NTT DOCOMO, INC. announced today that it has begun researching and developing a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) that enables multivendor interoperability for open radio-access networks (Open RAN). The RIC, a software-defined framework that automatically controls and optimizes RAN functions together with various types of RIC application software, will serve a vital role in Open RAN by interconnecting with multivendor base station equipment for improved network quality and efficiency as well as reduced operational costs.
Scope of DOCOMO’s R&D initiative
In line with RIC standard specifications being studied by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, a worldwide community promoting the adoption and spread of Open RAN in the current 5G era, DOCOMO will verify different types of RIC application software by different vendors with the aim of realizing optimization and control of multivendor base-station operating parameters. Verifications are expected eventually to demonstrate how the RIC can enhance the communication quality and customer experiences, as well as reduce operational cost, which is essential for promoting flexible and scalable Open RAN comprising multivendor equipment.
DOCOMO will also demonstrate how its envisioned RIC can intelligently optimize effective use of radio frequency through new RIC application software that controls antenna beams when signals are transmitted from base stations.
For more information, visit www.docomo.ne.jp/english/info/media_center/pr/2023/0228_00.html.
Keppel Infrastructure Holdings Limited (Keppel Infrastructure), through its wholly owned subsidiary Keppel Energy, has reached final investment decision (FID) to develop a 600MW state-of-the-art, advanced combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant, and has awarded an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to a consortium comprising Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific and Jurong Engineering for the construction of the plant. To be built in the Sakra sector of Jurong Island, the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant will be the first hydrogen-ready power plant in Singapore.
[Pictured from top left to bottom right] Loh Chin Hua (CEO/KCL), Minister Tan See Leng (Manpower/2 Min MTI), Ngiam Shih Chun (Chief Executive/EMA), Cindy Lim (CEO/Keppel Infrastructure), Osamu Ono (CEO/Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific), Koichi Watanabe (CEO/JEL) at signing of EPC contract to develop Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant
In line with Keppel’s asset-light business model, the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant will be owned by Keppel Sakra Cogen Pte. Ltd. (KSC)., presently a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Keppel Infrastructure. It is intended that Keppel Asia Infrastructure Fund LP (KAIF) (Note1) and Keppel Energy will hold 70% and 30% equity interests in KSC respectively. In addition, KSC and Keppel Energy are scheduled to enter into a turnkey contract for the development of the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant. The total investment for the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant is expected to be around S$750 million.
Running initially on natural gas as primary fuel, the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant is also designed to operate on fuels with 30% hydrogen content and has the capability of shifting to run entirely on hydrogen. In addition, as a CCGT power plant, it will be able to produce steam, for use in industrial processes for the energy and chemicals customers on Jurong Island. Expected to be completed in 1H 2026, the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant will be the most cutting-edge and energy efficient power plant in Singapore, which will translate into superior performance, such as lower emission intensity and higher operation flexibility. This advanced CCGT will be the most efficient among the operating fleet in Singapore and will be able to save up to 220,000 tons per year of CO2 as compared to Singapore’s average operating efficiency for equivalent power generated. Such savings in CO2 equivalent translates to taking about 47,000 cars off the road per year. A long-term service (LTS) contract for major maintenance of the turbine was also awarded to Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific.
With the energy sector accounting for almost 40% of Singapore’s carbon emissions(Note2), decarbonising electricity generation is at the core of the global climate change effort and one of the key features of Singapore’s Green Plan.
In addition to the EPC and LTS contracts, Keppel New Energy Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Keppel Infrastructure, also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. to carry out a feasibility study on the development of a 100% ammonia-fuelled power plant on a selected site in Singapore. This collaboration seeks to address the energy trilemma and contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable energy sector in Singapore and the region.
The FID on the Keppel Sakra Power Plant as well as the MOU on 100% ammonia-fuelled combined cycle power plant are aligned with Keppel’s Vision 2030, which places sustainability at the core of the company’s strategy.
“Singapore’s electricity demand is projected to grow with increasing electrification and economic growth. As such, the Energy Market Authority welcomes investments by the private sector to bring in best-in-class technologies in power generation. Being hydrogen-ready, this power plant by Keppel will contribute towards greater efficiency and lower carbon emissions. This will support Singapore’s transition to a more sustainable energy future while ensuring the security and reliability of electricity supply to consumers,” said Mr. Ngiam Shih Chun, Chief Executive, EMA.
