ENERGY CONSORTIUM

Accelerating Net Zero

CARBONLITE CHRONICLES:
QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM THE ENERGY CONSORTIUM
OCTOBER 2024

THE ROAD AHEAD

A Message From The CEO

Dear Energy Enthusiasts,

This past quarter marked a significant milestone for the Energy Consortium as we embarked on setting up a chapter at the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus. A roundtable that was hosted in Dar Es Salaam on committing towards Responsive Engagement with Africa, proved to be an exceptional opportunity to engage with fellow leaders in the region in shaping the future of energy landscape. It has offered us critical insights into the real energy priorities of African nations. We saw representation from Kenya, Botswana and Nigeria in addition to Tanzania and were fortunate to hear rich viewpoints from the Young African Leaders Initiative, Power Africa, PANA Holdings, RTI and Solarise Africa.

We now have a working advisory council constituting, Director in charge Preeti Aghalayam and her advisor Dr Vikram Rao, both representing IIT Madras Zanzibar campus, Dean Raghu Rengaswamy and Prof Satya Seshadri, Faculty in charge of Energy Consortium and Advisor -Global Research, both for the Office of Global Engagement, IIT Madras and myself, that will be working on identifying strategic projects for the Energy Consortium chapter. We have already initiated one such partnership and the newsletter highlights it.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras inaugurated its Zanzibar Campus last June with the aim of extending quality education to Africa. As a committed partner in the future of sustainable energy in Africa, the campus will host a chapter of the Energy Consortium, IIT Madras. The Energy Consortium is committed to positively contributing to Africa’s carbon-free energy, with a strong emphasis on regional strengths and specifically contributing towards IIT Madras Zanzibar campus’ aspirations for academic excellence and community impact.

Warm regards,
Nikhil S Tambe, PhD
CEO – The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras

POWERING CONVERSATIONS

Strengthening Energy Research Partnership with Shell

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras hosted a senior leadership delegation from Shell, marking the second anniversary of the company’s founding membership. The visit aimed to discuss ongoing activities at the Shell IITM Centre for Energy Research (SICER) and explore opportunities for further collaboration.

The delegation comprising Robin Mooldijk, Rebecca Dalton McGarr, Anne O’Halloran, Ajay Mehta, and Dr. Marwa Alansary, engaged with IITM faculty and researchers to delve into the centre’s work on critical energy transition challenges. SICER’s focus on bilateral R&D, participation in the Energy Consortium, and incubation of energy startups through IITM’s vibrant startup ecosystem, aligns closely with Shell’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

The presence of a Shell Chair Professor at IITM further strengthens the partnership and their active involvement in the Energy Consortium has been instrumental in driving innovation and addressing the multifaceted challenges of energy transition.

Sustainable energy solutions for Africa

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras welcomed Daere A. Akobo and a leadership delegation from PANA Holdings, PE Energy Ltd, and AKD Digital Solutions. Along with them, Dr Arunkumar Ranganathan and his team from Infosys, a founding member of the Energy Consortium were also present.

The discussions focused on the Consortium’s efforts to accelerate net zero goals, including the establishment of a new chapter at the IIT Madras Zanzibar campus. The delegation expressed interest in adapting and co-developing technologies that have been successfully implemented in India, for African markets, aligning with the Consortium’s commitment to global energy solutions.

Daere Akobo, an award-winning entrepreneur and philanthropist, has significantly contributed to sustainable energy development in Africa. PANA Holdings, a leading pan-African conglomerate, promotes sustainable energy and drives economic growth through its portfolio companies, including PE Energy Ltd and AKD Digital Solutions Ltd.

ENERGY BRIEFS

A Step Forward Towards Net Zero

As we continue our journey towards a sustainable future, the Energy Consortium, IIT Madras presents another thought-provoking article in its series, ‘One Step Towards A Low Carbon Future.’

Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri shares insights on a utility-wise approach to achieve net zero. By focusing on air, water, heating, cooling, and electricity, we can systematically tackle the climate crisis.

Let’s harness the power of innovation, collaboration, and collective will to build a sustainable India for future generations.

