Lok Sabha Question No. 398 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Research and Innovation in Renewable Energy Technologies
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 398

ANSWERED ON 20/08/2025

## RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

*398. SHRI RAJESH VERMA SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE

Will the MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state

- (a)  whether the Ministry supports research and innovation in solar, wind, hydrogen energy and storage technologies and if so, the details of key institutions involved therein; (b) the focus areas for next-generation clean energy development including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation; (c)  whether  partnerships  with  startups,  academia  and  international  collaborators  are  being encouraged and if so, the details thereof; and (d)  the  manner in which skill development initiatives are being integrated to train youth in the renewable energy sector and thus enhance India's leadership in global energy innovation and green
- jobs?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, & FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. 398 for ANSWER ON 20.08.2025

(a)  Yes.  The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is  implementing a 'Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development Programme (RERTD)' through various research institutions  and  industry  to  develop  indigenous  technologies  and  manufacturing  for  widespread applications  of  new  and  renewable  energy  including  solar,  wind,  and  storage  technologies  in efficient  and  cost-effective  manner.  Hydrogen  research  is  being  carried  out  under  the  National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

The key institutions involved at present with the Ministry for carrying out research include National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE)-Gurugram, National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE)-Chennai, National Institute of Bio-Energy (NIBE)-Kapurthala, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT-Roorkee, IIT Kanpur, IIT-Ropar, IIT BHU, CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL),  CSIR-Central  Electrochemical  Research  Institute-Karaikudi,  CSIR-National  Chemical Laboratory-Pune,  International  Advanced  Research  Centre  for  Powder  Metallurgy  and  New Materials (ARCI), and other leading R&D organizations.

- (b) Major focus areas for research and development of next-generation clean energy are as follows:
- High-efficiency and low-cost solar PV cell and modules
- New and Innovative solar PV applications such as Agro PV, Floating PV and BIPV
- Solar thermal, solar cold storage
- Innovative Solar Rooftop Projects under PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana
- Advanced hydrogen production, storage and utilization technologies
- Alternate chemistries for development of sodium-ion, flow batteries, solid-state batteries etc.
- Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies: Batteries and Solar Photovoltaic
- Offshore wind technology and hybrid systems
- Advanced Bioenergy & Waste-to-Energy systems
- Geothermal Energy
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation for Renewable Energy

(c)    Yes,  the  research  is  being  conducted  in  close  coordination  with  Academia,  startups,  and international organizations under RE-RTD programme and NGHM. Apart from this, several other organizations  are  also  working  in  the  field  of  renewable  energy  in  collaboration  with  leading academic  institutions,  international  collaborators  and  startup  such  as  Department  of  Science  & Technology (DST), CSIR, IIT Madras Research Park, etc.

(d)    MNRE is implementing following capacity building and skill development programmes to create skilled workforce for design, installation, operation & maintenance etc. of Renewable Energy projects to facilitate employment opportunities for youth:

i. Skill  development  programmes  such  as  Suryamitra  (Solar  PV  Technician),  Varunmitra (Solar  Water  Pumping  Technician),  Vayumitra  (Wind  Power  Plant  Technician)  and  JalUrjamitra (Small Hydro Power Plant Technician) are being implemented under Human Resource Development Programme.

ii. Under Prime Minister Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), to build capable local expert workforce for installation/design/O&M for solar roof top systems throughout the country, trainings for the Technicians/ Electricians/ Installers/ Engineers/ Supervisors / vendors / trainers are  being  imparted  through  Directorate  General  of  Training  (DGT),  National  Institute  for

Entrepreneurship  and  Small  Business  Development  (NIESBUD),  National  Institute  of  Solar Energy (NISE), and Skill Council of Green Jobs (SCGJ) etc. Skilled manpower for Green Hydrogen Sector is being created through a scheme on skilling, iii. up-skilling, and re-skilling under National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).

iv. Skill  Council  of  Green  Jobs  (SCGJ),  a  sector  Skill  Council  under  Ministry  of  Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is also providing trainings and certifications in Renewable energy under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Suryamitra Skill Development Program & other Schemes.

These efforts enhance India's leadership in global energy innovation and green jobs .

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