Latest news with #InnovationandTechnology
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC orders status quo on V-Cs' appointment till June 6
The Kerala High Court has extended its previous order directing that status quo be maintained with respect to Vice-Chancellors of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology and the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University until June 6. The interim order came on the appeals filed by the Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellors, challenging the judgment of the single Bench, which had held that the appointment as V-Cs of Ciza Thomas (Digital University) and K. Sivaprasad (Technological University) was not in accordance with law, owing to the absence of a recommendation from the State. In his appeal, the Chancellor said the Supreme Court had recognised the independent authority of the Chancellor in the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. He further contended that the requirement of the State government's recommendation under the university Acts was inconsistent with UGC Regulations, 2018. He further contended that the six-month tenure limit applied only under the university Acts, and that the incumbents could continue until regular appointments are made.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Gaining Ground In Pursuit Of Supercritical Geothermal Energy
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology The Government is making good progress on its exploration of supercritical geothermal as a potential energy source, with a governance group established and potential drilling sites being identified, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Science, Innovation, and Technology Minister Shane Reti say. 'We need to drill an exploratory deep well to prove the commercial viability of supercritical geothermal energy. We are about a year from starting to drill but we are getting closer to locating potential geothermal fields in the Taupō Volcanic Zone,' Mr Jones says. The choice of sites will be based on rigorous data, scientific research, and engineering experience. The location of the first exploratory well site is expected to be finalised later this year. The Coalition Government has ringfenced $60 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to invest in exploring the potential of supercritical geothermal technology to help secure New Zealand's future energy needs. 'It will be a big challenge but the potential if we can do it will be globally ground-breaking,' Mr Jones says. 'Our geothermal resources aren't affected by weather in the same way renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar and wind are. This is particularly important in the context of energy security for New Zealand's future prosperity.' Geothermal energy is sourced from extremely hot rock heated by magma. At present, conventional geothermal wells are drilled to a maximum depth of about 3.5km. Scientists believe by drilling beyond this, possibly to 6km deep, the energy output could be up to three times greater than traditional geothermal energy generated from steam. 'With the search for potential exploratory well sites being narrowed down, we need to develop and prove the drilling and engineering systems for extracting the energy. Supercritical geothermal wells require casing materials that can withstand both high temperatures and potentially corrosive supercritical fluids,' Dr Reti says. 'I'm issuing a challenge to the New Zealand science and research community – academics, scientists and industry - help us find the solution. A lot of innovative research is happening across the country in pockets that could lead to the solution we need. It will be through these experts and sectors coming together and working collaboratively that we will crack this,' Dr Reti says. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and GNS Science are leading the initiative, with MBIE setting up a Supercritical Geothermal Governance Group tasked with providing oversight and advice, and supporting the successful delivery of the project. The Supercritical Geothermal Project Board members are: Chairperson - Hon Tim Groser – has 35 years career in trade and economic issues. He was former NZ Ambassador to the United States, former Minister of Trade, and Minister for Climate Change. Dr Charlotte Severne (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe) is the Māori Trustee and leads Te Tumu Paeroa - the Office of the Māori Trustee. She holds a PhD in geology and has held various governance leadership roles within the primary and energy sector. Keith Turner – an electrical engineer and business executive with more than 50 years' experience in the electricity sector, including being the chairman of Transpower. He is a Distinguished Fellow of Engineering New Zealand. Jason Hollingworth - over 30 years' experience in a range of senior corporate finance roles. His is currently the CFO at Vector. His previous roles include being CFO of SKY TV, TelstraClear, and investment manager for Ngai Tahu Holdings. A total of $5m of the $60m government funding will be drawn down for work on the detailed design and costs of drilling the first exploratory well. Mr Jones will launch a geothermal strategy for New Zealand during Geothermal Week in Taupō in July.
