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Billionaire <keyword id="19929098" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gautam-adani" source="keywords">Gautam Adani</keyword>'s group will supply <keyword id="19914923" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="clean-energy" source="keywords">clean energy</keyword> to power Google's cloud services and operations in India, the two firms said on Thursday. <keyword id="19955648" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Adani-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Adani Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Adani Group">Adani group</keyword> will supply 61.4 megawatt of electricity from a new <keyword id="21342349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-wind-hybrid-project" source="keywords">solar-wind hybrid project</keyword> located at its 30 gigawatt (GW) Khavda renewable energy park in Gujarat. Google powers most of its cloud operations and services through electricity procured from the grid and is planning to run the entire operations on clean energy by 2030. Adani is expected to start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2025. At the '<keyword id="23413952" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-for-India" source="keywords">Google for India</keyword>' event, the search giant also announced a partnership with CleanMax for sourcing 125.4 MW of clean energy to power its offices and cloud regions in India. Of the contracted volumes, 66 MW solar energy will come from Rajasthan and 59.4 MW wind energy from Karantaka. "These projects are expected to start commercial operations in Q4 2025 and will deliver <keyword id="22243112" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="carbon-free-energy" source="keywords">carbon-free energy</keyword> to the grid where Google operates offices and cloud regions in India," Google said. While Google made the announcement at the 'Google for India' event here, the Adani Group gave details in a statement. "Through this partnership Adani will supply clean energy from a new solar-wind hybrid project located in the world's largest renewable energy plant at Khavda, Gujarat. This new project is expected to start commercial operations in the third quarter of 2025," the Adani group statement said. This innovative collaboration will help advance Google's 24/7 carbon-free energy goal by ensuring cloud services and operations in India are supported by clean energy and thereby contribute to the <keyword id="20289318" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-growth" source="keywords">sustainable growth</keyword> of Google in India. Adani had previously announced plans to set up data centres run on clean energy. It had in October 2022 leased 4.64 lakh square feet of space at its data centre in Noida to Raiden Infotech, an entity of Google.

Adani to supply clean energy for Google's cloud operations in India

<keyword id="20357709" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Power-Renewable-Energy" source="keywords">Tata Power Renewable Energy</keyword> Ltd (TPREL) has joined hands with state-owned <keyword id="22457046" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NHPC-Renewable" source="keywords">NHPC Renewable</keyword> Energy Ltd (NHPC-REL) for installation of rooftop <keyword id="20297569" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-projects" source="keywords">solar projects</keyword> on government buildings of central ministries, states, and union territories. "This collaboration represents a major step forward in our shared vision of a sustainable and <keyword id="19895435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="green-energy" source="keywords">green energy</keyword> future. By leveraging our combined strengths, we are confident in achieving our goal of 100 per cent solarisation by 2025," Nanda said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in this regard was signed on July 17, 2024 between Deepesh Nanda, CEO &amp; MD of TPREL, and S P Rathour, CEO of NHPC-REL, TPREL said in a statement. "This initiative will not only help us meet our solarisation targets but also contribute significantly to reducing the carbon footprint of government buildings," NHPC CMD R P Goyal said. An arm of Tata Power, TPREL is a developer of renewable energy projects including solar, wind, hybrid, round-the-clock (RTC), peak, floating solar, and storage systems including battery storage. It owns, operates, and maintains these projects. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/samsung-galaxy-m35-5g-with-6000mah-battery-launched-in-india-starting-at-16999/slidelist/111806447.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/samsung-galaxy-m35-5g-with-6000mah-battery-launched-in-india-starting-at-16999/slidelist/111806447.cms" target="_blank">Samsung Galaxy M35 5G with 6,000mAh battery launched in India starting at ₹19,999</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-nord-4-vs-realme-gt-6t-which-mid-range-phone-should-you-buy-under-35000/slidelist/111803604.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/oneplus-nord-4-vs-realme-gt-6t-which-mid-range-phone-should-you-buy-under-35000/slidelist/111803604.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus Nord 4 vs Realme GT 6T – which mid-range phone should you buy under ₹35,000?</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-added-3-45-million-subscribers-in-may-2024-while-vi-lost-nearly-a-million/articleshow/111800758.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-and-airtel-added-3-45-million-subscribers-in-may-2024-while-vi-lost-nearly-a-million/articleshow/111800758.cms" target="_blank">Reliance Jio and Airtel added 3.45 million subscribers in May 2024, while Vi lost nearly a million</a>

Tata Power Renewable Energy, NHPC Renewable join hands for installation of rooftop solar projects

