Research Scheme

The Government of India is promoting Research and Development for the Indian power sector through Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), which promotes applied research leading to technology development in the power sector through “R&D schemes of Ministry of Power being implemented through CPRI” which consists of the following three schemes:

  • R&D under National Perspective Plan(NPP)
  • Research Scheme on Power (RSoP)
  • In-House R&D (IHRD)

R&D project proposals are invited by CPRI under the above Research schemes. For further details contact:

Dr. Venkateswara Rao M

Additional Director & HOD,

R&D Management Division

Central Power Research Institute

P B No.8066, Sadashivanagar (PO), Bangalore 560 080, INDIA.      

Phone No: 080-2207 2234, Email id: mvraoatcpri [dot] in

National Perspective Plans (NPP)

The Indian Power Sector is facing major challenges today with the introduction of reforms, globalization and liberalization policy of the government. Despite our country's the power system planners have given utmost importance to energy sector since beginning and there being manifold increase in installed generation capacity and transmission networks.

With increase in system expansion stability and security problems have become challenging. It is of vital importance to focus our attention now on ways and means to build expertise within the country, to find solutions for the problems existing in the system and also for the problems that may arise in the future. Research is urgently needed to bridge the knowledge and technology gaps, more so due to changes in technology today at a more profound and faster pace in the new millennium.

Realizing the importance of Research & Development, The Ministry of Power constituted a Standing Committee on R&D to frame national Perspective Plan for R&D in Indian Power Sector. While formulating the National Perspective Plan, it is important to critically review the growth of power sector, assess the existing R&D infrastructure in the country and identify the crucial R&D needs for the power sector. All the key players like CEA, CPRI, NTPC, POWERGRID, NHPC, NEEPCO, BBMB, DVC, NPTI, THDC, SJVNL, BHEL and IIT's have participated in this task and brought out R&D plan report.

Ministry of Power, Government of India constituted "Standing Committee on Research and Development" for identifying Research needs in Power Sector and draw a road map for research. The Committee was chaired by Chairperson, CEA and CPRI as member Convener. The Committee has experts in various fields as its members.

The Committee after lot of deliberations and brain storming sessions, brought out a report entitled "National Perspective Plan for R&D in Power Sector". The Committee while preparing the perspective plan report considered the following broad aspects.

  1. The basic and the applied Research and Development needs of the Power Sector.
  2. The National level and Organizational level Research and development plans.
  3. To channelizer the outcome of Research for the benefit to the customers and the operational efficiency of the power sector.

The crucial R&D needs required to bridge the technology gaps in various subsections of power sector (Generation, Transmission & Distribution), are identified and prioritized. The R&D needs aim at either improving design of an individual plant component and/or evolving cost efficient overall process. R&D needs also include taking advantage of the advances in IT, electronics and communication to improve the control & instrumentation system, data acquisition system and monitoring of system performance parameters. The major thrust areas for R&D are provided in the link: Click here

TITLE RELATED DOCUMENTS
  • Format No 1: NPP New Project Proposals Test
  • Format No 2: NPP Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)
  • Format No 3: NPP Abstract of Completion Report
  • Format No 4: NPP Final Technical Report
  • Format No 5: NPP Birds Eye View (BEV) Report
  • Format No 6: NPP Utilization Certificate (UC)
  • Format No 7: NPP Reviewers
  • Format No 8: MOU Sample NPP

Research Scheme On Power (RSoP)

The aim of this Scheme is to ensure optimum utilization of the allocated fund with emphasis on maximizing the research benefits by better management of research projects under the scheme. This is in tune with the mandate of CPRI as an apex body for initiating and coordinating various research and developmental activities in the field of electric power by networking with various state electricity boards, Distribution companies and maintaining liaison with Academic Institutions engaged in research connected with power systems and/or power equipment in the country. The themes of the projects may be summarized as follows: 1) Decentralized generation 2) Power Electronics application to power system 3) Improvements in power generation, transmission and distribution systems 4) Advanced Remaining Life Assessment (RLA) methodologies 5) Information & Communication Technology applications to power sector 6) Insulation Engineering and Technology for HTS based Power Apparatus.

Research projects which are pertinent to the area of power sector development e.g. Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewables etc. can be taken up by the Utilities/Academic Institutions which can be funded under the RSoP scheme to enable them to address mainly local specific operational issues. In certain cases, the Utilities could associate R&D and academic institutions and take up the projects in a collaborative manner.

As far as possible, the projects to be devised with the involvement of relevant industries / utilities or ultimate beneficiary for smooth transfer of Technology.

