LoI Signed Between DST & Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE to Facilitate Clean Energy

Germany keen to partner with Karnataka on renewable energy

In a move towards fulfilling  the goal of decarbonizing their economies, India and Germany have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for a long-term collaboration focusing on hydrogen and clean energy technologies. The LoI was signed between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE).

Fraunhofer ISE is the largest solar research institute in Europe

India and Germany are committed to collaborating jointly in the pursuit of energy security and climate protection. It  should be noted that both the countries have committed to develop a national green hydrogen economy to facilitate achievement of the Paris Agreement targets.

The LoI is expected to provide impetus to the  development of higher Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for hydrogen energy clusters being set up by DST. It is also expected to identify existing technologies and potential interventions from Fraunhofer in green hydrogen, integrate them with indigenous technologies, and  make them suitable for  Indian conditions.

Using its expertise, DST will work towards enabling framework for cooperation in the hydrogen valley cluster projects, support activities, and facilitate the resources needed wherever applicable and possible. Fraunhofer will be a technology partner for the hydrogen valley /cluster, provides information and access to technologies of TRL 5 – 8, further providing scientific and technical experts and collaborating in preparing technology road-maps and guidelines for innovation ecosystem/cluster.

With this collaboration, further research and technological capabilities in the hydrogen and clean energy sector will be carried out through active engagements and collaborations based on mutual needs and strength.

India and Germany have been strengthening partnership in renewable energy. In a recent development, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited India. In talks held between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor, the subject of green hydrogen assumed significance as did exchange of technologies to enable energy transition.

Germany had proposed to fund India’s energy transition projects with €1 billion. The projects are to be executed all over the country under a bilateral partnership between the two countries on green and sustainable development.

As per discussions held between India and Germany, the funding will pave the way for over 20 projects in India.