NLC India Limited (NLCIL), a Navratna Government of India Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, recently signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) for a comprehensive Research & Development initiative in Carbon Capture System (CCS). The MoU was formally signed at the IIT Madras campus in Chennai in the presence of Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, Chairman and Managing Director, NLC India Limited, Dr. V. Kamakoti, Director IIT Madras and M. Venkatachalam, Director (Power), NLC India Limited.
This strategic partnership is part of NLCIL’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable practices in power generation, particularly within the thermal sector. The research collaboration will focus on developing lab-scale carbon capture technologies, with potential for scaling up to pilot demonstration at NLCIL’s thermal power stations.
Pioneering Sustainability in Thermal Power
Speaking on the occasion, Prasanna Kumar Motupalli emphasized, “As we take strides toward a low-carbon future, NLCIL is committed to transforming the way thermal power is generated. By integrating advanced carbon capture technologies, we not only reduce emissions but also ensure that thermal energy remains a clean, reliable pillar in India’s power matrix for decades to come. This collaboration with IIT Madras underlines our dedication to R&D-led sustainability.”
NLCIL’s vision aligns with the Country’s Sustainability target and the recent Draft Climate Finance Taxonomy released by the Ministry of Finance, which clearly identifies that advances in clean thermal power generation will play a pivotal role in enabling a just and smooth energy transition, particularly for a country like India where thermal energy continues to support base load requirements and with abundant availability of coal.
Highlights of the MoU and Project Agenda
The MoU outlines a two-phase research program:
- Phase I (Lab-Scale Study):
- Development and demonstration of CO₂ capture technologies using ionic liquids, amine blends, and electrochemical methods at IITM and NLCIL sites.
- Processing and treating flue gas up to 10 litres/day.
- Budgeted at INR 2.06 crore, fully funded by NLCIL under its CARD Science and Technology budget.
- Phase II (Pilot Demonstration Project):
- On successful lab results, a pilot-scale demonstration will be established at an NLCIL thermal power plant.
- To be implemented under a separate agreement post evaluation.
The collaborative framework also includes joint intellectual property rights (50:50 sharing), periodic reviews, mutual exchange of knowledge, and site-specific demonstrations of advanced capture systems.
Strategic Roadmap: 10 GW Thermal and 10 GW Renewable by 2030
NLCIL is committed to a balanced and strategic growth trajectory, aiming to achieve 10 GW of renewable power generation and 10 GW of efficient thermal power capacity by 2030. The company’s integrated approach emphasizes both decarbonizing existing assets and investing in clean energy infrastructure.
This industry-institution partnership exemplifies the power of collaborative innovation, where academic excellence meets real-world challenges—paving the way for sustainable solutions that will benefit not only the energy sector but also contribute significantly to the nation’s environmental goals and societal well-being.