U.S. and India to invest US$50 million in Joint Clean Energy R&D Center

The United States and India have committed to invest US$25 million each over the next five years to support the U.S. India Joint Clean Energy Research and Development Center (JCERDC). The amount is expected to be privately matched for research and development on new technologies.  The first priorities for the center will be the development of efficient second-generation biofuels and solar energy.  Also to be addressed are smart grid clean coal carbon capture storage and integrated gas combined cycle power plants.  Additional funding will come from the private sector, including the Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) and the Export Import Bank.  In addition, major Indian companies such as Suzlon and Wipro, in cooperation with American companies like Marriott, Target and Walmart will be involved in the development of pilot projects involving energy efficiency in commercial buildings. The JCERDC will be located in existing facilities in both countries. (June 2, 2011)