Causes and Effects of Tuberculosis

Causes and Effects of Tuberculosis Tuberculosis is a chronic, infectious and deadly disease caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. Tuberculosis often attacks lungs but it is also known for attacking other parts of the body (extrapulmonary tuberculosis). The infection site of extrapulmonary tuberculosis includes the central nervous system, the lymphatic system particularly in the neck, genitourinary system and bones and joints. People with active tuberculosis often show some of these symptoms: Mycobacteria are found abundantly in habitats such as pond and soil. However, a few are intracellular pathogens to animals and humans. Tuberculosis is transmitted through aerosol route but the transmission can also occur via gastrointestinal route. Coughing, sneezing and spitting by people with active tuberculosis releases droplet nuclei containing the germ which is known as bacilli into the air. The droplet nuclei can remain suspended in the air for up to several hours. Infection only occurs when someone inhales the droplet nuclei. A person needs only to inhale a  treated with existing drugs and medications. To make the condition even worse, new tuberculosis germ (XDR-TB) that is extremely resistant to drugs has been found in US. Now, the governments are focusing more on the preventive measure and at the same time, searching for a possible drug or vaccine that could eliminate the problem once and for all. So, to address this issue, I have focused my research on this question What are current available treatments for tuberculosis? Current Possible Solution With the advancement of technology, mankind had the power in combating with deadly diseases. Tuberculosis, which had killed millions of people in the nineteenth century, was brought under control by using vaccines and drugs. Drug treatments are used extensively in treating people with active tuberculosis. Latent tuberculosis, however, does not require intensive care but merely prescribed medication for several months. Vaccines, on the contrary, are used as preventive measures in areas of higher tuberculosis risk. Apart from that, vaccines are used by healthcare workers, newborns, and travelers who are at constant risk of getting infected by the disease. One of the most commonly used vaccine in prevention of tuberculosis, the BCG vaccine, is discussed below. But, first, I will discuss about the drug treatments. Tuberculosis treated with drugs has a mortality rate of less than 5%. This shows that the current available drugs for tuberculosis are quite effective in treating the disease. Among the common drugs used in tuberculosis treatment are isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. These drugs aim at inhibiting the bacterial activity thus improving the patients conditions. Anti-tuberculosis drugs are classified into three major categories. They are the first line drugs, the second line drugs and the third line drugs. These drugs are classified according to their effectiveness in treating the disease and their availability. The first line drugs are as follows: Ethambutol-EMB or E, Isoniazid-INH or H, Pyrazinamide-PZA or Z, Rifampicin-RMP or R, Streptomycin-STM or S (802 words) There are six classes of second line drugs. These drugs are classified second class because they may be less effective than first line drugs (p-aminosalicylic acid), they may have harmful side-effects (cycloserine) or they may not be available in the developing countries (fluoroquinolones). aminoglycosides: e.g.-amikacin(AMK), kanamycin(KM); polypeptides: e.g.-capreomycin, viomycin, enviomycin; fluoroquinolones: e.g.-ciprofloxacin(CIP), levofloxacin, moxifloxacin(MXF); thioamides: e.g.-ethionamide, prothionamide; cycloserine(the only antibiotic in its class); p-aminosalicylic acid(PAS or P). Other drugs (third line drugs) that may be useful, but are not on the WHO list: rifabutin macrolides: e.g.-clarithromycin(CLR); linezolid(LZD); thioacetazone(T); thioridazine; arginine; vitamin D; R207910. Tuberculosis treatments are often done as combination therapies (except for latent tuberculosis where only one type of drug is prescribed to the patient) because single drug therapy would result in rapid development of resistance which would lead to the failure of the treatment. Besides that, there are other reasons to support the combination therapy. Different drugs have different form of action. For example, PZA is a weak bactericidal but is very effective against bacteria located in acidic conditions. On the other hand, INH is very effective against replicating bacteria. RMP is a good bactericidal and at the same time, has sterilizing effects. This proves that, using combination therapy is effective to counter the disease and at the same time, it would prevent the mutation of the bacteria into drug resistant. Upon infection, tuberculosis bacteria are taken up by the alveolar macrophages and are carried to the lymph nodes where it may be spread to other parts of the body (this is the basis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis). Two to eight weeks after infection, hypersensitivity and cell-mediated immunity develops and suppression of the infection will result in people with good, healthy immune system. People, who are immunocompromised, will develop inflammatory immune response which eventually leads to lung damage. These drugs functions by confining the bacteria and at the same time, since it has antibiotic effects, it will kill the bacteria, thus, improving the patients condition. It would usually take about six months or more for full (1153 words) recovery with 2-3% of relapse rate. Continuation of medication would be recommended by the physician to avoid the problem form reappearing. Isoniazid is one particular type of the drug which is commonly used due to its effectiveness in treating tuberculosis. This medication is best taken on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. But it may be taken with food or milk if stomach upset occurs. Take as directed. Do not stop taking this medication without your doctors approval. Stopping therapy early may result in ineffective treatment and the infection could recur. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) supplements may be prescribed in addition to this medication to prevent numbness and tingling. Extracted from MedicineNet.com- Isoniazid ORAL (Niazid) side effects, medical uses and drug interaction. Figure 1 Fgure4- Effect of aspirin or ibuprofen administered in combination with isoniazid on lung(a) and spleen(b) log10 CFU in murine tuberculosis. ASP only, aspirin(20 mg/kg of body weight); IBU only, ibuprofen(20 mg/kg); INH only, isoniazid(25 mg/kg); ASP+INH, aspirin and isoniazid(20 and 25 mg/kg, respectively); IBU+INH, ibuprofen and isoniazid(20 and 25 mg/kg, respectively). There is reliable and concrete evidence that isoniazid is effective in curbing the disease. The graph shows clearly that when isoniazid is administered to a patient with murine tuberculosis, it effectively inhibits the progress of the disease. This can be seen when there is zero tuberculous bacterium count when INH is administered. The drug acts in the same way in both liver and spleen. Other drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin are used to compare the relative effectiveness of each individual drug. Ibuprofen seems not to interfere with the INH mechanism while aspirin reduces the effectiveness of INH. So, aspirin should be avoided when using drug regime containing INH to prevent it from interfering with INH mechanism. (1447 words) Benefits and Risks of Drug Treatment As with all forms of medications, tuberculosis drugs also pose some side-effects which may cause uneasiness to the patient. The benefits of tuberculosis drug treatments are well known. It effectively reduces symptoms of the disease upon the administration of the medication and in most cases; the drug cures the disease with 2-3% of relapse rate. Drug treatment also decreases the mortality rate significantly; reducing it to less than 5%. This means number of people dying from tuberculosis or tuberculosis related diseases is falling every year. On the other hand, the risks of drug treatments are severe but only in remote cases. This is usually due to the aggravation of the side-effects by the risk factors such as alcohol abuse, history of hepatitis, diabetes mellitus and HIV infection. Increasing age is also a risk factor for the noncompliance to the treatment. The severe forms of side-effects are drug-induced hepatitis, arthralgia, central nervous system toxicity and exanthema. The drug treatments also pose some rather common adverse-effects. These include nausea, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea and fluid (saliva, tears and urine) discolouration. Table1-Number of side-effects due to isoniazid, rifampin or pyrazinamide followed by final termination of  one of the drugs (n=519) Side-effect Isoniazid Rifampin Pyrazinamide Total Hepatotoxicity 19(4) 8(1.5) 28(5) 55(11) Arthralgia 1(0.2) 12(2) 13(2) Exanthema 6(1.2) 27(5) 33(6) CNS toxicity* 8(1.5) 8(1.5) Nausea 5(0.9) 5(0.9) Others# 7(1.4) 7(1.4) Total 34(7) 8(1.5) 79(15) 121(23) Values are present as absolute number, and percentage in  parenthesis. *:including peripheral neuropathy(n=6) and  seizure(n=2); #:including leucopenia(n=1), fever(n=3) and  severe hyperuricaemia(n=3). CNS: central nervous system. After evaluating both pros and cons of the drug treatment, I feel that the benefits of drug treatment outweigh the risks. Therefore, the risks should not discourage the patient from continuing the medication. The completion of the medication is vital for the full recovery from the disease. Social and Economic Implications of the Disease Tuberculosis is the worlds largest endemic with one third of world population being infected with the disease. And tuberculosis remains the greatest terror in developing nations. This is because the disease causes unbearable social and economic implications to the one infected with the disease. The substantial non-treatment costs of TB are borne by the patients and their  families. These are often greater than the costs of treatment to the health sector.   The largest indirect cost of TB for a patient is income lost by being too sick to work. Studies suggest that on average three to four months of work time are lost, resulting  in average lost potential earnings of 20% to 30% of annual household income. For the families of those that die from the disease, there is the further loss of about  15 years of income because of the premature death of the TB sufferer. Extracted from the Stop Tb Initiative by WHO It is very clear that tuberculosis, left untreated, would result in loss in terms of financial support. Therefore, it is vital for the authority to provide necessary treatment to the patients and, at the same time, they should also work on preventive measures such as awareness campaigns and vaccinations to prevent the spread of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) have cited TB treatment as one of the most cost-effective health interventions accessible at a cost of only $10 for every year of life gained. Effectively treating TB will not solve the worldwide AIDS crisis, but it will significantly reduce its burden Dr Piot, Executive Director, Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS On the other hand, a person with tuberculosis would have to live as an outcast. This is very true in the poorer nations of the world where the people do not have enough knowledge about the disease thus exiling the patient from their community. This would result in the patient losing moral support and faith which may ultimately lead to suicide. (2093 words) Alternative Solution Ayurvedic treatment Ayurveda, traditional Indian medication, is also proven to be effective in combating against tuberculosis. Current tuberculosis drug treatments induce unfavourable side-effects such as decreased appetite and liver inflammation. On the long run, it could lead to permanent liver damage. Therefore, combined with ayuvedic medication such as Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Sharapunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) would prevent any damage to the liver and would result in increased efficiency in treating the disease. Tuberculosis of the lymph glands also could cause serious problems. Ayurvedic medicines like Kancnnaar (Bauhinia variegata), Kanchnaar Guggulu and Triphala Guggulu can increase the bodys immune response towards the disease. These ayurvedic medicines when combined with correct drug regimes would effectively fight off the disease and prevent it from relapsing. Ayurvedic medicines are known to increase immune response signi ficantly, thus, making the body to be able to fight the infection. Prevention Methods Vaccination Besides drug treatments, there is another practical approach to eradicate the endemic worldwide. This solution aims at preventing the disease. Vaccination is the best, available solution for most of the contagious disease. For tuberculosis, Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) is the current available vaccine. This vaccine is actually an attenuated strain of live mycobacterium bovis which has lost its