Need lab policy for renewable energy projects: Goyal

A National Lab Policy is needed for testing and certification of renewable energy projects, New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. "National Lab Policy is needed to address the testing, standardisation and certification of renewable energy projects in the country," Goyal was quoted as saying in a statement by his ministry. Such a policy document should bring out a clear work plan identifying the need of equipment and infrastructure, including funds requirement, said Goyal, who also holds the coal and power portfolios.

Inaugurating a national workshop on lab infrastructure for Renewable Energy Deployment Programme here, the minister said indigenous technology development and standardisation is essential for the growth of the renewable energy sector. There is a need to pay more attention on ensuring quality and reliability of renewable energy systems for effective promotion of renewable energy, the statement added. Goyal emphasised on maintaining consistency in manufacturing and confidence in reliability of these technologies to ensure that systems installed function properly.

The minister also stated that biogas needs to be given more attention to make it a well-organised industry. "Improved biomass cook stoves should be promoted for clean cooking solutions, thereby addressing both fuel saving and health hazards concerns of rural women and children," he said. He further stressed that proper standardisation will facilitate financing options for deployment. "We need to strengthen test facilities for proper testing to maintain quality of products. Also, training, proper inspection for checking the quality of systems installed is needed, ensuring effective utilisation of renewable energy," Goyal said. The ministry's Secretary Upendra Tripathy emphasised upon the need for proper testing of renewable energy systems, following standardised procedures to ensure reliability.