Latest news with #Neeri
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
India must become more energy-efficient for sustainable growth: IIT-Jodhpur director
1 2 Nagpur: By increasing the share of renewables, electrifying end-use sectors, and utilizing biomass-enabled carbon capture, India could potentially save 36.9 GW of energy demand, said Avinash Kumar Agarwal, director of IIT-Jodhpur, on Tuesday. Agarwal, who was delivering the keynote address at the 'Energy Dialogues: Clean. Viable. Inclusive' workshop organized by CSIR-Neeri, stressed India must become more energy-efficient to ensure sustainable growth. G Sridhar, director general, SSS-NIBE, Kapurthala, and Thallada Bhaskar, director, CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal, were the guests of honour. "Energy consumption is directly tied to economic growth," Agrawal said, noting that India's per capita greenhouse gas emissions are low. Referring to India's Panchamrit goals, he said, "While we are aiming for 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, India's high coal consumption (400 million tonnes/year) necessitates the development of efficient coal technologies, including exploring high-ash coal and hydrogen (blue to green), for future energy solutions. " He urged scientists to focus on the development of green fuels compatible with IC engines to facilitate a more inclusive and sustainable energy transition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available Original Adidas Shop Now Undo Neeri director S Venkata Mohan stressed energy access is a fundamental right. Neeri chief scientist Nitin Labhsetwar said, "India must chart its own low-emission growth path, rather than blindly emulating Western models." Later, Agarwal chaired a session moderated by Labhsetwar, which brought together leading scientists and innovators committed to tackling climate change with home-grown solutions. The central theme of the discussion was how Neeri is gearing up to take sustainability to the next level with several ambitious initiatives. The institute is focusing heavily on scaling up carbon capture technologies that can reduce industrial emissions effectively, alongside developing integrated solar-biomass hybrid energy systems designed to maximise clean power generation even in rural areas. The panellists made it clear that these projects are not just lab experiments but are being designed for real-world impact solutions that will reach communities, industries and policymakers alike. Amit Bansiwal, chief scientist at Neeri, spoke passionately about the institute's roadmap to embed sustainability across every stage of a product's life cycle, ensuring environmental responsibility is built into development from the ground up. Avneesh Anshul, principal scientist at Neeri, emphasised Neeri's commitment to making clean technologies accessible and practical for India's diverse population, highlighting collaborations with industry partners to bring innovations from pilot stages to large-scale adoption. S Venkata Mohan outlined plans to strengthen grass roots innovation, encouraging local solutions that align with national sustainability goals. The event concluded on an optimistic note, reinforced by LITU VC Atul Vaidya's call for a science-driven future that balances innovation with social and environmental needs.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Neeri's energy dialogues: Top scientists to brainstorm on sustainable transitions
Nagpur: In response to escalating climate urgency and soaring energy demands, the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) has convened a one-day brainstorming session, 'Energy Dialogues: Clean. Viable. Inclusive', on Tuesday at a city hotel. The event will bring together leading scientists from IITs, NITs, and premier institutions, including IIT Jodhpur director Prof Avinash Kumar Agarwal, IIT Delhi's Prof SK Tyagi, LITU vice-chancellor Atul Vaidya, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research's Prof Vivek Polshettiwar, alongside experts from CSIR institutions. The session aims to draft a white paper on energy policy for submission to the govt, fostering evidence-based policymaking. Led by Neeri director Dr S Venkata Mohan, a globally recognised expert in waste remediation, biorefineries, bioelectrochemical systems, and circular bioeconomy, the workshop will focus on three pillars: Clean, viable, and inclusive energy development. As India strides toward its net-zero goals, the dialogue will explore actionable pathways in clean energy generation, emission control, green skilling, and carbon finance. Addresing a press conference on Monday, Dr Mohan emphasised Neeri's pioneering role in advancing research on microbial electrochemical systems, biorefineries, and waste valorisation, stating, "Neeri is spearheading innovative solutions to drive a cleaner, smarter, and inclusive energy ecosystem." The workshop will also address critical challenges in transitioning to sustainable energy. "Biomass, a renewable energy source, can replace fossil fuels through technologies like pyrolysis and gasification, which convert it into cleaner fuels. However, inefficient biomass-burning devices in some regions contribute to poor air quality and health issues. Improving these technologies is vital for vulnerable communities," he said. Carbon finance mechanisms, such as carbon credits, shall be highlighted as key to supporting sustainable biomass projects while meeting environmental