Electricity, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Energy - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: 1.1 bn

Explanation:
Half a billion people have gained access to electricity in India since 2000, almost doubling the country's electrification rate, according to the World Energy Access report released on Dec 6, 2017 by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

This "remarkable" growth puts India on course to achieving access to electricity for all in the early 2020s, the report added.

The number of people without access to electricity fell to 1.1 billion in 2016 from 1.7 billion in 2000.

It is on track to decline to 674 million by 2030, with India reaching universal access well before then. Since 2012, more than 100 million people per year have gained electricity access, an acceleration from the rate of 62 million people per year seen between 2000 and 2012.

Our analysis in the World Energy Outlook confirms that India is emerging as a major driving force in global energy trends, with all modern fuels and technologies playing a part.

Half a billion people have gained access to electricity in India since 2000, almost doubling the country's electrification rate.
This remarkable growth puts India on course to achieving access to electricity for all in the early 2020s - a colossal achievement.

Rate of Electrification: Know More

• Coal has fuelled about 75% of the new electricity access since 2000, with renewable sources accounting for around 20%, according to the report.
• However, 239 million people remained without electricity access in 2016, about a quarter of the worldwide total.
• The report added that India is expected to reach universal electricity access in the early-2020s. Progress has also been made on clean cooking, although 830 million people in India still lack access.
• There are clear indications however that government policy efforts targeting LPG have begun to take hold.
• The share of the population relying primarily on biomass for cooking fell to 59% in 2015 from 66% in 2011.
• By 2030, the promotion of LPG and improved biomass cookstoves by the government means that more than 300 million people gain access to clean cooking facilities, but still more than one-in-three people remain without

ANSWER: Jaipur

Explanation:
The first edition of International Symposium to Promote Innovation & Research in Energy Efficiency (INSPIRE 2017) was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

The five-day symposium was organized by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in partnership with World Bank and Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).

INSPIRE 2017 is an International Conference that brings together various stakeholders such as policy makers, innovators, financiers, influencers to showcase best practices in the sector.

It provides a platform for energy efficiency community to discuss energy efficiency policies, market transformation strategies, emerging technologies, delivery and business-model driven transformations.

The event is further designed to provide global and national thought-leaders and implementers to expand perspectives on energy efficiency and spur ideas and solutions that will help leverage the full potential of energy efficiency and bring its multiple co-benefits to the fore.

The highlight of the symposium is the high-level deliberations driven by policy makers and experts from Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), The World Bank Group, The Energy Institute (TERI), International Energy Agency (IEA), Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), USA and representatives of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) - a high-level global forum to promote policies and programmes that advance clean energy technology.

Several global organizations like the Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, International Finance Corporation, The World Bank, International Energy Agency, International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, Clean Energy Ministerial, Copenhagen Centre on Energy Efficiency, GIZ, will also participate.

INSPIRE 2017 intends to create a platform for deliberations and sharing of best practices around energy efficiency policy solutions, high-impact research, innovative financing and implementation that are driving large scale market transformations in India and across the globe.

The event has brought together over 350 participants from 13 countries across North America, Asia, Europe and Middle East.

INSPIRE 2017: App Launched

• During the inaugural session, a mobile app for EESLs various programmes was launched.
• This app will allow consumers to connect with the organisation for its various programmes, lodge complaints and track real time complaint status.
• Further, citizens can now access the real-time status of Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP) dashboard at state, district and Urban Local Body (ULB) levels across the country.

ANSWER: Toyota Kirloskar

Explanation:
Andhra Pradesh government and Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to undertake a feasibility study on the introduction of electric vehicles and the necessary systems and infrastructure required for the move.

The MOU aims to work together to solve the grave issue of pollution ensuring smooth introduction of Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in the State.

The feasibility study on introduction of Toyota's electrified vehicles "Prius PHEV" and "Small EV Commuter" expands into ambitious smart city project at Amaravati.

This is in line with Toyota's Environment Challenge 2050 to achieve zero CO2 emissions.

Toyota globally believes that the electrification of vehicles is required to reduce CO2 emissions. Toyota has been a pioneer in the electrified vehicle space with the Prius which is the first mass produced electrified car 20 years ago.

Toyota believes that 'PHV' Plug in Hybrid is a realistic solution considering the charging infrastructure available in the country in current status.

Globally Toyota has been a leader in introducing alternate electric mobility solutions to help reduce the CO2 emissions.

Over 85 million tons of CO2 has been reduced by these electrified vehicles globally.

