RSOP Project Details & FAQ's

About RSoP Scheme

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.

The individual project funding is in the range of Rs 5 lakhs to 50 lakhs. However, proposal with higher financial outlay can also be considered.

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.

Funding:

The projects approved under RSoP scheme will be fully funded by Ministry of Power.

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. Size of the project in terms of financial outlay is in the range of Rs. 5 Lakhs to Rs. 50 Lakhs and duration of 1-2 years. Generally, over head charges @15% 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 appointed by Director General, CPRI. 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 upto 50 lakhs. Other projects are vetted 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 immediately be done after signing of MoU between CPRI and Project Implementing Organization.

PROGRESS REVIEW & QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS (QPR):

The R&D Management department is responsible for continuous monitoring and collecting data on necessary milestones of the project to ensure smooth progress and successful completion of the project.

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 (Forms 9 &10) respectively.

PROJECT APPROVAL AND COMMENCEMENT :

Governing Council of CPRI chaired by Secretary (Power), Ministry of Power, Government of India is the Approving Body for projects to be taken up under RSoP Scheme. Proposals recommended by RSoP Expert Committee after Techno-Economic evaluations are submitted to the Governing Council of CPRI for according approval.

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 immediately after signing of MoU between CPRI and Project Implementing Organization & this marks the commencement of the project.

PROGRESS REVIEW & QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS (QPR):

A technical expert from CPRI will be identified and designated as Nodal Officer for each of the new RSoP projects and this officer is equally responsible for achieving progress and successful completion of the project.

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 (Forms 9 &10) respectively.

PROJECT MONITORING:

On-going Projects are monitored by the R & D Management Division of CPRI. Progress of the projects is reviewed by the Technical Committee at Bengaluru or in some cases at respective investigating organizations by CPRI Officers nominated of R&D Management Division.

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 (Form 12) are pre-requisites for release of further tranche for the project.

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. The Principal investigator shall submit a Technical report to CPRI within one month of the completion of the project.

DISSEMINATION:

The information on technologies / products developed as part of RSoP scheme is currently available on CPRI website (c ). However, the institute is in the process of putting in place, a comprehensive & reliable system for effective dissemination of research findings. This will also address approach towards commercialization, technology transfer & industry participation. Details of this new mechanism will be announced shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHO CAN SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL?

• Power Utilities
• Academic Institutes
• R&D Institute

Collaborative proposals are also encouraged under this scheme.

WHEN AND HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?

• Research proposals can be sent any time during the year to CPRI.
• The formats for submission of proposal and other details pertaining to the scheme are available on the CPRI Web site (URL: https://cpri.res.in//r-a-d-schemes/research-scheme/research-scheme-on-power-rsop/list-of-rsop-formats) or can be obtained by writing to Head, R&D Management Division.
• Proposals prepared in the format should be submitted through the head of the respective institution to Head, R&D Management Division CPRI.
• The Principal Investigator is normally required to make presentation on the proposal to 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.

Responsibilities of R&D Management Division: