India - EU TTC Working Group 2 (WG2) on “Green & Clean Energy Technologies”

The India-EU TTC (WG2) is co-chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India from Indian side and DG (R&I), EU from European side. The WG 2 focuses on green and clean technologies, including investment and standards, with emphasis on research and innovation (R&I), identifying areas of mutual interest for collaboration and implementation (e.g. clean energy, waste management, circular economy, plastic and litter in the ocean), cooperation between EU and Indian incubators, SMEs and start-ups working in these areas and building human resource capability and capacity in such technologies.

• Call for Expression of Interest (EoI) from Indian Start-ups and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
• Interaction with Startups from India and EU- An outcome of the Matchmaking Event on EV Battery Recycling Technologies under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council WG2

Online workshop on "Assessment and Monitoring Tools for Marine Plastic Litter”

The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green & Clean Energy Technologies organized an online workshop on "Assessment and Monitoring Tools for Marine Plastic Litter " on 8th November, 2024, bringing together experts and officials from India and the European Union (EU) to address plastic pollution and discuss innovative monitoring solutions. The workshop focused on exploring new digital tools for monitoring plastic waste and understanding India’s unique challenges in combating plastic litter.

The workshop agenda included a detailed presentation on the Indian context regarding plastic pollution by the Indian Scientists, followed by an introduction to an e-learning tool designed by the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) team to assist in monitoring plastic litter. The session, led by Prof. Bert Van Bavel and Dr. Oda Ellingsen from NIVA, provided insights into the tool's methodology and showcased its three modules, including two introductory modules and one focused on Thermo Analytical methods for assessing plastic waste.

As part of the workshop, Indian experts presented their perspectives on the specific needs and challenges faced in the Indian context and provided feedback on the e-learning tool. Each expert highlighted the regional requirements and offered valuable feedback into the e-learning tool's application in Indian scenarios. The event featured an interactive panel discussion where participants engaged with the NIVA team, sharing feedback and discussing future collaborations on developing tailored e-learning modules, exchanging best practices in data monitoring, exchanges of information on existing technologies/solutions, initiating joint research projects, and capacity building to enhance efforts in combating plastic pollution.

The workshop witnessed active participation from senior Indian government representatives, line ministries, and experts from academic and research institutions across India and the EU, marking a significant step in the shared mission of addressing environmental challenges through technology, innovation, and international cooperation.

During the workshop, an announcement on an Ideathon on ‘Marine Plastic Litter’ was also made as an upcoming activity under India-EU-TTC WG2.

Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA & Ms. Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General for International Cooperation at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, European Commission highlighting the workshop’s significance

Prof. Bert Van Bavel from NIVA providing insights into the e-learning course

International Workshop on Green & Clean Energy Technologies

A two-day international workshop under the India-European Union (EU) Trade & Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 (WG2) on “Green & Clean Energy Technologies” was held on 10-11 October, 2023 at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), New Delhi organized by the Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and hosted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in hybrid mode.

The workshop was inaugurated by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay K. Sood from the Indian side and Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General, Directorate General for 'Research and innovation', European Commission, Brussels from the European side.

(PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood delivering inaugural address at India-EU TTC WG2 workshop)

(Mr. Marc Lemaître delivering address through virtual mode at India-EU TTC WG2 workshop)

(Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA with Mr. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador-designate of the EU to India)

The workshop had four sessions which includes:

The first session ‘Waste to Green Hydrogen’ was chaired by Dr. Arun Tripathi, Advisor, MNRE, India and co-chaired by Ms. Helene Chraye (Head of Unit, DG R&I Directorate-C1 - Unit on Clean Energy Transition, EU).

The second session ‘Marine Plastic litter and Wastewater’ was chaired by Ms. Szilvia Nemeth (Deputy Head of Unit, Directorate B4 on Healthy Oceans and Seas, EU) and cochaired by Mr. M.V. Ramana Murthy (Mission Director, Deep Ocean Mission, Ministry of Earth Sciences, India).

The third session was divided into two sub-sessions. Session 3(a) on 'E-mobility and Circulatory Aspects of Batteries' was chaired by Mr. Sudhendu Jyoti Sinha (Adviser, Infrastructure, Connectivity & E-mobility, NITI Aayog) and co-chaired by Mr. Philippe Froissard (DG R&I - Head of Unit, Directorate C2 on Future Urban & Mobility Systems).

Session 3(b) on 'Interoperability of Charging Infrastructure' chaired by Ashok Rajput, [Member (Power System), Central Electricity Authority (CEA)] and co-chaired by Harald Scholz, (Head of Mobility Lab in JRC-ISPRA).

