Renewable Energy, Sustainable Energy, Indian Railway - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: IIT-Madras

Explanation:
IIT Madras has signed an MoU with Indian Railways on 22nd December to develop a long term framework for research and collaboration in the advancement of technology. The MoU will function for a period of 3 years. Centre for railway research will be set up at the IIT for this purpose for carrying out research relating to structural health monitoring of railway infrastructure.

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: Both 1 and 2

Explanation:
Indian Railways launched the non-fare revenue policy, a first in Railways.

This policy will consider different areas ranging from advertising in trains and other areas such as bridges and other assets, setting up of ATMs at platforms to digital content for passengers.

Salient Features of the Policies:

• The policies are based on feedback from the key players in the industry. Some of the key inputs considered in the policies are:

1. Long Term Contracts - 10 years
2. Single Point of Contact within Indian Railways - Non-Fare Revenue Directorate

3. Credibility of Partner - including a technical and financial capability model

4. Transparent Process - E- Auction

5. Better media planning for Railway assets - Allowing zone/train/station wise packages

Key Policies are -

1. Non-Fare Revenue Policy - allow Indian Railways to consider unsolicited proposals of earnings through Non-Fare sources.

2. Out of Home Advertising Policy - allow monetisation of Railway Assets by means of advertising.

3. Train Branding Policy - augment advertising revenue of Indian Railways by allowing internal and external advertisement.

4. Content on Demand and Rail Radio Policy - allow monetization of entertainment based services on trains and stations. Entertainment services shall be provided through audio (P.A systems) and video systems (personal devices of the passengers) on trains and platforms.

5. ATMs Policy - allow setting up ATMs at major stations of the Indian Railways.

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: All of the above

Explanation:

• With Indian Railways aggressively focusing on renewable energy, India’s first solar panel-fitted train is all set to commence trial runs shortly. What makes this trial run special is that all coaches of the train would be lit from power generated by the rooftop solar panels.
• The solar-panel powered train will be tested on the Jodhpur division of the North Western Railways. The DEMU train which is being used for the trial run has six coaches, with each coach fitted with twelve solar panels.
• Each solar panel will generate 300 watt of electricity, which means 3.6KW of power per coach. This, the Indian Railways says will be enough to provide electricity for lights and fans inside the coach. However, enough power would not be generated to run air-conditioners.
• The solar train is not the only green initiative taken by the Indian Railways. Last year, Indian Railways had introduced India’s first CNG DEMU train on the Rewari-Rohtak section of Northern Railways. The DEMU train runs on dual fuel system – CNG and diesel. Railways have modified the 1,400 HP engine to run on dual fuel – diesel and CNG – through fumigation technology.
• Also, a 1 megawatt solar power plant was set up at Katra station in 2015, a move that can save up to Rs 1 crore annually on energy bills. This is the biggest rooftop solar plant built in Jammu and Kashmir and the largest solar power plant built by Indian Railways.

ANSWER: Spain

Explanation:

• Indian Railways is conducting trial runs with Talgo train coaches, which the Spanish company claims can help Railways attain higher speeds, even on the existing tracks. The lighter and faster train, with nine coaches is being hauled by a 4,500 HP diesel engine on the Bareilly-Moradabad line in Uttar Pradesh.
• The trial runs with Talgo coaches will continue till June 12, after which they will be tried on the Rajdhani track at speeds of up to 180 kmph. The route chosen for the high-speed trial run is between Mathura and Palwal.
• First trial is from Bareilly to Moradabad, Second phase will be between Mathura and palwal and the third phase will be between Delhi and Mumbai.
• Talgo's coaches are said to weigh much less than an average Indian Railways coach, and that is what the company claims will help it run trains at a higher speed. They also consume 30% less energy, the company says.
• The aim of the trial run with Talgo coaches is to reduce by 5 hours the time taken on the Delhi-Mumbai route.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• Rail connectivity already exists for capital cities of Assam (Guwahati), Tripura (Agartala) and Arunachal Pradesh (Itanagar).
• Government is undertaking new projects to provide connectivity to capitals of Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram.

ANSWER: Project Management & Information System

Explanation:
Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu on May 3, 2016 launched e-enabled Project Management & Information System at Rail Bhawan in Delhi

• Application will be used for proper monitoring of Railway projects throughout the nation
• Indian railways has 600 major projects of network expansion and modernisation costing INR 4.5 lakh rupees
• Indian Railways requires money as well as proper monitoring of projects for which money has to be spent.
• Newly launched Project Management and Information System will contain data about ongoing projects