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Business & Commerce

Renewable Energy: Boon or Bane?

by Editor's Desk November 12, 2019

The TrickyScribe: As if the case for renewable energy needs any more making, here comes a study claiming wind and solar power are good for the water table. That they could help farmers survive periods of drought too. That’s especially big news for India. India is one country wherein different regions simultaneously face flood- and drought situations. India has suffered; through a series of droughts leading to overexploitation of its groundwater by users including farmers.

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Renewable energy is a boon for farmers seeking to supplement the revenue and slashing down energy costs with wind and solar projects, including the emerging field of agrivoltaics. Hydropower is one form of renewable energy that is not necessarily a benefit for farmers.

Farmers need irrigation in face of scanty rainfalls. This is when drought is likely to hamper the farming prospects. Need for irrigation shoots during the periods of drought. This, however, is right around the same time when hydropower dams are especially wary about releasing water for any single purpose. Theory goes that agricultural water users would benefit from policies that in turns accelerate the development of wind & solar projects at the expense of hydropower as well as fossil fuels.

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The question remains, will farmers really benefit? Little research has been conducted to back up the theory. The study from Princeton University aims at providing some answers. The Princeton research suggests that strict adherence to the timetable for wind & solar development would help cut down the carbon footprint.

With less water for power generation, more water would be available for crop irrigation during periods of drought. By using more surface water from rivers during droughts, farmers may reduce the use of pumped groundwater allowing the water table with more opportunities of replenishing itself. Of course, this would lead to benefits across the board!

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The researchers, in essence, debate that policymakers must consider the value of water in agricultural use along with the value of reducing carbon while planning the dynamics of new projects. The end outcome of such calculations would be to prepare a platform justifying the acceleration of wind and solar projects at the expense of hydropower. Researchers hold that “water allocation trade-offs between hydropower generation and irrigation use, and their future evolution, can be potentially solved by consideration of integrated management tools and the fast increase of low-carbon energy generation, such as solar and wind energy.”

Total Views: 2,18,665

November 12, 2019

Business & Commerce

India Calls for a Global Water Action Agenda

by Editor's Desk September 9, 2019

written by Editor's Desk

Aditya Vaibhav | The TrickyScribe: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi evoked the international fraternity to help conceive a Global Water Action Agenda. Highlighting the importance of water conservation, PM Modi said on Monday that India is working to ensure more crops per drop while addressing High Level Segment of the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

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Reiterating his resolve to putting an end to single use plastic in the coming years, PM Modi said: “I believe the time has come for even the world to say good-bye to single use plastic.” Attributing the success of Swacch Bharat Mission to the collective effort of Indians, PM Modi said: “People from all walks of life took part and ensured sanitation coverage was up from 38% in 2014 to 99% till date.” He added that India would raise its ambition of the total area that would be restored from its land degradation status, from twenty one million hectares to twenty six million hectares by 2030.

Interestingly, with gloves on and mops out, Indian High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanshyam indulged in diplomacy of another kind as she led officials and members of the diaspora in cleaning the premises of the Indian High Commission at London on Saturday. The building was vandalised by Pakistan supporters on September 3 during a protest against New Delhi’s decision to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status and bifurcate it into two distinct union territories last month.

In his deliberation on the occasion, PM Modi also laid emphasis on Zero Budget natural farming. He asserted that the importance of meticulous management of water, which is central to the Land Degradation Neutrality strategy, is need of the hour and said his government has earmarked “Jal Shakti” (Water Power) ministry for the same. He said: “When we address degraded lands, we also address water scarcity. Augmenting water supply, enhancing water recharge, slowing down water run-off and retaining moisture in the soil are all parts of a holistic land and water strategy.”

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Speaking further, PM Modi extended a helping hand to its neighbours and said, “India would be happy to propose initiatives for greater South-South cooperation in addressing issues of climate change, biodiversity and land degradation.” He said India is using remote sensing and space technology for land restoration. He extended a helping hand to the developing nations and said India would be happy to help friendly countries develop land restoration strategies through cost effective satellite and space technology.

Meanwhile, he did not fail to flaunt the increase in green cover in India and said: “Between 2015 and 2017, India’s tree- and forest cover has increased by point eight million hectares and in the last week, funds amounting to nearly six billion US Dollars have been released to the provincial governments in lieu of such diversion for development of forest lands.” He said his government is burning the midnight oil in its bid to doubling the income of farmers by increasing crop-yield through various measures including land restoration and micro-irrigation.