virulence after being carefully cultured artificially for many years. This vaccine works by providing natural passive immunity in which the infection with bovine tuberculosis would protect against infection with human tuberculosis. This is the result of memory cells in our body being able to recognize the same type of infection and providing instant protection against the disease. BCG is found to be very effective in giving protection primarily in children aged 3 and below and teenagers aged 14-20. Efficiency of BCG also differs according to geography. The first large scale trial evaluating the efficacy of BCG was conducted from 1956 to 1963 and involved almost 60,000 school children who received BCG at the age of 14 or 15; this study showed an efficacy of 84% up to 6 years after immunization. However, a US Public Health Service trial of BCG in Georgia and Alabama published in 1966 showed an efficacy of only 14%, and did much to convince the US that it did not want to implement mass immunization with BCG. A further trial conducted in South India and published in 1979 (the Chingleput trial), showed no protective effect. Extracted from Bacillus_Calmette-Guerin_Wikipedia-the_free_encyclopedia. Reducing exposure Tuberculosis is directly dependent on the degree of exposure. The more a person comes into contact with the disease, the higher is the chance to suffer from active tuberculosis. Generally, inhalation of minute amount of the bacilli would result in the immune response which immediately inactivates the disease thus preventing it from progressing. However, a direct exposure to a relatively high amount of the bacilli would result in the immune system to be unable to wall off the disease fast enough. This would result in the person developing active tuberculosis although he may not have the history of the disease before. Therefore, visit to places with a high incidence of tuberculosis should be avoided. Furthermore, we should also avoid close contact with people infected by the disease. Apart from that, personal hygiene, and the practice of wearing mask should be cultured in the society to prevent the spread of the disease. On top of that, self-quarantine should be practiced by individual s if they are suspected to carry the infection. Evaluation For the research on this issue, I have used a number of sources ranging from websites to newspaper articles and books. The World Health Organisation official webpage; http://www.who.int/en/ is one of the sources that I have used in my research. I find that this website provides loads of information regarding tuberculosis. This source is definitely trustable as it is the official webpage of a world-recognized organization which is committed to the welfare of the people. The facts and information obtained from this website is valid and reliable under any circumstances because they are up to date. Moreover, WHO have also organized research on this issue and the findings have been reviewed by experts from all over the world. One such research is the Economic Impacts of Tuberculosis. On top of that, I found that a lot of other websites such as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculosis, http://www.plospathogens.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.ppat.1000600 and http://www.wrongdiagn osis.com/t/tuberculosis/stats.htm have cited WHO in their websites. This proves that WHO is a reliable source of information for this issue. Furthermore, I have evaluated another source http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tuberculosis/DS00372/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs and found that there are similarities in terms of facts presented in the website with other renowned websites such as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculosis_treatment, http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/common/bacterial/120.html, and http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tuberculosis.html. Similar information was also found in the journal Risk factors for side-effects of isoniazid, rifampin and pyrazinamide in patients hospitalized for pulmonary tuberculosis from the European Respiratory Journal. This source, therefore, is trustable because it has a lot of correspondence with other sources.

Feasibility Study of Solar Energy in India

Feasibility Study of Solar Energy in India Abstract Solar energy in its raw form may be pollution-free, but manufacturing the devices that get the energy out of light and heat requires metal and other material, requiring mines and smelters, therein causing pollution. Maybe the most exciting thing about solar energy today is not only that the costs continue to drop and efficiencies continue to rise, but that clean solar energy is arriving at last. New technologies allow new methods of manufacturing which pollute much less and often run on solar energy. Solar heating and solar electric systems can now generate thermal and electric energy over their service life up to 100 times the energy input during their manufacture. This ratio; the energy it will produce in its lifetime, compared to the amount of energy input to manufacture and maintain an energy system, has doubled in the last 20 years for most solar technologies. The ratio of energy out vs. energy in for solar systems has become so favorable that the economic and ecological viabili ty of solar power is now beyond question. One reason solar energy still cannot compete financially vs. conventional energy is because the value of future energy output from a photovoltaic system is discounted when calculating, for example, an internal rate of return. These economic models that put a time-value on money, making long-term receipts not worth as much as near-term receipts cannot necessarily be applied to energy. In fact, endues pricing will significantly increase customer penetration, and this will have a correspondingly positive impact on the economics of Solar Water Heating as a stand-alone profit-making business. The business views solar energy as a potential key resource to help Indias energy portfolio become greener, more diversified and more secure, while also creating jobs in the State. Solar energy can play an important role in allowing India to reach its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals. As stated by the Commission, the development of additional renewab le energy resources is a long-standing energy policy objective of the State. The Indian solar energy industry can easily rise to the challenge of bringing solar energy to the forefront to help India address the twin challenges of energy security and combating global warming and climate change.India is particularly well positioned to reap the advantages of solar power, which is clean, free, forever and everywhere. Chapter 1: Introduction India is both densely populated and has high solar insolation, providing an ideal combination for solar power in India. Much of the country does not have an electrical grid, so one of the first applications of solar power has been for water pumping; to begin replacing Indias four to five million diesel powered water pumps, each consuming about 3.5kilowatts, and off-grid lighting. Some large projects have been proposed, and a 35,000km ² area of the Thar Desert has been set aside for solar power projects, sufficient to generate 700 to 2,100gigawatts. In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020. Under the plan, solar-powered equipment and applications would be mandatory in all government buildings including hospitals and hotels. 18 November 2009, it was reported that India is ready to launch its Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, with plans to generate 1,000 MW of power by 2013. Of the total energy produced in In dia, just 0.5% is solar. But with the Government of Indias (GOI) target to increase the use of renewable energy to 10% of total power generation by 2012, solar panels are set to become a more regular feature in communities across India. The GOI has been pushing solar power to households in town and cities using incentives such as discounts on energy bills if solar is installed. However, for the hundreds of thousands of people that live in rural areas of the country, solar energy is more difficult to access. It may seem surprising that solar energy as applied to heating domestic hot water an idea that has been around for a long time offers what utilities and their residential customers want most in a new product/service. This document not only explains how and why, it shows how to get into the business and succeed on a commercial scale. Solar is also easier to sell using end-use pricing because it eliminates customer issues of high first cost and perceived risk that have been major weaknesses in how solar has been marketed in the past. Indias Emerging Solar Industry: The global solar energy industry is in the early phases of what may be a 30 to 50-year expansion. By the end of 2007, the cumulative installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems around the world had reached more than 9,200 MW, up from 1,200 MW at the end of 2000. Installations of PV cells and modules around the world have been growing at an average annual rate of more than 35% since 1998 (Solar Generation V Report, EPIA, and September, 2008). While contributing only a fraction of the world energy needs today, by 2060 it may be the largest single contributor to global energy production. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) estimates that by the year 2030, PV systems could be generating approximately 2,600 TWh of electricity around the world, enough to satisfy the electricity needs of almost 14% of the worlds population. India has the opportunity to play a major role in this global energy transformation. With significant technical and production resources, Ind ia can be a major supplier of PV cells and modules to meet the growing world demand. With the current pace of growth, Indias solar industry could emerge as the fourth largest generator of solar energy in the world after, Germany, China, and Japan. As an increasingly significant energy consumer, solar power can play a significant role in the countrys domestic energy supply. With over 50,000 villages in India without electricity, solar power has enormous potential to meet rural electrical needs, improving the lives of millions of Indians and meeting critical agricultural, education and industrial needs. Current Situation in India: India is already a major contributor to the global technology market. According to ISA/ Frost Sullivan report, semiconductor and embedded design revenues are expected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2005 to $43 billion by 201 5. The India semiconductor market is expected to grow from $2.82 billion in 2005 to $ 36.3 billion in 201 5. Electronics manufacturing is estimated to reach $1 55 billion in 201 5, creating a $1 5.5 billion semiconductor market opportunity. With recent government and industry actions, India can also be expected to join the leaders in the global photovoltaic market. India will pool all their scientific, technical and managerial talents, with financial sources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power their economy and to transform the lives of their people. Their success in this endeavor will change the face of India. To accomplish these goals, the India government has instituted programs on both the demand and supply side for solar industry. On the supply side, ast year the India cabinet approved incentives to attract foreign investment to the semiconductor sector, including manufacturers of semiconductors, displays and solar technologies. The government announced it will bear 20 per cent of capital expenditures in the first 10 years if a unit is located within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including major economic zone in Hyderabad called Fab City. The minimum investment was set at 25 billion rupees (—$500 million) for semiconductor manufacturers and 10 billion rupees for other micro- and nanotechnology makers. With theses recent announcements, the solar industry has been the chief beneficiary of this incentive-based economic policy. In August, as a follow up to its semiconductor policy (the Special Incentive Package Scheme, or SIPS), the government of India received 12 proposals amounting to a total investment of Rs. 92,915.38 crore. 