Project Implementing organization proposing the project should ensure that the services of key investigators indicated in the project proposal are made available for the entire duration of the project.

Project proposals to be formulated after a thorough literature survey in order to ensure that similar work is not already done elsewhere.

Some of the thrust areas identified for Research under Click here

In-House R&D (IHRD)

The IHRD scheme is exclusively for scientists and engineers of CPRI to enable them to take up research projects in areas of importance to the Power Sector and help the utilities and manufacturers of Indian Power Sector. Under this scheme, Research Projects are undertaken for: 1) Augmentation of Research and testing facilities. 2) Improvements / New techniques in testing / Diagnostic methods/Research studies. 3) Product / Process Improvements. 4) Improvement in products and 5) evolution of national standards.

TITLE RELATED DOCUMENTS
  • Format No 1: IHRD New Project Proposal
  • Format No 2: IHRD Quarterly Progress Report (QPR)
  • Format No 3: IHRD Completion Report
  • Format No 4: IHRD Technical Report
  • Format No 5: IHRD Interim Report
  • Format No 6: IHRD Request for Extension
  • Format No 7: IHRD Record notes on PRC
  • Format No 8: IHRD Birds Eye View report
  • Format No 9: IHRD Short Closure
  • Format No 10: IHRD Utilization Certificate (UC)
  • Format No 11: IHRD Financial Closure
  • Format No 12: IHRD Reviewers Comment

Invitation for R&D project proposal

Sl. No. TITLE RELATED DOCUMENTS
ON-GOING CALLS
1 Proposals Invited for RSOP and NPP Schemes Download (Language : English) (pdf & 0.16MB)
2 Invitation For Research Proposal Under The “R&D Schemes Of Mop Being Implemented Through CPRI” Download (Language : English) (pdf & 0.77MB)
PREVIOUS CALLS
1 Call For Proposals on "Recycling of waste generated from end-of-the-life components of solar power plants and wind power plants" Download (Language : English) (pdf & 0.29MB)
2 Call For Proposals for funding support under The “R & D Schemes of Ministry Of Power being implemented through CPRI" on “Research for new areas for use of Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) Gypsum suited to Domestic requirements” Download (Language : English) (pdf & 0.39MB)
3 Call For Proposals for funding support under the “R & D Schemes of Ministry Of Power being implemented through CPRI" on “Hydro Power Generation theme" Download (Language : English) (pdf & 0.24MB)

 

General Information on Proposal Submission

General Information on Proposal Submission

 

Funding:

The projects approved under IHRD and RSoP scheme will be fully funded by Ministry of Power. It is expected that projects under the NPP scheme are 50% funded by MoP and 50% by a collaborating Industry.

Components of financial outlay of the project

The expenditure pertaining to the project proposal such as Equipment, Instruments, Travel, Consultancy, Hiring charges for temporary research staff, overheads and miscellaneous & incidentals can be built into the cost of the project. Generally, overhead charges @10% is allowed to be built into the cost of the project. Projects with the objective of only carrying out simulation studies and purchase of expensive software packages is not encouraged under this scheme.

Inclusion of salary component of permanent research staff is not encouraged. However cost towards hiring temporary research staff for the duration of the project is acceptable.

EXPERT REVIEW

The proposals as and when received by CPRI are sent to external domain experts from various eminent Institutions and put up for techno-economic evaluation by a Technical Committee constituted by MoP. Presently there are four technical committees pertaining to a specific domain viz. 1) Transmission 2) Generation-Thermal 3) Generation-Hydro 4) Grid, Distribution, and Energy Conservation.

TECHNO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION

The project proposals reviewed by experts will be evaluated by Technical Committee which is chaired by Professors from IITs and has participation from Utilities and Industry. The principal investigators will be normally required to defend their project at the Technical Committee meetings. The Committee while undertaking techno-economical evaluation specifically examines aspects of deliverables of the project and their impact on the Utility/Power Sector at large before recommending the proposal to the Competent Authority for approval.

 

PROJECT APPROVAL AND COMMENCEMENT:

Proposals recommended by Technical Committee after Techno-Economic evaluations are put up to the Competent Authority for according approval. Director General of CPRI is the approving authority for proposals having outlay up to 50 lakhs and put up to SCRD for ratification. Other projects having outlay above Rs 50 lakhs are evaluated by the Standing Committee on R&D (SCRD) chaired by Chairperson, CEA. The SCRD after thorough evaluation of the merit of the proposal grants approval for the project.

Once approved, the formal sanction and release of grant will be sought from the Ministry of Power. Communication of the approval and release of first installment of the grant will be carried out after signing of MoU between CPRI, Project Implementing Organization and receipt of grant from MoP.

