MNRE Support for Research and developmental activities in the feild of New and Renewable Energy

MNRE has been actively promoting research, development and demonstration (RD&D) in the field of new and renewable energy. The policy and guidelines provide enabling environment for strengthening Research, Development and Demonstration(RD&D) capacity of R&D institutions, organizations, industries, etc. and technology development and demonstration in the Renewable Energy sector. The emphasis has been on associating industry for technology development and demonstration leading to commercialization. The 11th Plan witnessed a tremendous impetus to R&D in new and renewable energy sector. Around 170 R&D projects in the areas of solar energy, bio-energy and hydrogen and fuels cells with budget of Rs.525 crore have been sanctioned to the various R&D institutions, academic institutions, industries, etc during the 11th Plan Five Year Period.

MNRE has made budgetary allocation of Rs.910 crore for R&D during the current five year plan period to continue to support RD&D efforts for developing technology with improved efficiency and cost effectiveness to achieve our goal of large scale deployment in cost effective manner. It is envisaged that as a result of rapid scale up as well as technological developments, the price of solar power will attain parity with grid power at the end of the Mission, enabling accelerated and large-scale expansion thereafter. The inspiration would be to reach grid parity for both solar PV and solar thermal and achieve technological breakthroughs in biofuels and hydrogen energy/fuel cells.

The Conclave aims at to present the progress of on-going R&D projects funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and to seek the views of researchers, scientists, and related stakeholders for faster development of renewable energy technologies in the country. Participants include the Principal Investigators of R&D projects, researchers, scientists, policy makers from relevant government departments, experts from R&D institutions, organizations, industries etc. Eminent experts engaged in research and development activities in new and renewable energy have been invited for making key presentations in respective areas in a plenary session. In all, about twenty four R&D projects in different areas will be presented in respective technical sessions. The conclave will conclude with recommendations of strategy and suggestions for thrust areas for RD&D for support by MNRE.

RM/RS