NVVN hackathon to find agro pollution solution

02 Dec 2020 CW Staff

A Green Charcoal Hackathon was launched on December 1 in the pursuit of reducing carbon footprint by producing renewable energy out of the agro residue and cleaning the air by eliminating farm fire, thereby increasing the income of the farmers and promoting local entrepreneurship. The hackathon was launched by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and its wholly- owned subsidiary company, NVVN (NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam).

Addressing the competitors of the Hackathon, RK Singh, the in-charge union minister of state for Power and New & Renewable Energy, mentioned that the process of converting agro residue to charcoal should not generate any emissions and the cost of machines, and that charcoal production should be economical.

The burning of agro residue by local farmers has turned into a major contributor towards the increasing air pollution in the country. Torrefaction is a process via which agro residue can be converted into green charcoal to be used in power plants. This technology is not easily accessible to small entrepreneurs lack of sufficient manufacturers and highest cost of imported machines. As soon as it is developed in India, it will be made accessible for these entrepreneurs.

A provision for cash prizes worth Rs 24 lakh has been made to encourage the participants.

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..