India

Highlights in 2018
Highlights in 2018

 

Mission Innovation impact case study

Initiating large scale activity in the areas of Carbon Dioxide Capture/ Utilisation, Sustainable Biofuels and in Storable Sun Fuels

By funding large number of projects in close association with MI members a strong research base and trained human resources will be established. These areas will get a boost because of MI activities.

India, as co-lead in IC1, launched 9 smart grids research and development (R&D) projects under the umbrella of MI in collaboration with the nine MI IC1 members by investing 5 million USD to financially support activities towards research, development and deployment. The 9 projects helped to bring academia, utilities and industry into a single platform in their respective topics. 17 Indian institutes, 22 foreign institutes and 25 industrial organisations are involved in these multilateral collaborations. India also collaborated with several MI members for off grid challenges. This could happen only because of the MI platform.

This funding will create necessary and essential infrastructure for R&D in these areas. Close interaction with scientists from MI members will provide a boost and avoid duplication of research efforts. MI helps to enlarge the research networks and with increased dissemination of Information, there is enhancement of interest in academic institutions to become the knowledge partners in on-going intervention.

A trained pool of more than 100 scientists has been created in these advanced areas of research. The Clean Energy solutions that are developed will have a significant effect on development of clean energy technologies. More researchers are now being attracted to working in the clean energy sector. Specific funding programmes have assisted in bridging the gap “from the lab to the market “. Exchange of best practices and sharing of information on existing and perspective collaborative projects. Technology development through knowledge sharing among 9 MI IC1 members. The involvement of Industry/utilities from its initiation have a practical impact of deployment of these developed technologies for social welfare.  We expect a collaborative framework and network of researchers, innovators and industries to be developed as a result of these endeavours.


Update on clean energy innovation policies and strategies

  • The Government of India revisited its biofuel policy with a view to provide financial support to second generation biofuel commercialisation. The policy was formulated with full consultation of industry, investors and technology providers. The policy also provides for enlarging the scope of feed stock which could be used for production of fuel grade ethanol for blending into ethanol. The policy has set aside about 700 million USD for viability gap funding of new cellulosic ethanol plants.
  • Kisan Urja Surksha Utthan Mahaabhiyan or the KUSUM YOJANA: Under this arrangement, the Central Govt. desires to assist as many farmers as possible to install new and improved solar pumps on their farms. The main aim of this scheme is to provide the farmers with advanced technology to generate power. The solar pumps will not only assist to irrigate the farms but also allow to generate clean energy. During the first phase of the program, the power department, in association with other wings of the government will work towards the successful distribution of solar powered pumps. The scheme will result in setting up of additional power capacity of 25750MW. The government has also come up with the government produce scheme for setting up 1200 MW capacity in public building owned by government. The installed capacity for solar energy in the country is 24750MW with 38130MW additional capacity installation.
  • Wind Solar Hybrid Policy to Strengthen Energy Security of India: The Government has formulated the draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy with the objective to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV system for optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation and thus achieving better grid stability. Further, the policy aims to encourage new technologies, methods and solutions involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants.

Major innovation initiatives in 2018/19

Collaborative RD&D support initiatives

  • In 2018-19, India (through the Ministry of Science and Technology) launched the Funding Opportunity Announcement for Carbon Capture (IC3), Sustainable Biofuels (IC4) and Converting Sunlight (IC5) to provide an opportunity for Indian researchers to collaborate with researchers from MI members with a total budget of 17 million USD. A total of 47 projects under the above mentioned three Funding Opportunity calls have been recommended for financial support.
  • In 2018-19, 18 Smart Grids and off grids projects were officially announced at the 3rd Mission Innovation Ministerial. Both France and India have financially supported field projects in India and African countries for affordable off grid. A partnership has been built with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for deployment of off grid technology options.
  • India has taken the lead in developing a framework which is promoting the clean energy technologies with the active participation of scientists, researchers, universities, industries, utilities as well as private organisations across the world through the MI platform.
  • To promote clean energy by addressing the issues in smart grids technologies in India the Department of Science and Technology (DST, India) has allocated USD 5 million through nine smart grids programs in collaboration with nine different MI members. 9 MI members are involved Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Norway, USA, UK, France.
  • Based on the identified smart grid R&D priority areas, 6 Smart Grids R&D Tasks are established in collaboration with MI IC1 members, India is establishing a national smart grid consortium including experts from industry, utility and academics to address the identified R&D tasks.
  • Materials on Energy Storage (MES) 2018 supports R&D activities aimed at innovative materials for energy storage and to build energy storage device with enhanced output for multifunctional applications.
  • Materials for Energy Conservation and Storage Platform (MECSP) 2017: A theme-based initiative to support R&D for the entire spectrum of energy conservation and storage technologies from early stage research to technology breakthroughs in materials, systems and scalable technologies to maximize resource use efficiency has resulted in setting up of 4 technology platforms.
  • Hydrogen and fuel cell 2018 program focused to develop transformational technologies that reduce the cost of hydrogen production, distribution & Storage, diversify the feedstock available for economic hydrogen production, enhance the flexibility of the power grid, reduce emissions through novel uses of low-cost hydrogen.