Advancing CO2 Capture Techniques: In Conversation with Dr. Jitendra Sangwai, INAE Fellowship Awardee

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras is thrilled to acknowledge Dr. Jitendra Sangwai, Professor, Chemical Engineering, for being awarded the prestigious Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) Fellowship! This recognition is a testament to his significant contributions to the field of engineering.

Dr. Sangwai’s current research focuses on innovative strategies for CO2 capture and sequestration, addressing the pressing challenge of climate change. In an interview, he reflects on his journey and shares his future research plans.

Accelerating Net Zero: Launch of the White Paper Series

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras has officially launched the first issue of its white paper series under the theme ‘Accelerating Net Zero.’ Unveiled during Industry Day, this inaugural white paper features significant contributions from faculty members.

Key articles include Prof. Rajnish Kumar’s Exploration Of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), Prof. Kothandaraman Ramanujam’s Insights On Advances In Green Ammonia, Dr. Rahul Muralidharan & Dr. Nikhil Tambe’s Analysis Of Scope 3 Emissions, and Ajay Patil & Aayushee Singh’s discussion on The PPP Model For Financing Climate Initiatives.

The white paper is now available for download on our website, providing valuable perspectives and recommendations for industry stakeholders and researchers alike. This initiative aims to foster informed discussions and collaborative actions towards achieving a sustainable and net-zero future.

WORKSHOP & SYMPOSIA

Engaging Dialogues with energy stakeholders in Denmark

The INNOWIND project is at its mid-way point and through excellent interactions organized by Nikoline Bak of Energy Cluster Denmark, The Energy Consortium-IITM caught up with energy stakeholders in Copenhagen, Riso, Aalborg and Esbjerg.

Dr. Gregor Giebel (DTU) and Prof. Kaushik Das detailed about the advancements in hybrid renewable power generation, the microgrid demonstrator with hydrogen electrolyzer and battery storage at DTU – Technical University of Denmark. The faculty team at Aalborg University shared their advances on power electronics, converters and controllers for energy islands. Carolijn van Noort and Sun Cole Seeberg Dyremose of the Centre for Blue Governance explained about their important work on marine governance research under the PERMAGOV EU project, and with Energy and Climate Academy.

Torben Kirkegaard and Carsten Bondo Ellegaard of Aprendio highlighted on the importance of a green skills academy. Lars Jøker and Lucia Mortensen from Port of Aalborg shared about their ‘gate to great’ approach for making sustainable ports a reality. Special thanks to the site manager and the safety head from CS Wind offshore for sharing about some of the world’s largest machines – the mammoth 2500 tonnes, 60 meter tall, offshore wind platforms at the Esbjerg port.

Fantastic update from Thomas Von-Ahlers on the concept-product lifecycle of the ACOMAR project and to gather insights from Per Hessellund Lauritsen on Siemens Gamesa’s outlook on accelerating the transition to green energy. It was nice to discuss our ongoing projects and share some intriguing learnings on marine spatial planning with team members from the Danish Energy Agency as well.

For more information on INNOWIND India:
https://www.energycluster.dk/projekter/innowind-india/

Climafix Summit 2024: A Catalyst for Climate Tech Innovation

The Climafix Summit 2024, a joint initiative by The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras and Energy Alternatives India (EAI), held on September 20-21 at the IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), brought together innovators, experts, and stakeholders from across the globe.

Over the two-days, Climafix fostered ground breaking ideas, motivated young innovators, and provided a platform for showcasing innovative solutions to address climate challenges. Through impactful talks, pitch fests, VC interactions, and engaging tech transfer sessions, the summit created a dynamic environment for collaboration and knowledge sharing. We eagerly anticipate the impactful outcomes that will drive further innovation in sustainability.

EDUCATION

2024 Summer Internship: Shaping Future Leaders in Energy Innovation

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras Summer Internship Program 2024 has successfully concluded, providing ten talented students with a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge energy research.

Under the guidance of leading experts in the field, the interns worked on goal-oriented mini-projects, enhancing their knowledge of energy generation, storage, distribution, and other critical aspects of the energy sector. The program offered a unique chance to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges and develop essential skills for a successful career in the energy sector.

The Energy Consortium extends its best wishes to the interns as they continue their journey towards impactful and enriching careers in the energy industry.

