6. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

in biofuels research. While the other centres are managed for DBT by an academic or non-profit organisation, the DBT-IOC Centre is co-funded equally by both entities. In addition, researchers have access to IOCL’s engineering facilities and broader RD&D capabilities.

Sources: MoPNG (2018), National Policy on Biofuels; DBT-IOC (2018), “DBT-IOC Integrated Technology for 2G Ethanol”, https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/17_s_k_puri-iocl.pdf.

Policy plays an important role in fostering private-sector engagement. Some public programmes in India, for example, do not allow private-sector companies to bid as lead applicant, or require specific certifications that may hinder and slow down private-led technology innovation processes, especially for SMEs. Tax breaks for RD&D activities, introduced at 200% in 2010 and to be reduced to 100% in 2020, are also important to stimulate corporate innovation, and their effectiveness may be strengthened with streamlined administrative procedures. There may also be a gap in support for the scaleup of emerging energy technologies, where capital costs and risks are high. Intellectual property frameworks may also need to be examined and strengthened, where relevant, to reach high protection standards and enable major corporations to confer RD&D leadership roles to their Indian satellite. Public research institutes, PSUs and academia may benefit from building closer ties with industry. In order to tap into greater investment and capabilities, and to accelerate energy RD&D, policy makers should address some of these components as they review innovation and energy policies.

International collaboration

A key element of India’s energy RD&D approach is to maximise international collaboration to leverage the capabilities of partner countries, both to stimulate domestic innovation and to adapt best available technologies to Indian needs.

In recent years India has strengthened its engagement in key multi-lateral mechanisms and partnerships to accelerate energy innovation, notably under the Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) led by the IEA and MI. In February 2019 India joined the Bioenergy TCP, bringing its total participation to 11 TCPs – that is the second largest among IEA partner countries. India has mostly focused on TCPs relating to energy supply technologies, including coal, bioenergy, ocean energy and fusion power, as well as on the TCPs relating to system integration technologies such as smart grids, demand-side management and hydrogen. There is also interest and potential for further engagement in other TCPs, such as photovoltaic power systems, and solar heating and cooling. A survey conducted by the IEA in 2019 shows that India has been identified by 14 TCPs as a strategic prospective partner country.

In practice, the government generally designates a public institution to lead Indian collaborative efforts, such as the MoP’s BEE in the TCP on Demand-Side Management (DSM TCP), or the Institute for Plasma Research on nuclear fusion-related TCP activities. In one instance, a private company has become sponsor of a TCP, namely the conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited in the Hydrogen TCP.

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6. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION

India is a founding member and one of the leading countries under MI, and a key member of the Analysis and Joint Research sub-group. The government participates in all eight Innovation Challenges (ICs) and co-leads three of them: IC#1 on smart grids, IC#2 on offgrid access to electricity and IC#4 on sustainable biofuels. Much of this work is coordinated through the dedicated MI unit set up within DBT.

DBT also represents India in the steering group of the Biofuture Platform, a partnership of 20 countries with IEA support to accelerate the transition to a bio-economy. In 2015 India contributed USD 27 million to set up and host the International Solar Alliance from 2016 to 2021, a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation promoting affordable and sustainable solar energy across 121 prospective member countries.

India has established extensive bilateral collaborations with other governments to foster energy RD&D co-operation and attract foreign investment and human capital, including with the United States (e.g. Indo-US Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre in smart grids and energy storage; Bhaskara Advanced Solar Energy Programme; BHAVAN Fellowships in energy efficiency; Bioenergy Awards for Cutting Edge Research capacity-building programme), the United Kingdom (e.g. Joint UK-India Clean Energy Centre; DST–Research Councils UK collaborative projects on energy efficiency, storage and energy systems), Sweden and Japan (e.g. public–private co-operation and technology transfer scheme in iron and steel production).

Box 6.2 Case-study • Government support for MI Champions fostering clean energy access in rural India

Despite substantial improvements in electrification (see Chapter 2 on general energy policy), many Indians rely on kerosene lamps or diesel generators and face indoor pollution and expensive fuel. Innovation helps identify local solutions and the shift to cleaner energy sources, thereby contributing to national policy goals.

The micro solar dome (MSD) is a low-cost hybrid solar lighting device developed in 2016 by a Kolkata-based team from the NB Institute of Rural Technology (NBIRT). It concentrates daylight collected from a rooftop dome into an indoor ceiling dome. In addition to light, it provides heat in cold regions. Four versions have been developed, including a device paired with two solar panels, a battery and LEDs for night lighting, and USB charging. Production costs below INR 1 800 (USD 25) allow a payback in less than three months. The MSD innovation team was recognised as an International MI Champion in 2019.

Since 2015, as one of India’s largest public-sector clean energy funding bodies, DST has supported the development of the MSD via long-term core support grants to the NBIRT. Under its Core Support Programmes, the Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) Division funds scientific initiatives to develop technology solutions for rural areas. “Energy, lighting and fuel” is one of SEED’s eight technology focus areas. Over 30 innovations have been developed, including devices for more energy-efficient agriculture, clean cooking and biomass use.

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