The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has invited proposals under the ‘Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Program, 2022’ to promote the competitive development of indigenous technologies for the widespread deployment of new and renewable energy.

The program aims to scale up the R&D (research and development) effort during the period FY 2021- 22 to FY 2025-26 to encourage technology developments in the renewable sector within the country

The last date to submit the bids is July 10, 2022.

Technology developments and demonstrations will be supported to manufacture new and renewable energy systems and components for different applications, including transportation and stationary applications for rural, urban, industrial, and commercial sectors.

The research topics will deal with solar energy, wind energy, energy storage, hydrogen and fuel cells, ocean and geothermal energy, waste to energy, hydropower, and bioenergy.

Academic institutions, including engineering colleges, public & private industries, societies registered under the Societies Registration Act 1860, trusts registered under the Indian Trusts Act 1882, NGOs, startups, and organizations engaged in R&D for the promotion of new & renewable energy are eligible to participate in the bidding process.

The Ministry aims to encourage research and technology development proposals in collaboration with the industry. It would provide up to 100% financial support to government-owned academic institutions and research institutions and up to 50% to industry, startups, and entrepreneurs.

The Ministry may also provide financial support up to 70% of the project cost to private institutes, research organizations, and startups for upgrading the technology from low technology readiness level to high technology readiness level with the endorsement of the R&D project appraisal committee.

The applicants are advised to indicate the technology readiness level at the beginning and end of the project.

The proposals should clearly define the objectives and list the deliverables. The deliverables should include a target performance for systems, components, and consumables-related proposals. It should also be indicated how the proposed process, product, or system stands at the national and international levels regarding technologies, performance, and cost.

In April this year, MNRE invited proposals for a pilot demonstration of new and innovative solar applications under Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and MNRE’s bilateral project. The objective of the project— Innovative Solar Areas (IN-Solar)— was to find innovative ways to expand the application of photovoltaics to optimize the use of land. The project was covered under India’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ (AKAM) initiative.

Last December, MNRE approved the allocation of ₹4.54 billion (~$58.47 million) for three programs to foster the growth of renewables in the country. The Ministry approved the continuation of the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development program from the financial year (FY) 2021-22 to 2025-26. The program’s estimated cost is ₹2.28 billion (~₹29.36 million).

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