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It may be mentioned here that the Conference of Parties is being held at a time when India has assumed the COP Presidency from China for two years. It will add to the global discourse on issues relating to the environment, especially land management. ‪It is also noteworthy that India has hosted the COP of all three Rio Conventions on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Land Management.

Close to 7,200 participants including Ministers and representatives of governments, non-government and intergovernmental organizations, scientists, women and youth from the 197 parties were present on the occasion and the team will take as many as 30 crucial decisions with actions that aim to strengthen land-use policies worldwide and address emerging threats, such as forced migration, sand and dust storms, and droughts. Before concluding his speech with Vedic Shanti Path, PM Modi expressed his commitment to Sustainable Development Goals that are to be achieved by 2030; of which, attainment of LDN is also a part.

Total Views: 2,26,345

September 9, 2019

Business & Commerce

India to stand by Paris Accord, asserts PM Modi

by Editor's Desk August 24, 2019

written by Editor's Desk

Ashok Pathak | The TrickyScribe: Positions taken by world powers including the US notwithstanding, Indian PM Narendra Modi assured French President Emmanuel Macron of India’s firm resolve of standing by France and also the controversial Paris Climate Accord and making it a success while concluding his tour to France on Friday. “Twenty first century is all about Infra – India and France, said PM Modi while addressing the PIO community on the last day of his France visit.

“The character of the two countries is shaped by the shared values of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’. Whether it is terrorism or climate change, we have accepted our collective responsibility to protect the values of democracy from these dangers,” asserted PM Modi.

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Macron and Modi have urged all stakeholders to contribute to the success of Climate Action Summit scheduled to be convened by the United Nations Secretary General on September 23 and to encourage the global efforts towards combating climate change, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale told mediapersons on Friday following the bilateral summit Thursday night. Gokhale also highlighted that PM Modi has assured Macron full support to French endeavours in all fields including Climate Change.

Acknowledging the ardent need for multilevel action – local, national, regional and global – France and India urged all stakeholders to contribute to the success of the Climate Action Summit convened by the United Nations Secretary General on September 23 and to encourage the global efforts towards combating climate change, according to the joint statement issued after the Summit.

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“There is a lot of lip service being done in the name of climate change in the world but there seems to be limited action on the same. Together, India and France took the initiative of the International Solar Alliance, today more than 75 countries of the world are actively involved in it working on the ground to restrict climate change,” PM Modi said.

India and France, which are contributing substantially to the process of sustainable development of Africa, have desired to cooperate to implement joint projects in the continent. Discussions are on for tripartite projects, particularly on the issues of solar irrigation and rural development in African countries and on developing skills through vocational training to sustain the development of the solar photovoltaic sector in Chad.

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The Indian and French statesmen reaffirmed their commitment to update their nationally determined contributions in a manner representing a progression beyond the current one and reflecting their highest possible ambition in line with principles of United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement including equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).

India and France at Thursday’s Summit reaffirmed the importance of fulfilling the commitments under UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement and also urged all developed countries to scale up their contributions to Green Climate Fund in its first replenishment cycle in line with their commitments.

“Taking into consideration the goals of Paris Agreement and the recent findings of Special Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on the impact of global warming at 1.5 degree Celsius with reference to pre-industrial levels as well as the IPCC Special Report on climate change and land, India and France, under European Union, will develop by 2020 their long-term strategies for low-GHG emission development, taking into account their Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, in light of different national circumstances, and reflecting the highest possible level of national ambition, in line with Paris Agreement,” according to the Indo- France Joint Statement.

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Under the framework of the G7 Summit in Biarritz and the United Nations Secretary-General’s Climate Action Summit on September 23, France and India will also support new initiatives aimed towards low-GHG development resilient to climate change notably through financial flows alignment with the Paris Agreement objectives and supporting the transition towards lower emissions of high emitting industries. The two countries reaffirmed their joint commitment to accelerate development and deployment of renewable energy.

India and France agreed that oceans play an important role in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and development, and, acknowledging the link between environment and security, decided to enlarge the scope of their maritime cooperation to address these issues. For sustainable use of marine resources, India and France will work towards ocean governance, including the Indian Ocean.