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A new law proposed by Germany will limit which solar producers are reimbursed when energy prices fall.</li><li>A renewable supply glut has caused prices to often fall into negative territory.</li></ul>An overload of solar power in Germany has piled up costs on the government, prompting a new draft law that would limit subsidies for the country's industry players, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-28/germany-to-cut-some-solar-farms-off-subsidies-amid-oversupply">Bloomberg</a> reported.The outlet cited fresh plans to restrict which producers will receive subsidies when energy falls below a fixed price. Given how often wholesale power prices have dropped into negative territory, this has been an issue for the state.The government has previously estimated that German renewable subsidies would <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-29/germany-s-climate-transition-costs-to-spiral-as-subsidies-double">reach $21.6 billion this year</a>.That's as the country's solar buildout has brought so much renewable energy online that wholesale power prices have frequently fallen below zero. This trend is especially evident during the <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/solar-panel-supply-german-electricity-prices-negative-renewable-demand-green-2024-5">sunny summer months</a> and has been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-29/germany-s-climate-transition-costs-to-spiral-as-subsidies-double">ongoing throughout Europe</a>.However, since German producers are guaranteed to receive a minimum strike price, the government is responsible for covering the difference in prices. This so-called "feed-in tariff" reimburses renewable companies for contributing to the public grid.The new draft law seeks to limit which solar producers are required to sell their output to electric exchanges and, by extent, who is eligible for feed-in tariffs. Currently, plants with 100 kilowatts of capacity are required to participate. By the start of 2027, this will drop to 75 kilowatts.Also implemented is an earlier law that allows the government to withhold payments for mid-sized and large solar projects, anytime wholesale market prices turn negative, Bloomberg said.This could trigger uncertainty in a market that has ballooned since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an event that caused Europe to search for alternatives to Moscow's energy supply.Meanwhile, analysts have noted this year that supplementary investments in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/solar-panel-supply-german-electricity-prices-negative-renewable-demand-green-2024-5">battery technology and the electric grid</a> are needed if renewable energy is to escape negative pricing.

Germany's government is making life more difficult for solar farms that it often has to subsidize

<keyword id="22948419" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reflect-Orbital" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reflect Orbital" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Reflect Orbital">Reflect Orbital</keyword>, a California-based startup, has set its sights on a futuristic goal: providing "<keyword id="22948420" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="sunlight-on-demand" source="keywords">sunlight on demand</keyword>" using orbiting mirrors in space. The company's vision is to address one of the biggest challenges in <keyword id="19915217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-energy" source="keywords">solar energy</keyword> — the inability to generate power after sunset or during cloudy days — by using a fleet of <keyword id="20279522" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="small-satellites" source="keywords">small satellites</keyword> equipped with highly reflective <keyword id="22948421" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mylar-mirrors" source="keywords">Mylar mirrors</keyword>. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">How the technology works</h3>Reflect Orbital plans to deploy 57 small satellites into low-Earth orbit. Each satellite will be outfitted with a 33-square-foot reflective Mylar mirror. These mirrors are designed to reflect sunlight down to Earth, targeting <keyword id="20658734" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-farms" source="keywords">solar farms</keyword> and extending their operational hours by providing an extra 30 minutes of sunlight after sunset or before sunrise. The mirrors will focus sunlight into a concentrated beam, directed by solar farm operators using a simple interface, where users can log in, provide GPS coordinates, and request sunlight. <div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1826682383514697993"></div>The idea is to make solar energy more available when it’s most needed — not just during daylight hours, but also in the early morning and evening when electricity demand is typically higher. This could potentially increase the efficiency and profitability of <keyword id="20423867" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-power-generation" source="keywords">solar power generation</keyword>, as energy produced during these periods can be sold at higher rates. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">Potential challenges</h3>Despite the excitement around this technology, there are several challenges that Reflect Orbital will need to overcome. Weather conditions such as thick clouds or storms could obstruct the reflected sunlight, limiting its effectiveness. Seasonal changes that affect the angle and duration of sunlight might also present difficulties. Additionally, the potential environmental impact, including light pollution and interference with astronomical observations, has raised concerns among scientists and environmentalists. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112805908" title="How will Sunita Williams’ body have changed when she returns from space in February 2025?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Reflect Orbital is aware of these challenges and has designed the mirrors to minimise light pollution. The company has also tested its technology using a hot air balloon, which successfully simulated the satellite mirrors' effect by reflecting sunlight down to a solar farm. According to co-founder <keyword id="22948422" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ben-nowack" source="keywords">Ben Nowack</keyword>, the company was able to generate "500 watts of energy per square metre" of solar panel, which is about "half the brightness of the sun." <div type="twitter" handle="bennbuilds" handlename="bennbuilds" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1767961251186163857"></div>Reflect Orbital is still in the early stages, with plans to launch its first test satellite in 2025. Interest in the project has been strong, with over 30,000 applications already submitted by individuals and organisations eager to participate in the initial offering of "sunlight on demand." This ambitious project could mark a significant step forward in renewable energy technology if successful, providing a novel solution to the intermittent nature of solar power and helping to accelerate the transition to <keyword id="21313059" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sustainable-energy-sources" source="keywords">sustainable energy sources</keyword>.

