Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, launched “Mission Integrated Bio-refineries” a major futuristic Public Private Participation (PPP) model initiative for ‘Clean Energy’. This aims to accelerate clean energy solutions through the Public-Private Alliances.
Mission Integrated Bio-refineries:
The Mission Integrated Bio-refineries unites the dynamic and result-oriented partnership of countries, international organizations, academic institutions and civil society to accelerate innovation for renewable fuels, and chemicals for a low-carbon future.
Goal: To develop innovative solutions to accelerate the commercialization of integrated biorefineries, with a target of replacing 10% of fossil-based fuels, chemicals and materials with bio-based alternatives by 2030.
Background:
In November 2021, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced (soft launch) the Integrated Biorefineries Missionat the Leadership Group for Industry Transition Summit, COP26 side event at the Mission Innovation Annual Gathering.
The meet aimed to boost global confidence in emerging clean energy solutions through collaborative efforts.
Launch of 3 Material Acceleration Platforms:
i.He also launched 3 Material Acceleration Platforms (MAP), set up by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology(MoST), with a total outlay of USD 6 million.
ii.The 3 platforms are,
- Integrated Clean Energy Material Acceleration Platform on Storage.
- Integrated Clean Energy Material Acceleration Platform on Materials.
- Integrated Clean Energy Material Acceleration Platform on Bioenergy & Hydrogen.
iii.These 3 platforms will leverage the emerging capabilities in next-generation computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, and robotics to accelerate the pace of materials discovery up to 10 times faster.
National Funding Opportunity on Sustainable Aviation Fuels:
The Union Minister also announced the ‘National Funding Opportunity on Sustainable Aviation Fuels’ to support and conduct Research, Development & Demonstration(RD&D) to foster technological innovations in advanced biofuels for aviation applications.
Funding opportunity of Hydrogen Valley Platform:
i.He also announced the funding opportunity of Hydrogen Valley Platform. This is a global initiative which aims to optimise the hydrogen demand and supply by onsite generation and utilization, utilize the renewable resources effectively, and water excess areas with geographical identity.
ii.The hydrogen valleys (H2 Valleys) will support to achieve cohorts of clean hydrogen valleys to combine the complete hydrogen value chain (production, storage and transportation) with an aim of reaching critical scale and unlocking learning curve effects.
iii..He also stated that the DST is committed to facilitate the delivery of three clean hydrogen valleys in India by 2030.
Additional info:
i.Following the launch of Mission Integrated Bio-refineries, Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated the commitment of India toward a low carbon future through Mission Innovation.
ii.The mission is centred on technology advancement and cooperation, zero-waste biorefinery for cost-effective production of sustainable bio-fuels with co-production of biobased chemicals and materials using biotechnology interventions.
About Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST):
Minister of State (Independent Charge)– Dr Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir)
