IIT Madras, ESC UK to work on Net Zero innovation, sustainability
Chennai, May 14 (UNI) The IIT Madras Energy Consortium has signed a MoU with Energy Systems Catapult (ESC), a leading UK government-backed innovation Centre supporting the transition to a net-zero energy system, to work on energy innovation and sustainability.
This partnership opens new opportunities for cross-border knowledge exchange, applied research, and commercialisation of clean energy technologies, a release from IIT-Madras said on Wednesday.
Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, ESC is part of a network of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government,
research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.
The MoU was signed in the IIT Madras campus on Tuesday.
IIT-Madras was represented by Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), Prof. Satya Seshadri, Faculty Head, and Nikhil Tambe CEO - The Energy Consortium. ESC was represented by Mr. Brendan O'Neill- Advisor, Innovator Support and International, with Ms. Babita Sharma- Senior Net Zero Advisor, British High Commission, New Delhi, being present.
Highlighting the key aspects of this collaboration, Prof. Satya Seshadri said,'The Energy Consortium was founded with a clear mission, to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into scalable, real-world energy solutions. Our vision is to build a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem that brings together academia, industry, and policymakers to address the most pressing energy challenges of our time."
"We are particularly focused on fostering international partnerships that enhance innovation and knowledge exchange, while aligning with India's broader sustainability goals. Through these efforts,
we aim to be a catalyst in driving the global transition to clean energy and advancing our collective journey toward a net-zero future', he said.
Mr. Brendan O'Neill said this collaboration will unlock solutions to key challenges in the decarbonisation of energy and transport systems in the UK, Tamil Nadu and India by bringing together academia, industry, and innovators from both countries to share knowledge and seek
out new ways to collaborate.
Dr. Nikhil Tambe said the Energy Consortium's central purpose is Accelerating Net Zero by driving
a global collaborative effort that is bringing industry, academia and governments together.
In the backdrop of the recently announced historic UK-India free trade deal there exists a tremendous opportunity to leverage our mutual strengths and we look forward to harnessing Catapult expertise, he said.
Ms. Babita Sharma spoke on 'Strengthening the UK–India Net Zero Alliance'.
This collaboration is aimed at facilitating joint innovation programs in renewable energy, smart grids, energy storage, electric mobility, green hydrogen, green ports and maritime and supporting policy and regulatory innovation through joint workshops and studies tailored to Indian and UK context.
The MoU will also enable greater access to global innovation networks, especially for Indian startups and researchers, through ESC's connection with UK Catapult centres and funding platforms.
This will further strengthen IIT Madras' long-standing collaboration with the UK in the energy sector and reflected the shared commitment between IIT Madras and Energy Systems Catapult UK to
advancing clean energy innovation and international partnerships.
UNI GV 1600
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Painting believed to be only one Mahatma Gandhi sat for going under hammer at Bonhams
TOI correspondent from London : An oil portrait believed to be the only painting Mahatma Gandhi ever sat for is going under the hammer at Bonhams in July with an estimate of £50,000-£70,000 (Rs 58 lakh to Rs 81 lakh. ) It is the first time this portrait has ever been sold at auction as it remained in British artist Clare Leighton's collection until her death in 1989, after which it was passed down through her family. Leighton, reputed for her wooden engravings, was introduced to Gandhi when he visited London in 1931 to attend the Second Round Table Conference. At the time, she was in a relationship with political journalist Henry Noel Brailsford, who was a passionate supporter of Indian Independence. He had travelled to India in 1930 where he met key Independence figures. Afterwards he published the book 'Rebel India', met Gandhi in London in 1931 and introduced Leighton to him. She became one of very few artists admitted to his office and was given the opportunity to sit with him to sketch and paint him in 1931. In Nov 1931 Leighton showcased her portraits at the Albany Galleries in London. The following month, Gandhi's personal secretary, Mahadev Desai, wrote a letter to Leighton, a copy of which is attached to the backing board, which reads: 'It was such a pleasure to have had you here for many mornings doing Mr Gandhi's portrait.' According to the artist's family, the portrait was on public display in 1974 when it was allegedly attacked with a knife by a Hindu right-wing activist. The catalogue entry states: 'We have found no documentation to corroborate this, but the painting shows signs of restoration to what appears to be repaired tears in several places. A label attached to the backing board confirms the painting was restored in 1974 by the Lyman Allyn Museum Conservation Laboratory. ' 'There is nothing comparable to this painting in existence as it was painted in his lifetime and was a painting that he sat for on multiple occasions,' Rhyanon Demery, head of sale, told TOI. The auction takes place from 7 to 15 July.