National and international meetings: Ministry of Science and Technology (DBT & DST)

  • India hosted the Second MI Indian Stakeholders meeting on Clean Energy Innovations 2019 on 3rd May 2019 in New Delhi. The event was attended by various international agencies (International Energy Agency, World Economic Forum, World Bank, AEF Sweden), senior advisors, technical experts, industry representatives, investors and broader public participation.
  • India hosted the second international stakeholder meeting on MI Challenge “Off Grid Access to Electricity” on 1-2nd March 2019 at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi. The event was attended by the various international agencies, Senior advisors, Technical experts, Industry representatives, investors and broader public participation. More than 66 participants from 40 organisations around the globe participated in deliberations.
  • The National Smart Grids stakeholder conclave was organized on 27th August at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, India to bring together researchers, industrialists, entrepreneurs and business investors to enhance public and private partnerships via engagement, knowledge sharing, collaborative programmes and investments. This Smart Grids Conclave brought together 177 participants with 86 participants from 22 academic institutions, 43 participants from 32 Industries who are actively engaged in R&D and 22 participants from 18 utilities companies.
  • The second International meeting on Clean Energy Material Innovation Challenge was held on 21st and 22nd February 2019 which aimed to bring together leaders and visionaries from government, scientific community, and the private sector.
  • A workshop on MI IC1 smart grids (on 28th December 2018) was organized to enhance the public-private partnership in the identified R&D tasks in MI IC1 which will result in future collaboration opportunities.

Engaging and Supporting the Public Private partnerships

  • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India and its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, have joined forces with Tata Trusts, to set up the first “Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC)” in Delhi under MI.
  • India has partnered with Sweden for a Sustainable Future, Avoided Emissions Framework. A challenge call was announced, and eight successful case studies are ready to be shared as an MI-4 deliverable.
  • A joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the International Energy Agency on Enhancing Innovation for the Clean Energy Transition has been signed. A one-day round table meeting: “Enhancing Innovation for the Clean Energy Transition” was organized by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
  • Pursuant to this, a template for Information sharing has been developed jointly by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the International Energy Agency pertaining to Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) Data Tracking methodologies for Clean Energy Spending.

Prizes and other initiatives

  • India has actively supported applications for MI Champions program and one of the applicants has been selected to represent India at the 4th MI Ministerial. Additionally, Four National Clean Energy Champions will be supported via Research Innovation grants.
  • A Global Cooling Prize – an innovation challenge to develop a cooling technology with 5X less climate impact was formally launched by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Science and Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Earth Sciences, Government of India.
  • Department of Biotechnology has supported 4 demonstration plants to convert Municipal Solid Waste to Energy using innovative technologies.

New policy support initiative

Wind Solar Hybrid Policy to Strengthen Energy Security of India: The Government has formulated a draft National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy with the objective to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV system for optimal and efficient utilization of transmission infrastructure and land, reducing the variability in renewable power generation and thus achieving better grid stability. Further, the policy aims to encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants.


Major activities in support of the Innovation Challenges in 2018/19

Collaborative projects

India launched the Funding opportunity announcement for Carbon Capture (IC3), Sustainable Biofuels (IC4) and Converting Sunlight (IC5) MI Challenge. The special feature of these calls was mandatory participation of one or more MI members. Provision has been made for scientist exchange between India and the participating MI members. For three Innovation Challenges viz: Carbon Capture: 20, Sustainable Biofuels: 14, Converting Sunlight: 13 projects have been recommended for financial support from the Ministry of Science and Technology (DBT & DST).

