Indian Ambassador to italy visited ENEA Headquarters in Rome
15/12/2016
H.E. Mr. Anil Wadhwa, Ambassador of India to Italy, visited recently the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) Headquarters, in Rome. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Bhupendra Singh, First Secretary (Political) and Science and Technology Attaché at the Embassy of India in Rome.
The visit, in the form of an official meeting, presided over by Prof. Federico Testa, President of ENEA, was attended by Dr. Leonardi Marina, Director for International Relations; Three members delegation led by Prof. Onkar Singh, Vice-Chancellor of the Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology (MMMUT) Gorakhpur (India) and Dr. V. K. Sharma, responsible for the execution of recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ENEA and MMMUT Gorakhpur (India), from ENEA.
The meeting started with opening remarks from Prof. Testa in which he welcomed the Indian Ambassador, H.E. Sh. Anil Wadhwa, the members of the Indian delegation and briefed about the activities of ENEA in Italy in the framework of the International cooperation. While expressing his satisfaction upon the recently signed MOU between ENEA and MMMUT, Prof. Testa assured ENEA’s full cooperation in realizing the objectives laid down in the referred MOU.
Visiting ENEA for the first time since assuming his diplomatic post in Italy, Indian Ambassador, H.E. Sh. Anil Wadhwa during his short intervention informed the members about the scientific and cultural collaboration both the countries have been enjoying for the last so many years. Also, he mentioned about the recently signed scientific collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and the General Directorate for Country Promotion (Economy, Culture and Science) – Unit for Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Govt. of Italy.
“India will continue to increase academic-scientific cooperation, and this mission is of great significance to us,” said Sh. Wadhwa. Being convinced and optimistic about the future of the Indo-Italian relationship and its impact on the technological development of both the countries, the ambassador, expressed his strong willingness to further strengthen the scientific cooperation between his country and leading scientific institutions/ universities from Italy, in areas of key innovation and mutual concern.
Also, he expressed happiness upon the recently signed MOU between ENEA and MMMUT and assured for extending all possible help in undertaking the collaborative activities as part of MOU. During his conversation with ENEA leadership, the ambassador said that India would do so by increasing academic scholarships, research budgets and collaboration in a variety of disciplines.
Prof. Onkar Singh, VC, MMMUT gave details about the technological University and its mandate towards teaching and research in technical education. He explicitly expressed his commitment for making all possible efforts to work together in the areas of mutual interest with special emphasis on the community utility for developing countries. During his remark, he proposed various activities to be undertaken in due course of time after the visit is over and there is complete understanding of the possible areas of collaboration.
Representatives from ENEA, Trisaia after giving brief introduction of the MOU signed, once again extended their invitation to visit ENEA centre, Trisaia both to the delegation from India and the Ambassador.
- Internally Circulating Fluidised Gasification Plant (1 MWth) with integrated Catalytic Ceramic Candles system for In-Situ gas filtration and conditioning. 4B) Scheme of reactor . Technology jointly patented by ENEA and University of L’Aquila
During deliberations, it was proposed to set up a core group for furthering the ongoing scientific collaboration with members from ENEA, MMMUT , representatives from Indian Embassy in Rome and other premier Institutions engaged in the R &D activities of Energy and Environment with emphasis on sustainable development from both India and Italy. Also, it was proposed to organize a joint International conference in the field of interest to both ENEA and MMMUT.
The meeting ended with thanks to all present during the meeting by President ENEA.
In continuation to their visit to Italy, on 24th November 2016, the delegation from MMMUT Gorakhpur visited ENEA Centre, Trisaia and had meeting with Ing. G. Braccio, Dr. V. K. Sharma and Ing. G. Cornacchia. Ing. Braccio made brief presentation about the history, past and present activities of ENEA Centre, Trisaia. The meeting was followed by onsite visit of numerous experimental plants, laboratories, pilot projects and workshops located in the premises of Trisaia centre.
During the visit, the members of MMMUT delegation shown keen interest on numerous R&D activities in progress at the centre. In particular, interest was shown on the activities aimed at the development of gasifiers dedicated to the production of syngas to be used in an internal combustion engine for electric energy.
Both fixed and fluidised bed gasifier plants, most appropriate for their use, especially, in the developing countries, have been developed at the centre. It is worth to mention that the design of Fast Internally Circulating Fluidised Bed (FICFB) reactor and use of steam as gasification agent, enable the process to produce hydrogen enriched, nearly nitrogen free, with high calorific value and reduced tar content, product gas. Moreover, thanks to the inclusion of a high temperature ceramic filter in the cleaning section, an adequate purification of the product gas, was obtained.
Impressed by the advanced biomass technology available at the Trisaia centre, delegation expressed strong willingness to sought technical help from experts at ENEA for the realization of small scale biomass gasification plant for production of electric energy using advanced technology developed by ENEA.
After thorough deliberations, it was resolved to initiate following activities as part of MOU in the first phase.
- Dual Fluidised Bed Steam Gasification Plant Multi-stage air/steam gasification plant (500 kWth) with separate plug flow pyrolysis, partial oxidation of tars (vortex combustion), downdraft gasification and syngas filtration on char bed. Technology developed in collaboration with Ansaldo Energia
- Possibility of setting up a small-scale biomass gasification plant for generation of electricity.
- Feasibility study to be conducted jointly by ENEA and MMMUT for realization of biomass gasification plant using biomass available locally in India.
- Possibility to train/impart advanced study for 2 / 3 months to students from MMMUT.
- Holding a joint International conference in the field of interest to both ENEA and MMMUT, early next year.
- Exploring possibility of submitting joint R & D project in the framework of call issued by the European Union for strengthening scientific collaboration between India and Italy.
The meeting ended with great satisfaction expressed by the visiting delegation and special thanks to officials of ENEA for providing all possible support to make the visit successful and comfortable. Ing. G. Braccio and his colleagues expressed their satisfaction upon the fruitful conclusion of the visit and the important points agreed upon.
For more information please contact:
Dr. V.K. Sharma, ENEA - Department of Energy Technologies, Division of Bioenergy, Biorefinery and Green Chemistry (DTE-BBC) - sharma@enea.it