India, Norway discuss innovation projects in renewable energy

India and Norway have decided to target innovation projects in companies in the field of renewable energy.
"A joint call between the Research Council of Norway and Department of Science and Technology of India was launched during a week-long matchmaking workshop on renewable energy at the Norwegian Embassy.
"The call is for USD 1 million, targeting innovation projects in companies collaborating with research institutions in the field of renewable energy," an official statement said.
Close to 80 participants from Norway and India had a comprehensive and prosperous discussion on the sector.
The representatives also discussed a wide range of topics including energy storage, grid integration, wind power, solar power, smart infrastructure based on artificial intelligence, hydro energy and off-grid solutions.

Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Embassy, The Research Council of Norway, Institute of Technology Delhi and Department of Science of Technology co-hosted the workshop.

"Our technologies do not exclude each other. I am impressed by the work that has been done India. I think that our products compliment the existing ones and create a basis for creating even better solutions.
"The goal must be to use existing resources in the best possible manner and minimize the need for investments going forward," said Jorgen Kildahl, representing Smart Energy Systems.
India has set ambitious goals in the field of renewable energy, especially within solar where the plan is to reach 100 GW capacity by 2020.

Participants in the workshop emphasised that both countries are positive to future collaboration.
The week also witnessed signing of memorandum of collaboration between NCE Smart energy Market Halden and Power Grid, B2B Roundtable with Power Grid and leading Indian Utilities, seminar on Incubation collaboration, site visits to Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited Smart grid Labs, and Indo-Norwegian Workshop on Smart Grid Technologies among others.
A Memorandum of Co-operation between Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (Powergrid) and Norwegian Centre of Expertise (NCE) Smart Energy Markets covering cooperation for 15 countries was signed.
On the last day of the week, a workshop on Smart Grid Technologies was hosted by India-Smart grid forum which welcomed NCE Smart Energy Markets in Halden to present their solutions to national and state representatives from utility and electricity bodies from Haryana, Kolkata, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Joint secretary of the Ministry of Power, A K Verma addressed the audience and in discussion with several business participants from Norway, invited them to further meetings and collaboration, the statement said.