10 of these proposals were for solar PV, from: KSurya (Rs. 3,211 crore), Lan co Solar (Rs. 12,938 crore), PV Technologies India (Rs. 6,000 crore), Phoenix Solar India (Rs.1, 200 crore), Reliance Industries (Rs.11, 631 crore) Signet Solar (Rs. 9,672 crore), Solar Semiconductor (Rs.11, 821 crore), TF Solar Power (Rs. 2,348 crore), Tata BP Solar India (Rs. 1,692.80 crore), and Titan Energy System (Rs. 5,880.58 crore). In late September, there were three further announcements, concerning: Vavasi Telegence, which plans to invest Rs. 39,000 crore for a solar PV and polysilicon unit; EPV Solar, which will invest Rs. 4,000 crore for a solar PV unit; and Lanco Solar, which will invest Rs I 2, 938 crore for a solar PV and polysilicon unit. In 2009, approximately I 30MW of shipments in 2009 are projected, compared with approximately 30MW in 2008. On the demand side, India has a long term goal of generating I 0% of the countrys electricity from renewable sources by 2032. In early 2008 India instituted a feed-in tariff for solar PV and/or thermal electricity generation (i.e. —$0.30!kWhr for up to 75% of solar PV output) at the national level as a supplement to more modest local incentive programs. The feed-in tariff is subject to annual digressions and is slated to be in force for ten years. Regional caps will limit total installations in a given year, but should drive solid percentage growth in 2008 , with accelerating growth through 201 0. The new incentive scheme for solar power plants in January 2008 could further enable rapid market growth in the coming years. For power producers, a generation-based subsidy is available up to Rs. I 2/kWh from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in addition to the price paid by a state utility for I 0 years. With state utilities mandated to buy energy from solar power plants, several state electricity regulatory boards are setting up preferential tariff structures. Among the states that already have proposals in place are Rajasthan (Rs. I 5.6 per kWhr proposed), West Bengal (Rs. I 2.5 per kWhr proposed), Punjab (Rs. 8.93 per kWhr), with several other states exploring such a possibility. Aside from the feed-in tariffs, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) provides revolving fund to financing and leasing companies offering affordable credit for the purchase of solar PV systems in India. Additional incentives include, 80 % accelerated depreciation, lower import duties on raw materials, and excise duty exemption on certain devices. The role of SEMI PV Group: SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. Since its inception in 1970, SEMI has been helping members explore and develop new markets for their products and services. SEMI has helped facilitate the creation of new manufacturing regions by providing advice and council, facilitating collaborations, organizing trade missions and trade events, and other activities necessary to integrate market forces, governmental economic policy, education and human capital programs, and financial support. As the semiconductor industry expanded globally and new manufacturing centers were established throughout the world, SEMI successively opened offices in Japan, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China to support introduction to these vital new market regions. In each of these regions, SEMI has organized SEMICON expositions, to bring buyers, suppliers and other industry constituents together, and facili tate industry growth. The SEMI PV Group was established in January 2008 to enhance support to members serving the crystalline and thin film photovoltaic (PV) supply chains. Members of the PV Group provide the essential equipment, materials and services necessary to produce clean, renewable energy from photovoltaic technologies. The PV Group is committed to lowering costs for PV energy and for expanding the growth and profitability of SEMI members serving this essential industry. With the input and guidance of the SEMI Board of Directors and Global and Regional PV Advisory Committees in North America, Asia and Europe, the PV Group has prepared a White Paper, The Perfect Industry The Race to Excellence in PV Manufacturing, that describes the ideal industry characteristics for the high-growth PV industry and describes both current and potential SEMI policies, program and initiatives designed to achieve them. By defining and communicating ideal or perfect industry end-states, equipment and materials suppliers along with cell and module manufacturers can more effectively prioritize industry-wide initiatives. The White Paper outlines four attributes of the perfect industry: long term growth; sustained profitability; environmental excellence, and global scope. Each of these attributes is examined to explain and understand their role in the industrys formation, and to help understand and describe the necessary industry actions required to achieve the greatest impact. The SEMI PV Group beUeves that hepng g row and facilitate the global market for PV is essential to its mission and that India will play a vital role. Following a path that proved successful in the semiconductor and display industries, the SEMI PV Group believes that for the industry to achieve long-term growth, open markets and a global supply chain supported by global standards will be required. A sustainable industry committed to long term, profitable growth industry will also be one with harmonized standards for environmental, health and safety standards and guidelines that yield high-quality, low- cost products from any manufacturing location in the world. Unlike semiconductors— and virtually any other industrial segment the importance of PV industry goes beyond the economic well-being of its participants. The production of clean, renewable energy is of vital importance to every human being on the planet. Renewable Energy sector in India: India has the worlds largest programme for renewable energy. Government created the Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES) in 1982. In 1992 a full fledged Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources was established under the overall charge of the Prime Minister. India is blessed with an abundance of sunlight, water and biomass. Vigorous efforts during the past two decades are now bearing fruit as people in all walks of life are more aware of the benefits of renewable energy, especially decentralized energy where required in villages and in urban or semi-urban centers. The range of its activities cover: Production of biogas units, solar thermal devices, solar photovoltaics, cookstoves, wind energy and small hydropower units. Create an environment conducive to promote renewable energy technologies, Promotion of renewable energy technologies, Create an environment conducive for their commercialization, Renewable energy resource assessment, Research and development, Demonstration, Extension, Solar Energy: Solar water heaters have proved the most popular so far and solar photovoltaic for decentralized power supply are fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. More than 700000 PV systems generating 44 MW have been installed all over India. Under the water pumping programme more than 3000 systems have been installed so far and the market for solar lighting and solar pumping is far from saturated. Solar drying is one area which offers very good prospects in food, agricultural and chemical products drying applications. SPV Systems: More than 700000 PV systems of capacity over 44MW for different applications are installed all over India. The market segment and usage is mainly for home lighting, street lighting, solar lanterns and water pumping for irrigation. Over 17 grid interactive solar photovoltaic generating more than 1400 KW are in operation in 8 states of India. As the demand for power grows exponentially and conventional fuel based power generating capacity grows arithmetically, SPV based power generation can be a source to meet the expected shortfall. Especially in rural, far-flung where the likelihood of conventional electric lines is remote, SPV power generation is the best alternative. Wind Power: India now ranks as a wind superpower with an installed wind power capacity of 1167 MW and about 5 billion units of electricity have been fed to the national grid so far. In progress are wind resource assessment programme, wind monitoring, wind mapping, covering 800 stations in 24 states with 193 wind monitoring stations in operations. Altogether 13 states of India have a net potential of about 45000 MW. Solar Cookers: Government has been promoting box type solar cookers with subsidies since a long time in the hope of saving fuel and meeting the needs of the rural and urban populace. There are community cookers and large parabolic reflector based systems in operation in some places but solar cookers, as a whole, have not found the widespread acceptance and popularity as hoped for. A lot of educating and pushing will have to be put in before solar cookers are made an indispensable part of each household (at least in rural and semi-urban areas). Solar cookers using parabolic reflectors or multiple mirrors which result in faster cooking of food would be more welcome than the single reflector box design is what some observers and users of the box cookers feel. Solar Water Heaters: A conservative estimate of solar water heating systems installed in the country is estimated at over 475000 sq. mtrs of the conventional flat plate collectors. Noticeable beneficiaries of the programme of installation of solar water heaters so far have been cooperative dairies, guest houses, hotels, charitable institutions, chemical and process units, hostels, hospitals, textile mills, process houses and individuals. In fact in India solar water heaters are the most popular of all renewable energy devices. Solar Heating and Cooling: Most solar water heater research is currently focused on reducing costs rather than increasing efficiency. Current work involves replacing standard parts with less expensive polymers. Examples include polymer absorbers with selective coatings, UV resistant polymer glazing, and polymer heat exchangers. The main types are glazed and unglazed flat plate types and the evacuated tube types with about 100 million units deployed worldwide with evacuated tubes making up about 25% of the market. Asian growth is predicted to continue. Forms of Renewable Energy: Solar Each day more energy reaches the earth from the sun than would be consumed by the globe in 27 years. Solar energy is renewable as long as the sun keeps burning the massive amount of hydrogen it has in its core. Even with the sun expending 700 billion tons of hydrogen every second, it is expected to keep burning for another 4.5 billion years. Solar energy comes from processes called solar heating, solar water heating, photovoltaic energy and solar thermal electric power. Solar Heating An example of solar heating is the heat that gets trapped inside a closed car on a sunny day. Today, more than 200,000 houses in the United States have been designed to use features that take advantage of the suns energy. These homes use passive solar designs, which do not normally require pumps, fans and other mechanical equipment to store and distribute the suns energy; in contrast to the active solar designs which need the support of mechanical components. A passive solar home or building naturally collects the suns heat through large south facing windows, which are just one aspect of passive design. Once the heat is inside, it is captured and needs to be absorbed. A sun spot on the floor of a house on a cold day holds the suns heat and is perhaps, the simplest form of an absorber. In solar buildings, sunspaces are built onto the southern side of the structure, which act as large absorbers. The floors of these sunspaces are usually made of tiles or bricks that relea se air. Passive solar homes need to be designed to let the heat in during cold months and keep the sun out in the hot months. Using deciduous trees or bushes in front of the south-facing windows can do this. These plants lose their leaves in the winter and allow most of the sun in, while in summer, the leaves will block out a lot of the sunshine and heat. Solar Water Heating The sun can also heat water for bathing and laundry. Most solar water-heating systems have two main parts: the solar collector and the storage tank. The collector heats the water, which then flows to the storage tank. The storage tank can be just a modified water heater, but ideally, it should be a large well-insulated tank. The water stays in the storage tank until it is needed for something, say a shower or to run the dishwasher. Like solar-designed buildings, solar water-heating systems can be either active or passive. While a solar waterheating system can work well, it cannot heat water when the sun is not shining and for this reason, homes have conventional backup systems that use fossil fuels. Photovoltaic Energy The suns energy can also be made directly into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells, sometimes called solar cells. PV cells make electricity without noise or pollution. They are used in calculators and watches. They also provide power to satellites, electric lights and small electrical appliances such as radios. PV cells are now even being used to provide electricity for homes, villages and businesses. Usually, PV systems are used for water pumping, highway lighting, weather stations and other electrical systems located away from power lines. As PV systems can be expensive, they are not used in areas that have electricity nearby. However, for those who need electricity in remote places, this system is economical. However, PV power is intermittent, that is, the system cannot make electricity if the sun is not shining. These systems therefore need batteries to store the electricity. Concentrating Solar Power Solar thermal systems can also change sunlight into electricity by concentrating the suns rays towards a set of mirrors. This heat is then used to boil water to make steam. This steam rotates a