In the run-up to the 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which will be held from 2nd to 13th September 2019 in New Delhi, and the 25th anniversary of the Convention signed in Paris in June 1994, France and India recalled the urgent necessity of sustainably transforming the use of Mother Earth. They desired to contribute to land restoration measures so as to fight poverty, inequalities and food insecurity on the one hand, and prevent and attenuate climate change and preserve or restore biodiversity.

These measures could be based on the recommendations of IPBES special report on land degradation and restoration and its global assessment on biodiversity, as well as the IPCC special report on climate change and land adopted in Geneva in August 2019.

In this spirit, India and France intended to promote the initiative set up by the G7 Environment Ministers in Metz for the development of sustainable networks for supplying agricultural products to combat deforestation, notably from the environmental viewpoint through recognised certifications.

Total Views: 2,28,265

August 24, 2019

Business & Commerce

Saudi Arabia to reduce NREP Phase-II bidders to around 60 companies

by Editor's Desk June 27, 2019

written by Editor's Desk

Ashok Pathak | The TrickyScribe: Global law firm Eversheds Sutherland recently reported Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) has pre-qualified around 60 bidders for the 1.51 GW second round of the nation’s National Renewable Energy Program (NREP). An Eversheds representative pleading anonymity revealed that the information had come from one of its clients. REPDO sources are yet to confirm or contradict the report.

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The Eversheds briefing issued of late states a request for proposals related to the second round of the national program is likely to be issued the next month. First round of the NREP included the 300 MW Sakaka solar project secured in a tender by Saudi developer ACWA Power, which this week sold almost half the shares in its renewable energy project development business to the Chinese state-owned Silk Road Fund. With dozens of bidders reportedly pre-qualified for the second round of the program it would be a huge surprise if ACWA Power were not among them.

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As reported earlier in March that the second round of the program incorporates four larger projects. A 600 MW facility is scheduled to be built at Al Faisaliah and another 300 MW installation at Rabigh. With both of these sites near Jeddah, another 300 MW installation is planned in Jeddah itself and a fourth large scheme, in Al Jawf province near Qurayyat, will have a generation capacity of 200 MW.

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The Eversheds briefing described those projects as Category B, meaning they would be financed by borrowings. Three smaller, Category A schemes are also planned, to be financed by corporate finance as well as borrowing, according to Eversheds. Those projects will be a 50 MW installation at Medinah, a 45 MW facility at Rafha, in the Northern Borders province, and a 20 MW scheme at Mahad Duhab.

The Zawya Middle Eastern portal of news service Reuters in March reported a call for expressions of interest in the second round of the NREP had prompted 256 responses, with more than 100 of them from Saudi companies. Reuters stated the second round projects are expected to attract investment of around $1.5 billion.

It may be mentioned here that more than 100 domestic developers were interested in the seven-project, 1.515 GW generation capacity second round of the kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Program. That number has been reduced to dozens, according to a briefing note, and a request for proposals is expected within weeks.

Total Views: 2,35,225

June 27, 2019

Cyber Crime, selected focus on enter button background

Business & Commerce

Power Industry Vulnerable to Cyberattacks

by Staff Correspondent April 8, 2019

written by Staff Correspondent

The TrickyScribe: Data breaches are significant. Especially when the question of privacy (or lack of it) is made pertinent as far as data is concerned. This is the reason why stringent data protection regulations – like the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act – have been pressed into service.

While data breaches are prevalent, subject of cyber security in the energy sector should be awarded a greater concern. In the recent years, attacks on critical infrastructure have surged and the potential repercussions are known. Loss of data is concerning; but a loss of electricity & water is catastrophic, equally for business and society.

As a result, Information Age makes cyber security one of the top most priorities on the mind of every CTO, technology leader, CEO and board member. And, if it’s not? The hazards could be real. Highlighting the power industry’s vulnerability to cyberattacks, firms working for the nuclear and energy sectors in the US have been warned about a hacking drive.

Hackers used phishing emails to harvest credentials to gain access to their target networks, said a joint report from the US Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation. Disclosing attacks and warning that the hackers in some cases succeeded in compromising the networks of their targets, the report, however, did not identify any specific victims.

Power industry examining intrusions

Cyber Crime, selected focus on enter button background

Historically, cyber actors have strategically targeted the energy sector with various goals ranging from cyber espionage to the ability to disrupt energy systems in the event of a hostile conflict.

