt annual output and having reserves of around 768 million tonnes.

Maha Tamil Collieries is a joint venture company of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and the Mahrashtra State Mining Corporation, each an arm of their respective state governments. TNEB has 77 per cent of the equity and MSMC the rest. The JV will allow the successful bidder to use coal from the mine to put up the power capacity. The developer must, after satisfying obligations to the host state (Chhattisgarh), sell half the remaining power produced to the state electricity boards of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The other half can be sold on a “merchant basis” though the two boards will have first right of refusal on these, too. And, any extra coal from the mine should be diverted back to the joint venture company.

The bid rules asked for companies with at least three years experience in mining 10 million tonnes in the past three years, either in India or abroad. Bidders who have been selected to develop a coal mine with geological reserves of 250 million tonnes are also qualified.

Spark Network believes that the bid qualifications are very strict and very few companies can qualify,  but the project has generated huge interest because it is one the biggest power projects seeking bids after the Tilaiya (in Jharkhand) ultra mega power project (UMPP) bids.

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GoM to phase out six generating units of Chandarpur…

Maharashtra Government has decided to phase out at least six generating units at coal-based power plants, which have outlived their utility.

Spark Network believes that auction of these will generate additional amount of land and resources which can be used to develop new power plants or other industries. These units were established in Chandarpur more than 40 years back and have maximum 40 MW generating capacity.

Being coal-based projects, these units are  not only cost intensive but also a major sources of pollution. The decision of Maharashtra Government was in context with the various measures and reforms in the power sector initiated by the state, in coordination with the Union government, for attaining the promised target of a zero-load-shedding Maharashtra by 2012.

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