turbine that is attached to the generator that produces electricity. Solar thermal power, however, is intermittent. To avoid this problem, natural gas is used to heat the water. Solar thermal systems should ideally be located in areas that receive a lot of sunshine all through the year. Global Warming and Climate Change: The past few decades have seen a host of treaties, conventions, and protocols in the field of environmental protection. The Indian scientist had predicted that human activities would interfere with the way the sun interacts with the earth, resulting in global warming and climate change. His prediction was borne out and climate change is disrupting global environmental stability. Land degradation, air and water pollution, sea-level rise, and loss of biodiversity are only a few examples of the now familiar issue of environmental degradation due to climate change. One of the most important characteristics of this environmental degradation is that it affects all mankind on a global scale without regard to any particular country, race, or region. This makes the whole world a stakeholder and raises issues on how resources can be allocated and responsibilities be shared to combat environmental degradation. One of the main human activities that releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into t he atmosphere is the conventional use of fossil fuels to produce energy. Scientists and environmentalists have studied, over the past few years, the impact of conventional energy systems on the global environment. The enhanced greenhouse effect from the use of fossil fuels has resulted in the phenomena of acid rain and accentuated the problem of ozone depletion and global warming, resulting in climate change. Due to the increased use of technology and mechanization in human activities, the delicate ecological and environmental balances are being disturbed. For instance, carbon dioxide is being pumped into the atmosphere faster than the oceans and flora can remove it and the rate of extinction of animal and plant species far exceeds the rate of their evolution. The reason that global warming and climate change are considered serious global threats is that they have very damaging and disastrous consequences. These are in the form of: Increased frequency and intensity of storms, hurricanes, floods and droughts; Permanent flooding of vast areas of heavily populated lands and the creation of hundreds of millions of environmental refugees due to the melting glaciers and polar ice that causes rising sea levels; Increased frequency of forest fires; Increased sea temperatures causing coral bleaching and the destruction of coral reefs around the world; Eradication of entire ecosystems The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was set up by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to assess scientific, technical, and socioeconomic information needed for the understanding of the risk of human induced climate change. According to the IPCC assessments, if the present rate of emissions continues, the global mean temperature will increase by 1 °Celsius to 3.5 °Celsius compared to 1990 levels by the year 2100. The best estimate is at 2 °Celsius. Moreover, the impacts of global warming and climate change could become a source of increased tension between nations and regions. For instance, in many countries, a severe disruption of the worlds food supplies through floods, droughts, crop failures and diseases brought about by climate change would trigger famine, wars and civil disorder. Historically, it is the developed world that is responsible for most of the emissions into the atmosphere. Howeve r, it is the underdeveloped parts of the world that will suffer its worst effects. For example, as sea levels rise, a country like Bangladesh will suffer much more from the loss of valuable arable and populated lands than North American or European countries, even though, in comparison to the latter, the former would have much less emissions. Chapter 2: Literature Review Introduction: Solar energy industry is at an inflection point with developments in technology driving down costs as fossil fuel prices head northwards. In this changing environment, those who will proactively seize opportunities through innovative business models across the solar energy value chain will emerge as winners. The threat to energy security is greater than ever perceived before. With the sub-prime crisis hitting the US and global economies and the dollar depreciating against all major currencies, crude oil prices have crossed the US$140/barrel mark on sustained demand and supply concerns. Not just oil, but other important fuels like coal and gas, has also charted the same path. Since 2002, the increase in fuel prices has been incredible: oil and coal have jumped by more than 500% and gas by more than 300%. A classic demand-supply theory may not provide enough justification for this sudden surge and it is becoming increasingly difficult to forecast fuel prices in the long term (EIA forec asts US$70/Bbl for oil and US$6.6/MMBTU for gas by 2030 in its 2008 Annual Energy Outlook report). While fossil fuel prices are sky rocketing, alternate energy sources like solar and wind look more attractive by the day. Solar industry is at the crossroads of technological developments and operational improvements bringing down its costs and of market forces that shape its demand potential. Solar energy economics: Solar PV (photovoltaic) and CSP (concentrated solar power) electricity generation currently costs around 15-30 US cents per kWh (depending on geographical location) against grid prices of 5-20 US cents across the world for different users. So far, governments across the world have supported solar power with subsidies and feed-in tariff incentives, which would be done away with in a gradual manner. The delivered cost per unit is a function of three important parameters: solar system capex and its financing cost; solar isolations received by the system; and PV cell efficiency. Solar module cost forms about 60% of the total solar system capex. Solar module costs have dropped significantly from about US$25/W in early 1980s to US$3.5/W now, registering a year-on-year drop of 7%. Constraints in silicon supply have restricted this trend to some extent for the last 2-3 years. If module costs drops below US$2/W, grid parity could be achieved. The capacity of silicon production is expected to double in the next 2-3 years as more than US$6-bn would be invested by major firms through 2010. This could lead to a potential oversupplied market, putting pressure on silicon prices. Also economies of scale will lead to cost savings. Cambridge Energy Research Institute reports that the doubling of capacity would reduce production costs by 20%. Cell efficiency is expected to improve from about 15% to 20%, which will further reduce the capex per watt. Thin film and CSP technologies are reducing silicon usage in solar systems. With the combined effect of process improvements and technology developments, the cost of solar module could achieve the threshold limit of US$2/W in the next four to five years, ahead of the 2015 target for solar grid parity power set by India. A leading solar company in India is confident of bringing total solar capex below US$2.5/W. If we consider the cost of carbon emissions from fossil fuels, grid power will become more costly (about 3 US cents/unit additi onal cost for coal based generation). Sustained high fuel prices, accompanied by carbon emission costs, will further accelerate grid-parity time for solar power. While solar power is approaching grid parity, the solar energy industry is witnessing a changing competitive scenario. Structural changes in the industry are visible, along with shifts across the value chain by companies to capture the future value. Solar industrys changing dynamics: The solar PV industry value chain consists of the following segments: There are two clear groupings in the value chain: Silicon to module manufacturing group; and Product and system integration. Silicon manufacturing (solar grade) is close to a US$1bn industry, while the size of the installation industry is about US$6-bn. Silicon module segment is capital intensive and technology driven. It captures most of the value in the solar value chain, as a handful of large companies are present in this segment. The fragmentation increases subsequently across the value chain. Silicon and wafer manufacturing companies enjoy about 40% profit margins, while installers typically work with about 10-15% margins. Recent activities in the solar PV value chain indicate major shifts in the industry structure: Companies aiming to create an integrated presence across the value chain: Sun Power, a US based solar cell and module manufacturer, recently acquired Power light, a system integrator present in US and Europe. Companies developing alternate technology options: Applied Materials, a semiconductor company, acquired Applied Films, a producer of thin film deposition equipment. Module manufacturers tying up the silicon end: Moser Baer, an Indian solar company, recently completed a series of strategic tie-ups in the silicon-cell segment to secure silicon supply and technology access. On the application side as more and more off-grid solutions are emerging, customer interface management would become crucial. Concentrated solar power (CSP) also holds promise with ability to generate electricity on a large scale (10 to 80 Feasibility Study of Solar Energy in India Feasibility Study of Solar Energy in India Abstract Solar energy in its raw form may be pollution-free, but manufacturing the devices that get the energy out of light and heat requires metal and other material, requiring mines and smelters, therein causing pollution. Maybe the most exciting thing about solar energy today is not only that the costs continue to drop and efficiencies continue to rise, but that clean solar energy is arriving at last. New technologies allow new methods of manufacturing which pollute much less and often run on solar energy. Solar heating and solar electric systems can now generate thermal and electric energy over their service life up to 100 times the energy input during their manufacture. This ratio; the energy it will produce in its lifetime, compared to the amount of energy input to manufacture and maintain an energy system, has doubled in the last 20 years for most solar technologies. The ratio of energy out vs. energy in for solar systems has become so favorable that the economic and ecological viabili ty of solar power is now beyond question. One reason solar energy still cannot compete financially vs. conventional energy is because the value of future energy output from a photovoltaic system is discounted when calculating, for example, an internal rate of return. These economic models that put a time-value on money, making long-term receipts not worth as much as near-term receipts cannot necessarily be applied to energy. In fact, endues pricing will significantly increase customer penetration, and this will have a correspondingly positive impact on the economics of Solar Water Heating as a stand-alone profit-making business. The business views solar energy as a potential key resource to help Indias energy portfolio become greener, more diversified and more secure, while also creating jobs in the State. Solar energy can play an important role in allowing India to reach its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals. As stated by the Commission, the development of additional renewab le energy resources is a long-standing energy policy objective of the State. The Indian solar energy industry can easily rise to the challenge of bringing solar energy to the forefront to help India address the twin challenges of energy security and combating global warming and climate change.India is particularly well positioned to reap the advantages of solar power, which is clean, free, forever and everywhere. Chapter 1: Introduction India is both densely populated and has high solar insolation, providing an ideal combination for solar power in India. Much of the country does not have an electrical grid, so one of the first applications of solar power has been for water pumping; to begin replacing Indias four to five million diesel powered water pumps, each consuming about 3.5kilowatts, and off-grid lighting. Some large projects have been proposed, and a 35,000km ² area of the Thar Desert has been set aside for solar power projects, sufficient to generate 700 to 2,100gigawatts. In July 2009, India unveiled a $19 billion plan to produce 20 GW of solar power by 2020. Under the plan, solar-powered equipment and applications would be mandatory in all government buildings including hospitals and hotels. 