In a bid that is first of its kind in the country's clean and green energy development sector, IIT-Madras has entered into an MoU with NLC India Limited (NLCIL). It's a strategic partnership and it's to come together and encourage next-generation carbon capture technologies to curtail the emissions of thermal power plants.
A Strategic Alliance for Clean Energy Innovation
MoU is being signed by V Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, and the top executives of NLCIL. Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, MD and Chairman, NLCIL, and M Venkatachalam, Director (Power), NLCIL, also graced the occasion. MoU signals the beginning of high-impact research study, an interface of research and academia along with industrial application in the pursuit of arresting carbon.
Two-Phase Roadmap for Carbon Capture Project
The project shall be in a two-stage co-operating well-crafted process. The two steps will serve to address the scientific research and practical scale-up of the carbon capture technologies' challenges.
Phase I: Laboratory-Scale Tests
The initial stage entails laboratory-scale tests of the effective carbon dioxide (CO2) capture systems. The technologies will utilize:
- Ionic liquids
- Amine-based solvents
- Electrochemical processes
These technologies will be employed for treating 10 litres/day capacities of flue gas. Phase I has been approved for a value of ₹2.06 crore, and NLCIL will be funding it entirely. It will be utilized for demonstrating the ability of these capture systems at pilot scales.
Phase II: Pilot-Scale Deployment
After proof of concept demonstration at laboratory scale, the project would proceed to Phase II. Phase II would entail pilot-scale demonstration trial of technology in any one of NLCIL thermal power plants. Economy, scalability, and feasibility under actual conditions of carbon capture systems would be shown in Phase II. Phase II would provide meaningful inputs on commercial acceptability and operating performance of new technologies.
Joint Intellectual Property and Transfer of Knowledge
The second inherent advantage of this partnership is in the creation of a mechanism of common ownership of intellectual goods produced under the project. Such a partnership has a two-way advantage to the two firms via technological innovation. In addition, there has also been an effective mechanism of reverse flow of information that has spurred open flow of information, research outcomes, and business inputs among the two corporations.
Site-Specific Implementation tailored
The program further emphasizes in-site demonstrations to fit carbon capture systems as per different thermal power plants' specifications. This is more flexible and custom since there may be in-site sensitivities as far as the amount of emissions as well as operating requirements.
Assisting India achieve clean energy goals
This collaboration is one of the NLCIL's Vision 2030 under which 10 GW capacity of thermal and renewable energy will be built. With the scientific capability of IIT-Madras and industry capability of NLCIL, this collaboration is a practical and wise measure towards decarbonising the nation's thermal power.
Second, the scheme puts climate resilience and national energy security of India on its topmost priority agenda. The country aims at becoming a net-zero carbon emitter, and carbon capture innovation will be an essential enabler in making green development and conventional energy production viable.
Conclusion: A Model for Academia-Industry Collaboration
IIT-M and NLCIL joint venture is a reflection of how industry and academia can be pushed to collaborate to address environmental challenges. Two-step process, collaborative ownership of research, and scalability will make the project a stepping stone towards wider application of carbon capture technology in India.
