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| 10 April 2024 | ||
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1. The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells
2. ISRO’s ‘Zero Orbital Debris’ Milestone
3. IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum
4. Global Hepatitis Report, 2024
5. C-Dome
1. The ‘import restrictions’ on solar PV cells
Context;
The proposal of the ₹19,500 crore PLI scheme in the Union Budget of 202223 aimed to bolster domestic manufacturing throughout the solar supply chain, covering everything from polysilicon to solar modules. Additionally, the government imposed a substantial 40% customs duty on PV modules and 25% on PV cells.
India’s Reliance on Solar PV Imports:
- China’s Grip on Imports: China stands as the primary source of solar cells and modules for India, accounting for a substantial portion of the country’s imports.
- As of January 202324, China supplied 53% of India’s solar cell imports and 63% of solar PV module imports.
- Disparity in Manufacturing Capacity: China enjoys a dominant position in manufacturing capacity for various solar panel components, including polysilicon, wafers, cells, and modules.
- According to ICRA, China holds over 80% of the manufacturing capacity in these sectors.
Government Measures:
- Introduction of ALMM Order: In January 2019, the government took steps to address import reliance in the solar sector by introducing the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order.
- Launch of PLI Scheme: The Finance Ministry proposed a ₹19,500 crore Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in the Union Budget of 202223 to encourage domestic manufacturing across the solar supply chain.
- Implementation of Customs Duties: To further incentivize local production and reduce imports, the government imposed steep customs duties on photovoltaic (PV) modules and cells, initially setting a 40% duty on modules and 25% on cells.
Reasons for China’s Export Dominance:
- Competitive Manufacturing Costs: China boasts the most competitive manufacturing costs for all solar PV components.
- Affordable Power Supply: Lowcost power supply to the solar PV industry enhances China’s competitiveness.
- Domestic Demand Growth: China’s rapidly expanding domestic demand for solar PV products contributes significantly to economies of scale.
- ScaleDriven Advantages: China’s extensive production capacity enables manufacturers to capitalize on economies of scale.
- Innovation Culture: Government support and a competitive market environment foster continuous innovation across the solar PV supply chain in China.
Prospects for Solar Energy in India:
- Ambitious Targets: India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of installed capacity from nonfossil fuels by 2030 highlights the substantial role of solar energy in the country’s energy mix.
- Rapid Growth in Electricity Demand: India experiences the fastest growth rate in electricity demand among major economies, as per the International Energy Agency (IEA).
- Abundant Solar Potential: India possesses vast solar resources, with an estimated solar power potential of 748.99 GW.
The ALMM list, PLI scheme, and customs duties aim to bolster domestic solar manufacturing in India to counter China’s dominance. With ambitious targets, burgeoning electricity demand, and ample solar potential, solar energy promises to play a pivotal role in India’s energy transition.
2. ISRO’s ‘Zero Orbital Debris’ Milestone
Introduction;
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has reported that its PSLVC58/XPoSat mission has effectively left negligible debris in Earth’s orbit.
- Regarding PSLV Orbital Experimental Module3, launched on January 1, 2024, it utilized the expended PS4 stage of the PSLVC58 vehicle, originally employed for launching XPoSat.
- functions as a threeaxisaltitude controlled platform with power generation, telecommand, and telemetry capabilities, dedicated to supporting payloads.
- The XPoSat mission’s primary objective was to minimize debris in space, showcasing ISRO’s commitment to responsible space practices.
- Upon reaching its orbit at 650 km, was maneuvered to a 350 km circular orbit to reduce orbit decay time following the experiment’s conclusion.
- After completing 400 orbits, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere after 73 days in space.
The Significance of this Accomplishment:
- With the escalating number of satellites orbiting Earth, space debris has emerged as a significant concern.
- Space debris in the low Earth orbit (LEO) primarily comprises spacecraft remnants, rocket parts, defunct satellites, and fragments resulting from explosive degradation due to antisatellite missile tests.
- This debris often travels at velocities reaching up to 27,000 kilometers per hour and poses risks to various space assets.
Threats Posed by Space Debris:
Space debris presents two major risks: it generates unusable orbital regions due to excessive debris accumulation and contributes to the ‘Kessler syndrome‘—the generation of additional debris through cascading collisions triggered by initial impacts.
3. IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum
Overview;
The IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum, part of the IndoPacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), is scheduled to take place in Singapore.
About the IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum:
- This forum aims to convene leading investors, philanthropists, financial institutions, innovative companies, startups, and entrepreneurs from the IndoPacific region.
- Its primary goal is to attract investments into sustainable infrastructure, climate technology, and renewable energy projects.
- Managed by Invest India, India’s National Investment Promotion Agency, and overseen by the Department of Commerce as the nodal agency for IPEF engagements.
The forum offers opportunities for the Indian industry in two distinct tracks:
- Climate Tech Track: This track includes an open call to identify top climate tech companies and startups among member countries and introduce them to global investors.
- Infrastructure Track: India will present selected sustainable infrastructure projects at the 2024 Forum.
- The focus sectors include energy transition (e.g., electric grid, renewable energy such as solar and onshore wind, sustainable aviation fuel, battery storage, hydrogen, green data centers), and transport and logistics
(e.g., Electric Vehicles, EV charging points), waste management, and wastetoenergy projects.
About the IndoPacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF):
- Initiated by the United States in 2021, the IPEF aims to strengthen economic partnerships among participating countries in the IndoPacific region.
- Its objectives include enhancing resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness.
Key Points about IPEF:
- Launched with 12 initial partners representing 40% of the world GDP.
- It is not a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but enables members to negotiate specific aspects.
- Current members include India and 13 other countries in the Pacific Ocean region:
- Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
How IPEF differs from other trade agreements:
- Unlike traditional trade pacts, IPEF does not outline market access or tariff reductions explicitly.
