Sweden and India announced the India-Sweden Collaborative Industrial Research & Development Programme at India Smart Utilities Week. The joint Programme, co-funded by Indian Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Swedish Energy Agency, will bring together world-class expertise of Sweden and India to address challenges in the area of Smart Grids.
Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST and Dr Robert Andren, Director General, Swedish Energy Agency signed the Protocol of Cooperation between Swedish Energy Agency and DST discussed how this would benefit both countries.
“With India raising its ambition for renewable energy manifold, research, development and innovation, the area of Smart Grids assume high priority as the essential enabler. High research development and innovation investments, especially in partnership and collaborations, can accelerate Smart Grid technologies development in the near future. Sharing the common vision on sustainability, Sweden and India are adding one more collaborative Programme to their already vibrant partnership portfolio,” said Professor Prof Sharma.
Speaking about the new Programme from Stockholm, Dr Andren said, “Regardless of the differences between our countries, we share the objectives of a sustainable society and future. A sustainable energy supply is a prerequisite for all societies, and therefore we need modern power infrastructures that allow highly increased amounts of renewable energy. Another common challenge we share is the transformation into a fossil-free transport sector. These are just two examples of areas where India and Sweden can benefit from concrete co-creation and sharing experiences from each other”.
“India is a highly valued partner to Sweden and the fastest rising research and innovation power in the world. The Sweden and India joint Programme will assure that the best of Swedish and Indian innovators can forge partnerships and develop solutions that will benefit both sides”, said MrKlas Molin, Ambassador of Sweden to India.
DST, Government of India and Swedish Energy Agency have created a funding mechanisms through which companies may seek support for joint Research and Development projects. The India-Sweden programme aims to foster and support the development of collaborative research and development projects that bring together companies, research organisations, academics and other collaborators from both countries for the joint development of innovative products or processes. The project should aim to develop technologies that can be commercialized after two years through cooperation between India and Sweden.
The Swedish Energy Agency commits 2.6 MUSD over four years for research and innovation collaboration in the area of smart grids with India. DST will also fund a matching investment of INR 18 Crore for the support of Indian partners towards industrial Research and Development projects, focused on co-development and innovation towards new products, processes or technologies. Product Adaptation projects will be funded under this new Programme.
The Sweden-India Science and Innovation Partnership have grown in strength during the last couple of years. High-level visits from both sides have further boosted interest in bilateral collaboration between the two countries. The first-ever India-Sweden High-Level Dialogue on Innovation Policy was held in New Delhi during the state visit of their Majesties the King and Queen of Sweden to India in December 2019.