Global Cooling Prize, India

To incentivize development of a residential cooling solution that will have at least five times less climate impact than today’s standard Refrigeration and Air Conditioning units. This technology could prevent up to 100 gigatons (GT) of CO2-equivalent emissions by 2050 and put the world on a pathway to mitigate up to 0.5˚C of global warming by 2100, all while enhancing living standards for people in developing countries around the globe. Further details are available at: . India is pleased to commit financially and technically to the Global Cooling Prize.

IC7 Priority Area: Physiological studies for thermal comfort

India is taking an active role in the IC7 priority area “Physiological studies for thermal comfort” (IC7: PS).  IC7: PS involves the appropriate understanding about human comfort needs, depending upon physiological, psychological and behavioural conditions.  Research, Development and Deployment will develop pathways for technologies and policies to save considerable amount of energy, meeting MI objectives.  A status report of research and technology readiness has been prepared.  Further, specific subgroups involving research and industry leaders from MI members will be created which will set a road map and outlay for technical and financial support.

Technology demonstration projects

  • Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Department of Science and Technology (DST) of Government of India have funded major RD&D projects in areas of clean energy covered by all MI challenges.
  • DBT has funded projects on conversion of Municipal solid waste (MSW)/Liquid Waste to Energy.
  • On a DBT funded project, Indian Oil Bioenergy centre has developed enzyme technology, for 2G ethanol, at 5000 litre scale.
  • A continuous pilot plant for conversion of CO2 to algae rich in omega fatty acids has been established at DBT-IOC Bioenergy centre.
  • DST has launched 9 Smart Grids projects at the 3rd MI Ministerial, IC1 event on May 2018 in Sweden.
  • DST has established 6 Smart Grid R&D tasks team to facilitate the progress on smart grids R&D tasks.
  • DST has financially supported 9 projects in the area of off- grid access to electricity with knowledge partners from MI members.
  • DST: Materials on Energy Storage (MES) 2018 supports R&D activities – 29 proposals (Research and Technology Stream) were approved for funding with an approximate cost of USD 250 million for 3 years.
  • DST: Materials for Energy Conservation and Storage Platform – 4 Proposals were approved for funding with a total cost of USD 400 million for 5 years.
  • DST: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell 2018 – 31 proposals (Research and Technology Stream) were approved for funding with an approximate cost of USD 250 million for 3 years.
  • India established a dedicated MI Resource Centre (MIRC) at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, India which is playing a key role in fostering the MI IC1 activities.
  • India established a dedicated MI Resource Centre (MIRC) at Indian Institute of Technology Delhi for MI IC7 activities.

Other Mission Innovation related activity in 2018/19

  • A joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the International Energy Agency on Enhancing Innovation for the Clean Energy Transition has been signed. A one-day round table meeting: “Enhancing Innovation for the Clean Energy Transition” was organized by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India.
  • Pursuant to this, a one-day round table meeting: “Enhancing Innovation for the Clean Energy Transition” was organized by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, which has helped develop working relationships between key staff from International Energy Agency and relevant Government of India Ministries, particularly Ministry of Science and Technology. The proposed investment data will help policy planners to address the areas of clean energy development in more pragmatic manner.
  • The Ministry of Science and Technology (DBT & DST) is jointly working with the International Energy Agency in preparing a template for Data Collection to track the Public and Private Sector Clean Energy RD&D Spending.
  • 2nd Stakeholders Meeting on Public Private Cooperation for Clean Energy Innovations is proposed for 26th April 2019. focusing on greater Private sector engagement for bringing technologies to a commercial stage and accelerate public private partnerships via engagement learning networking and investment to accelerate clean energy innovations.
  • “Synthesis Document: Off-Grid Access to Electricity” is published to provide information about initiatives taken by different MI members to develop Off Grid solutions. The report would be useful for individual scientists, institution and stakeholders in MI members and beyond working in the area of off grid access to electricity and help to accelerate to build more collaboration.
  • India Country Status Report on Clean Energy Materials Innovation Challenge IC6: The report includes institutional framework and current research scenario for clean energy materials with focus on materials for energy storage and also provides India’s research landscape for energy storage materials.

New collaborations

Avoided Emissions Framework
India, Sweden
Sweden-India Innovation Partnership for a Sustainable Future.
Sectors: public-public
Duration: 2018
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