Odisha Govt, IIT Bhubaneswar Ink MoU for Renewable Energy Research Centre

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Bhubaneswar to establish a Centre for Renewable Energy Research and Studies (CRRS).

The initiative, aligned with the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy (OREP) 2022, will be implemented by GRIDCO Limited with IIT Bhubaneswar as the academic partner.

The CRRS will house a central research laboratory, testing and certification facilities, pilot demonstration plants, training centres, and a renewable energy data hub for resource assessment and forecasting.

Key focus areas include solar and wind energy, green hydrogen, energy storage, smart grids, EV infrastructure, alternative energy generation, and advanced materials for sustainable battery systems.

Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar, said the centre will bridge cutting‑edge research with real‑world energy challenges.

GRIDCO MD Satyapriya Rath emphasised that the collaboration will strengthen Odisha’s capacity to adopt renewable energy solutions through research‑driven approaches.

The centre is expected to attract support from government schemes, international agencies, CSR initiatives, and industry partnerships, positioning Odisha as a hub for renewable energy innovation.