Professional Documents
Culture Documents
3/2/2007-R&D
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
(R&D Division)
Solicitation of RD&D projects in the ‘Thrust Areas’ mentioned in the Report of the
* ‘Research, Design and Development Thrust Areas’ included in the draft report of
the preparation of the 11th Five Year Plan are given in Annexure-I.
* RD&D Policy Order on Guidelines for taking up R&D activities in the area of
* Prescribed Formats for the RD&D projects submission, execution and monitoring
in Annexure-V.
Interested experts working in various industries and institutions are invited to generate
proposals in the said RD&D Thrust Areas and sent to the concerned Technology
RD&D Objective and Thrust Areas in Renewable Energy during the 11th Plan
1. The main objective of RD&D during the 11th plan and beyond is to reduce the
cost, improve the performance efficiency, reliability and life of the systems for
energy independence of the country through clean and sustainable renewable
energy technologies.
2. With a view to accelerate RD&D efforts in renewable energy, the Ministry has
identified Solar energy, Wind energy, Bio-fuels and Hydrogen/ Fuel Cell
technologies, where time bound focused RD&D efforts are required to meet the
short term, as well as long term research goals.
6. The RD&D institutions have to work in tandem with industries. For the purpose,
it is desirable that in most of the projects industries are actively involved from the
very beginning. However, in the RD&D projects of basic nature initial
involvement of industry may not be necessary.
1. Bio-energy
Resource Atlas for Bio-energy covering crop residues, forest residues, MSW, industrial
wastes etc.
a) Development of MW-scale fluidized bed biomass gasifiers, hot gas clean up system
and optimum integration of the system following the principles of Integrated
Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC).
b) Development of poly-generation facilities for the production of liquid fuels, variety
of chemicals and hydrogen in addition to power production through IGCC route and
establishing the concept of a Bio-refinery.
c) Raising efficiency of atmospheric gasification to 25-30% along with cooling
systems, complete tar decomposition and safe disposal of wastes in commercial
production.
d) Raising system efficiency of small (upto 1 MW) combustion and turbine
technologies to 20% plus.
e) Design and Development of high rate anaerobic co-digestion systems for biogas/
synthetic gas production.
f) Development of gasifier systems based on charcoal / pyrolysed biomass.
g) Design and development of systems for their coupling with Stirling engine and
turbines.
h) Development of efficient kilns/ systems for charcoal production/ pyrolysation of
biomass
i) Laying down standards for various bio-energy components, products and systems.
a) Design and development of engines, Stirling engine and micro-turbine for biogas/
producer gas/ bio-syngas.
b) Design and development of direct gas fired absorptive chillers, driers, stoves, etc.,
and improvement in biomass furnaces, boilers etc.
c) Improved design and development of processes/ de-watering device for drying of
digested slurry.
d) Improving/ upgrading biogas and syngas quality.
e) Improved design and development of Pelletisation/ Briquetting technology for
RDF.
f) Development of driers for MSW and industrial wastes.
g) Design and development of equipment for waste segregation.
2. Bio-Fuels
a) Develop technology for production of ethanol from sweet sorghum and sugar beet.
b) Developed technology for production of ethanol from ligno-cellulosic materials
such as rice straw and other agricultural and forestry residues.
c) Study petrol engine performance using more than 10% blend of ethanol with petrol
and undertaking engine modifications including emission studies with different
levels of ethanol blend with petrol.
d) Study physico-chemical properties of all potential non-edible oils for production of
bio-diesel for application in transport, stationary and other applications.
e) Developing efficient chemical/catalyst conversion processes.
f) Development of bio-catalyst and heterogeneous catalyst for production of bio-
diesel.
g) Alternate use of bio products.
h) Data generation and production of bio-diesel from all possible feed-stocks.
i) Response of different available additives and their dosages on the bio-diesel.
j) Effect of bio-diesel on corrosion.
k) Stability of bio-diesel.
l) Engine performance and emissions based on different feed-stock based bio-diesels.
m) Toxicological studies and test to check adulteration.
n) Engine modifications for using more than 20% bio-diesel as blend with diesel.
o) Design and development bio-liquid fuel engines for stationery, portable and
transport applications.
p) Development of second-generation bio-liquid fuels and related applications.
q) Response of different available additives and their dosages on the bio-diesel.
