US, India joins hands for clean energy centre

Now India and US have joins hands and come forward that will help promote clean energy. The move, which is assumed to bring some of the best scientific and technical minds together, it can strengthen both the countries. Three top institutions from both the countries have joins hands to make up the $125 million US-India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Centre (JCERDC).

The three US institutions are National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the University of Florida, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) will bring together experts from national laboratories, universities, and industry in the US and India.

All the three lead institutions have partnered with three lead Indian institutions including Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, and CEPT University, Ahmedabad.

It has been said that researcher will leverage their expertise and resources in solar technology, advanced biofuels, and building efficiency to unlock the huge potential of clean energy technologies that can reduce energy use, cut dependence on foreign oil, and accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources.

"This innovative research program will help promote clean energy, create jobs, and open export opportunities for US business,"said David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs.

As part of a planned five-year initiative, the Energy Department will make $5 million available in fiscal year 2012. It also plans to make additional requests to Congress for up to $20 million over the next four years to support work in US.

The Indian Government has also committed to funding $25 million over five years to support work in India.

(With inputs from IANS)