Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the UK-based Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on clean energy innovation and sustainability research.
The partnership aims to support applied research, knowledge exchange, and commercialisation of technologies in areas including renewable energy, smart grids, electric mobility, and green hydrogen. The collaboration is also expected to help Indian startups and researchers access international innovation networks through ESC’s connection with the UK Catapult centres.
Collaboration Rooted in Policy and Research Goals
The MoU was formalised on 13 May 2025 at the IIT Madras campus in the presence of faculty members and international representatives. Key officials present included Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), Prof. Satya Seshadri, Faculty Head, and Dr. Nikhil Tambe, CEO of The Energy Consortium. ESC was represented by Brendan O’Neill, Advisor – Innovator Support and International. Babita Sharma, Senior Net Zero Advisor at the British High Commission in New Delhi, also attended the event.
The two institutions plan to jointly conduct workshops and policy research tailored to Indian and UK regulatory contexts. The agreement is expected to strengthen existing UK–India cooperation on Net Zero strategies, particularly under the broader framework of the UK–India free trade agreement discussions.
Strategic Focus Areas
Key components of the collaboration include:
Joint R&D projects in clean energy domains such as smart grids, energy storage, electric mobility, and maritime decarbonisation.
Policy research and knowledge-sharing initiatives via co-hosted workshops.
Support for Indian innovators and startups through increased access to UK-based innovation platforms.
This development is part of IIT Madras’ ongoing efforts to enhance international cooperation in the energy sector, especially in the context of global Net Zero objectives.
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