India shows record growth in renewable energy investments

A BNEF report into renewable energy investments in India showed that renewable energy investments increased by more than 52 percent in 2011, the fastest growth among major global economies. More than US$10.3 billion (€7.836 billion), was invested in renewable energy projects in India last year, with about US$4.6 billion (€3.5 billion) targeting wind energy projects and another US$4.2 billion (€3.5 billion) going toward solar project. “India’s record performance in 2011, and the momentum it is carrying into 2012, is one of the bright spots in the clean energy firmament,” said Michael Liebreich, BNEF’s chief executive. Read more ...

Algae based biofuel being tested by US Navy and Maersk

The US Navy and Maersk are testing algal based biofuel on the container ship Maersk Kalmar which is en route from Northern Europe to India. The Maersk Kalmar is a suitable candidate for testing as it has a dedicated auxiliary test engine and its fuel system has a special biofuel blending equipment and separate tanks. “The shipping industry needs to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas intensity in the coming decades.

The Maersk Kalmar

In the short term, we can gain a lot by focusing on improving fuel efficiency. In the longer term, we would like to see sustainable biofuels become a commercially available, low-carbon fuel,” said Jacob Sterling, Head of Climate and Environment at Maersk Line. Read more ...

India concerns over oil lobbies challenge to biofuels

India's renewable energy ministry headed by Farooq Abdullah has expressed his concerns about the oil lobbies challenging the idea of increasing the use of biofuels. "We are thinking of making ethanol blending mandatory in the National Bio Energy mission. We hope to make this mission as successful as the national solar mission, and for this, we need to tackle issues like lack of business model, obsolete technology, awareness and connectivity in rural areas, etc." said Mr Abdullah, speaking at the Bioenergy Summit 2011, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). Read more ...

India looks to boast considerable biomass resources

India on paper looks to be in a good position when it comes to biomass energy, as they have considerable biomass resources. But a new market report from Infraline Energy shows that there are multiple challenges to over come. The issues of India's energy problems is the need to improve its industrial energy supply as well as its  rising urban and rural demand. Read more ...

The cashew nut supply chain could be cracked by biomass

The demand for cashew nuts has grown in the past two decades, and it is expected to grow more as the economies of China and India increase. with this increase in growth the leading food processors are looking for alternative power sources that are capable of turning waste byproducts into power. Rajkumar Impex the worlds number two cashew nut processor revealed its plans to open its first new factory in West Africa, that will ultimately be powered by biomass plant. Read more ...