US DOE announces 3 consortia for $125M US-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center; solar, second-generation biofuels and buildings
14 April 2012
The US Department of Energy announced the selections for three consortia that will make up the $125-million US-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC). These consortia—led in theUS by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Florida, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)—will bring together experts from national laboratories, universities, and industry in both the US and India.
Consortia researchers will leverage their expertise and resources in solar technology, advanced biofuels, and building efficiency. The three lead US institutions have partnered with three lead Indian institutions: the Indian Institute of Science-Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology-Hyderabad, and CEPT University-Ahmedabad.
As part of a planned five-year initiative, the Energy Department will make $5 million available in fiscal year 2012. The Department plans to make additional requests to Congress for up to $20 million over the next four years, subject to available appropriations, that will be used to support work conducted by US institutions and individuals.
The Indian Government also committed to funding $25 million over five years that will be used to support work by Indian institutions and individuals. In addition, US and Indian consortia members have pledged more than $75 million in matching funds, for a combined funding total of more than $125 million for joint research and development in solar energy, advanced biofuels, and building energy efficiency.
The Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center is part of the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy. President Obama and Prime Minister Singh launched the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) in November 2009 to accelerate the transition to high performing, low emissions, and energy secure economies. The Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center is included in the partnership’s Research and Development track (PACE-R).
The Deployment track (PACE-D) includes a Clean Energy Finance Center, the public-private Energy Cooperation Program, and a range of bilateral cooperative activities. Since its inception, PACE has mobilized more than $1 billion dollars towards clean energy projects, including smart grid development; energy efficiency in buildings, appliances, and industries; and a wide range of renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and advanced biofuels.
Details of the three winning consortia are as follows:
Solar Energy: The consortium’s research will focus on sustainable photovoltaics, multiscale concentrated solar power, and solar energy integration.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will lead the US team that includes Sandia National Laboratories; RAND Corporation; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Arizona State University; Carnegie Mellon University; Colorado School of Mines; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Purdue University; Stanford University; University of Central Florida; University of South Florida; Washington University in St. Louis; Corning Incorporated; General Electric Company; Konarka Technologies, Inc.; MEMC Corporation; and Solarmer Energy Inc.
The Indian Institute of Science-Bangalore will lead the Indian team that includes the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay; Center for the Study of Science, Technology and Policy; International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials; Solar Energy Centre; Indian Institute of Technology-Madras; Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science; S Clique Developments Ltd.; Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.; Moser Baer India Ltd.; Thermax Ltd.; TurboTech Precision; Engineering Ltd.; and Wipro Ltd.
2nd Generation Biofuels: The consortium will focus on development of sustainable advanced lignocellulosic biofuel systems.
The University of Florida will lead the US team that includes University of Missouri; Virginia Tech; Montclair State University; Texas A&M University; Show Me Energy; and Green Technologies.
The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology-Hyderabad will lead the Indian team that includes International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics-Hyderabad; Directorate of Sorghum Research-Hyderabad; Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University; Rajamatha Vijayaraje Sindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalay; Centre for Economic and Social Studies; Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi; Indian Institute of Technology-Chennai; Abellon Clean Energy.
Energy Efficiency of Buildings: The consortium will focus on the integration of information technology with building controls and physical systems for commercial and high-rise residential buildings.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will lead the U.S. team that includes Oak Ridge National Laboratory; University of California Berkeley; Carnegie Mellon University; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Autodesk, Inc.; California Energy Commission; Delphi; enLighted, Inc.; Honeywell; Infosys Public Services; Ingersoll-Rand/Trane; Lighting Science Group Corp.; Nexant; Saint Gobain Corp./SAGE Electrochromics; SynapSense; The Weidt Group; Bay Area Photovoltaic Consortium; City of San Jose; HOK Architects; Natural Resources Defense Council.
CEPT University-Ahmedabad will lead the Indian team that includes International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad; Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur; Indian Institute of Technology Bombay; Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad; Auroville Center for Scientific Research; Asahi India Glass; Biodiversity Conservation India; Infosys Technologies; Neosilica Technologies; Oorja Energy Engineering Services; Paharpur Business Centre/Green Spaces; PLUSS Polymers; Philips Electronics India; Saint Gobain Corp.; Schneider Electric India; Sintex Industries Limited; Skyshade Daylights; Wipro EcoEnergy; Glazing Society of India; Indian Green Building Center/Confederation of Indian Industries; Indian Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers; Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited; Indian Society of Lighting Engineers.
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