Space startup Reflect Orbital plans to sell "sunlight on demand" — how will it work?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Baiju Bhatt, the cofounder of trading app Robinhood, has a new space startup.</li><li>Aetherflux aims to launch a constellation of satellites to transmit solar power to Earth using infrared lasers.</li></ul>When Baiju Bhatt co-founded the stock trading app <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/robinhood-collapse-what-happened-retail-investing-meme-stocks-future-finance-2022-2">Robinhood</a> in 2013 with his college best friend, Vlad Tenev, the aim was to "democratize finance for all."Robinhood's no-fee, gamified approach to investing made capital markets more accessible than ever before, leading to an IPO in 2021.After over a decade at the company, Bhatt stood down as Robinhood's chief creative officer in March to pursue what was described at the time as "other entrepreneurial interests."In October, Bhatt announced he was launching Aetherflux, a Silicon Valley-based space startup.Aetherflux aims to create a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) that will collect solar power and beam it down to receptors on Earth using infrared lasers.Just as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-starlink-spacex-satellite-internet-business-constellation-fleet-elon-musk-mars">Elon Musk's Starlink</a> constellation has transformed communications, Bhatt hopes Aetherflux will revolutionize energy, he told Business Insider in an interview.The receptors will be just 10 meters in diameter, Bhatt said, meaning they can be placed virtually anywhere and theoretically provide power to remote locations that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous to reach."If we succeed, we unlock a renewable energy source for humanity that can be delivered virtually anywhere," he wrote in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/allow-me-re-introduce-myself-baiju-bhatt-nu1ic/?trackingId=xecx1MNjQxGa6fapJvT2fA%3D%3D">LinkedIn post</a> announcing Aetherflux.If it works, far more solar power can be captured in orbit than through the atmosphere at ground level, and there would be no nighttime or weather disruptions to the power source. It would also free up land used for solar farms on Earth.Aetherflux plans to start by powering military operations in remote locations or remote mining operations, Bhatt said.<div type="image" title="A profile of Baiju Bhatt smiling in a black t-shirt in front of a beige background." height="3553" width="5324" msid="114432481" hostid="261" sizebytes="611312"></div>Bhatt hopes that a single receptor will one day be able to capture enough power for a small neighborhood of homes. He added that they'd need around 100 satellites to provide continuous power to one location.The idea of space-based solar power has existed for decades, but theories have generally rested on large constructions being sent into orbit and using microwaves to transmit energy.In January 2023, the California Institute of Technology launched a solar space-power demonstrator satellite into orbit for a yearlong mission to test out a range of potential approaches.Caltech's president, Thomas F. Rosenbaum, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/space-solar-power-project-ends-first-in-space-mission-with-successes-and-lessons">said the project</a> had shown them that solar power beamed from space "is still a future prospect" but that it "should be an achievable future."Aetherflux wants to do things differently by using infrared lasers and a modular approach.The science has already been demonstrated; it's just going to be an engineering and economic feat to prove it can be done from space, Bhatt said.To begin with, Aetherflux plans to send a single satellite into orbit by the first quarter of 2026 to demonstrate that solar energy transmission is possible.<h2 id="f76e6857-d783-49d8-94bf-ab950b9759df">The right time to be in space</h2>Though the career jump from finance to the space industry may seem unusual, Bhatt said space has been his "lifelong calling."NASA was a part of Bhatt's childhood. His father moved to the US from India to pursue physics and got a job at NASA's Langley Research Center in the 1990s studying atmospheric sciences.With a bachelor's in physics and a master's in mathematics, both from Stanford, Bhatt thought he'd be a physicist too. So, Robinhood was a "bit of a detour," he told BI.He is still a board member but has stepped back from day-to-day operations.One lesson Bhatt said he learned from running the trading app was how powerful capitalism could be in accelerating innovation."If you can take a problem that's been stagnating and you can create a capitalist system around it where people can make money doing something, you'll see the rate of progress really speed up," he said.<div type="image" title="Baiju Bhatt (right) and Vlad Tenev, founders of the online brokerage Robinhood." height="4160" width="6240" msid="114432476" hostid="261" sizebytes="601100"></div>After meeting with people working on power for DARPA at the beginning of this year and seeing the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/why-spacex-starship-launch-five-huge-deal-space-travel-2024-10">timeline Starship is on</a>, Bhatt decided that the best opportunities were now in space.Since 2009, the sum of private investments in space startups has soared from essentially nothing to $327.3 billion, according to the latest "<a target="_blank" href="https://spacecapital.docsend.com/view/9d69zpfz4ddms3ry">Space Investment Quarterly</a>" report published by venture capital and angel-investment firm Space Angels.The industry's value is expected to continue booming. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/space-the-1-point-8-trillion-dollar-opportunity-for-global-economic-growth">McKinsey</a> estimates that the global space economy will be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035, accounting for inflation, up from $630 billion in 2023."It's hard to find something more exciting and impactful than space," said Matthew Weinzierl, a professor of the economics of space at Harvard Business School and coauthor of the upcoming book "Space to Grow.""This really is a new frontier, one where technological innovation can create new markets and solve real problems, often in ways we haven't thought of before," he said.Weinzierl said that in the past two decades, the US government has created pathways for commercial players, enabling market forces to take hold."Prices to orbit have dropped, launch availability has soared, and a wave of entrepreneurs are finding new ways to create value," he said.<div type="image" title="SpaceX's Super Heavy booster as it returned to its launch site, with the sun rising in the background." height="1031" width="1920" msid="114432482" hostid="261" sizebytes="52022"></div>With so many more commercially available products, space has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starship-launch-success-elon-musk-vision-cheap-space-travel-closer-2024-3#:~:text=%22With%20Starship%2C%20SpaceX%20is%20poised,in%20an%20email%20on%20Thursday.">never been cheaper</a>.Aetherflux is an example of how companies are using off-the-shelf solutions to speed up development. Its satellites are purchased readymade from satellite bus provider <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/palmer-luckey-anduril-apex-defense-tech-space-satellite-surveillance-2024-10">Apex</a>, the high-powered lasers it plans to use are commercially available, and it'll be using <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-launch">SpaceX</a> as a launch partner for its 2026 mission."The part that we're building is the actual optical design, the control systems, and the power transmission link, as well as the ground station," said Bhatt.<h2 id="5dda5318-030a-431a-91ff-f205b537a068">The future of Aetherflux</h2>When he spoke with BI, Bhatt had just moved into a lab facility in the Bay Area. With a team of 10 employees, he will begin iterating ground tests, developing the system design, and working with regulators.He's self-funding the project "completely," he told BI. As one of Robinhood's cofounders, Bhatt's net worth spiked after its IPO in 2021. He is worth around $1.7 billion, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/baiju-bhatt/">Forbes reports.</a>Although access to space has become more routine and affordable, Weinzierl said there is still a lot of uncertainty around the industry. Some of the ideas and businesses being developed today won't survive, but they'll be "the foundation that tomorrow's entrepreneurs will learn from and build on," he said.A self-proclaimed science nerd, Bhatt named his startup after a 19th-century theory about a pervasive medium called the aether, which physicists believed light traveled through."Einstein came along in 1905 and was basically like, nah, that stuff's all wrong. Light is the same in every reference frame," said Bhatt.So Aetherflux is named after a disproven scientific theory? Yes, Bhatt agreed with amusement. But he's "laser-focused" on the first mission and adamant that Aetherflux won't fall into the same bracket as its namesake."Space is hard," he admitted, "but we're committed to demonstrating this and making it happen."

