Hyderabad: Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) to establish the Centre of Clean Coal Energy and Net Zero (CLEANZ) in Hyderabad. This initiative aims to develop advanced clean coal technologies and promote sustainable coal utilization, aligning with India’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions.
Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G Kishan Reddy, was present as the Chief Guest during the MoU signing ceremony, where CIL Chairman P M Prasad and IIT-H Director Prof. B S Murty formally signed the agreement. CIL has sanctioned ₹98 crore for the project over a five-year period, with the expectation that the initiative will become financially self-sustaining beyond the initial funding phase. The establishment of CLEANZ aligns with CIL’s strategy to support research at premier government institutions, as approved by its Board in July 2024 under its Research & Development (R&D) expenditure plan.
CLEANZ will function under the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER), an independent R&D wing of the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), which serves as CIL’s mine development and consultancy arm. The centre will focus on various aspects of sustainable coal usage, including coal bed methane recovery, carbon capture technologies, coal gasification, syngas utilization, and energy efficiency. Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in coal mining and processing will also be explored to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in training and upskilling CIL officials to facilitate the adoption of new technologies. By developing cutting-edge solutions for low-grade and rejected coal, CLEANZ aims to support India’s energy security while mitigating the environmental footprint of coal-based industries. With this collaboration, CIL and IIT-H reaffirm their commitment to fostering innovation in the coal sector, strengthening research capabilities, and driving sustainable energy solutions for the future.