18 November 2009, it was reported that India is ready to launch its Solar Mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, with plans to generate 1,000 MW of power by 2013. Of the total energy produced in In dia, just 0.5% is solar. But with the Government of Indias (GOI) target to increase the use of renewable energy to 10% of total power generation by 2012, solar panels are set to become a more regular feature in communities across India. The GOI has been pushing solar power to households in town and cities using incentives such as discounts on energy bills if solar is installed. However, for the hundreds of thousands of people that live in rural areas of the country, solar energy is more difficult to access. It may seem surprising that solar energy as applied to heating domestic hot water an idea that has been around for a long time offers what utilities and their residential customers want most in a new product/service. This document not only explains how and why, it shows how to get into the business and succeed on a commercial scale. Solar is also easier to sell using end-use pricing because it eliminates customer issues of high first cost and perceived risk that have been major weaknesses in how solar has been marketed in the past. Indias Emerging Solar Industry: The global solar energy industry is in the early phases of what may be a 30 to 50-year expansion. By the end of 2007, the cumulative installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems around the world had reached more than 9,200 MW, up from 1,200 MW at the end of 2000. Installations of PV cells and modules around the world have been growing at an average annual rate of more than 35% since 1998 (Solar Generation V Report, EPIA, and September, 2008). While contributing only a fraction of the world energy needs today, by 2060 it may be the largest single contributor to global energy production. The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) estimates that by the year 2030, PV systems could be generating approximately 2,600 TWh of electricity around the world, enough to satisfy the electricity needs of almost 14% of the worlds population. India has the opportunity to play a major role in this global energy transformation. With significant technical and production resources, Ind ia can be a major supplier of PV cells and modules to meet the growing world demand. With the current pace of growth, Indias solar industry could emerge as the fourth largest generator of solar energy in the world after, Germany, China, and Japan. As an increasingly significant energy consumer, solar power can play a significant role in the countrys domestic energy supply. With over 50,000 villages in India without electricity, solar power has enormous potential to meet rural electrical needs, improving the lives of millions of Indians and meeting critical agricultural, education and industrial needs. Current Situation in India: India is already a major contributor to the global technology market. According to ISA/ Frost Sullivan report, semiconductor and embedded design revenues are expected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2005 to $43 billion by 201 5. The India semiconductor market is expected to grow from $2.82 billion in 2005 to $ 36.3 billion in 201 5. Electronics manufacturing is estimated to reach $1 55 billion in 201 5, creating a $1 5.5 billion semiconductor market opportunity. With recent government and industry actions, India can also be expected to join the leaders in the global photovoltaic market. India will pool all their scientific, technical and managerial talents, with financial sources, to develop solar energy as a source of abundant energy to power their economy and to transform the lives of their people. Their success in this endeavor will change the face of India. To accomplish these goals, the India government has instituted programs on both the demand and supply side for solar industry. On the supply side, ast year the India cabinet approved incentives to attract foreign investment to the semiconductor sector, including manufacturers of semiconductors, displays and solar technologies. The government announced it will bear 20 per cent of capital expenditures in the first 10 years if a unit is located within Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including major economic zone in Hyderabad called Fab City. The minimum investment was set at 25 billion rupees (—$500 million) for semiconductor manufacturers and 10 billion rupees for other micro- and nanotechnology makers. With theses recent announcements, the solar industry has been the chief beneficiary of this incentive-based economic policy. In August, as a follow up to its semiconductor policy (the Special Incentive Package Scheme, or SIPS), the government of India received 12 proposals amounting to a total investment of Rs. 92,915.38 crore. 10 of these proposals were for solar PV, from: KSurya (Rs. 3,211 crore), Lan co Solar (Rs. 12,938 crore), PV Technologies India (Rs. 6,000 crore), Phoenix Solar India (Rs.1, 200 crore), Reliance Industries (Rs.11, 631 crore) Signet Solar (Rs. 9,672 crore), Solar Semiconductor (Rs.11, 821 crore), TF Solar Power (Rs. 2,348 crore), Tata BP Solar India (Rs. 1,692.80 crore), and Titan Energy System (Rs. 5,880.58 crore). In late September, there were three further announcements, concerning: Vavasi Telegence, which plans to invest Rs. 39,000 crore for a solar PV and polysilicon unit; EPV Solar, which will invest Rs. 4,000 crore for a solar PV unit; and Lanco Solar, which will invest Rs I 2, 938 crore for a solar PV and polysilicon unit. In 2009, approximately I 30MW of shipments in 2009 are projected, compared with approximately 30MW in 2008. On the demand side, India has a long term goal of generating I 0% of the countrys electricity from renewable sources by 2032. In early 2008 India instituted a feed-in tariff for solar PV and/or thermal electricity generation (i.e. —$0.30!kWhr for up to 75% of solar PV output) at the national level as a supplement to more modest local incentive programs. The feed-in tariff is subject to annual digressions and is slated to be in force for ten years. Regional caps will limit total installations in a given year, but should drive solid percentage growth in 2008 , with accelerating growth through 201 0. The new incentive scheme for solar power plants in January 2008 could further enable rapid market growth in the coming years. For power producers, a generation-based subsidy is available up to Rs. I 2/kWh from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in addition to the price paid by a state utility for I 0 years. With state utilities mandated to buy energy from solar power plants, several state electricity regulatory boards are setting up preferential tariff structures. Among the states that already have proposals in place are Rajasthan (Rs. I 5.6 per kWhr proposed), West Bengal (Rs. I 2.5 per kWhr proposed), Punjab (Rs. 8.93 per kWhr), with several other states exploring such a possibility. Aside from the feed-in tariffs, the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) provides revolving fund to financing and leasing companies offering affordable credit for the purchase of solar PV systems in India. Additional incentives include, 80 % accelerated depreciation, lower import duties on raw materials, and excise duty exemption on certain devices. The role of SEMI PV Group: SEMI is the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chains for the microelectronic, display and photovoltaic industries. Since its inception in 1970, SEMI has been helping members explore and develop new markets for their products and services. SEMI has helped facilitate the creation of new manufacturing regions by providing advice and council, facilitating collaborations, organizing trade missions and trade events, and other activities necessary to integrate market forces, governmental economic policy, education and human capital programs, and financial support. As the semiconductor industry expanded globally and new manufacturing centers were established throughout the world, SEMI successively opened offices in Japan, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and China to support introduction to these vital new market regions. In each of these regions, SEMI has organized SEMICON expositions, to bring buyers, suppliers and other industry constituents together, and facili tate industry growth. The SEMI PV Group was established in January 2008 to enhance support to members serving the crystalline and thin film photovoltaic (PV) supply chains. Members of the PV Group provide the essential equipment, materials and services necessary to produce clean, renewable energy from photovoltaic technologies. The PV Group is committed to lowering costs for PV energy and for expanding the growth and profitability of SEMI members serving this essential industry. With the input and guidance of the SEMI Board of Directors and Global and Regional PV Advisory Committees in North America, Asia and Europe, the PV Group has prepared a White Paper, The Perfect Industry The Race to Excellence in PV Manufacturing, that describes the ideal industry characteristics for the high-growth PV industry and describes both current and potential SEMI policies, program and initiatives designed to achieve them. By defining and communicating ideal or perfect industry end-states, equipment and materials suppliers along with cell and module manufacturers can more effectively prioritize industry-wide initiatives. The White Paper outlines four attributes of the perfect industry: long term growth; sustained profitability; environmental excellence, and global scope. Each of these attributes is examined to explain and understand their role in the industrys formation, and to help understand and describe the necessary industry actions required to achieve the greatest impact. The SEMI PV Group beUeves that hepng g row and facilitate the global market for PV is essential to its mission and that India will play a vital role. Following a path that proved successful in the semiconductor and display industries, the SEMI PV Group believes that for the industry to achieve long-term growth, open markets and a global supply chain supported by global standards will be required. A sustainable industry committed to long term, profitable growth industry will also be one with harmonized standards for environmental, health and safety standards and guidelines that yield high-quality, low- cost products from any manufacturing location in the world. Unlike semiconductors— and virtually any other industrial segment the importance of PV industry goes beyond the economic well-being of its participants. The production of clean, renewable energy is of vital importance to every human being on the planet. Renewable Energy sector in India: India has the worlds largest programme for renewable energy. Government created the Department of Non-conventional Energy Sources (DNES) in 1982. In 1992 a full fledged Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources was established under the overall charge of the Prime Minister. India is blessed with an abundance of sunlight, water and biomass. Vigorous efforts during the past two decades are now bearing fruit as people in all walks of life are more aware of the benefits of renewable energy, especially decentralized energy where required in villages and in urban or semi-urban centers. The range of its activities cover: Production of biogas units, solar thermal devices, solar photovoltaics, cookstoves, wind energy and small hydropower units. Create an environment conducive to promote renewable energy technologies, Promotion of renewable energy technologies, Create an environment conducive for their commercialization, Renewable energy resource assessment, Research and development, Demonstration, Extension, Solar Energy: Solar water heaters have proved the most popular so far and solar photovoltaic for decentralized power supply are fast becoming popular in rural and remote areas. More than 700000 PV systems generating 44 MW have been installed all over India. Under the water pumping programme more than 3000 systems have been installed so far and the market for solar lighting and solar pumping is far from saturated. Solar drying is one area which offers very good prospects in food, agricultural and chemical products drying applications. SPV Systems: More than 700000 PV systems of capacity over 44MW for different applications are installed all over India. The market segment and usage is mainly for home lighting, street lighting, solar lanterns and water pumping for irrigation. Over 17 grid interactive solar photovoltaic generating more than 1400 KW are in operation in 8 states of India. As the demand for power grows exponentially and conventional fuel based power generating capacity grows arithmetically, SPV based power generation can be a source to meet the expected shortfall. Especially in rural, far-flung where the likelihood of conventional electric lines is remote, SPV power generation is the best alternative. Wind Power: India now ranks as a wind superpower with an installed wind power capacity of 1167 MW and about 5 billion units of electricity have been fed to the national grid so far. In progress are wind resource assessment programme, wind monitoring, wind mapping, covering 800 stations in 24 states with 193 wind monitoring stations in operations. Altogether 13 states of India have a net potential of about 45000 MW. Solar Cookers: Government has been promoting box type solar cookers with subsidies since a long time in the hope of saving fuel and meeting the needs of the rural and urban populace. There are community cookers and large