The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has partnered with Coal India Limited (CIL) to promote sustainable energy. Together, they are setting up the Centre of Clean Energy & Net Zero (CLEANZ) with financial support of ₹98 crore from CIL. This initiative aims to drive research and innovation in clean energy technologies.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at IITH on Friday. The event was attended by IITH Director B.S. Murty, CIL Chairman and Managing Director P.M. Prasad, and Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy. This partnership is a major step in India’s journey toward carbon neutrality, highlighting the government’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.
CLEANZ will focus on several important areas, such as advanced coal bed methane recovery, carbon capture and storage, coal liquefaction, and gasification. It will also explore how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be applied to energy management. In addition, the centre will work on improving waste management and integrating circular economy principles into the energy sector.
A unique feature of this initiative is its connection with the National Centre of Coal and Energy Research in Ranchi through high-speed communication. This will allow researchers from both institutions to collaborate in real time. The centre will also serve as a training hub, providing research opportunities for students, faculty, and professionals from both IITH and CIL.
Speaking about the partnership, IITH Director B.S. Murty said, “This partnership with CIL is a crucial step in shaping India’s clean energy future. By combining academia and industry expertise, we aim to develop groundbreaking solutions for carbon neutrality and sustainable energy production.”
India is currently making strong efforts to achieve its net-zero emissions targets. With energy demand expected to rise in the future, initiatives like CLEANZ could play a key role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels and promoting renewable energy. While it remains to be seen how much this partnership will speed up India’s green transition, it is a promising step toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