Robinhood's cofounder has joined the rapidly growing commercial space race, and wants to beam solar power from satellites to earth

The Union Budget for 2024-25, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, places significant emphasis on <keyword id="19941381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="energy-security" source="keywords">energy security</keyword> and sustainability. As per the government, the current strategy will focus on ensuring that energy resources are readily available, making energy affordable for all citizens and keeping energy costs low to prevent economic strain on consumers. Here's a breakdown of the key initiatives announced: <h2>PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana</h2>One of the standout initiatives is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. This program aims to install <keyword id="20366573" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rooftop-solar-plants" source="keywords">rooftop solar plants</keyword> across 1 crore households, providing up to 300 units of free electricity per month. As per the FM, the scheme has already seen significant interest, with over 1.28 crore registrations and 14 lakh applications. <h2>Pumped Storage Policy</h2>To enhance electricity storage capabilities and integrate more <keyword id="19895602" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renewable-energy" source="keywords">renewable energy</keyword> into the grid, the government will introduce a policy promoting pumped storage projects. These projects are crucial for balancing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111956035" title="Union Budget 2024: What FM Nirmala took from your pocket, what she gave you" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Development of <keyword id="20876045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nuclear-energy" source="keywords">Nuclear Energy</keyword></h2>Recognising the importance of nuclear energy in India's future energy mix, the government plans to invest in new nuclear technologies. The announcement also mentioned partnering with the private sector to develop and set up Bharat <keyword id="20260886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Small-Modular-Reactors" source="keywords">Small Modular Reactors</keyword>. Boasting up to a 300 MW capacity, Small Modular Reactors are mobile, flexible in design and require a smaller footprint. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that need to be built on-site, SMRs can be factory-built. These advantages can add up to significant savings in cost and construction time. <h2>Advanced Ultra Super Critical Thermal Power Plants</h2>The Budget highlights the completion of indigenous technology development for Advanced Ultra Super Critical (AUSC) thermal power plants. These plants boast higher efficiency and will be established through a joint venture between the National Thermal Power Corporation and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited. The initiative includes government support for fiscal needs and aims to boost local production of high-grade steel and advanced metallurgical materials. <h2>Roadmap for Hard-to-Abate Industries</h2>A significant shift is planned for industries that are difficult to decarbonise. The government will move these industries from energy efficiency targets to emission reduction targets. This transition will be regulated through the Indian Carbon Market, replacing the current 'Perform, Achieve and Trade' mode. <h2>Support for Traditional Micro and Small Industries</h2>To promote cleaner energy usage and efficiency, the government will conduct energy audits in 60 clusters of traditional micro and small industries, including brass and ceramics. Financial support will be provided to help these industries switch to cleaner energy forms and implement energy efficiency measures. This initiative will be expanded to 100 more clusters in the next phase. As per Sameer Jain, Managing Director at Primus Partners, MSMEs consume approximately 50% of the nation's power needs while generating over 75% of greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, additional support — such as climate financing — will be crucial to ensure that the MSME sector adapts well to the green revolution, especially with how the budget has committed support to MSMEs to grow and compete globally. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111953230" title="Union Budget 2024-25: Mobile Phones to get cheaper, as FM Nirmala Sitharaman reduces basic customs duty to 15%" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2><keyword id="22521154" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-resilient-crops" source="keywords">Climate-Resilient Crops</keyword></h2>The government will release 109 high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops for cultivation by farmers. With the provision of research funding, including for the private sector, this move is part of a broader strategy to enhance agricultural productivity while adapting to climate change. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="111957080" title="What does Union Budget 2024-2025 have in store for farmers and the agricultural sector?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>Minerals for Green Technologies</h2>To support the growing demand for minerals used in green technologies, such as cobalt and lithium, the budget proposes exemptions from custom duties for 25 critical minerals and reduction on basic customs duty for two other essential metals. This move aims to bolster the domestic manufacturing of batteries and other components crucial for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. <h2>Development of Climate Taxonomy</h2>A new climate taxonomy will be developed to guide the green transition, ensuring that investments and policies are aligned with the goal of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practices. All in all, the Union Budget 2024-25 sets a promising course for India's energy and sustainability sector. With substantial investments and new initiatives, it aims to accelerate the transition to a greener future, and hopefully take us a step further towards India's net-zero emissions target by 2070.

