Letters - February 15, 2013

Cheer, Don’t jeer It is disheartening to see people like Sunil Dhingra criticise the great service Husk Power Systems (HPS) is providing (‘Powered by husk’, November 16-30, 2012). Small off-grid biomass power plants have lesser transmission and distribution losses and are much more successful than big grid-connected plants that are failing across the country.

Not a waste until wasted

Letters - October 31, 2012

Truly biomess

A looming biomess

White uprising

MOST of our electricity needs are met by fossilised remains of plants called coal. But the formation of this rock was halted around 300 to 360 millions years ago. Why? Nobody knows.

Science and Technology - Briefs

Zoology Tweets in burbs

New business for new renewables

It was a trade exhibition abuzz with the restrained chatter of busy suited executives at company stalls making contacts and finalising deals. Nothing out of place except that this trade was about renewable energy technologies, which have unconventional reasons for growth. First, these technologies are seen as the most economical and feasible source of energy for millions of people unconnected to the electricity grid and having no electricity to light their houses or cook their food. This energy poverty is disabling and needs to be eradicated. Introduction of decentralised and improved technologies paves the way to catapult the poorest of the households into the most modern systems. Secondly, these technologies—from wind and solar to biomass—provide cleaner low-carbon energy options to combat climate change. These are future systems critical for survival of all.

Biomass market in a flux

Business is down at the Surya Chambal power plant, but not because of recession. It is the fuel. This power plant runs not on coal, but on mustard husk.

Newest Biggest Deal

Ground truths Wheeling-dealing for CDM benefits

Kiln Eco-

India's construction sector contributes about six per cent to her Gross Domestic Product. In the Tenth Five-year Plan currently unfolding, that figure is likely to go up. The plan envisages massive construction activity across the country. Over 60 per cent of the total plan outlay is likely to be spent on construction components alone. Question is: how many bricks does that translate into?