Why is it in news?

Recently the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and it was passed on 8 August. It seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. It promotes energy efficiency and conservation.

Highlights

• The main objective of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022 is to reduce the country's consumption of fossil fuel electricity.

• The secondary objective is to develop India's carbon market to enable trade and promote the adoption of clean technology and improvements in power efficiency.

• Significantly, the key provisions of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022 enable the central government to specify norms and standards for energy efficiency.

• Through the Bill, the Central Government has established the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

• In addition, the bill also empowers the government to issue energy savings certificates and penalize consumers who use excess energy.

• The Bill will enable the government to penalize violations by industrial units or ships and manufacturers if a vehicle fails to comply with fuel consumption norms.

The major changes that have been added in the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022 passed by the Lok Sabha include:

• Mandatory use of non-fossil sources including green hydrogen, green ammonia, biomass and ethanol for energy and feedstock

• Establishing a carbon market in India and laying down rules and provisions for the carbon trading scheme

• Expanding the coverage of energy conservation systems for large residential buildings

• Empowering State Governments to implement lower load limits

• Defining scope and setting consumption standards for energy conservation building codes

• Defining energy consumption standards for vehicles and ships

• Management and expansion of BEE Governing Council membership

• Allowing the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to discharge their functions smoothly

Why is it in news?

Army Design Bureau has signed an MoU with Drone Federation of India to promote research, development, testing and manufacturing of drones, counter drones and related technologies. These technologies will help the Indian Army in its operation.

Highlights

• The MoU between the two entities highlights the commitment of the Indian Army in supporting Indian industry.

• As a part of this MoU, both the entities have agreed on the following points:

Ø formulation of a standard procedure for drones, counter-drones and allied technologies in the Indian Army.

Ø to promote research, development, testing and indigenous manufacturing of drones and related technologies.

Ø develop target-based technology research programs in collaboration with industry, academia and members of the armed forces.

Ø enabling outreach for field trials in collaboration with industry and armed forces user groups.

Ø army Design Bureau is the nodal agency of the Indian Army. It acts as a facilitator for R&D efforts with academia, industry, DRDO and DPSUs, to enable them to deeply understand and appreciate the need of the users.

Ø It promotes the drone industry by providing policy changes, developing a strong skilling infrastructure, creating business opportunities, developing standards, facilitating technology and knowledge transfer, and boosting R&D efforts.v

Why is it in news?

Recently World Biofuel Day was celebrated. The day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of non-fossil fuels as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels and to highlight the various efforts made by the government in the biofuel sector. The development of biofuels is being done simultaneously with schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. World Biofuel Day was first observed in August 2015 by the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas.

                 Introduction

World Biofuel Day is celebrated every year on 10 August in the memory of Sir Rudolf Diesel. He did the work of making diesel engines. On 8 August 1893, Sir Diesel successfully used groundnut oil to drive a mechanical engine for the first time. With this, the imagination also got a new flight that in the coming time, vegetable oil can be used in place of fossil fuel. To celebrate the joy of this achievement and to make people aware, World Biofuel Day is celebrated and since 2015 the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is celebrating it.

Highlights

• The theme for World Biofuel Day 2022 is To promote the use of biofuel over conventional energy resources.

• Biofuels are the key to reducing our dependence on crude oil and ensuring a cleaner environment.

• This creates more employment for the rural people. It also helps in reducing carbon emissions. The burning of fossil fuels causes carbon emissions and is very harmful to our air and environment.

Important Biofuel Categories in India    

• Bio-ethanol : ethanol produced from biomass containing sugary material, starchy material and cellulosic material.

• Bio-diesel: Methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids produced from non-edible vegetable oils, acid oils, used cooking oils/animal fats and bio-oils.

• Bio-CNG: It is a pure form of Bio-Gas having energy efficiency and composition similar to that of fossil based natural gas.