ANSWER: Area with more renewable energy generation than needed to sustain the area

Explanation:

• The terms ‘carbon zero’, ‘carbon neutral’, ‘zero energy’ or ‘zero emission’ apply to buildings that use renewable energy sources on site to generate energy for their operation, so that over a year the net amount of energy generated on site equals the net amount of energy required by the building.
• Carbon positive moves beyond carbon zero by making additional ‘positive’ or ‘net export’ contributions by producing more energy on site than the building requires and feeding it back to the grid.
• Carbon positive projects can make significant contributions by helping to address the carbon intensity and damaging impacts of past building practices and lifestyles, and by offsetting situations where carbon zero homes are not possible.
• Also in such areas carbon sequestration is more than carbon emissions and not just zero emissions.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• The outcomes of new urban agenda based on sustainable urban planning would include reducing water and electricity use by 50 per cent from that of normal use, enabling over 60 per cent of urban travel by public transport, generating half of power from renewable sources, and promoting walking and cycling for last mile connectivity.
• Promoting natural drainage patterns, reducing waste generation of all kind and promoting greenery are some of the government agenda for sustainable urban development.
• Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister released the India Habitat III-National Report on World Habitat Day today, ahead of the UN Habitat III Conference in Quito, Ecuador later this month where a global new urban agenda for the next 20 years is going to be adopted.
• India’s strategy for urban development intends to give a big push to use growing urbanisation for rapid economic development while at the same time committing itself to address issues of sustainable development and climate change.

ANSWER: Mexico

Explanation:
India and Mexico have charted out a fresh path in bilateral trade and investment with a focus on sectors like telecom and medical devices as well as renewable energy.

• This was agreed during a recent meeting of the bilateral HLG on Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation.
• HLG or High Level Group established in 2007 has met on July 13-14 after 4 years.
• Mexico is considering increase in installed wind power capacity to 9.5 GW by 2018 gtom 2.5 GW.
• Suzlon has plans to spur development in this area.
• According to a recent report by Global Data India’s medical devices sector will grow to USD 17.6 billion in 2020 from 10.4 billion in 2014 while the Mexico medical device market will rise to USD 6.5 billion by 2020 from 4.9 billion in 2015

ANSWER: 2

Explanation:
India and the US announced the setting up of 2 financial assistance programmes worth USD 60 million for supporting much required clean energy initiatives including solar power and other renewables

• US is committed to bear technical capacity, resources and private sector and launching efforts with India to spur greater funding for the renewable energy sector
• This includes a creation of US$20 million US India Clean Energy Finance Initiative supported by the US and India both
• This will mobilise US $400 million to provide clean and renewable electricity to 1 million households by 2020.

ANSWER: Tamil Nadu

Explanation:

• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a programme to promote the installation of Small Wind Energy and Hybrid Systems (SWES) with the objective to provide electricity in un-electrified areas or areas with intermittent electric supply.
• The first- such Pilot-cum- demonstration project of 25 KW capacity will be installed at the wind turbine test station of National Institute of Wind Energy at Kayathar, Tootikudi District, Tamil Nadu.
• The success of programme would lead towards launching of National Programme on Grid connected small wind and solar hybrid system in future.
• The SWES projects have been highly successful in USA and European countries.
• Under the programme, MNRE provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to community users for installation of such systems. The total installed capacity as on 31st March 2016 is 2.69 MW.

ANSWER: Vidyut Pravah

Explanation:
Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy launched mobile app Vidyut Pravah- Electricity, Price Availability and Highlights

• Mobile application provides highlights of power availability in the country on real time basis
• Web/Mobile application provides a wealth of information relating to current demand met, surplus power available and prices in the Power Exchange
• UI ensures that visualisation of power availability and prices at overall country level and at State/UT level is facilitated.
• The Web application can be accessed through vidyutpravah.in.

ANSWER: Mega Watt To Giga Watt – Making The Sun Brighter, Even At Night

Explanation:
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy will be showcasing its various activities and initiatives for the first time in Republic Day Parade. The Theme of display is “Mega Watt To Giga Watt – Making The Sun Brighter, Even At Night”. The tableau highlights its ambitious project of renewable energy capacity target of 175 GW to be achieved by the year 2022. All systems on the tableau are being run by the energy produced through the solar panels and energy stored in a device called Eco grid. The new and renewable energy sources have been accepted universally as the foremost choice for being clean, non-polluting and inexhaustible sources of energy. Being environment-friendly, they preserve nature, promote greenery, health, happiness and prosperity for the mankind. India has announced a very ambitious renewable energy capacity target of 175 GW by 2022. We already have an impressing cumulative existing installed capacity of approximately 38 GW of solar, wind, small hydro and bio-energy. The vision 2022 of achieving the installed capacity of 175 GW, aims to transform India through rapid strides in the renewable energy sector, job creation and skill development. To meet these targets, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is spearheading research and technology development in new areas such as ocean, tidal energy, hydrogen, etc.