parabolic reflector based systems in operation in some places but solar cookers, as a whole, have not found the widespread acceptance and popularity as hoped for. A lot of educating and pushing will have to be put in before solar cookers are made an indispensable part of each household (at least in rural and semi-urban areas). Solar cookers using parabolic reflectors or multiple mirrors which result in faster cooking of food would be more welcome than the single reflector box design is what some observers and users of the box cookers feel. Solar Water Heaters: A conservative estimate of solar water heating systems installed in the country is estimated at over 475000 sq. mtrs of the conventional flat plate collectors. Noticeable beneficiaries of the programme of installation of solar water heaters so far have been cooperative dairies, guest houses, hotels, charitable institutions, chemical and process units, hostels, hospitals, textile mills, process houses and individuals. In fact in India solar water heaters are the most popular of all renewable energy devices. Solar Heating and Cooling: Most solar water heater research is currently focused on reducing costs rather than increasing efficiency. Current work involves replacing standard parts with less expensive polymers. Examples include polymer absorbers with selective coatings, UV resistant polymer glazing, and polymer heat exchangers. The main types are glazed and unglazed flat plate types and the evacuated tube types with about 100 million units deployed worldwide with evacuated tubes making up about 25% of the market. Asian growth is predicted to continue. Forms of Renewable Energy: Solar Each day more energy reaches the earth from the sun than would be consumed by the globe in 27 years. Solar energy is renewable as long as the sun keeps burning the massive amount of hydrogen it has in its core. Even with the sun expending 700 billion tons of hydrogen every second, it is expected to keep burning for another 4.5 billion years. Solar energy comes from processes called solar heating, solar water heating, photovoltaic energy and solar thermal electric power. Solar Heating An example of solar heating is the heat that gets trapped inside a closed car on a sunny day. Today, more than 200,000 houses in the United States have been designed to use features that take advantage of the suns energy. These homes use passive solar designs, which do not normally require pumps, fans and other mechanical equipment to store and distribute the suns energy; in contrast to the active solar designs which need the support of mechanical components. A passive solar home or building naturally collects the suns heat through large south facing windows, which are just one aspect of passive design. Once the heat is inside, it is captured and needs to be absorbed. A sun spot on the floor of a house on a cold day holds the suns heat and is perhaps, the simplest form of an absorber. In solar buildings, sunspaces are built onto the southern side of the structure, which act as large absorbers. The floors of these sunspaces are usually made of tiles or bricks that relea se air. Passive solar homes need to be designed to let the heat in during cold months and keep the sun out in the hot months. Using deciduous trees or bushes in front of the south-facing windows can do this. These plants lose their leaves in the winter and allow most of the sun in, while in summer, the leaves will block out a lot of the sunshine and heat. Solar Water Heating The sun can also heat water for bathing and laundry. Most solar water-heating systems have two main parts: the solar collector and the storage tank. The collector heats the water, which then flows to the storage tank. The storage tank can be just a modified water heater, but ideally, it should be a large well-insulated tank. The water stays in the storage tank until it is needed for something, say a shower or to run the dishwasher. Like solar-designed buildings, solar water-heating systems can be either active or passive. While a solar waterheating system can work well, it cannot heat water when the sun is not shining and for this reason, homes have conventional backup systems that use fossil fuels. Photovoltaic Energy The suns energy can also be made directly into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells, sometimes called solar cells. PV cells make electricity without noise or pollution. They are used in calculators and watches. They also provide power to satellites, electric lights and small electrical appliances such as radios. PV cells are now even being used to provide electricity for homes, villages and businesses. Usually, PV systems are used for water pumping, highway lighting, weather stations and other electrical systems located away from power lines. As PV systems can be expensive, they are not used in areas that have electricity nearby. However, for those who need electricity in remote places, this system is economical. However, PV power is intermittent, that is, the system cannot make electricity if the sun is not shining. These systems therefore need batteries to store the electricity. Concentrating Solar Power Solar thermal systems can also change sunlight into electricity by concentrating the suns rays towards a set of mirrors. This heat is then used to boil water to make steam. This steam rotates a turbine that is attached to the generator that produces electricity. Solar thermal power, however, is intermittent. To avoid this problem, natural gas is used to heat the water. Solar thermal systems should ideally be located in areas that receive a lot of sunshine all through the year. Global Warming and Climate Change: The past few decades have seen a host of treaties, conventions, and protocols in the field of environmental protection. The Indian scientist had predicted that human activities would interfere with the way the sun interacts with the earth, resulting in global warming and climate change. His prediction was borne out and climate change is disrupting global environmental stability. Land degradation, air and water pollution, sea-level rise, and loss of biodiversity are only a few examples of the now familiar issue of environmental degradation due to climate change. One of the most important characteristics of this environmental degradation is that it affects all mankind on a global scale without regard to any particular country, race, or region. This makes the whole world a stakeholder and raises issues on how resources can be allocated and responsibilities be shared to combat environmental degradation. One of the main human activities that releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into t he atmosphere is the conventional use of fossil fuels to produce energy. Scientists and environmentalists have studied, over the past few years, the impact of conventional energy systems on the global environment. The enhanced greenhouse effect from the use of fossil fuels has resulted in the phenomena of acid rain and accentuated the problem of ozone depletion and global warming, resulting in climate change. Due to the increased use of technology and mechanization in human activities, the delicate ecological and environmental balances are being disturbed. For instance, carbon dioxide is being pumped into the atmosphere faster than the oceans and flora can remove it and the rate of extinction of animal and plant species far exceeds the rate of their evolution. The reason that global warming and climate change are considered serious global threats is that they have very damaging and disastrous consequences. These are in the form of: Increased frequency and intensity of storms, hurricanes, floods and droughts; Permanent flooding of vast areas of heavily populated lands and the creation of hundreds of millions of environmental refugees due to the melting glaciers and polar ice that causes rising sea levels; Increased frequency of forest fires; Increased sea temperatures causing coral bleaching and the destruction of coral reefs around the world; Eradication of entire ecosystems The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was set up by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to assess scientific, technical, and socioeconomic information needed for the understanding of the risk of human induced climate change. According to the IPCC assessments, if the present rate of emissions continues, the global mean temperature will increase by 1 °Celsius to 3.5 °Celsius compared to 1990 levels by the year 2100. The best estimate is at 2 °Celsius. Moreover, the impacts of global warming and climate change could become a source of increased tension between nations and regions. For instance, in many countries, a severe disruption of the worlds food supplies through floods, droughts, crop failures and diseases brought about by climate change would trigger famine, wars and civil disorder. Historically, it is the developed world that is responsible for most of the emissions into the atmosphere. Howeve r, it is the underdeveloped parts of the world that will suffer its worst effects. For example, as sea levels rise, a country like Bangladesh will suffer much more from the loss of valuable arable and populated lands than North American or European countries, even though, in comparison to the latter, the former would have much less emissions. Chapter 2: Literature Review Introduction: Solar energy industry is at an inflection point with developments in technology driving down costs as fossil fuel prices head northwards. In this changing environment, those who will proactively seize opportunities through innovative business models across the solar energy value chain will emerge as winners. The threat to energy security is greater than ever perceived before. With the sub-prime crisis hitting the US and global economies and the dollar depreciating against all major currencies, crude oil prices have crossed the US$140/barrel mark on sustained demand and supply concerns. Not just oil, but other important fuels like coal and gas, has also charted the same path. Since 2002, the increase in fuel prices has been incredible: oil and coal have jumped by more than 500% and gas by more than 300%. A classic demand-supply theory may not provide enough justification for this sudden surge and it is becoming increasingly difficult to forecast fuel prices in the long term (EIA forec asts US$70/Bbl for oil and US$6.6/MMBTU for gas by 2030 in its 2008 Annual Energy Outlook report). While fossil fuel prices are sky rocketing, alternate energy sources like solar and wind look more attractive by the day. Solar industry is at the crossroads of technological developments and operational improvements bringing down its costs and of market forces that shape its demand potential. Solar energy economics: Solar PV (photovoltaic) and CSP (concentrated solar power) electricity generation currently costs around 15-30 US cents per kWh (depending on geographical location) against grid prices of 5-20 US cents across the world for different users. So far, governments across the world have supported solar power with subsidies and feed-in tariff incentives, which would be done away with in a gradual manner. The delivered cost per unit is a function of three important parameters: solar system capex and its financing cost; solar isolations received by the system; and PV cell efficiency. Solar module cost forms about 60% of the total solar system capex. Solar module costs have dropped significantly from about US$25/W in early 1980s to US$3.5/W now, registering a year-on-year drop of 7%. Constraints in silicon supply have restricted this trend to some extent for the last 2-3 years. If module costs drops below US$2/W, grid parity could be achieved. The capacity of silicon production is expected to double in the next 2-3 years as more than US$6-bn would be invested by major firms through 2010. This could lead to a potential oversupplied market, putting pressure on silicon prices. Also economies of scale will lead to cost savings. Cambridge Energy Research Institute reports that the doubling of capacity would reduce production costs by 20%. Cell efficiency is expected to improve from about 15% to 20%, which will further reduce the capex per watt. Thin film and CSP technologies are reducing silicon usage in solar systems. With the combined effect of process improvements and technology developments, the cost of solar module could achieve the threshold limit of US$2/W in the next four to five years, ahead of the 2015 target for solar grid parity power set by India. A leading solar company in India is confident of bringing total solar capex below US$2.5/W. If we consider the cost of carbon emissions from fossil fuels, grid power will become more costly (about 3 US cents/unit additi onal cost for coal based generation). Sustained high fuel prices, accompanied by carbon emission costs, will further accelerate grid-parity time for solar power. While solar power is approaching grid parity, the solar energy industry is witnessing a changing competitive scenario. Structural changes in the industry are visible, along with shifts across the value chain by companies to capture the future value. Solar industrys changing dynamics: The solar PV industry value chain consists of the following segments: There are two clear groupings in the value chain: Silicon to module manufacturing group; and Product and system integration. Silicon manufacturing (solar grade) is close to a US$1bn industry, while the size of the installation industry is about US$6-bn. Silicon module segment is capital intensive and technology driven. It captures most of the value in the solar value chain, as a handful of large companies are present in this segment. The fragmentation increases subsequently across the value chain. Silicon and wafer manufacturing companies enjoy about 40% profit margins, while installers typically work with about 10-15% margins. Recent activities in the solar PV value chain indicate major shifts in the industry structure: Companies aiming to create an integrated presence across the value chain: Sun Power, a US based solar cell and module manufacturer, recently acquired Power light, a system integrator present in US and Europe. Companies developing alternate technology options: Applied Materials, a semiconductor company, acquired Applied Films, a producer of thin film deposition equipment. Module manufacturers tying up the silicon end: Moser Baer, an Indian solar company, recently completed a series of strategic tie-ups in the silicon-cell segment to secure silicon supply and technology access. On the application side as more and more off-grid solutions are emerging, customer interface management would become crucial. Concentrated solar power (CSP) also holds promise with ability to generate electricity on a large scale (10 to 80

