ABB partners with Indian Institute of
Technology Madras for R&D cooperation in microgrids, energy storage
solutions and green energy projects
ABB signed a
memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras
(IITM) to enter a technical cooperation to build microgrids as well as joint
R&D in the field of rural electrification, utilization of natural
non-fossil resources, battery energy storage and their connection to loads and
main grid. The agreement also includes internship opportunities to post
graduate students of IITM for the next three years.
Indian scenario related to microgrids is expected
to evolve rapidly in the coming years. With thousands of Indian villages still
un-electrified, the decentralized microgrids are a viable solution to power
these villages. A low-maintenance microgrid has the potential to eliminate
dependence on expensive diesel fuel and the grid. IITM has been doing
pioneering work over the last few years developing and demonstrating solar
based energy-efficient DC homes. ABB, a global power and automation major has a strong portfolio of products
for the renewable energy integration, distribution and automation of
interconnected renewable energy sources that form local microgrids.
 |
| ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer and Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, Sign MoU |
IITM and ABB will jointly work to design, build and
supply equipment for up to two such microgrids in rural areas.Along with ABB
equipment, the microgrid will enable homes to be fitted with energy efficient
DC devices like LED bulbs, TV, Cell phone charges, Brushless DC motor based
fans, specially designed by IITM.The project shall be managed by IITM till the
transfer of the installations to the local distribution utility (DISCOM).
“This is a
great opportunity to combine our expertise with bright young minds from this
renowned institute to devise and deploy solutions tailored for India,” said
ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “Microgrids technology is an important part
of our Next Level strategy and well poised to make the Indian government’s
vision of power to all a reality by providing access to energy and ensuing
economic empowerment to the people.” At the end of last year, ABB set up
India’s first multi-source urban microgrid in the heart of Delhi to power its
flagship event, Automation and Power World.
“IIT is committed to implementing an affordable solution for supplying
electric power to Indian homes, whether they are off-grid, or homes with
several hours of power cuts. At the same time our solution helps reducing the
home’s monthly power bills even when there are no power-cuts, a must for most
middle and lower-income homes. Simultaneously IITM is committed to a vision of
India moving completely to Electric Vehicles by 2030. Towards this it is ready
to commit the best-in class technology. The R&D cooperation with ABB will
help them get to these goals faster,” said Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi,
Director, IIT Madras.
As a precursor to this agreement, an interface
between industry-academia and regulatory bodies was organized jointly by IITM
and ABB last month to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by
microgrids in India. Around 100 participants from utilities, industry and
academia had engaged in deliberations.
ABB’s Access
to electricity initiative in India has already demonstrated significant
impact in the country. Ithas brought solar power to 1,200 households in the
Rajasthandesert and to over 100 villages in the world’s largest delta region of
Sunderbans. The program has led to increased productivity of weavers and
tailors by 50 percent and 40 percent respectively, improved healthcare,
education and reduced strife with wildlife in the villagers’ search for
firewood.
IITM has used its solar-DC technology to power 4000
off-grid homes in Rajasthan during the last few months. These homes are located
at places where vehicles cannot travel and material including solar-panels and
batteries are transported on camels or tractors.Today these homes have lights
and fans and cell-phone chargers.
ABB will also support research at IITM’s Battery
Engineering Center to improve the life and discharge cycles of Lead-Acid to
Lithium-Ion batteries for the next five years.
Immediate applications range
from telecomtower backups to grid ancillaryservices and renewable
integration.In addition, the research has the scope of including storage
solutions for electric vehicles (EVs), importantinlight of the recent push for
EVs to act as virtual power plants to store surplus energy and support the grid
in times of deficit. The government outlined this in the recently launched
National Mission on Electric Mobility program which targets six million
electric vehicles (4mn two-wheelers and 2mn four-wheelers) by 2020.
About ABB
ABB (www.abb.com) is a
leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility,
industry, and transport & infrastructure customers to improve their
performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies
operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.
Join ABB India
facebook page: ABB India
Follow ABB India on
twitter: @ABB India.
About IITM (www.iitm.ac.in)
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was
established in 1959 by the Government of India as an institute of national
importance. The activities of the Institute in various fields of Technology and
Science are carried out in 16 academic departments and several advanced
interdisciplinary Research Academic Centres.
There are over 100 well-equipped
laboratories in the Institute for teaching and research. The Institute offers
undergraduate and post - graduate programmes leading to the B.Tech., M.Sc.,
M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations. IITM
is recognized world-wide for its intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation
across every major discipline of engineering and pure science. IITM is a
residential institute with more than 550 faculty and 9000 students. Students
from 18 countries are enrolled here.
The campus is self-contained and is
located on a beautiful wooded area of about 250 hectares. It is home to
approximately 300 species of trees and plants. IITM fosters an active
entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM
Incubation Cell (www.incubation.iitm.ac.in). IITM
has been ranked #1 amongst research and teching institutions in Engineering in
the India Rankings 2016 released by The National Institutional Ranking
Framework, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India - https://www.nirfindia.org/engg
Join IIT Madras on Facebook: ReachIITM
Join IIT Madras on Twitter: @ReachIITM
For more information please contact:
Corporate Communications, ABB India Ltd. IIT Madras
|
Name:
Sohini Mookherjea/Peter Stierli
Tel: + 91 9632726608/9901722298
Fax: + 91 80 22949148 email: sohini.mookherjea@in.abb.com /
|
Name: Bhavani Giddu
Footprint Global
Communications
Mob: 9999500262 email: bhavani.giddu@footprintglobal.com
|
Name: Sakthi Prasanna
MSLGROUP
Mob: 9884277251
email: sakthi.prasanna@mslgroup.com
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