Pune: Prof Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi, highlighted India’s energy transition, renewable energy potential and the challenges of achieving a net-zero future while delivering the Foundation Day Lecture at CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune.
CSIR-NCL celebrated the 85th Foundation Day of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with Prof Rangan Banerjee delivering the Foundation Day Oration on the topic, “India’s Energy Transition and Net Zero Future: Challenges and Opportunities.”
Dr. Ashish Lele, Director of CSIR-NCL, Pune, welcomed the gathering and highlighted CSIR’s 85-year journey, its establishment under the vision of Sir Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, and its contributions to strengthening India’s research infrastructure and industrial growth.
He emphasised CSIR’s continued focus on translational research, industry engagement, and converting scientific research into technologies for practical implementation and commercialisation.
Introducing the chief guest, Prof Rangan Banerjee, Dr. Lele highlighted his extensive contributions to clean energy systems, renewable energy modelling, solar thermal power plants, and the development of large-scale testing facilities for emerging energy technologies.
Prof Rangan Banerjee Discusses India’s Energy Transition and Net Zero Goals
During his address, Prof Rangan Banerjee highlighted the growing global consumption of resources, climate change and the need for sustainable development.
Discussing India’s energy scenario, he emphasised the importance of expanding energy access while reducing carbon emissions.
He outlined India’s progress in renewable energy and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
He also highlighted the roles of solar and wind energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage in supporting the country’s energy transition.
Prof Rangan Banerjee also discussed the challenges associated with the transition to cleaner energy sources. These include grid flexibility, energy storage requirements, transition costs, regional disparities, employment impacts and energy equity.
IIT Delhi’s Research Initiatives in Clean Energy Technologies
Presenting research initiatives at IIT Delhi, Prof Rangan Banerjee highlighted ongoing work in several areas, including solar energy, energy storage, battery technologies, electric mobility, green hydrogen, compressed biogas and low-carbon cement.
He emphasised that achieving a low-carbon economy and net-zero future is possible, but requires addressing technological, economic and social challenges.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring development, equity, energy access and energy security while pursuing the transition.
The IIT Delhi Director further highlighted opportunities for research and collaboration between IIT Delhi and CSIR-NCL in areas such as sustainability, climate, materials, healthcare and pharmaceutical research.
CSIR-NCL Felicitates Employees on Foundation Day
Dr. Swati Chadha, Hindi Officer, anchored the programme. As part of the Foundation Day celebrations, council employees who had retired from CSIR service during the past year and those who completed 25 years of continuous service in CSIR were felicitated by the chief guest.
