Renewable Energy, Greece - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

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: 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: India and Indonesia

Explanation:
Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved an MoU between India and Indonesia in the field of renewable and new energy. The MoU aims to establish a cooperative institutional framework for encouraging bilateral cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Capacity building and generation of renewable energy are the main focus of this MoU.

ANSWER: A warrior’s grave

Explanation:
Archeologists digging at Pylos, an ancient city in southwest Greece has discovered a grave of a warrior buried at the dawn of European civilisation. He has a bronze sword and collection of rings, jewels and seals. This is the first time since the 1950s that such a rich tomb has been found. The warrior was buried around 1500 BC, next to the site on Pylos on which, many years later, arose the palace of Nestor, a large administrative centre that was destroyed in 1180 BC, about the same time as Homer's Troy. The palace was part of the Mycenaean civilisation.

ANSWER: 3 weeks

Explanation:
Greeks will be able to withdraw 420 euros a week at once instead of just 60 euros a day, but the limit will effectively remain the same and capital controls will also stay in place. The shutdown is estimated to have cost the economy some 3 billion euros in market shortages and export disruption. Greece prepared yesterday to restart its struggling economy with a revamped government, a bank reboot and a new round of tax hikes agreed after months of fraught confrontation with its creditors.

ANSWER: 229

Explanation:
Out of total 300 strength of the unicameral legislature, the legislation was approved with 229 votes in favor, 64 against and six abstentions and won the support of three pro-European opposition parties. The approval of legislation by the Parliament gives much needed relief to Greece as people have been reeling under severe capital controls as their ATM withdrawals limited to 60 euro per day and banks and the stock exchange shut since 29 June 2015.

ANSWER: Brussels

Explanation:
Amid one of the worst crises in the EU's history, the head of the European Commission said the risk of Greece leaving the eurozone had been averted. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that after a tough battle, Greece had secured a growth package and debt restructuring. Greece will now have to pass reforms demanded by the eurozone by 15th July’15.