In order to make solar cells and modules cost effective the global R&D efforts are
directed to reduce the consumption of silicon and other materials and improve the
efficiency of solar cells / modules to achieve significant cost reduction. Further, R&D
is also undertaken on non-silicon based solar cell modules and other aspects of PV
systems. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources has been supporting
R&D and technology development in solar photovoltaic technology for more than
three decades. During the 11th Plan period it is envisaged that the cost of solar
photovoltaic modules can be brought down to about Rs. 120 per Wp. In order to
achieve this goal the key areas of R&D and technology development have been
identified. Research, design and development efforts during the 11th plan are
proposed to be focused on development of (i) poly silicon and other materials, (ii)
efficient silicon solar cells, (iii) thin films materials and solar cell modules, (iv)
concentrating PV systems, and (v) PV system design, with the objective of
significantly reducing the ratio of capital cost to conversion efficiency. The following
are the thrust areas for R&D support in solar photovoltaic technology:
Poly Silicon Material
ii. To design, develop and demonstrate at pilot plant scale (about 100 TPA) poly
silicon deposition reactors, based on traditional poly silicon deposition
methods, to reduce the energy consumption to less than 125 kWh/kg of poly
silicon material produced, with the combined trace impurities of heavy metals,
carbon and boron limited to ppb level.
Thin film solar cell modules have potential to reduce the cost of solar modules due to
consumption of less material and energy in the fabrication processes. Amorphous
silicon thin film solar cells were the first to be developed. In the recent years pilot
plants and a few commercial plants based on other thin film solar cell modules
(CdTe, CIGS, silicon) have been set up. It is proposed to take up R&D and pilot plant
demonstration of thin film based modules in the country during the 11th plan, with the
following objectives.
1. To undertake R&D on different processes and device structures to make
laboratory scale small area (2cm x 2cm) devices of efficiency >10% using
CdTe, CIGS and silicon thin films.
In the recent years worldwide R&D efforts are being made to study new materials,
which are easy to deposit and consume significantly less energy. Thin film modules
based on organic materials, dye sensitized and doped with nano materials have
potential to produce solar cells. However, these device structures are in the early
stages of development. It is proposed to established R&D centers in the country to
study these concepts and pursue research in these emerging PV devices.
2. Design and development of new thin film device structures based on dye
sensitized (liquid and solid state) organic, carbon nano tubes, quantum dots
etc. materials. The laboratory scale efficiency of 5 – 10% to be achieved.
At present stand-alone systems use lead acid batteries. However, with low power
consuming LED based systems use of NiMH batteries is also coming up. One of the
major constraints in battery storage system is the limited life of storage batteries.
There is an urgent need to enhance the battery cycle life to get at least 1o years of
operating life. Further, it is also necessary to develop non-lead acid batteries. In
addition, alternative methods of storage, especially to store large quantity of power
for a few hours would substantially improve the viability of grid interactive PV
systems. Therefore, the following tasks have been identified for the 11th Plan.
1. Development of long life (5000 cycles or more) storage batteries suitable for
use in PV systems /applications.
1. Design and development of high efficiency (>50%) motor pump set of output
power of 2 hp, 3 hp and 5 hp to lift water from depth of about 30 – 60 metres.
2. Design and development of small capacity inverter cum charge controller,
with efficiency of 90% or more, suitable for use in solar lighting systems
including LED based lighting systems.
3. Design and development of LED based PV systems for indoor and outdoor
lighting applications
4. Design, development and field-testing of inverters and grid synchronizing
system components (peak efficiency >96% and part load @ 30% efficiency
>88%,) used in residential grid interactive roof top PV systems.
5. Field-testing and performance evaluation of grid interactive rooftop residential
PV systems.