Free solar electricity to mobile nuclear plants — major sustainability initiatives announced in Budget 2024!

<keyword id="19905255" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpaceX" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SpaceX" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SpaceX">SpaceX</keyword> suffered a setback in its Starlink satellite constellation project this week after a malfunction during launch resulted in the loss of 20 satellites. While the Musk-ownder company tried to salvage the situation, bad <keyword id="20087207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="space-weather" source="keywords">space weather</keyword> doomed the mission. The incident occurred on Thursday night when the second-stage engine of a Falcon 9 rocket failed to complete its planned burn. This left the deployed <keyword id="19998609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Starlink-satellites" source="keywords">Starlink satellites</keyword> in a much lower orbit than intended, where they encountered significant atmospheric drag. At this level of drag, our maximum available thrust is unlikely to be enough to successfully raise the satellites, SpaceX said. The company attempted to use the satellites' onboard <keyword id="22415598" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ion-thrusters" source="keywords">ion thrusters</keyword> to raise their orbits. However, the situation was further complicated by an unusually "puffed-up" atmosphere due to recent high <keyword id="20792842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="solar-activity" source="keywords">solar activity</keyword>. This extra atmospheric drag sealed the fate of the satellites, even with the attempted thruster boost. Also read: <a class="tout-title-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-nasa-need-better-space-debris-models-reduce-impact-risk-2024-7">SpaceX Dragon Capsule debris as big as a car hood crash-landed in North Carolina. It's part of a major space trash problem.</a> This incident marks a rare anomaly for the typically reliable Falcon 9, a workhorse for SpaceX missions. CEO <keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> acknowledged the situation on social media, referencing Star Trek in a lighthearted attempt to explain the extreme measures taken: "We had them attempt to run the ion thrusters at 'warp 9' speed...but unlike a Star Trek episode, this will probably not work." Meanwhile, the recent solar activity included a powerful <keyword id="13895659" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="x-class-solar-flare" source="Orion">X-class solar flare</keyword> from sunspot AR3738, which fortunately did not produce a geomagnetic storm. However, radiation from the solar flare ionised the top of Earth's atmosphere, causing shortwave radio blackouts over Australia, southeast Asia and Japan. Mariners and ham radio operators in the area may have noticed a 30-minute loss of signal at all frequencies below 25 MHz, spaceweather.com reported. Forecasts suggest that further solar explosions are possible. The space industry will have to monitor the situation closely ahead on any future launches. Related: <a class="tout-title-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-frat-boy-culture-workers-reportedly-planned-drinking-games-email-2024-7">Former SpaceX worker describes 'frat boy' culture where colleagues joked about overseeing launches while drunk</a>

