IESA Signs MoU With Bhubaneswar’s BCKIC To Work In Critical Minerals & Energy Sector

Bhubaneswar: India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bhubaneswar City Knowledge Innovation Cluster (BCKIC) Foundation to strengthen knowledge exchange and promote innovations in cleantech, critical minerals and energy sector in India.

IESA Executive Director Debi Prasad Dash and BCKIC Chairperson Prof. Mrutyunjay Suar signed the MoU in the presence of BCKIC CEO Dr Namrata Misra and KIIT-TBI Associate, Technology Transfer Office, Dr Jyotsnarani Jena.

The primary objective of the partnership is to create a shared science and technology ecosystem by increasing interactions between industry professionals of IESA and BCKIC with each other, and also with external stakeholders like research institutes, academia, philanthropic organisations, and the public.

The partnership also aims to bolster regional influence and develop national and international competitiveness by promoting development of state-of-the-art advanced cleantech research facilities and infrastructure, an IESA press release stated.

IESA and BCKIC also agreed to jointly work in critical minerals for energy, energy transition, and green hydrogen space to support startups and innovations.

The partners will also work with global counterparts in the USA, the UK, and European Union to spearhead technology partnerships and tech licensing and transfer of technology of new energy solutions.

“This partnership will engage in addressing industry-specific challenges and also to discover innovations from startups and innovators that align with industry needs. IESA will support the development of state-of-the-art advanced cleantech research facilities and infrastructure. IESA will engage with policymakers to advocate for policies that support a competitive and thriving energy sector. This can include advocating for streamlined regulations, tax incentives, and research funding,” said the ED of IESA.

Prof. Suar emphasised that the partnership between IESA and BCKIC will create regional influence by establishing technology transfer programmes that enable commercialisation of research outcomes from local institutions. It will support the development of state-of-the-art advanced cleantech research and manufacturing facilities in Odisha.

The areas of cooperation between IESA and BCKIC include Developing a Shared Science and Technology Ecosystem, Create Regional Influence, and Develop National & Global Competitiveness. Through this partnership, IESA and BCKIC will work on identifying topics of collaborative research, especially in energy and allied sectors with a focus on developing commercial products/ technologies and their deployment.

IESA and BCKIC will establish strategic partnerships with cleantech and energy storage companies, research organizations, and academic institutions around the world. Such collaborations can lead to the exchange of knowledge, technologies, and best practices, enhancing global competitiveness. IESA and BCKIC will promote and provide training on science-based entrepreneurship and to create short-term exchange programs between industry and academia.