Rhyl Journal
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Call to halt switch off of outdated energy meters
RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s and use outdated radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The process to turn them off is due to start on June 30, 2025. Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has called on the UK government to delay the shut-down of radio tele switch meters (RTS) until all affected households are fitted with alternative meters. Data from Ofgem shows there are approximately 790 RTS meters still being used in Dwyfor Meirionnydd, with around 11,000 still in use across Wales. They were designed to help households using electricity for heating and hot water, including electric storage systems, panel heaters or water tank immersion heaters. The Plaid Cymru MP says if they are not replaced, some heating and hot water systems could stay on all the time, not come on at all, charge at the wrong time, or turn on and off at odd times. She raised the matter in Westminster during a debate on broadband and connectivity, yesterday, Wednesday, May 21. Calling for the switch off to be paused, she asked what could done to help the 11,000 affected households, including vulnerable people and those living off grid in rural areas dependent on the system. The Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Chris Bryant asked her to write to him, so he could pass the matter to the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero. 'She makes a totally legitimate point , we have to make sure we get that right,' he said Liz Saville Roberts MP said: 'With just over a month until the switch-off, I remain concerned that nearly eight hundred households in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are still using outdated RTS meters and have not yet been transferred to smart meters or alternative options. 'It is vital that energy suppliers redouble efforts to get these households connected to a replacement system. 'There is a real risk that those in our more rural areas will be left without heating and hot water, or face problems with their energy bills. 'Gwynedd has amongst the highest rates of fuel poverty in Wales and any disruption to supply risks plunging low-income and vulnerable households further into poverty.' Many people may not realise that they're on an energy tariff that uses RTF, especially in rural areas where electric storage heating is common. The MP added: 'If people are not aware of the switch-over they won't act, leaving them open to problems. 'I am concerned that electricity suppliers may not be able to transfer people onto smart meters in time or – more worryingly in my constituency – not be able to install a smart meter because of a lack of signal. 'I'm aware that organisations such as National Energy Action (NEA), Ofgem, and Gwynedd Council are actively engaging with communities. 'I would urge the government to go one step further and pause the switch off until sufficient steps have been taken to identify all those still on an RTS meter. Heating and hot water are basic needs. 'We must ensure all affected residents in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are protected and prepared before RTS meters are switched off.' Head of National Energy Action Cymru Ben Saltmarsh said: 'When the Radio Teleswitch Service starts being switched off from the end of June, any meters relying on it could begin to lose functionality. 'Households on these meters could start to see their heating and hot water not working as intended and their storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day. 'This could see low-income and vulnerable households paying more for their energy and finding it harder to keep warm. Wales has 11,000 of these meters that could be affected by the switch-off. 'Anyone who thinks they may have one should get in touch with their supplier to talk about upgrading to a new meter as soon as possible. 'Suppliers should have already been in touch with affected customers and must ensure that a suitable replacement is provided, with no loss of service.' Anyone with questions is urged to get in touch.
North Wales Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Call to halt switch off of outdated energy meters
RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s and use outdated radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The process to turn them off is due to start on June 30, 2025. Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has called on the UK government to delay the shut-down of radio tele switch meters (RTS) until all affected households are fitted with alternative meters. Data from Ofgem shows there are approximately 790 RTS meters still being used in Dwyfor Meirionnydd, with around 11,000 still in use across Wales. They were designed to help households using electricity for heating and hot water, including electric storage systems, panel heaters or water tank immersion heaters. The Plaid Cymru MP says if they are not replaced, some heating and hot water systems could stay on all the time, not come on at all, charge at the wrong time, or turn on and off at odd times. She raised the matter in Westminster during a debate on broadband and connectivity, yesterday, Wednesday, May 21. Calling for the switch off to be paused, she asked what could done to help the 11,000 affected households, including vulnerable people and those living off grid in rural areas dependent on the system. The Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Chris Bryant asked her to write to him, so he could pass the matter to the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero. 'She makes a totally legitimate point , we have to make sure we get that right,' he said Liz Saville Roberts MP said: 'With just over a month until the switch-off, I remain concerned that nearly eight hundred households in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are still using outdated RTS meters and have not yet been transferred to smart meters or alternative options. 'It is vital that energy suppliers redouble efforts to get these households connected to a replacement system. 'There is a real risk that those in our more rural areas will be left without heating and hot water, or face problems with their energy bills. 'Gwynedd has amongst the highest rates of fuel poverty in Wales and any disruption to supply risks plunging low-income and vulnerable households further into poverty.' Many people may not realise that they're on an energy tariff that uses RTF, especially in rural areas where electric storage heating is common. The MP added: 'If people are not aware of the switch-over they won't act, leaving them open to problems. 'I am concerned that electricity suppliers may not be able to transfer people onto smart meters in time or – more worryingly in my constituency – not be able to install a smart meter because of a lack of signal. 'I'm aware that organisations such as National Energy Action (NEA), Ofgem, and Gwynedd Council are actively engaging with communities. 'I would urge the government to go one step further and pause the switch off until sufficient steps have been taken to identify all those still on an RTS meter. Heating and hot water are basic needs. 'We must ensure all affected residents in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are protected and prepared before RTS meters are switched off.' Head of National Energy Action Cymru Ben Saltmarsh said: 'When the Radio Teleswitch Service starts being switched off from the end of June, any meters relying on it could begin to lose functionality. 'Households on these meters could start to see their heating and hot water not working as intended and their storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day. 'This could see low-income and vulnerable households paying more for their energy and finding it harder to keep warm. Wales has 11,000 of these meters that could be affected by the switch-off. 'Anyone who thinks they may have one should get in touch with their supplier to talk about upgrading to a new meter as soon as possible. 'Suppliers should have already been in touch with affected customers and must ensure that a suitable replacement is provided, with no loss of service.' Anyone with questions is urged to get in touch.