6. Design, development and testing of inverters and grid synchronizing system
components (peak efficiency >96% and part load @ 30% efficiency >88%)
for large size (> 500 kWp capacity) grid connected PV systems.
7. Field-testing and performance evaluation of grid interactive large size PV
power plant.
Activities on research, design and development in the area of solar thermal energy
have been proposed with a view to lead deployment and commercialization of
technologies for power generation, industrial process heat systems, and solar cooling. It
is also envisaged to continue efforts to develop technologies for improvements in the
performance of various low temperature applications with an aim to achieve reduced cost
for the energy delivery. In order to provide a focus to achieve objectives, it is proposed
to solicit project proposals in the following areas:
General:
Quality of mirrors (for use as reflectors), solar receivers (to capture solar
radiation), and other components of the plant will be designed to have life
span of 20 years or more.
A large amount of liquid fossil fuels as well as electricity is being used in industry
to meet heat requirements for various process applications. As per estimates, the
aggregate requirements of fossil oils in industries for producing heat in a temperature
range of above 150oC makes a significant part of the total oil consumption in the country.
Use of solar thermal energy is a potential application in this sector. It is proposed to
undertake R&DD projects in the following areas:
Design and development of parabolic trough collectors for industrial process
heat applications with optical efficiency of greater than 70% and heat loss co-
efficient lower than 1.0 W/m2K.
Development of advanced solar flat plate collectors with optical efficiency
greater than 75% and overall heat loss coefficient lower than 3.0 W/m2K (or
lower).
Various low temperature applications of solar thermal energy, like, solar hot
water systems, sole cookers, solar air-heating systems and solar dryers are already being
deployed in the field. Solar architecture is also being practiced in the country. RD &D
activities are envisaged to improve efficiency of these technologies and to reduce cost. In
addition to this, the following RD&D projects are proposed:
5. Wind Energy
a) Development of software that allow a fast and efficient civil work design.
b) Development of standardized/ systemized hydraulic structures.
c) Development of efficient desilters with high head intakes, of self-cleaning
water intakes, and of trash racks.
d) Guide on the design of power houses.
6.3 Others
7.1 It is proposed to set up a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Facility in the premises of Solar
Energy Centre of the Ministry. This facility will undertake and co-ordinate RD&D on
hydrogen and fuel cell technologies with other R&D groups and industry
IC Engine Route
(i) Design and development of SOFC stacks (5 kW) and of MCFC stacks (10 kW) :
a) Decide which SOFC technology is to be pursued (Planar or Tubular);
b) Develop and optimize component and stack design for SOFC and MCFC.
Identify fuel to be used.
(ii) Design and development of SOFC stacks and of MCFC stacks:
a) Develop various components (electrodes, electrolyte, seals) including
identifying the materials to be used & processing techniques to be adopted.
Design inter-connects (between adjacent cells) and overall current collectors.
b) Design mechanical systems (clamping / stacking arrangements, flow field
design etc.) Finalize stack assembly & testing procedures. Integrate the
complete system and test.
c) Design C&I and inverter systems and incorporate safety systems.
d) Design skid mounted sub-assemblies/ systems for ease of transportation to
site.
e) Install, Commission & test the integrated system.
a) Development of high power, energy density batteries for BOVs and HEVs.
b) Design and development of ultra capacitors.
c) Design and development of control systems, power electronics and electric
drive systems.
d) Design and development of chassis.
e) Development of BOVs with long operating range
f) Development of HEVs, based on IC engine and storage batteries to
significantly reduce the emissions and improve the performance range of the
vehicles
g) Development of HEVs, based on IC engine and fuel cells to significantly
reduce the emissions and improve the performance range of the vehicles
9. Geothermal Energy
In India, 340 hot spring sites have been identified with a maximum temperature recorded
at the surface being 920C. A 5 kW binary cycle power plant which was set up at
Manikaran, Himachal Pradesh was damaged on account of a land slide. Magnetotelluric
studies are being conducted through a National Geophysical Research Institute,
Hyderabad to assess the potential at Puga Valley in Jammu & Kashmir.
