Published on: October 15, 2024
Snippets : 15 OCTBER 2024
Snippets : 15 OCTBER 2024
- Sivakumar, member-secretary of Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, was elected secretary-general of International Sericulture Commission (ISC) for the period 2025-2027. The election was held during the 27th Conference of the International Sericulture Commission in Bucharest, Romania, from October 10 to 12. The ISC, an UN-affiliated inter-governmental organisation, is committed to the global development of the silk industry.
- An archaeology enthusiast, Reddy Rathnakar Reddy, discovered a 9th-century Kannada inscription in Pedaramcharla village, Jangaon Mandal, on Monday. The inscription, engraved on a stone beside a Lord Ganesha statue on Venkanna rock, was deciphered with the help of Muniratnam, Director of Epigraphy at the Archaeological Survey of India, and reads: ‘Sri Sambeya samsara-Bhitam madisidom’, indicating the sculpture was commissioned by Sambaiah. Characteristic of 9th-century Kannada language and script, this finding highlights the region’s Kannada influence. Reddy, known as the ‘Discovery Man’, has uncovered over 50 inscriptions in Jangaon district, which he believes hold crucial information about the region’s history, and advocates for a detailed analysis by the Archaeology Department to uncover Jangaon’s past.
- A new species of spider, discovered at the origin of Jayamangali river at Devarayanadurga reserve forest of Karnataka has now been recognised as a new genus by arachnologists.
- The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has introduced draft regulations for the installation of Rooftop Aero Turbines (RAT) in various building types, allowing consumers to generate renewable wind energy and reduce power bills. RATs are small-scale wind energy plants that can be installed on rooftops, harnessing wind power for electricity generation and can be used independently or alongside solar panels. The draft regulations outline guidelines for installation and operation, specifically designed for urban and suburban areas where wind speeds are lower and more turbulent. One of the key benefits of RATs is their ability to generate power day and night, complementing solar energy. KERC plans to encourage adoption by offering higher promotional rates for RAT-generated electricity. Installation requirements stipulate that if installed with solar, the minimum solar capacity should be 1 kW, and the combined capacity of solar and RAT must not exceed 1.25 times the sanctioned load. For RAT-only installations, the capacity should range between 1 kW and the sanctioned load. Consumers are required to commission the RAT within 180 days of signing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the distribution company, with delays resulting in reduced tariffs. The draft regulations were published on October 9, 2024, and will be finalized within 30 days after stakeholder suggestions are received.
- Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL) is launching a battery energy storage system (BESS) initiative to enhance solar energy utilization by storing excess solar energy for sale to electricity supply companies (escoms) and eventually in the open market. A pilot project in Pavagada Solar Park, Tumakuru district, features a 2 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant paired with a 2MW/4.5 MW/h battery storage system, costing ₹36 crore, with major equipment delivered and civil work ongoing for expected commissioning next month. The solar BESS will store 30-50% of daytime-generated energy, releasing it during peak demand times, in compliance with the Union Government’s mandate for renewable energy storage. A larger Kalaburagi project is in the tender process, featuring a 100 MW solar PV plant and a 100/130 MW/h BESS, estimated at ₹500 crore. Additionally, a proposed project in Ryapte Village aims for a 250 MW solar plant with a corresponding BESS, currently in the detailed project report phase. As of August 2024, Karnataka’s solar capacity stands at 8,904.14 MW, along with 34.70 MW of solar-wind hybrid energy
- The National Electricity Plan (Transmission) was recently launched with the goal of achieving 500 GW of Renewable Energy installed capacity by 2030 and 600 GW by 2032. Prepared by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in consultation with stakeholders, the plan integrates 47 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and 31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants (PSP). It outlines a significant expansion of transmission infrastructure, including 1,91,000 circuit kilometers of transmission lines and a transformation capacity of 1270 GVA from 2022-23 to 2031-32. Cross-border links with Nepal, Bhutan, and others, as well as potential interconnections with Saudi Arabia and UAE, are planned. Technological advancements such as hybrid substations and dynamic line rating will enhance the grid, with an investment opportunity of INR 9,15,000 crore by 2032.
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), operationalized under the ANRF Act 2023, aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial application, aligning with India’s National Education Policy (NEP). Its first two initiatives, the Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) and the Mission for Advancement in High-Impact Areas – Electric Vehicle (MAHA-EV), target key sectors of research and innovation. The PMECRG supports early-career researchers to drive scientific excellence and technological progress, fostering a vibrant research ecosystem. Meanwhile, the MAHA-EV mission focuses on developing critical Electric Vehicle (EV) technologies like batteries, power electronics, and charging infrastructure, promoting domestic innovation and reducing reliance on imports. Both initiatives align with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and aim to strengthen India’s global leadership in Science and Technology by 2047. With a funding target of ₹50,000 crore for 2023-2028, ANRF is poised to foster a culture of innovation across India, having absorbed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).
- Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson have been awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for their research on why nations differ in prosperity. Their work highlights the critical role of societal institutions in fostering or hindering economic growth, showing that nations with weak rule of law and exploitative institutions struggle to achieve development. Acemoglu and Johnson are affiliated with MIT, while Robinson is associated with the University of Chicago. The prize, formally called the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, was established in 1968 and is awarded alongside other Nobel Prizes on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death