Interpretive Richness of Leslie Marmon Silkos Ceremony Essay -- Silko

The interpretative richness of Silko’s Ceremony Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony is the extraordinary tale of Tayo, a mixed-blood Native American in his long quest to cure the suffering that afflicts him and his people. The novel is complex enough that it can be interpreted in the context of starkly different paradigms, each highlighting important facets of the story. For instance, in the article â€Å"Feminine perspectives at Laguna Pueblo: Silko’s Ceremony,† Edith Swan offers a (symbolic) analysis of the plethora of important female characters in the novel that is based on a deliberately unicultural, Laguna worldview on the grounds that â€Å"[...] western presumptions must be set aside so that they do not adversely bias or manipulate tribal structures of meaning. Native premises must be allowed to stand on their own terms† (309). On the other hand, Dennis Cutchins, in his article â€Å"‘So that the nations may become genuine Indian’: Nativism and Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony† advocates a politico-historical interpretation of the novel as a reaction against the overwhelming influence of Western civilization on Native American culture. This reaction, Cutchins argues, takes the form of a â€Å"revision† of history for the purpose of removing the Western influence and adapting ancient traditions to better serve the needs of the present, thus resolving the conflict between the two cultures. Cutchins’ interpretation therefore, is multicultural, focussing on the historical relationship between Western and Native American cultures and providing a paradigm (namely, nativism) that helps put it all in perspective. By utilizing divergent paradigms in interpreting Ceremony, Swan and Cutchins both succeed in highlighting the many fascinating... ...nse in the context of the outside world and the history of the Native American people. The differing theses however, do not contradict each other. Rather, they complement each other by providing a more complete picture through the simultaneous consideration of socio-cultural as well as politico-historical perspectives of the novel. 7 Works Cited Cutchins, Dennis. â€Å"‘So that the nations may become genuine Indian’: Nativism and Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony.† Journal of American Culture 22.4 (1 Dec. 1999): not paginated. Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony. New York: Penguin, 1977. Swan, Edith. â€Å"Feminine Perspectives at Laguna Pueblo: Silko’s Ceremony.† Tulsa Studies in Women’s Literature 11.2 (Autumn, 1992): 309-328. Work cited from within Swan, Edith: Allen, Paula Gunn. â€Å"The Psychological Landscape of Ceremony.† American Indian Quarterly. 5.1 (1979): 12. 8

Abraham Lincoln :: essays research papers

Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. His parents were both born in Virginia. his mother, who died when he was ten years old, of a family of the name of Hanks. His father. Who moved from Kentucky to Indiana when he was eight years old. He said â€Å"It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up.... Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher ... but that was all." Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to attain knowledge while working on a farm, splitting rails for fences, and keeping a store at New Salem, Illinois. He was a captain in the Black Hawk War, spent eight years in the Illinois legislature, and rode the circuit of courts for many years. His law partner said of him, "His ambition was a little engine that knew no rest." He married Mary Todd, they had four children togather, only one of them lived to maturity, the rest died at an early age. In 1858 Lincoln ran against Stephen A. Douglas for Senator. He lost the election, but in debating with Douglas he gained a national reputation that won him the Republican nomination for President in 1860. As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organization. Further, he rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves within the Confederacy. Lincoln never let the world forget that the Civil War involved an even larger issue. This he stated most movingly in dedicating the military cemetery at Gettysburg: "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain--that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom--and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure in Urban Planning

Biodiversity Green Infrastructure in Urban PlanningIntroductionIn the 1990s, the construct of Green Infrastructure has been mentioned in the United States. It used to be identified as an attack to cover with H2O direction, clime version and multifunctional green infinite. Now, after long clip survey, EU identifies that: â€Å"Green substructure is the web of natural and semi-natural countries, characteristics and green infinites in rural and urban, tellurian, fresh water, coastal and marine countries, which together enhance ecosystem wellness and resiliency, contribute to biodiversity preservation and benefit human populations through the care and sweetening of ecosystem services. Green substructure can be strengthened through strategic and coordinated enterprises that focus on maintaining, reconstructing, bettering and linking bing countries and characteristics every bit good as making new countries and features.†( Naumann, 2011 ) This essay will discourse the public-service corporation of GI in biodiversity facet. It will demo the basic maps of GI for biodiversity and policy context in UK planning system and EU degree. After that, this essay will analyze three instances and supply statement about consequence GI undertaking.General Impact on BiodiversityUrban Green substructure can lend to biodiversity through provide high quality air, dirt and H2O. This influence will be mediated by the flow of air or H2O between constituents of the wider landscape, or the usage of green infinite elements for resources or motion.Increase habitat countryThe home grounds provided in urban green substructure can be peculiarly of import for a scope of species. As the country available for habitation additions, both the population size of single species and the entire species profusion of an country addition. The species-area relationship works about good for urban Parkss and other stray urban green infinite spots ( Colding, 2007 ) . Part of the species-area relationship is due to larger countries be givening to hold a greater diverseness in home grounds.Increasing populations of some protected speciesA broad scope of UK Biodiversity Action Plan ( UKBAP ) precedence species make usage of urban green substructure. Some home grounds that are characteristic of urban green substructure are of national or international importance. In peculiar, the new UKBAP home ground ‘Open Mosaic Habitat on Previously Developed Land’ ( OMHOPDL ) is concentrated in urban and peri-urban countries. It is an of import home ground for many rare or threatened invertebrates, workss and birds due mostly to the alone dirt conditions. Green substructure can help in increasing such populations.Increasing species motionUrban green substructure creates chances for longer-distance motion for some species. This allows species to travel about within, and between, urban countriesPolicy contextThere is a clear policy model that indicates green infrastructure’s part to biodiversity in United Kingdom. Natural environment white paper ( 2011 ) sets out the long-run mark which aims to holding biodiversity loss by 2020 and set uping ecological webs. And the whiter paper considers GI as ‘the links in our national ecological network’ and ‘one of the most effectual tools available to us in pull offing environmental hazards such as implosion therapy and heat waves’ . Green substructure Partnership ( 2011 ) identifies GI as an attack to heighten ecological webs and better communities’ wellness ; protect wildlife and resiliency to climate alteration. The National Planning Policy Framework indicates that GI can cut down influences by human activities on biodiversity and supply cyberspace additions. The European Environment Agency proposed the EU 2010 Biodiversity Baseline that EU has failed the mark of holding biodiversity loss in 2010. The Natura 2000 identifies that EU should construct green substructure to better ecosystem and associate urban country and rural country. Green Infrastructure includesre-afforestation zones, green Bridgess and green roofs, green urban countries, fish migration channels, floodplain Restoration and flood-retention installations every bit good as natural countries, high-value farming area and forest countries, which demonstrate the advantages of nature-based solutions to strictly proficient 1s, or advanced planning attacks for intelligent, multi-purpose land usage.( EU, 2014 )Case surveyThe old Rough Wildflower ProjectThe old rough wild flower undertaking is a landmark undertaking for land life demoing that high quality and originative landscape can better day-to-day life and biodiversity. The undertaking is a community landscape undertaking which is located in the Northwood country of Kirkby, near Liverpool. The undertaking includes over 2hectares of dramatic wild flower landscapes, which are established on a thirty-year old public lodging country. In add-on to, members of community environment undertaking squad country trained to response making high quality landscapes for the Northwood Community. The wild flower undertaking non merely protects the wild flower in urban country, but besides brings economic and societal benefits to this topographic point. This country is used to be a bedraggled public lodging country with occupants, who are extremely deprived and have low outlook in reinforced environment. Now, the beautiful flower brings new energy to the community. People appreciate to bask the position of wild flower landscapes The wild flower undertaking is an first-class new townscape, which was given the UK-MAB Urban wildlife award for supplying a high quality landscape of wild flowers. The undertaking was invested by charity organisation, Landlife. And the care work is led by local church people, which includes litter remotion and tidying of the country.The Florida Wildlife CorridorWith decennaries be aftering and readyings, the state’s Florida Ecological Greenways Network ( FEGN ) has established precedence ecologic corridors to supplying home ground for wide-ranging species, which may include Florida Panther and Florida black bear. From Everlades to Okefenokee, the corridor combines all of the critical linkages to build a map web of public and private countries, which would protect the ecosystem service, native biodiversity and natural heritage. ( picture2, beginning from Florida corridor ) Targets of Florida wildlife Corridor Undertaking:Protect and reconstruct home ground and migration corridors indispensable for the endurance of Florida’s diverse wildlife, including wide-ranging jaguars, black bears and other native speciesRestore H2O flow to the Everglades and sustain H2O supply to southern FloridaContinue to safeguard the St. Johns River and H2O supply for cardinal and north FloridaProlong the nutrient production, economic systems and cultural bequests of working spreads and farms within the corridorBolster local economic systems through increased chances such as hunting, fishing, birdwatching and other signifiers of eco-tourismGive wildlife and workss room to accommodate to a altering clime and sea degree riseThe corridor undertaking is responded by many natural organisations, such as the nature conservancy, the preservation trust or the Evergladess. Harmonizing