Empowering the Next Generation: Workshop on Energy Transition Technologies

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras and PALS, a collaborative initiative between IIT alumni and engineering students, hosted a workshop focused on energy transition technologies, particularly Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) – a crucial aspect of mitigating climate change.

Over 100 engineering students and faculty from various institutions, attended the inaugural event of the jointly organized “Theory to Practice and Lab Visits” series featuring both informative talks and lab visits. The workshop offered invaluable insights into the field of energy transition, providing students with a deeper understanding of the latest advancements and potential career paths.

Through engaging talks, workshops, and networking opportunities, PALS aims to foster a strong connection between academia and industry. By equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills, PALS empowers them to excel in their engineering careers.

NEWS

Global Experts Convene for Two-Day Workshop on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

A two-day workshop on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), jointly organized by NITI Aayog, the US Department of Energy, and the Bureau of Energy Resources, US Department of State, brought together experts from around the globe to discuss innovative solutions for decarbonizing the hard-to-abate sectors.

The third session of the workshop focused on international standards for CCUS, featuring ISO/TC 265 and case studies on how countries adopt standards to implement regulations.

A distinguished panel of experts from IOM Law, Advance Resources International Inc., IIT Bombay, DGH, Indian Institute of Sustainable Development, JSPL, and the IEA shared their insights in a session moderated by Dr. Mark de Figueiredo, Director of the Office of Policy, Analysis, and Engagement at the US Department of Energy.

The academic community was well represented by Prof. Vikram Vishal from IIT Bombay and Prof. S. P. Pradhan from IIT Roorkee, contributing to insightful discussions that reinforced the role of CCUS in advancing global decarbonisation efforts.

Celebrating Industry-Academia Collaboration: Arvind Kumar of Indian Oil Felicitated

The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras was honoured to recognize the significant contributions made by our founding member Chennai Petroleum Corp. Ltd. (Indian Oil), led by Arvind Kumar, former MD of CPCL and now Director (Refineries) at Indian Oil Corp Limited.

Arvind Kumar played a pivotal role in fostering industry-academia collaboration and created an environment conducive for research and innovation. It was our privilege to have V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras felicitate Arvind Kumar for his exceptional contributions.

This collaboration, which began just over a year ago with CPCL joining as a founding member, has already evolved into a broader mandate, highlighted by the recent establishment of the CPCL-IITM Research Cell. We also had the pleasure of wishing H. Shankar great success in his new role as the MD (in charge) of CPCL. Together, we look forward to strengthening our partnership and exploring new areas of collaboration between the two organizations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Energy Summit 2024: A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future

Building on the success of previous years, the Energy Summit 2024 will take place in Melbourne, Australia, from November 26-29. Hosted by Deakin University at the Burwood Corporation Centre, this premier event will bring together global energy leaders, researchers, and policymakers committed to shaping the future of our planet.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Marwa Alansary, General Manager of Next-Gen Breakthrough Research at Shell, and Dr. Chandu Visweswariah, Co-Founder & Vice President of CURE100 Croton100, who will share insights alongside discussions on critical energy themes such as Renewable Energy Microgrids, Power System Operation & Planning, Additive Manufacturing for Energy, Energy Storage Solutions (Battery & Hydrogen), AI & IoT in Energy, Cybersecurity for Energy Systems, Business, Policy, Market & Energy, Sustainability, Circular Economy & Future Infrastructure, and Global Energy Collaboration.

Participants can look forward to an engaging program featuring workshops, facility tours, and two interactive conference days, providing a comprehensive understanding of the evolving energy landscape.

International Conference on Energy Conversion & Storage [2025]

The second edition of the International Conference on Energy Conversion & Storage is scheduled for January 27-29 at the TTJ Auditorium, IC&SR Building, IIT Madras, Chennai. This conference will explore the latest advancements in energy storage and conversion, providing a platform to network with industry professionals and researchers while gaining valuable insights into the future of the energy landscape.

Key themes will include Energy Storage and Conversion Systems, Sustainable and Green Practices in Energy Systems, Electrodeposition and Advanced Materials Processing, and Battery Recycling and Material Extraction/Repurposing. Additionally, early career researchers and students can participate in a specialized workshop on advanced electrochemistry, organized in collaboration with the ECS-IITM Student Chapter. For more information, visit https://iecsconf.com/