During the 11th Plan resource assessment for estimating potential of geothermal for
power generation will be continued using magnotelluric techniques. Chemical analysis
of hot springs where power generation is feasible will also be carried out. Power plants
utilizing low grade steam and water need to be developed indigenously. Drilling at a few
selected sites will also be carried out for power generation. Hot waters could be used for
space heating, industrial, poultry, green houses and other applications.
RD&D for the design, development and testing of 3.65 MW tidal power project at
Durgaduani Greek in Sunderbans in West Bengal is proposed. In addition, other potential
sites will be identified.
The nature of the renewable energy sources are such that many a time one renewable
energy source is not able to address the need for ensuring electricity supply round the
clock and round the year. At some times surplus electricity is generated by the same plant
and some other time of the year electricity is required from the grid. This has necessitated
RD&D activities to be taken up for the development of a suitable electronics, software
and power management systems for automatic inter-connections of various renewable
energy systems. Further, in order that renewable electricity supply becomes dependable
from the consumers perspective this area of RD&D activity is to be provided a serious
impetus and accordingly for the 11th Plan a separate budget provision has been
recommended.
At present storage batteries are widely being used to store energy generated by various
renewable energy systems, when used in decentralized manner. In addition, capacitors are
also being used to store energy, specially in fuel cell vehicles. However, batteries require
periodic replacement. Therefore, it is necessary to focus R&D efforts on development of
improved storage techniques and develop alternate / additional methods of storage such
as super conducting bearing based fly wheel etc. It is proposed to study the prospects of
new and improved methods of storage of energy from renewable energy sources.
Collaborative research will be taken up in co-ordination with specialized R&D centres
working in the country on different storage methods.
Annexure-II
File No.1/1/2005-R&D
Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources
(R&D Division)
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Research, Design & Development and Manufacture of New and Renewable
Energy: Aims, Focus, Manufacturing Areas, Activity, Deployment Aims &
Needs, Partners, Monitoring, Committee Composition, Procedure an Guidelines
The R&D Advisory Committee of MNES had been set up in 1994 for the purpose of
giving guidance on the overall direction and quantum of R&D in New and Renewable Energy
Sector to be supported in consonance with the aim of “energy self sufficiency”. This
Committee appraised and recommended over 500 R&D projects to be supported in different
institutions across the country.
2.0 Aims
2.1 The need to refocus attention on Research, Design & Development (RD&D) has arisen.
The underlying purpose of RD&D effort is to make industry competitive. A comprehensive
statistic that measures competitiveness is net foreign exchange earning. Accordingly, RD&D
effort has to make the country a net foreign exchange earner in the New and Renewable
Energy Sector. In addition, the share of indigenously designed, developed and manufactured
new and renewable energy systems/ devices has also to be taken into account and consequently
monitored for its eventual growth to a dominant position.
3.0 Role
3.1 Research, Design & Development and Manufacture of new and renewable energy
systems/ devices for transportation, portable and stationary applications for rural, urban,
industrial and commercial sectors through:
(vii) Carrying out Renewable Energy Resource Survey, Assessment and Mapping.
(viii) Providing sustained feed-back to manufacturers on performance parameters of new and
renewable energy products and services with the aim of effecting continuous
upgradation so as to attain international levels in the shortest possible time span;
(ix) Providing cost-competitive new and renewable energy supply options.
4.1 Activities would focus on research, design and development that would lead to eventual
manufacture of complete systems, even if those activities are required to be shared among
different institutions. Thus, there would be a need for system integration broadly covering the
following areas: -
(i) Alternate Fuels (hydrogen, bio & synthetic) to supplement and eventually
substitute liquid hydrocarbons;
(ii) Green Initiative for Future Transport (GIFT) based on Alternate Fuels for land,
air & sea applications to supplement and eventually substitute fossil-fuel
systems;
(iii) Green Initiative for Power Generation (GIPS) based on Alternate Fuels for
stationary & portable power generation applications to supplement and
eventually substitute fossil-fuel systems;
(iv) Standalone new and renewable energy products to provide cost-effective energy
for cooking, lighting and motive power;
(v) Distributed new and renewable energy systems to provide cost-competitive
energy supply options for cooking, lighting and motive power to offset load on
the grid;
(vi) New and renewable energy products for urban, industrial and commercial
applications, including energy recovery from urban and industrial wastes and
effluents to aim at conservation of energy; and
(vii) MW scale grid interactive renewable electricity systems to contribute towards
bridging the gap between fossil fuel based electricity generation supply and
demand.