Ms Cindy Lim, CEO of Keppel Infrastructure, said, “The 600MW Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant will be Singapore’s first hydrogen-ready and most advanced, high-efficiency combined cycle gas turbine power plant, placing Keppel Infrastructure at the forefront of the effort to decarbonise Singapore’s power sector. When completed, this asset will grow Keppel’s power generation portfolio from the current 1,300 MW to 1,900 MW, allowing us to capture a larger market share as the demand for reliable energy continues to rise with Singapore’s economic development.”
Ms Christina Tan, CEO of Keppel Capital, the parent company of the manager of KAIF said, “The joint investment by Keppel Infrastructure and KAIF in the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant reflects the Keppel Group’s asset-light business model as we seize opportunities in the energy transition. We believe that hydrogen, as a low-carbon fuel, will play a critical role in supporting Singapore’s commitment to decarbonise its power sector. Keppel Capital will continue to leverage the synergies of the Keppel Group to identify and invest in such future-ready projects to create value for our investors.”
Mr. Osamu Ono, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Power Asia Pacific, commented, “Mitsubishi Power looks forward to supplying the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant with our hydrogen-ready JAC gas turbine. The plant will enjoy the unmatched combination of world-class efficiency and proven reliability backed by abundant operation hours of the fleet worldwide, T-Point 2 grid-connected combined cycle power plant verification facility located at Takasago Hydrogen Park in Japan, and our extensive experience with power generation using hydrogen-rich fuel for over half a century. As an innovative low- and zero-carbon fuel, there is immense potential for hydrogen to be used in power generation systems to enable emissions reduction. It is our honour to partner with Keppel Infrastructure, a visionary in the energy sector, to achieve our aligned net zero vision and build a sustainable energy future for Singapore.”
Mr. Koichi Watanabe, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jurong Engineering Limited, commented, “We are glad to have a hand in the establishment of the Keppel Sakra Cogen Plant that is part of a concerted effort towards the decarbonisation of our future power generation. Jurong Engineering will continue to diversify and strengthen our engineering capabilities by providing innovative solutions while contributing to a greener future.”
The abovementioned developments are not expected to have any material impact on its earnings per share and net tangible asset per share of Keppel Corporation Limited, the parent company of Keppel Capital and Keppel Infrastructure, for the current financial year.
(1) Managed by Keppel Capital Alternative Asset, a private fund manager under Keppel Capital. (2) https://www.nccs.gov.sg/singapores-climate-action/singapore-emissions-profile
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, today called upon participant officers of the 10-month 48th Advanced Professional Programme on Public Administration (APPPA) to develop the culture of working with “whole of government approach”, in order to provide common solutions and better outcomes.
The Minister, who is also Chairman Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), said that a more integrated, holistic and synergized approach by IIPA is the hallmark of the training programmes conducted by it, benefitting the participants from different walks of life. Dr.Jitendra Singh also inaugurated the new conference hall of the IIPA.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of 48th Advanced Professional Programme on Public Administration (APPPA) in New Delhi today, Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also Chairman of the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), said that India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Shri Narendra Modi who is supportive of new ideas, progressive in thinking and is ready to take decisions benefitting public at large.
Dr Jitendra Singh noted with satisfaction that the APPPA Course has undergone changes and new areas like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Mission Karmayogi apart from other important government initiatives have been covered. He said that time to work in silos is over and there is need for better coordination and cohesion amongst Ministries / Departments of the country. He said that it will help the officers in better understanding and appreciation of various socio-economic schemes.
Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated the Mantra given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governnance’ and mentioned that the government has been forthcoming about decisions. He announced that process for mass promotions to around 8,000 employees in central government departments has been taken up.
Referring to the drastic and visible change in the work culture since May, 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi took charge, Dr Jitendra Singh pointed out several out of box decisions like doing away with several old practices. He also referred to the “Prashan Gaon Ki Or’r initiative of DoPT which is based on District Development Index programme to take administration and services to the ground level.
A total of 37 officers of Defence forces and civil services are participating in 10-month long 48th APPA which will conclude on 28th April, 2023.
The APPPA course was started in 1975 and was first of its kind in the Mid-career training segment designed for middle-level Civil Servants and Defence forces officers. About 1600 officers have attended this course so far from 1975 and this programme has been the flagship programme of IIPA.
APPA deals in a variety of subjects useful for middle level officers to prepare them for more responsible leadership and decision-making positions. It encompasses a wide range of modules from Public Administration, Finance, Digital Governance, Cyber Security, Agriculture economics, Urban Governance and Consumer Protection to Environment and Climate Change and Social Systems.
