IIT Bhubaneswar Signs Research Collaborative Agreement with GRIDCO and NTU Singapore
Bhubaneswar, December 11, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar has recently entered into a significant research collaborative agreement with GRIDCO Ltd and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. This partnership aims to advance four major deployment projects across key verticals of renewable energy, including:
- Battery Energy Storage
- Microgrids
- Waste-to-Energy
- Agri-Photovoltaics
This collaboration is expected to facilitate prototype development, field deployment, and commercial-scale implementation, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing India’s renewable energy ecosystem, particularly in the eastern region.
Strengthening India’s Renewable Energy Ecosystem
IIT Bhubaneswar is strategically positioning itself as a national renewable energy hub by developing cutting-edge research and development infrastructure. The institute is also committed to fostering strategic international partnerships that can drive innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.
Through this collaboration with GRIDCO and NTU Singapore, IIT Bhubaneswar aims to spearhead transformative initiatives that will significantly shape the future energy landscape of the country. This initiative aligns with the Government of Odisha’s energy-transition goals, emphasizing the need for sustainable and renewable energy solutions.
Centre of Excellence in Green Hydrogen
In addition to the collaboration with GRIDCO and NTU, an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between IIT Bhubaneswar, GRIDCO Ltd., Avaada, and ReNew Pvt Ltd. This MoU aims to establish a Centre of Excellence in Green Hydrogen.
The proposed Centre will focus on:
- Translational research
- Entrepreneurship
- Commercializable technology development in green hydrogen and allied domains
This initiative is expected to catalyze innovation, create a robust research and industry ecosystem, and accelerate Odisha’s emergence as a leading hub for energy transition, in alignment with the Prime Minister’s net-zero mandate.
Global Energy Leaders’ Summit
The MoUs were formally signed during the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS-25), which took place in Puri from December 5 to 7, 2025. This summit provided a platform for key stakeholders in the energy sector to discuss and promote sustainable energy solutions.
The signing ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries, including:
- Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo
- Energy Secretary, Vishal Kumar Dev
Senior representatives from the partnering organizations were also present, including:
- Dr. Satyapriya Rath, Managing Director, GRIDCO
- Prasant Choubey, President, Avaada
- Vivek Jaiswal, Executive Vice President, ReNew
- Prof. Chandrashekhar N. Bhende, Dean (Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy-In-Charge), IIT Bhubaneswar
- Prof. Subhranshu Ranjan Samantaray, Principal Investigator, IIT Bhubaneswar
- Prof. Umaprasana Ojha, Co-Principal Investigator, IIT Bhubaneswar
Impact of the Collaboration
The collaboration between IIT Bhubaneswar, GRIDCO, and NTU Singapore is anticipated to have a profound impact on the renewable energy sector in India. By focusing on innovative technologies and sustainable practices, the partnership aims to:
- Enhance energy security in the region
- Reduce reliance on fossil fuels
- Promote sustainable development
- Foster economic growth through green technology
Moreover, the establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Green Hydrogen is expected to attract investments and talent into the region, further solidifying Odisha’s position as a key player in the energy transition landscape.
Conclusion
The signing of the research collaborative agreement between IIT Bhubaneswar, GRIDCO, and NTU Singapore marks a significant milestone in the journey towards a sustainable energy future for India. With a focus on innovative research and development, this partnership is set to contribute to the global efforts in combating climate change and promoting renewable energy solutions.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest updates available as of December 2025.
