(Reuters) – Google Inc has abandoned an ambitious project to make renewable energy cheaper than coal, the latest target of Chief Executive Larry Page’s moves to focus the Internet giant on fewer efforts.
Google said on Tuesday that it was pulling the plug on seven projects, including Renewable Energy Cheaper than Coal as well as a Wikipedia-like online encyclopedia service known as Knol.

Google quits plans to make cheap renewable energy

International Coal Ventures Pvt. Ltd (ICVL) has placed a bid for the coking coal project of Washpool Coal Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Australia’s Aquila Resources Ltd, as the consortium of state-run companies seeks to buy its first overseas asset since its formation two years ago.

ICVL bids for Washpool Coal in hunt for first foreign asset

MUMBAI: Western Railway’s (WR) move to switch its network from 1,500V Direct Current (DC) to 25,000V Alternating Current (AC) will net it carbon credits worth Rs 2 crore per annum. This is because WR is now going to utilize rakes with regenerative braking features compatible to both DC and AC systems on its network, which will help it save energy.

Green rakes to net WR 2cr per year in carbon credits

 

PUNE : A research study by Pune-based World Institute of Sustainable Energy has said that renewable energy capacity addition plans must be revised by the Centre and the states.The authorities must take multiple measures to prioritize lending to the renewables sector and a revised realistic renewable energy resource assessment to achieve renewable energy targets set in the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

Green energy leap can tide over power crises

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the State is reeling under power crisis and thermal power stations are facing acute shortage of coal, the arbitrary hike in price of thermal grade coal by the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has added to the problem.

Coal price hike adds to power crisis

The Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), organisers of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), may make tall claims that the use of plastic bags is banned inside the venue and promote the event as an eco-friendly fair, but the ground reality is completely different. On Day 2 of the two-week-long fair, many stalls, including a few international ones, were seen handing over goods to customers in plastic bags. In 2009, plastic bags were banned at Pragati Maidan, the venue of the trade fair, and it was made a no smoking zone. The Delhi government has also put a ban on the use of plastic bags in the Capital. The people are still unaware about the ban and feel that it is the duty of the organisers to discourage the use of plastic bags.

Green efforts fail to take off at trade fair

MUMBAI: Two student researchers, one from Pune and another from Delhi, presented their green energy models before an international audience in Germany recently.

Around 45 students, activists, researchers and journalists from 18 developing countries attended a six-day conference of young environmental envoys held at Leverkusen near Cologne. The event was organized by Bayer Group in coordination with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Collegians present their green energy models at international meet

 

India and United Kingdom have agreed to create a fund for developing renewable energy within this country. India’s renewable energy minister Dr Farooq Abdullah recently had a meeting with his counterpart of UK Greg Barker in New Delhi.
Both the ministers agreed that the proposed partnership fund should be created on an urgent basis to scale up the installation of renewable energy technology in a cost effective and efficient manner in India.
Barker emphasised on private investment in addition to govt funding to promote renewables. “India should consider tapping funding from Capital Market Climate Initiative by proposing MW scale pilot projects,” he further suggested.

 India and UK to create fund for renewable energy

India Cements has reportedly acquired a coal mine in Indonesia, which is expected to go on stream by January 2012, for $20 million.

According to reports, India Cements is also in the process of setting up a 50 Megawatt power plant near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. Sluggish growth of cement, increase in fuel and power cost, higher interest rate is the concern of the company and the industry as well. While the input cost have increased 7-8%, output cost rose only 2%.

India Cements acquires coal mine in Indonesia: reports

 

MUMBAI/SYDNEY: India-focused British miner Vedanta Resources is considering a bid for New Hope Corp, the $5 billion Australian coal miner that has put itself up for auction, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Vedanta, controlled by Indian billionaire Anil Agarwal, has held discussions with banks and is expected to appoint advisors ‘soon’, said the sources, who declined to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media. “We are yet to begin formal talks,” one source told Reuters.

Vedanta mulls bid for Australian coal miner