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS (QPR):

It is the responsibility of Principal Investigator to furnish the progress (Technical and Financial) of the project for each quarter within a month after completion of the quarter. For the purpose of furnishing quarterly reports, the 1st quarter starts in April of every financial year. The QPRs are to be furnished in the prescribed formats for reporting technical & financial progress respectively.

FUND UTILIZATION CERTIFICATE (UC):

Principal Investigator shall submit the Fund Utilization Certificate for the released amount immediately after exhaustion of funds. Satisfactory technical progress and submission of progress reports and utilization Certificates as per the specified format are pre-requisites for release of further tranche for the project.

PROJECT MONITORING:

The R&D Management department monitors the projects by analysing the data submitted through QPR and UC. Progress of the projects is reviewed by the Technical Committee at Bengaluru or in some cases at respective investigating organizations or through Video Conferencing.

PROJECT COMPLETION & TECHNICAL REPORT:

The investigating agency shall make a presentation to the Technical Committee once the project is completed. Prior to this, CPRI will scrutinize & analyze the final results of the project and give a report to the Technical Committee.

The Technical Committee finally declares that the project is completed with the deliverables as stipulated in the original project proposal.

DISSEMINATION:

The information on technologies / products developed as part of research scheme is currently available on CPRI website. The Project Investigators are encouraged to conduct workshops and seminars for dissemination of the knowledge.

WHO CAN SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL?

  1. Power Utilities
  2. Academic Institutes
  3. R&D Institutes
  4. Manufacturers

Collaborative proposals are also encouraged under this scheme. Project from Individuals are not considered under the schemes.

WHEN AND HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?

  1. Research proposals can be sent any time during the year to CPRI.
  2. The formats for submission of proposal and other details pertaining to the scheme are available on the CPRI Web site under the respective schemes or can be obtained by writing to Head, R&D Management Division.
  3. Proposals prepared in the format should be submitted through the head of the respective institution to Head, R&D Management Division CPRI after recommendation of the external subject matter experts.
  4. The Principal Investigator is normally required to make presentation on the proposal to the Technical Committee.

 

Research Opportunities for Students

VTU Research Centre

Realizing the need for quality education and training requirements of the Indian Power Sector, CPRI forayed into the realm of higher education in Power. To further the cause of continuing education for the officers / scientists / engineers of Indian power Sector, a Research Centre was established in the year 2013, which offers Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) positions leading to M.Sc. (Engg.) and Ph.D. (Engg.) in Electrical & Electronics, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering and PhD (Chemistry) under regular schemes. The Research Centre is recognized by Visvesvaraya Technological University Belgaum and currently operates with forty eight research scholars of which thirty nine are registered as JRF/SRF, three are registered for Ph.D ( Engg.) though external registration and six officers of CPRI are registered for M.Sc. (Engg.)/ Ph.D (Engg.) through part-time registration. The JRFs/SRFs contribute towards the on-going research activities in CPRI under In-house R&D Scheme. So far seventeen (17) research students received their research degrees through this Research Center. Fourteen (14) CPRI Officers are recognized supervisors of VTU Belgaum.

RTMNU Research Centre

Thermal Research Center (TRC), CPRI, Nagpur is also a recognized Research Center of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), Nagpur, Maharashtra.

 

Advertisement No. CPRI/R&D/06/2021 -- SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SRF) PROGRAMME. The last date for submission of application form is 19/09/2022. In view of the notification issued by VTU, Belgaum (No.VTU/BGM/Aca/Ph.D/2020-21/669), candidates applying for the post of SRF in Mechanical Engineering are requested to send an advance copy of the application by email to rnd[at]cpri[dot]in latest by 12.09.2022.

 

Advertisement No. CPRI/R&D/05/2021 -- SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SRF) PROGRAMME. The last date for submission of application form is 24/06/2022

 

Advertisement No. CPRI/R&D/04/2021 -- SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SRF) PROGRAMME. The last date for submission of application form is extended upto 02/06/2022

 

Post Graduate Project

CPRI provides opportunity to Post Graduate Students (M.E / M.Tech / M.Sc (Physics/Chemistry)) to carryout Project work in CPRI as part of their Masters course at CPRI, Bengaluru and its other units at Bhopal, Nagpur, Noida, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Guwahati.The aim of the scheme for Post Graduate project work in CPRI is to facilitate Post Graduate students (M.E / M.Tech / M.Sc) to work in advanced areas of Power Engineering. Project guidance and support to selected students will be provided by Officers of CPRI in close coordination with the guide from the student’s institute.

