IIT Madras Teams Up with GRID-INDIA to Boost Clean Energy Access in East Africa

Chennai: A New Partnership for Energy Education in Tanzania

IIT Madras is teaming up with GRID-INDIA to launch a unique teaching and research program for students in Tanzania. This collaboration aims to enhance Tanzania’s energy infrastructure through various initiatives, including certification courses and joint research.

IIT Madras has already established roots in Africa with its Zanzibar campus. This new partnership is a step towards sharing knowledge and technologies for sustainable energy solutions. It will create opportunities for applied research and commercializing clean energy.

GRID-INDIA, a public sector company under India’s Ministry of Power, manages the nation’s electricity grid. Their experience will support this initiative, which focuses on building capacity in the energy sector for Tanzanian professionals.

The collaboration was formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on May 22. Prof. Manu Santhanam from IIT Madras and Shri Surajit Banerjee from GRID-INDIA are excited about what this partnership will bring. Prof. Santhanam stated that the goal is to extend their research and academic expertise globally, specifically targeting regional needs.

Paresh R. Ranpara from GRID-INDIA highlighted how this partnership aims to strengthen the skills of energy sector professionals in East Africa. The Zanzibar campus will serve as a key hub for these efforts.

Key Elements of the Program:

• Certification Programs: Providing essential knowledge on power systems, renewable energy, and energy management.

• Hands-On Training: Focused sessions on power system protection and real-world case studies.

• Joint Research Initiatives: Exploring topics like microgrids and the role of AI in energy management.

• Consultation Projects: Offering practical solutions to address the unique challenges in Tanzania’s power sector.

Prof. Shanti Swarup, the project’s Principal Investigator from IIT Madras, expressed optimism about the program. He noted it would bolster ties between industry and academia and enhance participants’ understanding of modern power engineering.

Dr. Nikhil Tambe, CEO of The Energy Consortium, mentioned plans to further expand their reach. They are looking forward to launching the first chapter of The Energy Consortium at the Zanzibar campus in September 2024, marking a significant milestone for clean energy education in the region.

This collaboration reflects a growing awareness of the critical role education and technology play in addressing global energy challenges. As countries like Tanzania move toward sustainable solutions, partnerships like this one can pave the way for a resilient and future-ready energy landscape.

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