In a groundbreaking partnership aimed at catalyzing transformative advancements in India’s construction and wastewater treatment sectors, the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) joined forces. This pioneering collaboration intends to align DSIR’s “Access to Knowledge for Technology Development and Dissemination (A2K+) Studies” Scheme with India’s Smart Cities Mission and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
DSIR has entrusted TERI with two vital research studies. The first study focuses on advanced building materials and designs, aiming to enhance energy efficiency within buildings. The second study centers on creating a status and scoping report on membrane-based sewage wastewater treatment systems for reuse and recycling.
The collaborative effort initiated with a stakeholder consultant meeting held at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi. Esteemed experts, including academia representatives, industry leaders, and policymakers, graced the event, emphasizing the critical role of research and innovation in indigenous technology development, utilization, and transfer.
Dr. Sujata Chaklanobis, Scientist ‘G’ and Head of A2K+ Studies at DSIR, emphasized the promotion of industrial research for indigenous technology development and transfer.
Setting the tone for the meeting, Mr. Sanjay Seth, Senior Director of TERI’s Sustainable Infrastructure Programme and Vice President & CEO of the GRIHA Council, highlighted India’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2070 and stressed the need for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, especially from the building sector. Dr. Banwari Lal, Senior Director at TERI, emphasized the importance of membrane technology in wastewater treatment, highlighting its role in reclaiming water from diverse streams.
The first session revolved around enabling access to emerging technologies and innovative solutions for advanced building design to boost energy efficiency. Panelists engaged in collaborative conversations, offering insightful suggestions and information to progress energy-efficient building design and sustainable construction practices in India.
The subsequent session, moderated by Dr. Banwari Lal, provided an overview of membrane technologies in India for sewage treatment. Academics and researchers shared profound insights into the status and contributions of Indian academia in membrane-based technologies for wastewater treatment and reuse. Industry experts further elaborated on the current market scenario, innovations, and opportunities in the membrane industry, both domestically and internationally.
The comprehensive inputs from academia, industry, and end-users rendered the deliberations engaging and enriched the roadmap for future innovation.
The event culminated with a commitment from both DSIR and TERI to embark on an innovation-driven journey, striving towards a sustainable and resilient future. This collaborative endeavor stands as a testament to the collective vision of driving technological innovations and solutions for a greener and more sustainable India.