S N Tripathi, Director General, IIPA, Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar IIPA, N Alok, Course Director and Ms. Kusum Lata, Assistant Course Director (APPA) and officers of IIPA and all the participants of 48th APPPA course attended the inauguration ceremony.
The Centre will develop a framework to keep check over fake reviews on E-Commerce websites. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) after studying the present mechanism being followed by the E-Commerce entities in India and best practices available globally, will develop these frameworks.
DoCA in association with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) along with various stakeholders like E-Commerce entities, Consumer Forums, Law Universities, Lawyers, FICCI, CII, Consumer Rights Activists and others in a meeting discussed the magnitude and roadmap ahead for fake reviews on websites.
Since e-commerce involves a virtual shopping experience without any opportunity to physically view or examine the product, consumers heavily rely on reviews posted on e-commerce platforms to see the opinion and experience of users who have already purchased the good or service.
“Traceability by ensuring the authenticity of the reviewer and the associated liability of the platform are the two key issues here. Also e-com players must disclose as to how they choose the “most relevant reviews” for display in a fair and transparent manner,” said Secretary DoCA, Shri Rohit Kumar Singh said.
All stakeholders agreed that the issue deserves to be monitored closely and appropriate framework governing the fake reviews may be developed to address the issue for protection of consumer interest.
Stakeholders from e-commerce companies claimed that they have frameworks in place by which they monitor fake reviews and would be pleased to take part in developing a legal framework on the issue.
Along with Secretary DoCA, Ms Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary and Mr. Anupam Mishra, Joint Secretary attended the meeting. Ms. Manisha Kapoor, CEO, ASCI highlighted the categories of fake and misleading reviews and their impact on consumer interest. Paid reviews, unverifiable reviews and absence of disclosure in case of incentivised reviews which make it challenging for consumers to recognize genuine reviews were among the issues discussed.
Indian Scientists have developed a method to produce hydrogen with high purity (99.99%) from methanol-water mixture at ambient pressure and temperature that uses only one-third of the electrical energy required in water electrolysis.
With near-zero or zero end-use emissions and continually replenished fossil fuel resources, hydrogen can be an ideal sustainable energy carrier and would play an immense role in the near future. Hydrogen is gaining much attention due to its high specific energy value of 40 kWh/kg as compared to chemical fuels like gasoline, diesel, liquid petroleum gas (12-14 kWh/kg). The most abundant raw material containing hydrogen is water. It is also present in natural gas, petroleum, and biomass, and they can form the source for generation of hydrogen.
Water electrolysis and reformation of hydrocarbon like methane are common methods for production of hydrogen. For India’s energy transition to clean fuels, adoption of green hydrogen from renewable energy, integrated water electrolysis process to generate energy would bring in significant benefits.
Scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, have developed a method which combines both the processes of electrolysis and reformation to produce hydrogen from methanol-water mixture by electrochemical methanol reformation (ECMR) at ambient pressure and temperature. The main advantage of this process is that the electrical energy needed to produce hydrogen is 1/3rd of water electrolysis (Practical water electrolysis requires 55-65 kWh/kg of hydrogen). This technology has been patented by ARCI (Indian Patent 338862/2020 and 369206/2021).
In the ECMR process, which uses polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), hydrogen can be produced at a lower temperature (25-60oC) and pressure, unlike chemical reformation. Hydrogen separation or purification steps are not required since it is being well separated from CO2 by polymer membrane used in the system. ARCI team is working on this technology and have developed an electrolysis unit of upto 5.0 kg/day capacity to produce hydrogen. The corresponding energy requirement for the electrolyser stack is around 17 kWhr/kg. The hydrogen thus produced by ARCI is highly pure (99.99%) and can be directly used in PEM fuel cells to generate power of about 11-13 kW.
The core components of the PEM-based ECMR electrolyser stack were fabricated indigenously and integrated with other components in the system. The electrolyser stack was fabricated using exfoliated graphite material as reactant flow field plate. Use of carbon materials as bipolar plates has been one of the significant achievements in replacing the titanium plates, which is otherwise normally used in electrolyser unit assembly, offering a conservative cost-benefit.
ARCI team has developed the indigenous process for fabricating the core components like Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), bipolar plates, and several process equipments. This method will significantly reduce the hydrogen cost compared to the water electrolysis method and can be easily integrated with renewable energy sources. ARCI is working with industry partners for integration with renewable energy sources like PV.
Patent details : (Indian Patent 338862/2020 and 369206/2021).
For more details contact Dr. R. Balaji Senior Scientist, Centre for Fuel Cell Technology, ARCI [rbalaji(at)arci(dot)res(dot)in].