The fourth session ‘Standards’ was chaired by Ms. Kirsi Haavisto (DG R&I - Head of Unit in Directorate C1 on Valorization policies & IPR) and co-chaired by Mr. Pramod Kr. Tiwari [DG- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)].

Key Takeaways from the Workshop

• Waste to Green Hydrogen: Potential areas of collaboration with the EU on Hydrogen Storage Safety Standards, hydrogen leakage detection sensors, development of new solutions and opportunities to convert Waste into Green Hydrogen, and hydrogen safety studies.
• Marine Plastic litter and Wastewater: Develop a unified definition and standardized methods to address plastic litter, best practice sharing on citizens’ campaigns, and wastewater treatment strategies to combat the ocean plastic crisis.
• E-mobility and Circulatory Aspects of Batteries: Collaboration to set up pilot recycling plants, and research cooperation on recycling technologies of critical minerals.
• Interoperability of Charging Infrastructure: Information exchange on Grid Design and management in the context of High-Power Wireless Charging, Megawatt Charging Systems, V2X.
• Standards: Focus early on R&I and standards and co-develop a Code of Practice on Standardization.

EV Charging Technology Workshop on “Standardisation Strategy and Trustable Testing Possibilities in India and the EU” 

EV Charging Technology Workshop on “Standardisation Strategy and Trustable Testing Possibilities in India and the EU” under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council's Working Group 2 was successfully held on 24th – 25th February 2025 at Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, India. The event was organised by the ARAI and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC), with the support of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
The event was conducted, aimed at strengthening cooperation in green energy standards and innovation, successfully bringing together policy-makers, representatives from electro-mobility industry, standardization associations and technical testing facilities. The workshop addressed key policy and technical aspects of EV charging, covering all size classes of electric vehicles, and focusing on standardisation, and strategic cooperation.

 

India and EU Bilateral S&T Cooperation Meeting in New Delhi

An India-European Union (EU) Meeting on Science & Technology Cooperation was held on 27th Feb 2025 at the Office of the PSA, Vigyan Bhawan Annexe, New Delhi. The meeting was part of the various sectoral meetings being held in wake of the two-day visit of H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to India along with the College of Commissioners. The meeting was co-chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation.
The meeting aimed to strengthen India-EU research partnerships and drive innovation in critical areas such as clean energy, water, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and climate change research. The meeting highlighted significant achievements in wastewater treatment, vaccine innovations, and deep-sea exploration, which have emerged as key areas of cooperation between the two regions.

 

 

The First Stocktaking Meeting of India-EU Trade & Technology Council Working Group 2 on Green & Clean Energy Technologies

The First Stocktaking Meeting of India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) Working Group (WG2) on Green and Clean Energy Technologies organized by the Ministry of External Affairs was convened on 24 November 2023 at GS Bajpai Committee, South Block in hybrid mode. During the virtual meeting, both the Indian and EU delegations presented future roadmaps for Working Group (WG2) on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. They expressed mutual appreciation for each other's efforts in identifying technological gaps within clean energy technologies, leading to the formulation of substantial work plans for collaborative scientific and technological endeavors in the future.

The meeting facilitated discussions focused on expediting the development of solutions to critical issues associated with clean energy technologies like waste-to-green hydrogen, battery recycling, marine plastic litter, and wastewater management. Furthermore, the meeting explored the possibility of organizing a matchmaking event between Indian and European start-ups. This initiative aims to unleash the potential of start-ups in the areas of battery recycling, covering the entire spectrum from waste collection to valuable material extraction. There was a focus on establishing targeted collaborations, particularly in the areas of decentralized waste-to-energy facilities as this approach offers a sustainable and community-oriented approach to waste management, environmental protection, resource recovery, and generation of clean energy at the local level. Additionally, discussions during the meeting involved exploring pathways for formalizing cooperation in research and innovation through the form of an agreement to encompass solutions addressing both financing concerns and issues related to intellectual property rights.

The First Stocktaking Meeting of India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) Working Group (WG2) on Green and Clean Energy Technologies at GS Bajpai Committee, South Block, New Delhi in hybrid mode.

The Second Stocktaking Meeting of India-EU Trade & Technology Council Working Group 2 on Green & Clean Energy Technologies

The Second Stocktaking Meeting of the India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green & Clean Energy Technologies was held on 11th February, 2025, in hybrid mode. The meeting served as a preparatory review ahead of the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of India-EU TTC. It provided an opportunity to assess the progress made under Working Group 2 and to outline future deliverables, with the aim of strengthening collaboration on green and clean energy technologies between India and the EU.