Hindustan Times
31 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump signs order to double steel, aluminium import tariffs to 50%
New Delhi: A 50% tariff on steel and aluminium imports into the United States went into effect on Wednesday, doubling the previous rate as President Donald Trump cited national security concerns for the dramatic escalation in trade protections. The new tariff rates, increased from an earlier 25% rate, were announced by Trump in a statement on Tuesday. The president claimed legal authority to impose the tariffs through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to address national security risks arising from imports. 'In my judgement, the increased tariffs will more effectively counter foreign countries that continue to offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminium in the United States market and thereby undercut the competitiveness of the United States steel and aluminium industries,' read Trump's statement released by the White House. Trump said the earlier 25% tariff rates, first announced in February and implemented on March 12, had helped America's steel industry but had not enabled companies to maintain the capacity needed to meet national defence needs. 'I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminium articles and their derivative articles,' Trump said. The tariff increase comes amid broader trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation. Several countries, including India, have formally challenged the US measures, characterising them as 'safeguard measures' that violate WTO rules and threaten retaliatory action. In May, India formally notified the WTO that it viewed America's tariffs on steel and aluminium as safeguard measures and indicated it could suspend 'concessions and other obligations' given to the US and that it retains the right to enforce retaliatory measures. On May 22, America rejected India's characterisation of the tariffs as safeguard measures and refused to engage in talks on the matter. The introduction of tariffs has proven controversial within the US. The America Iron and Steel Institute, an industry group, has welcomed the increased tariffs as a necessary measure to protect domestic producers from cheaper foreign competition. However, manufacturers using steel as input for production have publicly raised concerns that more expensive steel will impact competitiveness across other domestic industries. For India specifically, the consequences are direct and substantial. According to the Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI), a New Delhi-based research group, India exported $4.56 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminium products to the US in FY2025, with key categories including $587.5 million in iron and steel, $3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel, and $860 million in aluminium and related articles. 'These exports are now exposed to sharply higher US tariffs, threatening the profitability of Indian producers and exporters,' the GTRI said in a brief.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
After US, Amul launches milk in Spain, EU
Vadodara: After making waves in the United States, home-grown dairy giant Amul has now stepped into Europe, launching its fresh milk products in Spain and the European Union (EU). The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (Amul Fed) announced a strategic partnership with Spain's premier dairy cooperative, Cooperativa Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP), to bring Amul milk to European shelves. The official launch ceremony was held at the Indian Embassy in Madrid and was attended by dignitaries including Dinesh K Patnaik, India's ambassador to Spain; D Fernando Heredia Noguera, deputy director for International Relations and Community Affairs at the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; Ricardo Delgado Vizcaíno, president of COVAP and senior executives from Amul. Initially, Amul milk will be available in Madrid and Barcelona, with plans to expand soon to Malaga, Valencia, Alicante, Seville, Córdoba, and even Lisbon in neighbouring Portugal. Looking ahead, Amul aims to spread its presence to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and beyond. Jayen Mehta, managing director of GCMMF, expressed pride in the collaboration: "Partnering with COVAP, a respected Spanish dairy cooperative, allows us to nourish Spanish consumers with the goodness of Amul milk. This is the first time Amul fresh milk is being launched in Europe and it aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make Amul a truly global dairy brand." Marking the United Nations' International Year of Cooperatives in 2025, Mehta added, "We are confident that Amul will connect with Indians worldwide and showcase the power of cooperation between dairy cooperatives." Ricardo Delgado Vizcaíno highlighted the mutual benefits: "This partnership helps both COVAP's farmer-members and Indian dairy farmers grow their brands, combining COVAP's technology and high-quality milk with Amul's renowned global reputation." Founded in 1959 in Córdoba, COVAP is a key player in Andalusia's agri-food sector with over 2,000 farmer-members. Its state-of-the-art dairy plant processes more than 400 million litres of milk annually and exports to over 30 countries, including the US, UK, and Asia. Amul, the world's largest farmer-owned dairy cooperative, processes over 12 billion litres of milk annually. With a brand turnover exceeding $11 billion, Amul ranks as the eighth-largest milk processor globally, operating 112 dairy plants across India and handling 42 million litres of milk per day.
