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What is Solar Paraboloid Technology?
Solar paraboloid technology is gaining popularity as the globe shifts to using more renewable energy sources because it has the potential to increase the efficiency of solar power. This technology may be very helpful in lowering carbon emissions and assisting nations in achieving their net-zero energy targets.
Solar Paraboloid Technology
A Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC) system is used by solar paraboloids. Sunlight is focused onto a tube by means of long curved mirrors in this technique. The heat generated by the gathered energy can be utilized to produce electricity or heat industrial processes by heating a fluid inside the tube. Unlike traditional solar panels, solar paraboloids can work at much higher temperatures, up to 300 °C, making them more efficient by reducing heat loss.
Economic Impact and Market Potential
Solar paraboloids are more energy-efficient than conventional methods when using the same amount of sunshine, but they come with a high setup cost and complex infrastructure requirements. However, they could contribute to lowering electricity costs with increased efficiency, making solar energy more competitive with fossil fuels. To overcome the obstacles, government assistance and research and development investments are essential.
Industry Response and Future Prospects
With successful projects like the Godavari solar project and the Dadri ISCC plant the industry has demonstrated cautious interest in solar paraboloid technology. High expenses and technological difficulties are still barriers though. In spite of this things appear bright. Solar paraboloids may become cost-competitive by 2050 and be essential in achieving global renewable energy targets as demand for renewable energy grows.
Could this be a game-changer in renewable renewable energy?
Although solar paraboloid technology is still in its infancy, it has the potential to completely transform sustainable energy sources. It has the potential to grow into a major participant in the energy market with further research, innovation and supporting policies. This would enable it to fulfill the world’s increasing energy needs and make a substantial contribution to the aims of sustainable energy.
Union Cabinet Approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Science Schemes
Under the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the continuance of three significant programs combining them into a new central sector program named “Vigyan Dhara.”This scheme will have a proposed budget of Rs 10,579.84 crore for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, according to the 15th Finance Commission.
Objectives of ‘Vigyan Dhara’
Strengthening India’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem is the primary objective of “Vigyan Dhara.” It bolsters the five-year plan of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and advances the objective of 2047 seeing a developed India.
Components of the Scheme
‘Vigyan Dhara’ includes three key components:
Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building: This focuses on improving infrastructure and developing skilled personnel for scientific progress.
Research and Development: This component supports innovation and discovery through well-funded research projects.
Innovation, technology technology development development, and development eployment: This aims to advance new technologies and enhance India’s technological abilities.
Financial Allocation
The scheme’s Rs 10,579.84 crore budget will be used to make sure that money is used wisely and that different sub-schemes and initiatives are properly coordinated with one another.
Key focus areas areas
We shall highlight the following under “Vigyan Dhara”:
Strengthening S&T Infrastructure: Improving and equipping research and development labs in educational institutions.
Promoting Diverse Research: supporting research in areas like sustainable energy and water.
Enhancing International Collaboration: Boosting research partnerships with other countries.
Developing Human Resources: Building a skilled workforce in the S&T field and improving gender balance.
Collaboration and alignment
The Anusandhan National Research
Foundation (ANRF) will collaborate closely with the “Vigyan Dhara” activities. This ensures that efforts align with global standards and national priorities, promoting better coordination among various S&T activities across India. By integrating the previous three schemes into ‘Vigyan Dhara,’ the government aims to streamline efforts and enhance the impact of India’s S&T sector contributing to the nation’s growth towards 2047.
A New Study Urges Better Protection for Sunda Clouded Leopards
There are currently just about 3,800 Sunda clouded leopards left in Borneo. The loss of habitat brought on by human actions like deforestation is connected to this decline. According to a recent study led by Oxford University’s Ewan Macdonald and published on August 21, 2024 in npj Biodiversity, existing protected areas are frequently found in less crucial areas, like high mountains, rather than in the key ecosystems where leopards are most endangered.
Importance of Borneo’s Forests
Because they store carbon, Borneo’s forests are vital to the fight against climate change. But continued deforestation diminishes the woods’ capacity to store carbon and endangers the habitats of leopards.
Conservation Strategies
The study looked at two primary strategies for safeguarding Sunda clouded leopards:
Pro-active Protection: Concentrates on regions that are high risk right now.
Protecting already-secure locations is known as expedient protection.
Researchers used predictive models to explore future scenarios, considering potential forest loss and changes in leopard populations.
Data and Methodology
The resistive kernel method, which examines movement patterns and environmental requirements, was employed by researchers to pinpoint important leopard habitats. In order to assess various conservation strategies and determine which regions should be protected, they also used the MARXAN software.
Impact of Current Practices
The study found that improving protection in high-risk areas could increase leopard habitat by 53% and save an additional 82 million metric tons of carbon. This change is essential since there are currently more financial benefits from various land-use practices than from forest protection.
Policy Recommendations
The study suggests:
Implementing initiatives like REDD+ to provide financial incentives for forest conservation.
Enforcing stricter regulations to penalize deforestation activities.
To save Borneo’s animals and forests, local communities, governments, and conservationists must collaborate. The decisions taken today will have a long-term impact on the environment worldwide as well as leopards.
About Sunda Clouded Leopard
Neofelis diardi, the Sunda clouded leopard, is indigenous to Sumatra and Borneo. It is different from the mainland clouded leopard due to its darker coat and larger size. This species hunts in trees a lot since it is a skilled climber. They are most active and lonely at night. Their diet includes deer, birds, and monkeys. Sunda-clouded leopards can leap up to six times their body length. They are classified as vulnerable due to poaching and habitat degradation.Genetic studies suggest they might be two separate species.