standards during the conference. The Energy Dialogues will also deal with equitable phasing-out of fossil fuel plants, emphasising the need for careful planning to avoid economic and environmental fallout. "Retraining workers for renewable energy jobs and implementing robust emission control strategies for energy production and consumption are priorities. Technologies like green hydrogen, cleaner transportation, and carbon capture, paired with improved waste management, will help industries reduce pollution and align with net-zero targets," he said. Chief scientist Dr Nitin Labhsetwar, alongside principal scientists Dr Avneesh Anshul and Dr Ankit Gupta, briefed the media, underscoring the workshop's role in fostering inter-sectoral collaboration. By uniting experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, Neeri's initiative aims to accelerate India's transition to a sustainable, inclusive energy future, ensuring environmental sustainability and social equity.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rlys teams up with Neeri to restore 200-yr-old historic well in Motibagh
Nagpur: The South East Central Railway (SECR), Nagpur division, has joined hands with the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (Neeri) to restore the 200-year-old well at Motibagh Colony. Once a vital water source, the iconic well had become severely polluted due to years of neglect and waste dumping. The SECR and NEERI aim to complete the restoration before World Environment Day on June 5. SECR divisional railway manager (DRM) Deepak Kumar Gupta told TOI that the well's cleaning requires technical expertise and trained manpower. "I visited the site a couple of times. We approached Neeri and planned the restoration in consultation with their scientists," he said. Gupta also mentioned that removing the muck deposited at the bottom of the well requires specialised agencies. "We have shortlisted some agencies with relevant expertise, and the contract will be awarded soon," he added. Residents say the well was once the primary water source for the locality. Pravin Dabli, a former member of the Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee (ZRUCC), welcomed SECR's initiative after a long gap, crediting persistent efforts by locals, including himself. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Humberto Primero (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo However, he expressed disappointment at the lack of visible progress. "Lakhs of litres of water were pumped out, but the cleaning remains incomplete," Dabli said. "The well was flushed to remove garbage and silt from the bottom, but no significant cleaning was done. No effort was made to remove plastic, mud, stones, and other solid waste," he alleged. On Sunday, Dabli claimed that cleaning work had been halted for the past 10 days, although the well has started to recharge naturally. He suggested the well could be used to water trees in the city. "Once the well is fully cleaned, it would be a significant achievement for the city," he added.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
NMC seeks proposals for disposal of seized PoP idols
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is still grappling with the problem if disposing of 1,375 Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols seized during last year's Ganeshotsav. In an attempt to find a sustainable and scientific solution, a recent meeting was chaired by additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant with representatives from multiple the meeting, the Institute of Science expressed interest in managing the disposal process through chemical treatment. The institute proposed converting the PoP from the idols into powder and then using that to manufacture chalks and slates. The civic body asked the institute to submit a detailed project proposal outlining the year, before Ganeshotsav, NMC's nuisance detection squad confiscated 1,375 PoP idols from sculptors across all 10 zones of the city. Though the civic body approached the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for guidance on proper disposal, no concrete action plan was provided, leaving the matter light of the impasse, NMC has now begun consulting environmental and scientific organisations. The meeting saw participation from deputy municipal commissioner Rajesh Bhagat, chief sanitation officer Dr Gajendra Mahalle, director of Govt Institute of Science Dr Anjali Rahatgaonkar, Dr Anagha Patil, Neeri senior scientist Krishna Khairnar, MPCB sub-regional officer Dhanashree Patil, Green Vigil Foundation's Surabhi Jaiswal, Mehul Kosurkar, and Rahatgaonkar and Dr Patil expressed willingness to use Neeri's technology to help manage the idol waste. They proposed a dual-purpose initiative — first converting the PoP into reusable powder using chemical processes, and then repurposing the material into educational tools like chalk and slates. While Neeri has not permitted use of the technology on a large scale yet, it has agreed to support the institute with technical method is seen as a meaningful approach — ensuring environmentally responsible idol disposal while providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. NMC, however, clarified that no final decision has been taken. Deputy commissioner Rajesh Bhagat said that proposals are being sought from Neeri and other institutions, and the final course of action will be decided once detailed plans are submitted and reviewed.