6.0 Activities
6.1 RD&D activities in new and renewable energy sector shall include:
7.1 RD&D activities shall be oriented towards meeting system/ equipment requirement for
the following deployment aims:
(a) Energy recovery from industrial wastes where suitable waste is available
across the country – by 2032.
(b) Solar Water heating systems - 100% coverage of potential industries - by
2032.
(c) Cogeneration - 100% coverage of potential sugar and other biomass
based industry - by 2032.
8.0 Partners
9.0 Monitoring
11.1 Members cannot nominate others to take their place on the RD&D Project Appraisal
Committee. However, AS&FA, MNRE may depute Director (IFD), MNRE as his
representative, in case he is otherwise pre-occupied. Group Heads, MNRE shall be permanent
invitees.
11.2 The RD&D Appraisal Committee shall draw up a list of sector specialists/ referees,
who have no conflict of interest either directly or indirectly with the project proposal that is to
be referred to them.
11.3 Group Heads will develop RD&D projects in consultation with the concerned industry/
institution and solicit proposals through advertisements placed in newspapers and on the
MNRE website.
11.4 R&D projects may be taken up by Universities, research institutions, R&D laboratories
and industry, individually or as a consortium. As far as possible, R&D projects should be
taken with industry as end-users to ensure that they are involved right from the conception
stage of the project. Such projects should clearly quantify outputs, that should be challenging
and bench-marked to pre-identified aims.
11.5 As and when R&D proposals are received the respective Group Head shall refer the
proposal to at least three referees for projects up to Rs. 5 crore and five referees for proposals
exceeding Rs.5 crore. In each case at least 2 or 3 referees should support the project.
11.6 Group Heads shall forward RD&D project proposals to the Member-Secretary in
prescribed formats (available on the website of the Ministry) for inclusion in the Agenda.
11.7 The Member-Secretary shall place only those RD&D project proposals received from
Group Heads which are in the prescribed format before the RD&D Project Appraisal
Committee for consideration.
11.8 The Committee would consider RD&D proposals, irrespective of financial outlay, but
would recommend to the competent authority only those projects whose estimated cost is up to
and inclusive of Rs.5 crore. Projects whose outlay exceeds Rs.5 crore would need to be placed
before PIB/ EFC/ CASE for consideration.
11.9 Financial assistance for RD&D projects that involve partnership with industry should
normally be restricted to 50% of the project cost. However, any proposal from Universities,
Government research institutions etc. Ministry may provide upto100% funding, depending on
project priority.
11.10 In case there is a request from industry for financial support in excess of the percentage
indicated in paragraph 11.9 above, the same will have to be justified on the ground that the
time-horizon for technological maturity and for developing long-term competitiveness at large.
11.11 30% of the total assistance minus institutional charges/ overheads would be released
initially along with the sanction. Similar amounts would be sanctioned based on achievement
of aims and progress of implementation of the project. The final 10% along with institutional
charges/ overheads would be released only after successful completion of the project and on
receipt of project completion report and evaluation thereon by the Committee.
11.12 For all projects that are approved by the Ministry, the concerned Group/ Division shall
issue the sanction and make all releases of financial assistance on achievement of milestones
from a common budget head. Copies of all such sanctions would be sent to all the Group
Heads, the Member-Secretary and IF Division.
11.13 Completed project reports along with an evaluation note of the Committee shall be
placed in the Library after certification by the Member-Secretary.