- It allows members flexibility in choosing the areas they want to focus on.
- As it is not a standard trade pact, signatories are not obligated by all four pillars despite being members
4. Global Hepatitis Report, 2024
Context;
In India, viral hepatitis imposes a significant health burden, causing liver inflammation, damage, and the potential for cancer, according to the World Health Organization’s Global Hepatitis Report 2024.
Burden of Viral Hepatitis in India:
- Approximately 2.9 crore individuals in India are affected by Hepatitis B, while 0.55 crore individuals suffer from Hepatitis C.
- In 2022 alone, over 50,000 new cases of Hepatitis B and 1.4 lakh new cases of Hepatitis C were reported.
- Deaths attributable to these infections in India reached 1.23 lakh in 2022.
Transmission and Prevention:
- Transmission routes include mothertochild transmission, unscreened blood transfusions, and needlesharing among drug users.
- Vaccination is an effective preventive measure against Hepatitis B, underscoring the importance of comprehensive coverage.
- Hepatitis C is treatable with medication.
Understanding Hepatitis B and C:
- Hepatitis B manifests with acute symptoms like nausea and yellowing of the skin and eyes, progressing to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
- Hepatitis C symptoms may not initially manifest but can include jaundice, fatigue, and joint pain.
Global Impact:
Globally, viral hepatitis claims approximately 1.3 million lives annually, presenting a significant health challenge akin to tuberculosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment Coverage:
- Diagnostic and treatment coverage for Hepatitis B and C in India remains inadequate, with only a small fraction of individuals diagnosed and receiving treatment.
- Despite the availability of affordable treatments, utilization of free diagnostics and treatment options is limited.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Challenges include predominant mothertochild transmission for Hepatitis B and limited needlestick transmission in healthcare settings.
- Vaccination programs target highrisk groups, yet broader coverage and improved treatment accessibility are imperative.
- Enhancements in treatment accessibility and eligibility are vital to mitigate health consequences.
Hepatitis C Treatment:
- Shortduration treatments for Hepatitis C can effectively cure 80 to 90% of patients within 12 to 24 weeks.
- Early diagnosis and treatment are pivotal for achieving favorable outcomes for affected individuals.
4.Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)
Introduction;
On April 4, DESI’s observations were published, showcasing its array of 5,000 robotic ‘eyes’ designed to capture and analyze light from galaxies.
Background:
- Edwin Hubble’s 1929 observations established the universe’s expansion.
- Scientists in the late 1990s discovered the accelerated expansion, leading to the concept of ‘dark’ energy.
DESI Experiment Overview:
- Utilizes the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) equipped with 5,000 robotic ‘eyes’ for light capture and processing.
- Installed on the Nicholas W Mayall 4meter Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory.
- Enables simultaneous observation of 5,000 galaxies.
- Operational for three years, with plans for at least two more years.
Significance of DESI Results:
- Firstyear data utilized to construct a comprehensive three-dimensional map of the universe.
- Light from 6 million galaxies captured, including those existing 11 billion years ago.
- Precise distance measurements facilitate mapping of galaxy distribution and movement over time.
Properties of the Higgs Particle:
- In the Standard Model, the Higgs particle is a massive scalar boson possessing zero spin, even parity, no electric charge, and no color charge.
- Interacts with mass and exhibits high instability, quickly decaying into other particles upon generation.
The Higgs Field and Mechanism:
- The Higgs field is a scalar field comprising neutral and electrically charged components, forming a complex doublet of weak isospin symmetry.
- Its “Sombrero potential” yields a nonzero value universally, breaking weak isospin symmetry and imparting rest mass to all massive elementary particles within the Standard Model, including the Higgs boson itself.
Origin and Discovery:
- Peter Higgs and colleagues proposed the Higgs mechanism in 1964, elucidating how particles acquire mass.
- A 40year quest culminated in the detection of a subatomic particle aligning with the anticipated properties of the Higgs boson in 2012 by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
- Peter Higgs and François Englert were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013 for their groundbreaking theoretical predictions.
5. C-Dome
Overview;
- C-Dome serves as the naval counterpart to Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, offering protection against rocket and missile attacks.
- The Iron Dome, activated in 2011 with an effectiveness rate of approximately 90%, functions by utilizing radars to detect short-range rockets and subsequently neutralizing them with its own missiles.
- Similarly, the C-Dome, unveiled in 2014 and declared operational in November 2022, operates akin to the Iron Dome, leveraging some of the same technology. However, it is specifically designed for installation on ships.
- Installed on Sa’ar 6-class corvettes, which are German-made warships, the C-Dome employs the same interceptor as the Iron Dome.
- Unlike its land-based counterpart, the C-Dome integrates into the ship’s radar system to identify incoming threats.
- It ensures comprehensive vessel protection in all directions and boasts a high probability of successfully intercepting various modern maritime and coastal threats.
Key Facts about Iron Dome:
- The Iron Dome constitutes Israel’s air missile defense system, safeguarding against short-range rockets by intercepting them in the airspace above the state.
- It demonstrates the capability to handle multiple rocket threats concurrently.
- Developed collaboratively by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, the system attained operational status in March 2011.
Features:
- Powered by missile-defense batteries.
- Possesses all-weather capabilities, functioning day or night.
- Capable of launching diverse interceptor missiles.
- Designed to intercept missiles with a range of approximately 40 miles or less.
- Can be deployed on both land and sea to adapt to defense requirements.
- Requires reloading for sustained interception operations.
The Iron Dome operates through three primary components:
A radar system detecting incoming rockets,a command-and-control system assessing threat levels. An interceptor mechanism aimed at eliminating incoming rockets before impact.
