The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a call for proposals for the establishment of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the Research and Development (R&D) Scheme of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM). The deadline for submitting applications is December 19, 2024.
Launched on January 4, 2023, with an allocated budget of INR 19,744 crore, the NGHM aims to position India as a global leader in the production, utilization, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. The Ministry has earmarked INR 400 crore specifically for R&D activities under the mission. The goal of the R&D Scheme is to advance domestic technology development and promote the widespread adoption of green hydrogen technologies in a cost-effective and efficient manner across the country.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry plans to establish Centres of Excellence (CoEs) to support integrated research in the green hydrogen sector. These centres will focus on various aspects of the green hydrogen value chain, including production, transportation and storage, applications, and safety. According to the MNRE’s office memorandum, the CoEs will act as hubs for cutting-edge research, skill development, information sharing, and industry collaboration. They will provide strategic guidance, foster collaboration among stakeholders, implement innovative research projects to improve system efficiencies, and help develop new products throughout the green hydrogen value chain. The CoEs will also pool expertise and resources across different components of the green hydrogen ecosystem.
The memorandum also highlighted that, in line with the guidelines issued on March 15, 2024, a network approach will be adopted to ensure smooth technology transfer and commercialization. The CoEs will collaborate closely with industry partners to facilitate the commercialization of new technologies.
This call for proposals is designed to strengthen the green hydrogen ecosystem in India, encouraging partnerships between industry, academia, and government to achieve the ambitious goals of the NGHM. The program aims to identify innovative solutions for green hydrogen production, storage, and transportation, particularly those that can reach advanced Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs). It also focuses on accelerating the scaling of technologies at TRLs 5-7 and supporting pilot projects with novel solutions that can be scaled for national deployment.
Additionally, the initiative will emphasize workforce skill development through technical training, raise public awareness, and promote the adoption of clean hydrogen technologies. The CoEs will also serve as knowledge partners for industries and stakeholders in the green hydrogen sector.
Eligibility for submitting proposals includes academic institutions, R&D institutions, government agencies, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private research institutions. Industries with the necessary experience and infrastructure can also participate in collaboration with these entities. Proposals can be submitted by a consortium or joint venture of two or more eligible entities. Successful applicants will be eligible for financial support covering up to 50% of the project cost, with the remaining balance to be funded by the selected bidder.
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