12.1 The grantee organization(s)/ Inventor(s) are required to seek protection of Intellectual
Property Rights for the results/ output of the sanctioned RD&D projects and shall share royalty/
proceeds of sale of IPR in accordance with the guidelines given below: -
i) The Government shall have a royalty-free license/ marching right for the use of
the Intellectual Property for the purposes of the Government of India and this
Ministry reserves the right to require the institution and the industry to license
others and that anyone exclusively licensed to market the innovation in India,
must manufacture the product in India.
ii) In case MNES files patents (when grantee organization is unable to file a patent)
any earnings accruing from transfer and commercialization shall be shared
equally by this Ministry with the Institution and the generator of the Intellectual
Property. However, wherever the expected earnings are above Rs 10 lakh, the
proportion of sharing can be 40% for the institution, 40% for this Ministry and
20% to the generator of Intellectual Property.
iii) The grantee organization(s) is permitted to retain the benefits arising out of the
IPR provided 1/3rd of the actual earnings is paid to the inventor(s)/ generator(s)
of Intellectual Property and not less than 25% of such earnings is credited into a
fund called ‘Patent Fund’. The ‘Patent Fund’ should be utilized by the
institution for renewal of the patent, protection of rights against infringements,
for creating awareness and building competency on IPR and related issues and
filing of new patents.
iv) If the patent is taken jointly by the institution, MNES and industry and if the
industry has contributed at least one-third of the project cost, the industry (and
its associate) shall have the first right to commercialize the innovation, without
paying any royalty, within one year of the completion of the project. The
industry shall have exclusive right to commercialize for another two years after
paying royalty. Subsequently, the technology can be transferred to any other
industry for commercialization.
v) The institution and industry may transfer the technology to another industry for
commercialization, on terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon, on
non-exclusive basis under intimation to MNES. Any earnings accruing from
such a transfer and commercialization shall be shared between the institution
and the industry as may be mutually agreed to. The details of the agreement,
amounts-received, annual sales turnover of the product shall be intimated
periodically to this Ministry.
This issues with the approval of the Minister of New and Renewable Energy.
(Dr. A. R. Shukla)
Director (R&D)
(Dr. A. R. Shukla)
Director (R&D)
Annexure-III
Salient features of R&D project development, appraisal system and available financial
support for public-private-academia partnership R&D projects
a) MNRE Group Heads develop RD&D projects in consultation with the concerned
industry/ institution and solicit proposals through advertisements placed in newspapers
and on the MNRE website.
b) RD&D Proposals received directly from different PIs working in various institutions,
industry or their consortiums are also considered provided covered in the overall
RD&D goals and thrust areas of renewable energy set up by the Ministry.
d) As far as possible, RD&D projects are to be taken with industry as end-users to ensure
that they are involved right from the conception stage of the project.
e) The RD&D projects should clearly quantify outputs, that should be challenging and
bench-marked to pre-identified aims.
b) The received RD&D proposals are to be referred to renewable energy sector specialists/
referees, who have no conflict of interest either directly or indirectly with the project
proposal.
c) As and when R&D proposals are received the respective Group Head refer the proposal
to at least three referees for projects up to Rs. 5 crore and five referees for proposals
exceeding Rs.5 crore. In each case at least 2 or 3 referees should support the project.
d) The appraised projects in the area of renewable energy are considered by the ‘RD&D
Project Appraisal Committee’ set up under the chairmanship of Secretary, MNRE.
a) Financial assistance for RD&D projects that involve partnership with industry is
normally restricted to 50% of the project cost. However, any proposal from
Universities, Government research institutions etc. Ministry may provide upto100%
funding, depending on project priority.
b) In case there is a request from industry for financial support in excess of the percentage
indicated above, the same will have to be justified on the ground that the time-horizon
for technological maturity and for developing long-term competitiveness at large.
c) 30% of the total assistance minus institutional charges/ overheads would be released
initially along with the sanction. Similar amounts would be sanctioned based on
achievement of aims and progress of implementation of the project.
d) The final 10% along with institutional charges/ overheads would be released only after
successful completion of the project and on receipt of project completion report and
evaluation thereon by the Committee.
e) For all projects that are approved by the Ministry, the concerned Group/ Division shall
issue the sanction and make all releases of financial assistance on achievement of
milestones.