IMPACT OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES FOR THE YEAR 2018-19
Context :
Report on “Impact of energy efficiency measures for the year 2018-19” through Video conference has been released.
This report was prepared by an Expert agency PWC Ltd, who was engaged by Bureau of Energy efficiency (BEE) for an independent verification to assess the resultant annual savings in energy as well as CO 2 emissions through various initiatives in India.
Highlights of the report :
- With energy efficiency initiatives, India has already reduced the energy intensity of economy by 20% compared to 2005 levels. In COP-21, India pledged to bring down energy intensity of economy by 33 to 35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030.
- Implementation of various energy efficiency schemes have led to total electricity savings to the tune of 113.16 Billion Units in 2018-19, which is 9.39% of the net electricity consumption.
- The total energy savings achieved in 2018-19 is 23.73 Mtoe (million Tonne of Oil Equivalent), which is 2.69% of the total primary energy supply (estimated to be 879.23 Mtoe in India) during 2018-19. This includes both Supply Side and Demand Side sectors of the economy.
- These efforts have also contributed in reducing 151.74 Million Tonnes of CO2 emissions, whereas last year this number was 108 MTCO2.
UP passed an ordinance to suspend most labour laws for 3 years
Context :
Uttar Pradesh State government passed an ordinance ‘Uttar Pradesh Temporary Exemption from Certain Labour Laws Ordinance, 2020’ to suspend labour laws for the next three years.
Aim :
The move is aimed to boost industrial investment and employ the large number of migrant workers that have come back to their native villages in the state. The Ordinance has been sent to Governor Anandiben Patel for assent.
Highlights :
- The purpose of the ordinance aims to encourage industries to freely employ the large number of migrant workers that have come back. If industries have to go through the regular process of employing then they will be hesitant.
- It provides certain safeguards regarding minimum wages, health, and safety of the workers. Also, it stated that strict action will be taken if anyone is found misusing the ordinance.
- The ordinance will apply to all factories and manufacturing facilities and fresh investments.
- The state cabinet approved this ordinance in order to revive economic activities in the state that have been hit hard due to the coronavirus-mandated lockdown.
- It will encourage new investments and set up the new industrial infrastructure and the benefit of existing industries and factories.
- The state has received close to 7 lakh migrant workers from across the country and many more lakhs are expected to arrive in the state.
World Red Cross day
Context :
World Red Cross day is observed on 8 May.
Aim :
The day aims to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The day pays tribute to the Red Cross volunteers for their contribution to helping those in need. The day creates awareness about the need for life protection in some drastic conditions.
History :
The World Red Cross is observed on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Red Cross Society aims to inspire, initiate, and encourage all kinds of humanitarian activities under all times and circumstances.
Red Cross Society :
Red Cross Society, former International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, was established on 9 February 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland. The mission is to encourage and initiate at all times and all forms of humanitarian activities so that human suffering can be minimized and to create a peaceful environment
The day is celebrated by the National Societies affiliated to the International Committee of the Red Cross in their countries. The Red Cross Society is based on 7 principles are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary, unity, and universality.
NATIONAL LAND MANAGEMENT CORPORATION
Context :
The task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline has recommended setting up a National Land Management Corporation, which would help in monetising state-owned surplus land assets in a systematic way.
Recommendations :
- Such a corporation should be set up under Companies Act to function as the facilitator for land monetisation and an asset manager for lands owned by government of India and Central Public Sector Enterprises.
- A chief executive officer (CEO) and a technical team should be hired at market-linked compensation to carry out land monetisation.
- Apart from a CEO and technical team, the Corporation should have representation from the Finance Ministry, Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as well as independent directors from finance and real estate industry.
- The Corporation can raise capital from the equity market, based on the value of its leased assets.
- The panel recommended the Corporation consider development or co-development of land belonging to defence or railways as well. It can also take up co-development of private land parcels adjoining government lands to maximise revenue.
Luhman 16: Binary Brown Dwarf System
Context :
Recently, a group of astrophysicists have found that the closest known brown dwarf, Luhman 16A which shows signs of cloud bands similar to those seen on Jupiter and Saturn.
Polarimetry :
- The concept of polarimetry technique was put forth by Indian astrophysicist Sujan Sengupta, that the light emitted by a cloudy brown dwarf, or reflected off an extrasolar planet, will be polarised.
- Polarimetry is the study of polarization. Polarization is a property of light that represents the direction that the light wave oscillates.
- When light is reflected off of particles it can favor a certain angle of polarization. By measuring the preferred polarization of light from a distant system, astronomers can deduce the presence of clouds.
- The polarimetry technique isn’t limited to brown dwarfs. It can also be applied to exoplanets orbiting distant stars, or even stars. However, light from brown dwarfs is ideal for the study.
Luhman 16 :
- Luhman 16A is part of a binary system (Luhman 16) containing a second brown dwarf, Luhman 16B. This pair of brown dwarfs Luhman 16A and Luhman 16B orbit each other.
- It is situated at a distance of about 6.5 light years from the Sun and the third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard’s star.
- Despite the fact that Luhman 16A and 16B have similar masses and temperatures and presumably formed at the same time, they show markedly different weather.
- Luhman 16B shows no sign of stationary cloud bands, instead showing evidence of more irregular, patchy clouds.
- Understanding the cloud system over a brown dwarf can shed light on the pressure, temperature and climate on the surface of the celestial body.
Brown Dwarfs :
- Brown dwarfs are also called failed stars, because their masses are heavier than planets but lighter than stars.
- Due to their small masses, they are unable to sustain fusion of their hydrogen to produce energy.
- It is believed that some of the more massive brown dwarfs fuse deuterium or lithium and glow faintly.