The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has decided to set up a Renewable Energy Standardization Cell (RESC).

The objectives of the cell are to identify the areas in renewable energy where standards need to be developed and identify international standards such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for applications in Indian climatic conditions. In case of any modifications, they should be first done and tried in test laboratories for revision suitable for the country’s climatic conditions. The MNRE also states that another objective is to initiate the process of developing standards involving experts from research and development (R&D) institutions, test labs, and industry.

According to the ministry, the standardization cell will interact with the relevant subject experts from research and development institutions, test labs, industries, and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to seek inputs for developing and updating Indian standards in the relevant subjects.

“The draft will be provided to the BIS for further action,” states the MNRE’s letter.

The MNRE’s move is in relation to the National Lab Policy for testing, standardization, and certification for the renewable sector.

In December 2017, Mercom had reported that the MNRE issued the National Lab Policy to improve the quality and reliability of renewable energy projects in India. The policy aims to create a robust and efficient system of testing, standardization, and certification for the renewable energy sector. The ministry had stated then that India’s goal of reaching 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022 made it necessary to develop and update the standards for various renewable energy systems and their related components and set up performance testing and certification facilities to ensure their quality.

In January 2020, BIS requested the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to set up a standardization cell in the MNRE as part of their Standards National Action Plan (SNAP). The standardization cells will act as a channel of communication, facilitate the identification of new subjects and relevant experts for standardization in different sectors.

Recently, the ministry also opened an Industry and Investors’ Facilitation Centre, which would work as a focal point to provide all the information regarding programs and policies of the government and resolve issues related to renewable energy investors and industry.

Anjana is a news editor at Mercom India. Before joining Mercom, she held roles of senior editor, district correspondent, and sub-editor for The Times of India, Biospectrum and The Sunday Guardian. Before that, she worked at the Deccan Herald and the Asianlite as chief sub-editor and news editor. She has also contributed to The Quint, Hindustan Times, The New Indian Express, Reader’s Digest (UK edition), IndiaSe (Singapore-based magazine) and Asiaville. Anjana holds a Master’s degree in Geography from North Bengal University, and a diploma in mass communication and journalism from Guru Ghasidas University, Bhopal.