India calls for greater cooperation with France in clean energy and green transitioning to EVs and hydrogen
Dr S Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, inaugurates the Indo-French Workshop on Clean and Sustainable Energy
Technologies (INFINITE) at CSIR – National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi
Using the Thar Desert as a site for solar power generation, India is estimated
to generate up to 2,100 GW of solar energy: Dr S Chandrasekhar
Partnership with France and other G20 countries are required for green energy
generation, storage and conversion, particularly green hydrogen, green ammonia,
and energy storage infrastructures: Dr N Kalaiselvi
India calls for greater cooperation with France in the field of clean
energy and highlighted New Delhi’s plans for green transitioning to EVs and
hydrogen energy. Indian renewable sector ranks 4th on the list of the world’s most
attractive renewable energy sectors and Solar energy is the most abundant
source of renewable power in the country.
Inaugurating the Indo-French Workshop on Clean
and Sustainable Energy Technologies (INFINITE) at CSIR – National Physical
Laboratory in New Delhi, Dr S Chandrasekhar, Secretary, Ministry of Science and
Technology, Government of India said that the Government in 2022 had set a
target of installing 100 GW of solar energy. He added that using the Thar
Desert as a site for solar power generation, India is estimated to generate up
to 2,100 GW of solar energy.
Dr Chandrasekhar referred to another initiative
of the Govt. of India and that is the National Biofuel Policy, which aims to
achieve a 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and a 5% blending of biodiesel in
diesel by 2030.
Dr Chandrasekhar pointed out that an area to
focus upon is Carbon Capture and Storage and as estimated by NITI Aayog,
theoretically, India has a total geological CO2 storage capacity of 400-600 Gt
considering the depleted oil and gas reservoirs, un-mineable coal seams, saline
aquifers, basalts, etc. He said, the government has designed policies,
programs, and a liberal environment to attract foreign investments to ramp up
the country in the renewable energy market at a rapid rate. Department of
Science and Technology is also interested in encouraging international
collaborations on clean energy research. “I hope the process and technologies
that will be discussed in this workshop will be of enormous potential in
mitigating the impact of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions”,
Secretary added.
In her address, Dr N Kalaiselvi Director
General, CSIR and Secretary DSIR, said that India needs huge augmentation in
the manufacturing of renewable energy technologies and infrastructures. She
underlined that partnership with France and other G20 countries are required
for green energy generation, storage and conversion, particularly green
hydrogen, green ammonia, and energy storage infrastructures. India and France
have long standing bilateral research co-operation specially to augment
research on clean and renewable energies, she added.
Pr Antoine Petit, CEO of the French National
Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) expressed appreciation for the strong
partnership between the two countries and emphasized the importance of
collaboration in achieving a sustainable energy transition through new
bilateral programs.
Prof Arvind Kumar Mishra, Director CSIR-CIMFR
pointed out that this workshop is broadly focused to bring together academic
and industrial experts from France and India to develop collaborations in the
area of clean and sustainable energy. He said, both the sides need to identify
specific research problems and objectives, and identify partners to develop new
knowledge bases, joint IPs, and tangible outcomes in biomass energy, coal to
methanol/ clean fuels, solar energy, hydrogen, energy storage, and carbon
capture utilization and storage. We need to share our experiences, explore new
ideas, and challenge ourselves to think differently.
The objective of the workshop is to bring
together experts, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from both
countries to exchange knowledge, ideas, and best practices on the development
and deployment of clean and sustainable energy technologies. The workshop will
feature a range of presentations and discussions on various topics related to
Solar Energy, Hydrogen Energy, Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage,
Electrochemical Energy Storage, and Clean Fuels.
The event has been jointly organized by CSIR –
Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad, and the French
National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France and is being supported
by the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research (CEFIPRA).
Prof Venugopal Achanta, Director, CSIR – NPL
welcomed the guests, invitees, and delegates, and Prof. Arvind K. Mishra,
Director, CSIR – CIMFR made the opening remarks.
Prior to the workshop, the bilateral meeting
between DG, CSIR, and the CEO of CNRS also included discussions on
strengthening cooperation in the field of clean energy research and development
and formulation of new R&D programs between the two countries. The meeting
was also graced by Directors of several CSIR Labs and other French
Representatives from CEFIPRA, CNRS, CEA, and the Embassy of France in India,
New Delhi.
The INFINITE workshop provides a platform for
experts and stakeholders from both countries to exchange knowledge, identify
areas of collaboration, and explore new avenues for cooperation in the field of
clean and sustainable energy technologies. The event is expected to be
successful, and it is hoped that the discussions and collaborations initiated
during the workshop will lead to concrete outcomes in the near future.
The bilateral workshop is being coordinated by
Dr R Ebhin Masto, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR – CIMFR, India, and Dr
Abdelilah Slaoui, Deputy Research Director In-Charge of Energy, CNRS, France.