India and U.S. Strengthen Clean Energy Partnership: Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation in Focus
India and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on key clean energy initiatives, focusing on hydrogen-powered vehicles, sustainable aviation fuels, and the electrification of heavy-duty transportation.
On September 17, 2024, India and the U.S. issued a joint statement declaring their intent to deepen collaboration on clean energy. The announcement followed the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) Ministerial, held in Washington, D.C., and co-chaired by U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
The statement highlighted increased investment in both nations' clean energy sectors, with a focus on hydrogen-powered buses, tractors, and heavy machinery, as well as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
During the meeting, officials reviewed several initiatives under SCEP’s technical pillars, which include Power & Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Emerging Fuels & Technologies, and Sustainable Growth. The role of energy trade in advancing national priorities was emphasized, along with the need for coordinated actions at both national and local levels to ensure a successful transition to sustainable energy.
Progress in Clean Energy Collaboration
The talks recognized significant advancements in the deployment of emerging clean energy technologies, particularly in renewable energy integration, energy efficiency improvements, and decarbonizing high-emission sectors like transportation, industry, and buildings.
Both nations applauded the progress made through the Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP), launched in August 2023. RETAP’s efforts focus on accelerating the adoption of hydrogen, energy storage, offshore wind, and geothermal energy. Notable milestones include the creation of India's National Centre for Hydrogen Safety and the upcoming 2nd International Conference on Green Hydrogen, set for September 2024. The ministers also noted advancements in hydrogen research, cost reduction, and the development of hydrogen hubs under RETAP and the Hydrogen Task Force.
Renewable Energy Integration and Grid Modernization
India and the U.S. stressed the urgent need to integrate large-scale renewable energy into their grids. To support these efforts, they launched a public-private Energy Storage Task Force aimed at addressing key areas such as policy, safety, manufacturing, and supply chains for energy storage solutions.
India underscored its progress in long-duration energy storage, exploring alternatives to lithium-ion batteries and advancing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in states like Assam and Haryana. Pumped storage was also highlighted as a long-term solution for energy storage.
Both countries announced plans to promote sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through joint workshops on research and development, tax incentives, and supply chain development. The ministers welcomed joint reports on SAF and biofuels developed under the Biofuels Task Force.
New Initiatives in the U.S.-India Partnership
Electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles was another key area of focus, with workshops and expert exchanges promoting the transition to electric freight and buses. A notable initiative is India’s PM eBus Sewa scheme, which aims to deploy 10,000 electric buses across the country.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted India’s progress in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) and efforts to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector through technical cooperation with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).
The ministers also praised advancements in smart grid and energy storage technologies under the U.S.-India Collaborative for Smart Distribution System with Storage (UI-ASSIST) program. Ongoing public-private dialogues are playing a key role in shaping policy, scaling up clean energy technologies, reducing costs, and fostering new investments and partnerships between the two nations.