Google Invests in Energy From Hot Rocks Deep Underground

Google.org, the philanthropic wing of Google, has announced a $10 million investment in a renewable energy technology that’s powered by hot rocks several miles beneath the earth’s surface. The technology, called Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS), differs from traditional geothermal energy that relies on finding natural pockets of hot water and steam. Instead, EGS fractures the hot rock, circulates water in its system, and uses the steam created from the process to create electricity in a turbine [Cleantechnica].

The system could augment less reliable renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, which don’t generate steady amounts of energy. Google executive Dan Reicher says EGS would be very dependable, and could be revolutionary. “It’s 24-7, it’s potentially developable all over the country, all over the world, and for all that we really do think it could be the ‘killer app’ of the energy world” [New Scientist].
Google Invests in Energy From Hot Rocks Deep Underground

Military pay hike: Govt sets up panel

The government has finally responded to Army's continued displeasure over the pay hike. It has decided to form 3- member committee headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The committee will also have Defence Minister AK Anthony and Finance Minister P Chidambaram as its members.

The proposed committee will look into the grievances of the Armed Forces related to the remuneration being offered to them in the Sixth Pay Commission. The decision was taken after PM was consulted in the US on the issue.

All pending issues of Army on pay hikes will be addressed and resolved latest by October end. All service headquarters - Army, Navy and Air Force - will issue notification on Monday to hand out the revised payscale according to the Sixth Pay Commission.
Military Pay Hike: Govt sets up Panel
Ministerial panel to consider forces' concerns over pay
Govt sets up panel to review Defence forces pay hike

Sounding optimistic, the Defence Minister said that the armed forces will get their pay in new scales by Diwali. He also added that the government is aware of anomalies in the pay and assured that the issue will be addressed.
Armed forces pay hike: Committee formed

Women to get permanent commission in four non-combat wings of Armed Forces

New Delhi, September 26 Finally, the Government has decided to grant permanent commission to women officers in the three Armed Forces but with a rider — women will only be considered for permanent commission in four non- combat arms, including the Army Education Corps, Judge Advocate General and Accounts streams.

Also, 2015 is expected to be the earliest date by which women would be technically sworn in as permanent commission officers of the Armed Forces. A formal order to the effect was signed by Defence Minister A K Antony on Friday, and the three services will now work out modalities for training and induction of women officers in select branches.

Until now, the Armed Forces have been largely male dominated with women being inducted only as short service commission officers with a service life of less than 15 years and not rising above the rank of Lt Colonel. With the permanent commission, women can now rise to the highest rank of Lt Gen.

While the ministry has given the go-ahead for permanent commission, it has left for the Armed Forces to sort out the more contentious issues like opening of the ‘males-only’ academies like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Indian Military Academy (IMA) for women cadets.
Women to get permanent commission in four non-combat wings of Armed Forces

The IAF will now allow women pilots to fly the advanced heavy-lift IL-76 transport aircraft, in addition to the AN-32, Avro and Dornier aircraft as well as the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters they are already flying. There are currently 63 women pilots in IAF.
Forces open doors to women, but just a little