20 Starlink satellites rained down on Earth yesterday; turbulent space weather doomed mission recovery

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon wants to expand its use of nuclear power to meet rising AI energy needs.</li><li>The company's energy strategy team recently pitched CEO Andy Jassy on the benefits of nuclear power.</li></ul>In June, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-big-tech-cash-king-wall-street-wants-a-piece-2024-10">Amazon's</a> Global Energy Strategy team pitched CEO Andy Jassy the idea of doubling down on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-google-microsoft-openai-big-tech-investment-nuclear-ai-race-2024-10">nuclear power</a> to support its growing network of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-energy-centers-water-energy-land-2023-10">data centers</a>.The group argued that nuclear can be more reliable and cost-efficient than other clean energy sources, such as wind and solar. Jassy agreed, according to an internal Amazon document from the third quarter that was obtained by Business Insider."We have strong conviction that nuclear power is the most economical and credible path to scale carbon free energy to meet the next decade's rapid capacity growth," the company's energy strategy team wrote. "We took this conviction to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-andy-jassy-wooed-wall-street-overhauled-bloated-tech-giant-2024-7">Andy Jassy</a> in June 2024, and received approval to execute against our proposed expansion to the carbon free energy strategy through new nuclear generation."<div type="image" title="Andy Jassy onstage at an event." height="1293" width="1940" msid="114563910" hostid="261" sizebytes="57026"></div>Fast forward a few months and Amazon's nuclear ambitions are becoming clearer. Last week, Amazon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-invests-in-nuclear-for-aws-following-google-and-microsoft-2024-10">led</a> a $500 million investment in X-energy to develop small modular reactors, following <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-amazon-ai-nuclear-power-grid-2024-5">an earlier deal</a> to buy power from a nuclear plant in Pennsylvania.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/servicenow-ceo-bill-mcdermott-ai-software-2024-10">Generative AI</a> is the main reason for this sudden interest in nuclear energy. Running these new AI workloads in data centers requires <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-centers-energy-cloud-microsoft-chatpgt-amazon-google-2023-7">way more electricity</a> than traditional computing tasks. Burning <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-energy-demand-utilities-green-renewable-2023-10">more coal</a> and other fossil fuels is bad for the environment, so nuclear is an attractive alternative, despite its checkered safety record.Amazon sees nuclear as a key part of dealing with this AI-driven <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-data-centers-delays-costs-power-labor-shortages-aws-ai-2024-10">surge in energy demand</a>. The company considered tapping into at least four additional existing nuclear power plants and sought even more small modular reactor deals. It also looked at other energy sources, such as geothermal, to meet long-term renewable energy goals, according to the internal document."Machine Learning, GenAl and commercial capacity demand continues to significantly outpace available power capacity globally and requires new solutions that are reliable, cost-effective and carbon free," the document explained, while noting that success in this space would help Amazon Web Services meet customer needs for sustainable data center capacity.<h2 id="9f054fc5-4a26-481d-81e9-4ebeece00b52">Amazon considers all solutions</h2>An Amazon spokesperson said the final details of the company's plans could be "very different from the preliminary ideas," and cautioned against drawing conclusions from an "outdated" document.The cloud giant supports more than 500 solar and wind projects, and has been the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for four years in a row. It's also investing in emerging technologies through a Climate Pledge Fund, the spokesperson added."There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for transitioning to carbon-free energy and we believe all viable and scalable options should be considered, so we frequently consider a wide range of projects before deciding which ones we move forward with," the spokesperson wrote in a statement.<h2 id="e4e8b6a9-955c-4738-a29e-1533eb23b75f">Big Tech's embrace</h2><div type="image" title="three mile island" height="1343" width="2000" msid="114563911" hostid="261" sizebytes="136424"></div>Amazon isn't the only big tech company embracing nuclear to meet AI's insatiable hunger for power.Google recently <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-nuclear-power-ai-data-centers-2024-10">unveiled</a> a partnership with Kairos Power to build small modular nuclear reactors. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman loves talking about nuclear and has backed projects. Microsoft <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/three-mile-island-nuclear-plant-reopens-power-microsoft-ai-push-2024-9">struck a deal</a> to get power from the Three Mile Island nuclear plant.That last deal highlights the nuclear industry's troubled past. In 1979, Three Mile Island <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happened-three-mile-island-worst-us-nuclear-disaster-2019-8">experienced</a> a major disaster that stalled the US nuclear sector for decades. There have been even worse events in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/chernobyl">Chernobyl</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/haunting-photos-of-the-fukushima-disaster-zone-2017-3">Fukushima</a>.<h2 id="991ea7a5-102b-4e4a-bbbd-ca9c560c342b">"Piano Man"</h2>Prior to the June meeting with Amazon's Global Energy Strategy team, Jassy approved another nuclear plan in December 2023, according to the internal document obtained by BI.Under that plan, codenamed "Piano Man," Amazon targeted existing nuclear plants that had spare capacity. The company wanted to sign agreements that gave it access to "dedicated, reliable power" in the future. The first project within this strategy was announced in March, when Amazon <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/data-centers-amazon-ai-nuclear-power-grid-2024-5">agreed</a> to pay $650 million to purchase energy from a nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, the internal document showed.Amazon considered at least 4 other similar nuclear projects, the document stated. One was in Maryland for an option to use up to 0.88 gigawatt of energy. Another was in Texas for 1.2 gigawatts. There were two other arrangements in Pennsylvania for 0.96 gigawatt and 0.9 gigawatt of power each. In general, a one gigawatt plant is estimated to have enough capacity to power roughly 876,000 households for a year.It is unclear whether Amazon is still looking into these types of "Piano Man" deals."There are limited pipeline opportunities after these projects, but we will continue to develop all feasible options," the document explained.<h2 id="8dc1cc69-aec8-4677-aef7-89452bc1e7b2">Learning curve</h2><div type="image" title="The cooling towers of a nuclear power plant against a blue sky." height="1414" width="2121" msid="114563912" hostid="261" sizebytes="98642"></div>Amazon has also been "actively conducting due diligence" on more than a dozen opportunities in the small modular reactor space. As part of this, the company has developed relationships with utilities, nuclear construction companies, and the US Department of Energy, according to the document.Nuclear power can be safer, more reliable, and more cost-efficient in the long term compared to other power sources, according to Jacopo Buongiorno, a nuclear engineering professor at MIT. However, he said some of the new advanced small modular reactors are still being tested and often use different designs and systems, making them a relatively riskier option."There will be a learning curve because some of these technologies are not mature yet," Buongiorno told BI.<h2 id="1b22c795-2c48-4282-8e9c-8728dc854c1e">Prioritize 'earlier access to power'</h2>The internal Amazon document described the company's nuclear initiatives as part of a broader "non-standard" energy plan. The company also looked into power arrangements for natural gas plants and geothermal energy."As we drive development of first of a kind, non-standard energy sources within the industry, our scope is primarily medium to long term, supplying power in large amounts beyond 2030," the document stated.In 2024, Amazon's goal is to deliver 8 gigawatts of incremental renewable energy, the document said. Amazon reached 4.1 gigawatts of renewable energy in 2023 and 10.2 gigawatts in 2022, it noted.The internal document listed the main "tenets" that the Global Energy Strategy team follows. It emphasized delivering "highly reliable, cost-effective" power on time, and making bets on technologies that are "on the cusp of scaling and mass adoption."It also stressed the need to find the earliest available power options."While we target obtaining large amounts of power over time, we will prioritize opportunities with the earlier access to power," it said.Do you work at Amazon? Got a tip?Contact the reporter, Eugene Kim, via the encrypted-messaging apps Signal or Telegram (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="c-link">+1-650-942-3061</a>) or email (<a target="_blank" href="mailto:ekim@businessinsider.com">ekim@businessinsider.com</a>). Reach out using a nonwork device. Check out Business Insider's <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insider-guide-to-securely-sharing-whistleblower-information-about-powerful-institutions-2021-10">source guide</a> for other tips on sharing information securely.

