Daily News Recap: Reliance and Swiggy Ink Pact to Power Food Delivery in India with Electric Vehicles

Here are some notable cleantech announcements of the day around the world:

Fuel retailer Reliance BP Mobility Limited and the Swiggy food delivery app inked a pact to deploy electric two-wheelers for the last mile and food delivery. Reliance BP Mobility plans to set up a network of Jio-BP battery exchange stations in its points of sale and residential and commercial complexes, shopping malls, hotels, business parks, information technology centers, car parks , among others with the help of Swiggy over the next five years. Swiggy’s delivery partners will also receive technical assistance and training needed to swap out batteries.

State-owned Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a 100% subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding with BSES Delhi to design energy transition solutions. The program will explore the potential to accelerate India’s decarbonization journey through new business models, better business solutions and carbon finance. As part of the pact, BSES and CESL will undertake feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyzes for distributed solar projects with battery energy storage. CESL will explore business models for battery energy storage through the partnership to help BSES expand its renewable energy portfolio and grid decarbonization goals.

Telecommunications equipment manufacturer Indian telephone industries launched a call for tenders for the supply of 199,000 polycrystalline solar cells. The deadline for submitting bids is August 18, 2021 and bids would be opened the next day. The estimated value of the tender is 9.65 million yen (approximately $ 130,088). Successful bidders must complete delivery within 30 days of the purchase order date.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India has Posted tender to set up a 25 kW green hydrogen pilot project at SNM hospital in Leh, Ladakh. Carried out on a build, own and operate basis, the project will provide electricity, heat and oxygen to the hospital. An online consultation meeting is scheduled for August 10, 2021 with stakeholders before issuance of the call for tenders.

Union Minister for the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energies, RK Singh, in a written response to Rajya Sabha announcement a National Hydrogen Energy Mission draft document. The document, among others, aims to expand the production and use of green hydrogen in several sectors, including transport. In September 2020, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways specified the safety and certification requirements for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in the automotive industry standard 157. In the same month, an 18% mixture of hydrogen and compressed natural gas was notified as an automotive fuel. The document is currently in interministerial consultation.