Advertisement No. CPRI/R&D/Postgraduate – Projects/2022 PROJECT WORK FOR POST GRADUATE STUDENTS IN CPRI.

Advertisement No. CPRI/R&D/Postgraduate – Projects/2023 PROJECT WORK FOR POST GRADUATE STUDENTS IN CPRI.(Last Date of Submission of Application extended upto 8-12-2023)

TITLE RELATED DOCUMENTS
Post Graduate Advertisement-2023-24 (Lang:English) Download  (404 KB & pdf)
Annexure-I (2023-24) (Lang:English) Download  (458 KB & pdf)
Application Format (2023-24) (Lang:English) Download  (563 KB & pdf)
SRF Advertisement-CPRI/R&D/06/2022 (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Annexure-I (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Application Format (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
SRF Advertisement-CPRI/R&D/05/2021 (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Annexure-I (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Application Format (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
SRF Advertisement-CPRI/R&D/04/2021 (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Annexure-I (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Application Format (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)
Post Graduate Advertisement (Lang:English) Download  (411 KB & pdf)
Annexure-I (Lang:English) Download  (363 KB & pdf)
Application Format (Lang:English) Download  (239.29 KB & pdf)

Steps for the proposal approval, monitoring and completion

Steps for the proposal approval, monitoring and completion

Step 1: Call for Proposals:

  • Call for proposal is advertised on the CPRI website, MANTHAN platform and also sometimes in newspapers.

Step 2: Screening of the proposals:

  • The proposals are screened for completeness and whether the theme of the proposal is in line with the Thrust Areas of Research identified in the National Electricity Plan.
  • The proposals must have clear and quantitative deliverables
  • Application oriented research proposals are only supported and basic/fundamental research proposals are not entertained under the scheme.
  • If the proposals are not in line with the scope of the scheme, the same is brought to the notice of the Project Investigators and asked for modification.

Step 3: Expert Review Process:

  • The proposals are then sent to Two external subject matter experts for review
  • The external experts generally are from prestigious institutions (IITs, IISc, NITs) and Govt. Organizations (CSIR labs, CPSEs etc).
  • The list of reviewers are identified and approval for sending to the reviewers is obtained from Director General CPRI
  • A double blind process is being followed during the review and the identity of the proposers are masked. If both reviewers reject the proposal, it is denied. If reviewers disagree, a third reviewer makes the final decision. If a reviewer suggests changes, the project investigator will be notified. If both reviewers approve, the proposal goes to the Technical Committee.

Step 4: Review by the Technical Committees:

  • The proposals are presented to the Technical Committees constituted by the Ministry of Power. The Committee consists of IIT Professors as Chairman and representation from CEA, CPRI, IEEMA, PSUs, DISCOMS etc.
  • There are four technical committees, each focusing on different sectors like transmission, thermal generation, hydro generation, and grid/distribution.
  • The Project Investigators have to defended their proposal in front of the Technical Committee.
  • Technical Committee meets only 2-3 times in a year for techno-economic evaluation and recommendation of projects to the Competent Authority for according approval.
  • Recommendations of the Technical Committee will be communicated to the Principal Investigator through e-mail.

Step 5: Review by the Standing Committee on R&D (SCRD):

  • The proposals recommended by the Technical Committees are put up to the SCRD for ratification/ approval.
  • The PI’s with projects above 50 lakhs, defend their proposals to in front of the SCRD
  • The SCRD is chaired by Chairperson CEA and has representation from CEA, MoP,MNRE, DPIIT, DSIR, POWERGRID, NTPC, NHPC etc
  • The SCRD meets only 2-3 times in a year for evaluation of the projects and review of the progress of the schemes.

Step 6: Project Approval and Start:

  • Proposals recommended by the Technical Committee are approved by the Director General, CPRI for project outlay Rs 50 lakhs and below, and SCRD chaired by Chairperson CEA for proposals above Rs 50 Lakhs.
  • After approval of the project CPRI enters into MoU with the project implementing organizations where the signatories from Project Implementing Organization  includes Registrar/ Dean R&D/ HoD  of the PI’s division etc.

Step 7: Project monitoring:

  • Quarterly Reports:

The principal investigator must report both technical and financial progress every quarter.

  • Utilization of Funds:

The principal investigator must submit a Fund Utilization Certificate duly signed by the Accounts department of the Project Implementing Organization. Successful submission of these certificates and progress reports are required to release additional funding.

Step 8: Project Completion:

At the end of the project, results are presented to the Technical Committee, which then approves the completion based on the project's achievements compared to the original goals.