Inside Amazon's nuclear ambitions, its 'Piano Man' project, and CEO Andy Jassy's support

<keyword id="20196387" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avaada-group" source="keywords">Avaada Group</keyword> on Monday said it has committed investments worth Rs 40,000 crore for development of 6,000 MW hybrid <keyword id="3418615" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wind-solar" source="Orion">wind-solar</keyword> projects in <keyword id="19906863" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gujarat" source="keywords">Gujarat</keyword>. The agreement was signed in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 on January 10-12 at Gandhinagar, a company statement said. According to the statement, <keyword id="20197400" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avaada" source="keywords">Avaada</keyword> Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the <keyword id="6370685" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gujarat-government" source="Orion">Gujarat government</keyword>. This <keyword id="116175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="strategic-alliance" source="Orion">strategic alliance</keyword> aims to set up hybrid wind-solar projects with an aggregate 6,000 MW (6 GW) capacity in the state with an investment of about Rs 40,000 crore. The group's commitment to green initiatives in Gujarat is underscored by substantial investments in the development of a robust renewable energy ecosystem. The <keyword id="6476394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-projects" source="Orion">hybrid projects</keyword>, located in various districts of Gujarat, predominantly in the underdeveloped wastelands of Kutch, will supply power to various utilities of India including GUVNL (Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd), and for captive use of Avaada's green hydrogen/ammonia projects. These projects will substantially reduce the carbon emissions and dependability of conventional power sources. With an estimated annual generation of 17.5 billion units of green electricity, this will lead to a reduction of approximately 16.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions annually, contributing significantly to India's green energy supply and powering nearly 12.6 million households. Moreover, it will generate 1,200 direct and indirect jobs, thereby contributing to local and regional economic development. "This strategic partnership signifies our unwavering commitment to foster a robust, clean energy ecosystem. Besides the signing of the new 6 GW capacity in the state, we already have projects of 2 GW capacity that are operational or at various stages of implementation in the state of Gujarat," Vineet Mittal, Chairperson of Avaada Group, said in the statement. Avaada Group is into production of solar modules, renewable power generation, and the development of large-scale projects for green hydrogen, green methanol, green ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuel.

Avaada Group to invest Rs 40,000 cr to develop 6 GW hybrid renewable projects in Gujarat

