India and the U.S. cooperate to advance clean energy

India and the United States have established a joint US$125 million fund for clean energy research.

The joint research and development will focus on solar energy, advanced biofuels and building energy efficiency.

India will contribute US$25 million over the next five years to support research by Indian institutions and individuals. The U.S., on the other hand, will make US$5 million available in fiscal year 2012and up to US$20 million over the next four years.

In addition, U.S .and Indian consortia members have pledged some US$75 million in matching funds for a combined funding total of over US$ 125 million.

Three institutions each from India and the U.S. will comprise the US-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC), which is part of the US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy, announced during the November.

The U.S. institutions consist of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the University of Florida and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The Indian institutions are the Indian Institute of Science-Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology-Hyderabad and CEPT University-Ahmedabad.

Consortia researchers will exploit their expertise and resources to unlock the huge potential of clean energy technologies that can reduce energy use, cut dependence on foreign oil, and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

In solar energy, the consortium's research will focus on sustainable photovoltaics, multiscale concentrated solar power and solar energy integration.

The consortium will also focus on development of sustainable advanced lignocellulosic biofuel systems.