India, US to promote sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen in buses
ECONOMY & POLICY

India, US to promote sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen in buses

India and the United States have agreed to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and the use of hydrogen in buses, tractors, and heavy equipment. This decision came during the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) dialogue between US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in Washington, DC. Both nations also encouraged increased investments in each other's clean energy markets.

The joint statement emphasised the importance of a "just, orderly, and sustainable energy transition," ensuring access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Modernising the power distribution sector to provide 24/7 power, supporting India's smart metering initiatives, and enhancing cybersecurity were highlighted as key areas for collaboration.

Additionally, the ministers acknowledged Indian Railways' efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and supported India's round-the-clock renewable energy procurement of over 1.5 GW. They also welcomed the development of a comprehensive energy efficiency policy for railway facilities.

The partnership will focus on advancing the production and use of SAF, an alternative fuel made from renewable feedstocks that can reduce carbon emissions from air transportation. New engagement efforts include an inaugural SAF workshop covering R&D, tax incentives, supply chain capacity building, and market development. Two joint reports on SAF and biofuels were also developed under the Biofuels Task Force.

The dialogue reiterated the commitment to energy efficiency, including the development of super-efficient appliances and the promotion of high-efficiency cooling systems. Both nations also agreed to collaborate on the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and the use of green hydrogen in public transportation and heavy equipment.

Discussions also covered carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and progress was noted on methane abatement in the oil and gas sector. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the public-private sector dialogues, aimed at scaling clean energy technologies and facilitating investment and commercial partnerships.

The formal launch of the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in August 2023 was recognised as a significant step toward developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal energy. This collaboration aims to advance R&D, pilot projects, and industry networks.

The joint statement also highlighted the launch of the National Centre for Hydrogen Safety in India and ongoing bilateral exchanges on clean hydrogen R&D, cost reduction, and the establishment of hydrogen hubs. Emphasis was placed on supporting the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid and the development of energy storage solutions.

The partnership's focus on energy storage was further strengthened with the launch of the public-private Energy Storage Task Force. This initiative aims to address policy and regulatory frameworks, safety, manufacturing, and supply chains. Efforts will also concentrate on alternative chemistries to lithium-ion technologies and the feasibility of various storage technologies for renewable energy systems.

The ministers praised the US-India partnership for advancing clean energy goals and tackling climate challenges, emphasising that through SCEP, both countries can foster innovation and build more secure, resilient, and diverse clean energy supply chains.

(ET)

India and the United States have agreed to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), electrification of medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and the use of hydrogen in buses, tractors, and heavy equipment. This decision came during the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) dialogue between US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri in Washington, DC. Both nations also encouraged increased investments in each other's clean energy markets. The joint statement emphasised the importance of a just, orderly, and sustainable energy transition, ensuring access to reliable, affordable, and clean energy. Modernising the power distribution sector to provide 24/7 power, supporting India's smart metering initiatives, and enhancing cybersecurity were highlighted as key areas for collaboration. Additionally, the ministers acknowledged Indian Railways' efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and supported India's round-the-clock renewable energy procurement of over 1.5 GW. They also welcomed the development of a comprehensive energy efficiency policy for railway facilities. The partnership will focus on advancing the production and use of SAF, an alternative fuel made from renewable feedstocks that can reduce carbon emissions from air transportation. New engagement efforts include an inaugural SAF workshop covering R&D, tax incentives, supply chain capacity building, and market development. Two joint reports on SAF and biofuels were also developed under the Biofuels Task Force. The dialogue reiterated the commitment to energy efficiency, including the development of super-efficient appliances and the promotion of high-efficiency cooling systems. Both nations also agreed to collaborate on the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and the use of green hydrogen in public transportation and heavy equipment. Discussions also covered carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and progress was noted on methane abatement in the oil and gas sector. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the public-private sector dialogues, aimed at scaling clean energy technologies and facilitating investment and commercial partnerships. The formal launch of the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) in August 2023 was recognised as a significant step toward developing actionable roadmaps for hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal energy. This collaboration aims to advance R&D, pilot projects, and industry networks. The joint statement also highlighted the launch of the National Centre for Hydrogen Safety in India and ongoing bilateral exchanges on clean hydrogen R&D, cost reduction, and the establishment of hydrogen hubs. Emphasis was placed on supporting the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid and the development of energy storage solutions. The partnership's focus on energy storage was further strengthened with the launch of the public-private Energy Storage Task Force. This initiative aims to address policy and regulatory frameworks, safety, manufacturing, and supply chains. Efforts will also concentrate on alternative chemistries to lithium-ion technologies and the feasibility of various storage technologies for renewable energy systems. The ministers praised the US-India partnership for advancing clean energy goals and tackling climate challenges, emphasising that through SCEP, both countries can foster innovation and build more secure, resilient, and diverse clean energy supply chains. (ET)

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JNPA Becomes First Indian Port to Cross 10 Million TEU Capacity

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), located at Uran in Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to achieve over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity.With the recent expansion, the port now operates five container terminals with a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, alongside two liquid and two general cargo terminals.Handling more than half of India’s container traffic, JNPA processed 7.05 million TEUs in 2024 and has moved 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of total cargo in the first two months of FY 2025â..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Nod for Rs. 36.26 billion Expansion of Pune Metro Line 2

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs.36.26 billion expansion of Pune Metro Line 2, adding 12.75 km of track and 13 new stations to improve east–west connectivity across the city.The project aims to link Pune’s urban core with rapidly growing suburbs, supporting the city’s rising demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This expansion is part of Corridor 2 of the Pune Metro and includes two key routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).It will connect residential, IT, and educational hubs in areas such as Bavdhan, Koth..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?