Context
The Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial between the US and India focused on strengthening cooperation in clean energy innovation, energy security, and the clean energy transition.
About
- The meeting reviewed key achievements and destiny tasks throughout 5 core pillars: energy 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, which focuses on energy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, emerging technologies, and sustainable growth.
Key Highlights of SCEP
- Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): Launched in August 2023, RETAP specializes in growing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, long-term energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technology.
- Energy Storage Task Force: This public-private initiative aims to cope with policy, security, and regulatory problems whilst exploring long-period energy storage alternatives past lithium-ion technology.
- Projects like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Assam and Haryana are already in motion, specializing in grid integration and renewable energy storage.
- Modernisation of energy Distribution: The meeting highlighted India’s efforts in clever metering, energy 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 objectives 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 function of public-private dialogues was emphasised in shaping guidelines and reducing clean energy technology costs.
Need For Clean Energy
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping to fight global warming and environmental degradation.
- Decreases dependency on finite fossil fuels.
- Clean energy reduces air and water pollution, enhancing universal fitness effects.
- Investments in renewable energy create jobs and foster long-term economic stability.
- Help in role in accomplishing SDGs like clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG thirteen)
Initiatives
- International Solar Alliance (ISA): A global coalition led by India, selling solar energy via collaborative efforts across solar-rich nations.
- Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP): A US-India initiative centered on hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal technologies.
- Green Hydrogen Mission (India): Launched to sell using inexperienced hydrogen as a clean energy opportunity, specifically in heavy industries and transportation.
- EU’s Green Deal: A European Union approach aimed at making Europe climate-neutral via 2050 through clean energy investments and rules.
- PM KUSUM Scheme (India): Supports solar energy technology for irrigation in agriculture, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels in farming operations.
Source: PIB