<ul class="summary-list"><li>So far this year in the EU, wind and solar generated more electricity than fossil fuels.</li><li>Renewable energy met 50% of EU's power needs while fossil fuels met 27%, an Ember analysis found.</li></ul>For the first time, wind and solar generated more of the European Union's electricity than fossil fuels during the first half of the year.Wind and solar accounted for an all-time high of 30% of the region's energy needs, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiObpcG8HAd5Khu9DzJhWI1jKQrZSU47NpvAi3EelOn56l0d-kjcJpIhHOGRZfHYlnuDelFXOzvHbD_zs0a7QOFQ8z7u9_7cynOR91rLd0fR6Y48Hj_8n7WmcpbFqdJXG3cdqOMvGV98qe4zCtc_OkLyVivBKk-WB_hlpCePc2gXJwc8tvwdRSnmvjfU6QsausQh6c5BXfLawYk6X_MAayMO_aSOuosARFTvpz-LjzzdEUhVmHRUYX32p91pIMg115ZT_g76PjqtzD-9qwfj0fvBfCad9RI72mo2hKDjo3Ot7dUR0DLeAIESJtClKTQghWwNAGbRowO8BkJ6J60d0SaMh_NbXB3bhRu531nxT078inXDLLSXUEpXJyjzCiCHJW1A%3D%3D">according to an analysis by the think tank Ember</a>. Oil, gas, and coal contributed a combined 27% of power — a 17% drop compared with the same period in 2023.It's a remarkable milestone considering that two years ago, Europe was racing to import gas because Russia cut off supplies following its invasion of Ukraine. Gas prices spiked and demand dropped. Since then, demand has started to rebound, and it's being met with renewables. Hydropower made a comeback after drought eased in certain parts of the EU, meaning that when combined with wind and solar, renewables generated half the bloc's electricity in the first half of the year."Milestones like this point towards a very clear direction of travel," Chris Rosslowe, an analyst at Ember, told Business Insider. "The question is not if, but when, renewables will dominate the European power system."The trend raises questions about the rapid build-out of gas-export terminals, known as LNG terminals, in the US and Canada to ship more fuel to Europe. Ember found that so far this year, gas generation in the EU dropped 14% compared with the same period in 2023, even as electricity demand ticked up. A mild winter helped, but the rise of renewables pushed out fossil fuels in countries like Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.<a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiObpcG8HAd5Khu9DzJhWI1jLkQpmfsgRzS5IVBo7tvu_7EcCA7zzwPX3K8ncAfQkkPqyCY76iHT8IQbIKGHCCQeeC7XgADeKZg0Xyn29dnhuE4vuWEYo5bKXJkbXS7iAX9l23nYkIHkLo23TdOrjzbT0jdPe6z5d3YurN21yr3NsB0kRj4D5cedKRMUqI_we8HR-dBpdMJW0r1L4u0b7GMuOjDI1nwRps5MmmhiQF1LmincNgpAlraRQaWTawJZN0gF5CEARDbZh8g9WtgTf4T-GOxX8em4736ohkB7Vf7KMJQtwd582MjhC9xFpPNEQ5T6_lpIvsgKi1R2mR3fqrCn_eBTjJ1Dcmd5LiEHfbZI8FlqlNB3bggVuS8_obXEVgnQ%3D%3D">In a separate report</a>, Ember forecasted a global LNG supply glut by 2026 and a substantial drop in EU gas demand by 2030."There was an urgent, short-term need to diversify gas supply sources in Europe when Russia invaded Ukraine," Sarah Brown, Ember's Europe program director, said. But the rush to increase LNG exports from places like the US ignores the reality of rapidly declining gas demand in Europe, she added."It is now clear that the global supply of LNG that is online and under construction far outweighs projected demand," Brown said.In 2023, the US became the largest LNG exporter in the world, surpassing Australia and Qatar, <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/u/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiOV6x2Rb4s-g1bOzk-dA1nG7aUge4A5I_qX_RO_bYgXHEkukR5LwS3YASqKytZ6JRhFowRXH1zAeFmrD3iklyjfbV3pauCkyR8m44FQw_oQgkKbZZ9vDEz0utOLATGDrl5mqcvFC_xfr_1cEudsYZFJNcQSbDasZGalBGuuqKqP5MccGz5D0YkOmiWs3Xg1JSWONk0AMUJfHJXRBxDyF2XU8bBV3E6qHH8a2yfQxjehdO1G-fFLuvEiBmRBevtNW9-RsurF2cHKegBOit7QvnADbWfmt-eqSUDkwQIusi1P2TOJu7OmFWgOGct_XbniglADNo3d7Hm9x6t0JxGZlvyCA%3D">according to the US Energy Information Administration</a>. Europe is the main destination for those exports and demand is expected to rise through this year. Shipments to Asia are also growing. Five new LNG terminals are under construction in the US, and more than a dozen more could be on the way depending <a target="_blank" href="https://l.businessinsider.com/a/click?_t=c8e10479a20f45bba5aad6c5f6fbb009&amp;_m=ZnrNxVqwnFMueGbLncJuAuDabJMBt5oFp&amp;_e=DrjEVSA8twutsmKnFEYiObeUF_ZwpLGnhr0MUKMpsUyA96BruMRfPDrAZ0k9_7XgqLj_1TKZzT-pOrPIn2SECFhd6L0WgreMY3DNnHLgZnHWNRHbspKh2Y2ZdAA-EHB--kTGMeuvr8XPdZdkXRD-vpWGu1GfuYNYvBJtCdxBahYXMGtbY9byj8In6EYhDCQXuifp23eypwwkVIjMgyB10EGd4lQNwqNTsBGWlJdQRNVFywncpSehpNiWc_OoKt-AkAtzpVSUflsNCUX8OjNxDe8g5A_DRIpEqU8hOP3AIOD-l-o7j3OnBiRPO-4_2-JrLmr-v9lcXaZYsOr3FOAWtnPkuSKZbJVfLRGmupgijvEbPGhQe32FZTxU6hdVli7GLuSuZJI8jWqecv4wGE1KhnlZeNtjuLNvyAihi5VBS9c%3D">on the outcome of a Biden administration review</a> of their climate impacts.But the gas could eventually have trouble finding a home in European countries like Germany, which added the most wind and solar capacity of any EU member during the first half of the year. Germany also closed 15 coal power plants in April and imported more nuclear electricity from France.Rosslowe said that Germany's transition away from fossil fuels reflects policy decisions made several years ago. In 2021, the government set more ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, including phasing out coal by 2030, and changed some permitting rules to speed up the construction of solar and wind projects.Ember's report said that while it's unclear how swiftly fossil-fuel use will drop across Europe, a pipeline of solar and wind projects suggests this tipping point could be permanent.

You Searched For "solar projects" and got 10 results

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