Lok Sabha Question No. 1957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-28
Subject: Research and Development of Renewable Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 1957

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2016

## Research and Development of Renewable Energy

## 1957. SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE  MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  for  research  and  development  in  the  field  of renewable energy in the country;  and

(b) if so, the details there of along with the outcome of the R&D activities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  POWER,  COAL  ,  NEW  &  RENEWABLE  ENERGY  & MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Yes,  Madam.  The  Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  (MNRE)  has  been supporting research and development (R&D) to various R&D/academic institutions, NGOs, industries, etc. in the field of solar, wind, biogas, biofuel, Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, geothermal, etc. for technology development  and  demonstration  leading to commercialization.  A comprehensive policy and guidelines for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) for  new and renewable energy sector is in place. The MNRE has sanctioned a total of 71. R&D projects in solar, small wind and hybrid, biogas, biofuel, hydrogen, fuel cells and small hydro with total funds of Rs.186.78 crores during the last four years and the current year.

In  order  to  review  the  progress  of  on-going  projects  and  to  identify  thrust  areas  for RD&D, the MNRE organized a day long 'Brainstorming Consultation Meeting on RD & D' on  5th  January  2016,  which  was  attended  by  key  subject  experts  and  concerned  MNRE Group/Divisional  Heads.  In  the  meeting,  'Thrust  Areas  with  Action  Plan  for  RD&D'  for support by MNRE was prepared, which is uploaded at MNRE website for project preparation and implementation. It has strong emphasis on industry association and also collaboration for R&D projects for technology development.

(b): The  focus  areas  for  R&D  are  solar  energy,  wind  hybrid  systems,  biogas,  biofuels, hydrogen,  fuel  cells  and  related  components.  R&D  projects  undertaken  have  strengthened R&D/ academic institutes, industries for furthering RD&D for technology development for commercialization. In solar photovoltaics, the focus has been on indigenous development of solar  cells  with  improved  efficiency  at  par  with  international  level,  with  cost  reduction. Crystalline silicon solar cell of 18% efficiency has been developed at lab scale. R&D in solar thermal  power  provided  feedback  on  operational  aspects  of  the  technology  for  further development. In wind, R&D in hybridization of solar and wind is being pursued for ensuring improved energy supply from renewable energy. In addition, R&D efforts are going on for design, development and demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cells for power generation and other uses.

The R&D efforts have led to design and development of solar water heating system, solar cookers,  solar  photovoltaic  system,  biogas  plants,  improved  biomass  cookstoves,  gasifiers, biomass cogeneration, etc.

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