TERI Inks MOU with The Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), Govt of Spain to Collaborate in the Field of Clean Energy  

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Sunday, January 04, 2009 -- (Business Wire India)

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE), Govt of Spain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) announcing their interest in collaborating and cooperating in the fields of clean energy, especially in the rational use of energy and development of renewable energy, mainly solar energy (photovoltaic and thermal) and wind power, in order to contribute to achieve the objectives to fight against climate change.

Her Excellency Ms Maria Teresa Fernandez De La Vega Sanz, First Vice-President of the Government of Spain was also present at the signing ceremony as witness of honour.

In her address Ms De La Vega Sanz, who is also the Minister of the Presidency and Spokesperson of the Government of Spain, said “The world is grappling with many environmental problems, as parts of the world are facing sever droughts while others are affected due to floods. We need to work together to combat climate by increasingly using renewable energy and need to go beyond government policies to save the planet. It is time that we repay the debts we owe to our earth by adopting sustainable living. We are truly happy at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that has been signed today, and we hope this step will open opportunities for several activities that we could carry out in partnership between TERI and the Institute for Diversification and Saving of Energy (IDAE).”

While appreciating TERI’s flagship campaign, Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL), she added, “This initiative will help millions to have access to light where electricity is unavailable. This will improve their economic and social lives and to support this, we are honoured to sponsor 10 villages under this campaign.”

Dr RK Pachauri Director General TERI in his welcome address emphasised the First Vice President’s visit to TERI as a significant and very promising development. He said, “In the economic, social and technological fields both India and Spain face many challenges which are common. In particular, given the importance of tackling the threat of climate change and the need to pursue a path of development which is sustainable, cooperation between our two countries and specific activities joining Indian as well as Spanish institutions would help us in meeting these goals expeditiously and efficiently.”

The nine levels of activities proposed to be undertaken under this MoU include strengthening of capacities for energy technology innovation, with special focus in promoting wind and solar technologies to increase energy conservation and for a cleaner energy supply. The forms of cooperation under this MoU include exchange of technical information and experience, technical and managerial personnel and holding of conferences and seminars for sensitisation. TERI would work closely with IDAE in its establishment, including human resources and infrastructure development, working out the research agenda and its plan of action so that the aims of IDAE are met.
Within the framework of the present Agreement of Cooperation the both TERI and IDAE will undertake actions for:

-- Collaboration in the promotion and development of innovative technology projects in renewable energy, principally solar and wind power.

-- Collaboration in the preparation of studies of energy potential and in the development of plans for development of renewable energy

-- Energy audits and diagnostics

-- Joint investment projects in energy efficiency and renewable energy

-- Regulatory Framework for the development of renewable energy

-- Linking development and renewable energy development in local areas

-- Technical assistance for development projects

-- Organizing training courses and seminars

-- Joint projects for dissemination and communication

TERI, by this collaboration, fulfils its commitment to promote environmental sustainability of energy consumption at a global paradigm. The MoU is a global enterprise that recognises TERI as a knowledge hub with its well-established infrastructure, resources, laboratories and institutional support.

About The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

From microbiology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state—no sphere of human endeavour is unfamiliar to TERI. Headed by world-renowned Nobel Prize winning climate scientist, Dr R K Pachauri, TERI is best described as an independent, not-for-profit research institute focused on energy, environment, and sustainable development and devoted to efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.