MNRE Startup Grand Challenge

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy invites Startups and innovators to join the journey towards Sustainable Energy future.

India’s strategy on renewable energy is driven by the objectives of energy security, energy access and reducing the carbon footprints of the national energy systems. Renewables have created new opportunities. An altogether new business space has been created. The extant opportunities seek to explore larger contribution of renewables in the areas of livelihood, water, health and innovations in products, services and business models. Already, many early-stage companies have demonstrated innovative technologies and concepts that have developed sustainable businesses.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides a unique opportunity for startups and innovators to solve some key challenges which are being faced by in the Renewable energy sector in India. The MNRE has identified key problem statements which range from innovative use of renewable energy for enhancing quality of life to energy solutions for regions with difficult terrain.

Invest India is the strategic partner to this program. Top three solutions across problem statement will be shortlisted under the program for a cash grant.

Eligible applications will be evaluated by Committee comprising representation from relevant fields. The shortlisted startups/innovators may be requested to present/showcase their product/idea to the Committee. The Committee will declare the top three solutions by first week of October 2019.

Detailed Eligibility Criteria

1. Individual/ Academic Institute/ Research Lab/ Startup developing an innovative product, service or business model.

2. The stage of innovation should at least be prototype and feasible for deployment.

Problem Statement

1. Livelihood Application

i. Cost competitive and innovative renewable energy applications to enhance quality of life (cooking, lighting, potable water, healthcare etc.)

ii. Renewable energy application in agriculture

iii. Renewable energy applications to support SME’s and cottage industries

iv. Renewable energy solutions (technology, operational model et al) for application in difficult terrain

v. Renewable energy application for desalination and hence to extract potable water

2. Power System and Design

i. Renewable energy system integration in the grid

ii. Forecasting Solutions

iii. Demand response & distributed energy resource management systems

iv. Energy trading and marketplaces

v. Internet of Things (IOT) for renewables including off-grid applications for optimizing energy and its utilisation

3. Solar Energy

i. Solar rooftop solutions end to end delivery including platforms

ii. Improving efficiency of charge controllers

4. Wind Energy

i. Development of small wind turbines with wind potential of <4m/sec

ii. IoT for increasing energy extraction in the wind farms

5. Energy solutions for industrial processes in SMEs, mid to large-scale manufacturing units

process heat, power, cooling etc.

6. Biomass and waste-to-energy supply chain for power & thermal generation

i. Biomass/agro-residue/municipality waste collection, processing, palletisation- complete value chain including biomass storage solutions

7. Mobility and Energy Storage

i. Renewable energy application in mobility – business models, products and market platforms

ii. Advanced energy storage application in decentralized off-grid and utility-scale renewable power projects

8. Any other Solutions in Renewable Energy not mentioned above