U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership

Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations; GS3/ Renewable Energy

In News

  • The Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial between the United States and India focused on strengthening cooperation in clean energy innovation, energy security, and the clean energy transition. 

About

  • The meeting reviewed key achievements and future initiatives across five core pillars: Power and Energy Efficiency, Responsible Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels & Technologies, and Sustainable Growth.
  • The US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) enhances bilateral cooperation on clean energy, focusing on power, energy efficiency, renewable energy, emerging technologies, and sustainable growth. 

Key Highlights of SCEP

  • Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): Launched in August 2023, RETAP focuses on developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, long-duration energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
  • Energy Storage Task Force: This public-private initiative aims to address policy, safety, and regulatory issues while exploring long-duration energy storage alternatives beyond lithium-ion technologies.
    • Projects like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Assam and Haryana are already in motion, focusing on grid integration and renewable energy storage.
  • Modernisation of Power Distribution: The meeting highlighted India’s efforts in smart metering, power market reforms, and the Indian Railways’ net-zero emissions target by 2030.
    • India has pioneered the procurement of 1.5 GW of round-the-clock renewable energy.
  • Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) & Transport Electrification: A comprehensive workshop was launched to advance SAF R&D, certification, and partnerships.
    • India’s PM eBus Sewa scheme targets the deployment of 10,000 electric buses, accelerating electrification in medium- and heavy-duty transport.
  • Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) & Methane Abatement: Increased cooperation on CCUS technologies and regulatory frameworks, alongside methane abatement efforts in the oil and gas sector through collaboration with India’s Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
  • Public-Private Collaborations: The role of public-private dialogues was emphasized in shaping policies and reducing clean energy technology costs. 

Need For Clean Energy

  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat global warming and environmental degradation.
  • Decreases dependency on finite fossil fuels.
  • Clean energy reduces air and water pollution, improving overall health outcomes.
  • Investments in renewable energy create jobs and foster long-term economic stability.
  • Help in role in achieving SDGs like clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13)

Initiatives

  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): A global coalition led by India, promoting solar energy through collaborative efforts across solar-rich countries.
  • Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): A US-India initiative focused on hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
  • Green Hydrogen Mission (India): Launched to promote the use of green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative, particularly in heavy industries and transportation.
  • PM KUSUM Scheme (India): Supports solar power generation for irrigation in agriculture, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in farming operations.

Source: PIB

 

Other News of the Day

Syllabus: GS1/Society Context The Vice-President of India during his address at the SheShakti2024 event emphasized on paying attention to pervasive subtle gender discrimination in the society. Different form of subtle gender discrimination Gender Stereotyping in Professional Roles: Many jobs in India are still viewed as either male or female roles. This stereotyping affects hiring practices,...
Read More

Syllabus: GS3/Economy Context Gold imports more than doubled in August to a record high of USD 10.06 billion, according to the Commerce Ministry data. It is mainly on account of a drastic cut in customs duty and ongoing festive demand. Gold Import of India Gold accounts for over 5 percent of the country’s total imports. ...
Read More

Syllabus: GS3/Economy Context ‘Relative Economic Performance of Indian States: 1960-61 to 2023-24’ paper has been released by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). About It  examines the relative economic performance of states over the past six and a half decades using two indicators- Share in India’s GDP and Relative per capita income. ...
Read More

Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Tech In News Signal modulation streamlines the technology needed to transmit information, such as news on TV or music on the radio.  Modulation  Modulation, in electronics, technique for impressing information (voice, music, pictures, or data) on a radio-frequency carrier wave by varying one or more characteristics of the wave in accordance...
Read More

Syllabus: GS3/Agriculture Context During an address at the International Research Conference, the RBI Deputy Governor highlighted solutions that could go a long way in addressing the issue of financing sustainable agriculture. What is Sustainable Agriculture? Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that meet today’s food needs while preserving resources for future generations.  This means adopting...
Read More

Karma Festival Syllabus: GS1/ Culture Context Tribal populations in various states celebrated the harvest festival of Karma or Karam Parv on September 14-15. Karma festival Regions: The festival is celebrated mainly in the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Odisha. The festival is popular especially among the Munda, Ho, Oraon,...
Read More