A virus dubbed “NotPetya” hit the internet a couple of years back, spreading from initial infections in Ukraine to businesses around the globe. It encrypted data on infected machines, rendering them inoperable and disrupting activities at factories, ports and law firms. This triggered panic amongst the cyber security experts.

E&E News reported that investigators were looking into cyber intrusions this year at multiple nuclear power generators. It said there was no evidence safety systems had been compromised at affected plants.

Worry since 2016

Industrial organizations, including power providers and other utilities, have been worried about the potential for destructive cyberattacks since December last, when hackers cut electricity in Ukraine.

US nuclear power generators SCANA Corp, PSEG and Entergy Corp said they were not affected by the recent cyberattacks. SCANA’s VC Summer nuclear plant in South Carolina shut down on Thursday because of a problem with a valve in the non-nuclear portion of the plant, a spokesman said.

Dominion Energy, another nuclear power generator, said it does not comment on cyber security.
Two cyber security firms said that they had identified the malicious software used in the Ukraine attack, which they christened as Industroyer, warning that it could be easily modified to attack utilities in the US and Europe.

Industroyer is the second piece of malware capable of disrupting industrial processes without the need for hackers to manually intervene. The first one, Stuxnet, was identified in 2010 and is widely believed by security researchers to have been used by the US and Israel to attack Iran’s nuclear program.

The government report said attackers conducted recce to gain information about the individuals whose computers they sought to infect to create “decoy documents” on topics of interest to their targets.

It mentions 11 files being used in the attacks, including malware downloaders and tools that allow the hackers to take remote control of victims’ computers and travel across their networks.

The three largest US oil producers, Chevron Corp, Exxon Mobil Corp and ConocoPhillips, stayed tight-lipped as it declined to comment on their network security.

Total Views: 2,44,825

April 8, 2019

Business & Commerce

EU invites energy infrastructure proposals, to infuse €750 Mn

by Staff Correspondent March 23, 2019

written by Staff Correspondent

The TrickyScribe: In the wake of a renewed push for renewables development, the EU has decided to provide €750 million in funding for clean energy infrastructure. The CEF will accept proposals that support the development of trans-European projects until June 13, 2019. Under its Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the bloc has opened another call for applications to build cross-border energy infrastructure projects. It has already agreed to provide a grant of €323 million to synchronize the regional grid in the Baltic States.

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In particular, it is looking for projects of common interest (PCI) that can make a significant impact on two or more EU countries, while improving competitiveness and energy security. Aside from construction-related projects, the CEF will also consider offering funds for research studies, according to the announcement. The EU launched the CEF in 2014 to financially support energy infrastructure projects until 2020, with a total volume of €5.35 billion. Hitherto, the facility has allocated grants of €3.4 billion to PCI applicants.

In mid-2018, the European Commission proposed increasing the CEF’s 2021-2027 budget to €42.3 billion. Of this, €8.7 billion was to be earmarked for energy projects, while transport initiatives could receive up to €30.6 billion. The remaining €3 billion would be allocated to the digitalization of the continent’s energy infrastructure.

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The EC estimates that upgrades to gas and electricity networks — which are needed to ensure a successful energy transition — could cost around €200 billion through 2030. While these measures are necessary, not all of them are commercially viable, and the market alone would only be able to handle about half of them. “Therefore, the EU is helping to build and fund new energy infrastructure projects all over Europe, as part of its Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E) strategy,” the commission writes.

At a recent PCI event in Brussels, the EU also revealed that the CEF has provided another grant of €323 million to synchronize the Baltic States’ grid. The grants — which were signed in the presence of several key officials, including Miguel Arias Cañete, the EC commissioner for climate action and energy — will be used to reinforce the Baltic grid. The region was long seen as an “energy island,” the EU says, but in recent years it has established interconnections with Poland (LitPol Link), Sweden (NordBalt) and Finland. However, for historical reasons, the Baltic grid is still synchronized with the networks of Russia and Belarus.

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“The synchronization of the Baltic States’ electricity grid with the continental European network (CEN) is an essential political priority for the achievement of the Energy Union,” the EC statement reads. A unified grid with a fully integrated energy market, cross-border energy trading, interconnector capacity and smart grid functionality could help deal with grid fluctuations and reduce the curtailment of variable renewable energy resources. The EU has been working on the project since 2015.

Total Views: 2,46,745

March 23, 2019

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