Question : RESEARCH FOR RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY

(a) whether Solar Energy Centre, an Research and Development institution at his Ministry and the Delhi Technological University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for undertaking joint research and education programmes in the field of renewable energy;

(b) if so, the details thereof and its implementation status thereof;

(c) whether the Government has also formulated any action plan to conduct the technical research for providing alternative source of energy in rural areas;

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of villages covered under the action plan so far; and

(e) if not the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (DR. FAROOQ ABDULLAH)

(a): Yes , Madam.

(b): The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Solar Energy Centre (SEC) and Delhi Technological University (DTU) signed on 22nd May, 2012 envisages collaborative research through joint supervision of M.Tech and Ph.D theses, practical courses at SEC for DTU students in specialized areas of solar energy, joint refresher courses for the industry and organizing conferences, symposium & workshops on cutting edge renewable energy technologies. So far SEC has collaborated with DTU in organizing the Second International Symposium on Concentrated Solar Power in June 2012. One student of DTU is also pursuing his Ph.D on solar cooling in association with SEC.

(c): The R&D Programme of the Ministry supports development of technologies for providing alternative source of energy in rural areas.

(d): As a result of sustained R&D activities pursued by the Government, under various programmes of the Ministry so far 9466 villages and hamlets have been provided with electricity, 45.45 lakh biogas plants have been installed, biomass gasifiers of a total capacity of 16.25 MW have been commissioned and photovoltaic systems of aggregate capacity of 103.81 MW have been deployed for providing energy in off-grid mode.

(e): Does not arise.