India to join the International Energy Agency – Ocean Energy Systems

India has decided to become member country of the International Energy Agency – Ocean Energy Systems (IEA-OES) to boost for country’s quest for tapping ocean energy sources.
Proposal for signing the Implementing Agreement (IA) in this regard was approved by Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Key facts

• By becoming a member India will have access to advanced Research & Development (R&D) teams and technologies across the world.
• India will also become partner in developing test protocols along with other countries which will in turn help in testing Indian prototypes as per international requirements and norms.
• Earth System Science Organisation – National Institute of Ocean Technology (ESSO-NIOT) under the aegis of Union Ministry of Earth Sciences will be the nodal agency for the membership.
• It can also help India to leverage benefits from joint cooperative programs with institutes of member countries could be taken up.

Benefits

• By becoming member of IEA-OES, India (power deficit country) can leverage study of ocean renewable energies.
• It will also help to acquire modern technologies to harness ocean energy and overcome technological challenge due vagaries of the sea ocean energy.
• Provide technology to India (tropical country) to harness Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) due to high sea surface temperatures.

About International Energy Agency (IEA)

• Inter-governmental organization established in 1974 as per framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• Members: Presently it has 29 member countries.
• Headquarters (Secretariat): Paris, France.
• IEA mandate: To focus on the “3Es” of effectual energy policy: energy security, economic development and environmental protection.
• It also seeks to promote alternate energy sources (including renewable energy), rational energy policies and multinational energy technology co-operation.
• It acts as energy policy advisor to 29 member countries and also non-member countries like China, India and Russia.

About Ocean Energy Systems (OES)

• OES is an intergovernmental collaboration between countries which operates under framework established by the IEA in 2001.
• It seeks to harness energy from all forms of ocean renewable resources through international cooperation and information exchange by promoting advance research, development and technologies.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2016