to the marks, the corridor besides can link the farms and spreads within it. It can pull the vis itants to increase the local economic development. And the private landholder and relevant stakeholders would take portion in the undertaking to contracture and protect the corridor. The Florida wildlife corridor undertaking is a national undertaking which influences on several regionals, provinces and federal bureaus. And it is besides a long-run program which requests people lodging to execution. In order to popularising the undertaking, several people launched an expedition from Florida Bay in Everglades National Park up the peninsula to Okenfenokee National wildlife Refuge in southern Georgia. Through picture, images and web logs, they showed the position of corridor to public. They want to raise consciousness of public about their importance to the Florida.Ely Country ParkEly state park undertaking aims to protect the valuable home ground for wildlife in the eastern border of Ely, such as lakes, reed beds, forests and grass lands. The undertaking was proposed in 2006 at first clip. After cooperation with local land proprietor and 100s of members of public, Ely wild infinite created a multiple- functional zone which is recognized as green infinite field-grade officerR wildlife and local people likewise. ( picture3, beginning from wildspace )Roswell PitRoswell Pit supports many genteelness birds including the great crested grebe and kingfisher and provides forage and resting countries during winter for other birds such as the bittern. With a broad assortment of home grounds many other species are found here including H2O field mouses, otters, a figure of chiropteran species, Luscinia megarhynchoss, terns and many workss including the bee orchid and elephantine horsetail. It is besides a diversion installation, supplying entree to seafaring and angling.Ely Common( Picture 5, beginning from wildspace ) The common is a popular walking and diversion country. It is besides a beautful wild flower hayfield back uping species such as adders tongue fern, and there are historical records of green winged orchids.Springhead Lane hayfield( Picture 6, beginning from wildspace ) This country supports species such as grasshopper warblers, H2O rail and red-winged blackbird and provides runing evidences for barn bird of Minerva.Pocket Park( image 8, beginning from wildspace ) A park near to the metropolis Centre, this country provides unfastened green infinites that are used by many people for diversion. Now, Ely Country Park is a successful undertaking for protecting and heightening local biodiversity. And the park besides becomes a welcome relaxing country for local occupants in trim clip. Peoples can wing along a nothing wire, cope your manner up a mounting frame and bask the company of friends and household. In general, this undertaking was invested by the Natural England and the Wildlife Trust.ComparisonThe old Rough WildflowerThe Florida Wildlife CorridorEly Country ParkDegreeLocalStateLocalInvestingCharity, organisationGovernment, organisation fundOrganization fund, public fundGI optionsLandscapeEcologic corridorCountry parkBiodiversity BenefitsWildflowersSurvival of Florida’s diverse wildlife, including wide-ranging jaguars, black bears and other native speciesValuable home ground for wildlife, including lakes, reed beds, seasonally flooded hayfields, forests and grasslandsTime graduated tableShortLongShortOther mapImprove built environment, quality of wellness and lif e, EducationRestore H2O flow to the Everglades and sustain H2O supply to southern Florida Prolong the nutrient production, economic systems band cultural bequests of working spreads and farms within the corridor Bolster local economic systems through increased chancesloosen uping country for local occupants in trim clipManagementLocal church people, litter remotion and tidying of the country.Florida province authoritiesEly Wildspace, local councilPublic engagementLocal occupantsLandowners, local peopleLandowners, local peopleHarmonizing to the tabular array, a successful GI for biodiversity should include appropriate fiscal support, specific marks, multiple-function and good public engagement. In investing portion, official organisations normally will response the finicky support. On regional or national degree, the planetary organisation and authorities will usually be one of the investors. And on local degree, relevant stakeholders or landholders may take portion in the procedure of raising capital. A good GI program should hold specific marks. Planner should place the aims which are precisely necessitating by local people. At same clip, contriver can non see GI options for biodiversity wi thout relevant facets. Human, environment and wildlife can non be separated during be aftering procedure, because each militant of one facet will act upon the others. GI does non merely value on ecological resources, but besides value on economic and societal issues. During planning and execution procedure, contriver should ask for relevant stakeholders to take part in the undertaking. Roll uping their sentiments and accepting their aid may assist determination marker to make better pick. In add-on to, contriver should lodge to pull off the GI after its building. The wild flower undertaking is managed by church people to protecting high quality landscapes and keeping exhibition for pupils and visitants. The Florida bureau holds a Florida Wildlife Corridor Expedition to pull public people acquiring involved in the undertaking. And Fly Wildspace research the new attack by cooperation with landholders and other organisations to advance the state park. As a rustling, people need happen a manner to maintain the GI undertaking working. Possibly, contriver should do alteration or new program for current GI to accommodate development. In local degree, GI program may usually concentrate on protect particular home ground which should make short term benefits. On regional degree, GI program may cover on how to heightening the ecosystem services or linkages with environing countries. Under different policy context, GI can exercise its best consequence on biodiversity.DecisionIn general, Green Infrastructure can lend to bring forth high quality landscapes for wildlife ; can keep and better the wellness of the natural environment to set up a valuable ecosystem ; can increase ecological connectivity for home ground. A successful GI undertaking for biodiversity should include appropriate fiscal support, specific marks, multiple-function and good public engagement. And on different be aftering degree, GI undertaking should hold different focal point. In order to making more effectual GI undertaking, contriver may concentrate on bettering public investing, quality of design and monitoring procedure.MentionNaumann, Sandra, M cKenna Davis, Timo Kaphengst, Mav Pieterse and Matt Rayment,2011, Design, execution and cost elements of Green Infrastructure undertakings Final study Ely Wildspace, 2014, Background of Ely Country Park, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.elywildspace.org.uk/Background.htm [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . Eastcamb, 2014, Ely Country Park, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //visitely.eastcambs.gov.uk/attractions/ely-country-park [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . Floridawildlifecorridor, 2014, ABOUT THE FLORIDA WILDLIFE CORRIDOR INITIATIVE, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.floridawildlifecorridor.org/about/ [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . European Commission, 2014, Green substructure, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //biodiversity.europa.eu/topics/green-infrastructure [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . European Commission, 2013, THE GUIDE TO MULTI-BENEFIT COHESION POLICY INVESTMENTS IN NATURE AND GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/studies/pdf/guide_multi_benefit_nature.pdf [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . Institute for European Environmental Policy, 2011, GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFICIE, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ieep.eu/assets/898/Green_Infrastructure_Implementation_and_Efficiency.pdf [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . Natural England, 2014, Green Infrastructure Guidance, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/35033 [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . Forest Research, 2010, Benefits of green substructure Bay Soundings, 2004, THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COASTAL CONSERVATION CORRIDOR Plan: Making a Wildlife Corridor, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //baysoundings.com/legacy-archives/wint04/corridor.html [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] . Nature connected, 2014, The Old Rough Wildflower undertaking, Available from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www.natureconnected.org/the-old-rough-wildflower-project/ [ Accessed 23th March 2014 ] .

Week Term Paper

What Is the vision/Nilsson behind the Good Hotel concept? The vision/mission behind the Good Hotel concept is to maintain its identity as a â€Å"hotel with a conscience† – encompassing a positive attitude, environmental sensitive, and philanthropy. The intent of the vision is to inspire the â€Å"good in us all†. (Pearce, 2012 p. 10-1, 10-2) 2. What three alternatives Is Pan Cajuns considering for her recommendation to the new ownership of Good Hotel? Provide pros and cons of each.General Manager of Good Hotel, Pam Cajuns has made great strides in getting to know her staff, guests, ND neighborhood over the last six months. She has beat financial forecasts for the first quarter 201 0 and guest service is on the rise. (Pearce, 2012, p. 10-2) With these accomplishments, Pam is faced with a challenge. Good Hotel, owned and operated by Joel De Veer Hotels has decided to sell and Pam Cajuns Is charged with preparing an evaluation and recommendation to the new ownershi p.Pam's recommendation considerations are to continue, expand or discontinue the current concept of Good Hotel. Continue the current concept: Good Hotel branded as a boutique hotel, one which â€Å"provides personalized accommodations and services and facilities†, (Pearce, 2012, p. 10-6) has established itself in the $77-billion market. With demonstrated Increased occupancy and revenue from November 2008 through March 2010, Good Hotel has a positive track record to continue its current concept.The downside to this decision Is Good Hotel's position as a green hotel may be perceived to be trendy and trends can change. Customers may no longer be willing to pay a higher price if the Green â€Å"wave† changes. To prevent this, Good Hotel must strive for more innovative ways to attract customers. Judd senior vice president of operations and green committee chair, Carlen Holman, launched the company's Green Dreams portal, a dedicated page on Its Web site where consumers could track the company's ongoing efforts to preserve the environment. † (Pearce, 2012, p. 0-8, 10;9) Ideas Like this are paramount in keeping the consumer base informed of Good Hotel's dedication to its mission and vision. Expand Current Operations: Because Good Hotel has demonstrated positive gains and performance I do not feel expansion is a wise decision. Though the current trends show increases, the data rend Is only 17 months, not long enough to support this decision. Discontinue Current Operations: Lastly, there is sufficient data to support continued operations therefore: to discontinue operations I feel would not be wise.JDK has found a niche market who is willing to pay the increased cost to visit Good Hotel. 3. How would you characterize Good Hotel's target customers? American sociologist Paul Ray coined the phrase â€Å"Cultural Creative† or Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (ALOHAS)†. (Pearce, 2012, p. 10-5) This Is a population of demonstrates the h ousehold income for the target audience at $65,700 (Brooks, S) not allowing enough expendable income to support frequent stays at Good Hotel.However, this is only a segment of a customer base consisting of 38 million people with the spending power of $209 billion annually according to the Natural Marketing Institute. (Pearce, 2012, p. 10-5) 4. What is Judd marketing strategy to promote Good Hotel? Joe De Viewer's marketing strategy for Good Hotel is social media and word of mouth. The strategy of word of mouth is most effective through positive execution of the mission and vision. Effective execution results in enhanced customer satisfaction which yields positive word of mouth advertisement.The use of social media is also an effective marketing tool when targeting this age group. The primary form of media for this age group is the computer. However, additional use of other forms of media (television and/or radio) would reach a larger market. 5. How would you competitively position G ood Hotel relative to its rivals? Good Hotel has established itself as a Green hotel and targeted the correct audience. There exists a tremendous trend now with being environmentally conscious and leaving things better than the way we found them.