North Wales Live
23-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Live
Imminent RTS electricity meter switch-off could leave thousands without heating or hot water
Low income and vulnerable families could face higher bills and issues with their heating and hot water amid the imminent phase out of older style electric meters. RTS meters were introduced in the 1980s and use outdated radio signals to switch between peak and off-peak rates. The process to turn them off is due to start on June 30, 2025. Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP, Liz Saville Roberts has called on the UK government to delay the shut-down of radio tele switch meters (RTS) until all affected households are fitted with alternative meters. Data from Ofgem shows there are approximately 790 RTS meters still being used in Dwyfor Meirionnydd, with around 11,000 still in use across Wales. They were designed to help households using electricity for heating and hot water, including electric storage systems, panel heaters or water tank immersion heaters. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The Plaid Cymru MP says if they are not replaced, some heating and hot water systems could stay on all the time, not come on at all, charge at the wrong time, or turn on and off at odd times. She raised the matter in Westminster during a debate on broadband and connectivity, yesterday, Wednesday, May 21. Calling for the switch off to be paused, she asked what could done to help the 11,000 affected households, including vulnerable people and those living off grid in rural areas dependent on the system. The Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Sir Chris Bryant asked her to write to him, so he could pass the matter to the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero. "She makes a totally legitimate point , we have to make sure we get that right," he said. Liz Saville Roberts MP said: "With just over a month until the switch-off, I remain concerned that nearly eight hundred households in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are still using outdated RTS meters and have not yet been transferred to smart meters or alternative options. "It is vital that energy suppliers redouble efforts to get these households connected to a replacement system. "There is a real risk that those in our more rural areas will be left without heating and hot water, or face problems with their energy bills. " Gwynedd has amongst the highest rates of fuel poverty in Wales and any disruption to supply risks plunging low-income and vulnerable households further into poverty." Many people may not realise that they're on an energy tariff that uses RTF, especially in rural areas where electric storage heating is common. The MP added: ""If people are not aware of the switch-over they won't act, leaving them open to problems. "I am concerned that electricity suppliers may not be able to transfer people onto smart meters in time or - more worryingly in my constituency - not be able to install a smart meter because of a lack of signal. "I'm aware that organisations such as National Energy Action (NEA), Ofgem, and Gwynedd Council are actively engaging with communities. "I would urge the government to go one step further and pause the switch off until sufficient steps have been taken to identify all those still on an RTS meter. Heating and hot water are basic needs. "We must ensure all affected residents in Dwyfor Meirionnydd are protected and prepared before RTS meters are switched off." Head of National Energy Action Cymru Ben Saltmarsh said: "When the Radio Teleswitch Service starts being switched off from the end of June, any meters relying on it could begin to lose functionality. "Households on these meters could start to see their heating and hot water not working as intended and their storage heaters charging at the wrong time of day. "This could see low-income and vulnerable households paying more for their energy and finding it harder to keep warm. Wales has 11,000 of these meters that could be affected by the switch-off. "Anyone who thinks they may have one should get in touch with their supplier to talk about upgrading to a new meter as soon as possible. "Suppliers should have already been in touch with affected customers and must ensure that a suitable replacement is provided, with no loss of service." Anyone with questions is urged to get in touch.
