Under the patronage of
Organised by
Thursday, 29 January 2026
16:00 - 17:30
Location: Focus Session Room - PEB

OVERVIEW

Developing indigenous technologies and solutions is essential for India’s energy sector to be competitive and resilient in the long term. Technology development must be initiated through fundamental research in science and engineering. Much of this research is conducted in an academic setting, where novel ideas are tested at the laboratory scale. Such research typically results in solutions at TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 3-5. The translation of these technologies from laboratory to commercialisation is challenging and requires a multi-pronged approach involving all key stakeholders, namely, industry, academia, and government. To succeed, active dialogue and collaboration are essential. A proper handshake between industry and academia, supported by government policies, can increase the TRL till full commercialization.

The purpose of this session is to discuss the challenges in translation, identify success stories, and provide guidelines for improving the translation success rate. Focusing on India's energy sector, the session brings together experts from academia, industry, and government. The session will be a combination of expert talks followed by a discussion with the experts.

AGENDA

Friday, 29 January 2026

16:00 -16:05

Welcome and session overview

16:05 -16:20

Government perspective on promoting and supporting translation of R&D

Speaker

Praveen Mal Khanooja

Additional Secretary

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India

16:20 -16:35

Electric Mobility: Technology Challenges, Future Trends, and India-Specific Innovation Pathways

Speaker

Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara

Professor

University of Houston

16:35 -16:50

Topic - TBC

Speaker

Dr. Alok Sharma

Director, R&D

IndianOil Corporation Limited

16:50 -17:05

Inter and multi-disciplinary efforts to address energy sector challenges: Perspectives from an industry-academia-government initiative

Speaker

Prof. Yogendra Shastri

Centre of Excellence in Oil, Gas, and Energy

IIT Bombay

17:05 -17:30

Panel Discussion: Laboratory to Commercialisation: Challenges and solutions

Speaker

Praveen Mal Khanooja

Additional Secretary

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India

Dr. Kaushik Rajashekara

Professor

University of Houston

Dr. Alok Sharma

Director, R&D

IndianOil Corporation Limited

Prof. Yogendra Shastri

Centre of Excellence in Oil, Gas, and Energy

IIT Bombay

17:30

Conclusion