IIT Bhubaneswar and GRIDCO Join Hands to Advance Renewable Energy Research in Odisha
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
Bhubaneswar, September 3, 2026: A significant step has been taken towards strengthening renewable energy research, technological innovation and practical applications in Odisha, with IIT Bhubaneswar and GRIDCO Limited entering into an Implementation Agreement to establish the Centre for Renewable Energy Research & Studies, Odisha (CRRS) at the IIT Bhubaneswar campus.
The agreement was signed on September 2, 2026, in the presence of IIT Bhubaneswar Director Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar and GRIDCO Limited Managing Director Dr. Satyapriya Rath, IAS. The initiative follows an MoU signed between the two institutions in July 2025 to promote research, development, commercialisation and wider adoption of renewable energy technologies in Odisha.
Building a Bridge Between Research and Real-World Energy Needs
Aligned with the objectives of the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy (OREP) 2022, the proposed centre is expected to serve as a collaborative platform connecting academia, government, the power sector and industry.
Beyond academic research, CRRS will focus on technology demonstration, capacity building and providing technical inputs that can contribute to renewable-energy policy and implementation. Under the proposed framework, GRIDCO Energy Department, Government of Odisha, will function as the Implementing Agency, while IIT Bhubaneswar will serve as the Host-cum-Academic Partner.
Research Across Next-Generation Energy Technologies
The centre will cover a broad range of emerging areas, including:
- Solar and wind energy
- Green Hydrogen
- Energy storage
- Smart grids
- Renewable energy integration
- Electric vehicle infrastructure
- Alternative energy generation
- Advanced materials
- Sustainable battery systems
The broad research agenda is intended to move beyond laboratory-level innovation and support the development of practical technologies for Odisha’s evolving energy landscape.
IIT Bhubaneswar and GRIDCO to Combine Their Strengths
Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar highlighted the importance of connecting advanced research with real-world energy challenges and developing technologies capable of wider deployment.
Dr. Satyapriya Rath emphasised the role of research-driven approaches in developing and adopting renewable energy solutions in Odisha. The collaboration is expected to help connect academic innovation with the practical requirements of the state’s power sector.
Advanced Research Infrastructure Planned
Under the collaboration, IIT Bhubaneswar will contribute research infrastructure, laboratories, academic resources and technical expertise. GRIDCO will support funding, coordination with government agencies and industry linkages.
The proposed CRRS is planned to include a Central Research Laboratory, testing and certification facilities, pilot demonstration plants, a training centre and a renewable energy data centre. The data centre is also expected to support renewable-energy resource assessment and forecasting.
Scope for Wider Industry and International Collaboration
The centre is also expected to explore additional research support through government programmes, international organisations, Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and industry partnerships. Such collaborations could expand opportunities for technology development, knowledge exchange and field-level implementation.
The agreement-signing ceremony was attended by IIT Bhubaneswar’s Prof. Vijay Shankar Pasupureddi, GRIDCO Directors Debashis Das and Kshirod C. Nanda, Principal Investigator Prof. Subhransu R. Samantaray, Co-PI Prof. Umaprasana Ojha, GRIDCO Coordinator Rutupurna Mansingh and other officials.
A New Platform for Odisha’s Clean Energy Transition
The establishment of CRRS could provide Odisha with a dedicated ecosystem for renewable-energy research, innovation, skill development and technology demonstration. By bringing together IIT Bhubaneswar’s academic and research capabilities with GRIDCO’s experience in the power sector, the initiative aims to create a stronger pathway from scientific research to practical energy solutions.
The larger vision is to bring research, industry, government and the power sector onto a common platform and develop scalable, sustainable solutions for Odisha’s clean-energy future.
— Suman Munshi
IBG NEWS
