Philippine capital immobilized by ‘new normal’ of heavy rains, floods

The Southeast Asian archipelagic nation of the Philippines is now facing the idea that extreme weather brought on by climate change is the “new normal.” After being pummeled by several weeks of rain, the last days of which accelerated into heavy, non-stop outpouring, floods struck the nation this week. High water was reported in communities across the country – including capital Manila.

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Massive blackout in India a wakeup call to spot global power infrastructure weaknesses

The massive blackout in India serves as a wakeup call for investors, businesses and governments to take a closer look at global electrical infrastructure and identify what other regions at risks and what can be done to prevent the same problem happening in their nations. Countries across Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East have been amending regulatory frameworks and policies, embarking on privatization,

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India in darkness in the wake of 1-gigawatt solar power milestone

In an ironic scenario, just as India marked its 1-gigawatt milestone for solar photovoltaic installations, the nation was left “powerless” for two days in a row. India had reached a solar installed capacity of 1,030.66 megawatts, reported PV Magazine, most of this, around 65 percent, coming from the western state of Gujarat.But the country has recently suffered from a serious power breakdown.

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Kyocera teams up in new company to build Japan’s largest solar power plant

Kyocera Corporation is establishing the Kagoshima Mega Solar Power Corporation, a company to operate Japan’s largest solar power plant, with six other Japanese companies. The 27 billion yen ($345 million) project involves seven investment companies in Japan, including Kyocera and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. The new company will facilitate the construction...

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India’s ‘climate missions’ have yet to fulfill roles – study

India’s climate strategies demonstrate effectiveness in solar and energy efficiency but, generally, major changes still have to be done, according to a new study that assessed India’s climate missions incorporated in its policies. In 2008, the Prime Minister’s Council initiated the National Action Plan on Climate Change that aims “to state India’s contribution towards combating climate change.”

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Electric tricycles to face environment, business and poverty in the Philippines

In the Philippines, “tricycles,” are three-wheeled motorized vehicles that roar out onto the inner streets of large and small cities alike. Often noisy and spewing emissions, they are about to undergo a major makeover. The Asian Development Bank and the government of the Philippines envision to bring a fleet of up to 100,000 electricity-powered versions of the tricycles by the year 2020a.

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New biogas systems elevate life in rural Vietnam

Farmers in rural Phong Binh, Vietnam are trading in their traditional wood burning stoves for energy-efficient models run on biogas. Nordic development organization Norwegian Church Aid and Dutch development organization SNV are developing and promoting biogas systems in the region.

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Indonesia taking solid steps for renewable energy

Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said the country will stimulate renewable energy in the country by providing incentives for developers and raising feed-in tariff for alternative power plants, both of which will help to speed up the move toward a “greener” Indonesia. “I am so optimistic that by having such movement pattern, year by year there will be much new and renewable energy we produced and we will develop fast.”

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Renewable energy can solve Afghanistan’s power scarcity problem – study

Renewable energy will help in Afghanistan’s energy scarcity problem according to a study by a researcher from Kansas State University. Using a computer model called the Hybrid Optimization Model of Electric Renewable or Homer, developed by the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Mahdi Sadiqi, a native of Afghanistan who studied in Kansas State, concluded the country should use more renewable energy to meet its power demands.

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“Smart village” in Malaysia supports sustainable rural living

A “smart village” in Malaysia shows how to address rural poverty issues while promoting environmental sustainability. The Rimbunan Kaseh, situated in 30 acres land at the north-east of Kuala Lumpur, is a solar-powered community consisting of energy efficient households, high-tech educational, training and recreational facilities, and an agricultural system that offers both food and income for the villagers.

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