Neyveli: NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Anna University, Chennai, to set up an innovation and incubation centre for promoting young innovators in specific focus areas aimed at developing the core business activities of NLCIL. The MoA has been signed by and exchanged between NLCIL's CGM/CARD & Corporate Environment Cell, Head of R&D, Dr V Manoharan and Anna University's Registrar Dr L Karunamoothy at Neyveli. On the occasion, NLCIL's CMD Rakesh Kumar, Director (HR) R Vikraman, Director (P&P) NNM Rao, Director (Mines) Prabhakar Chowki, and Director (Power) Shaji John were also present.

What does the MoA cover?

As per the MoA, the Centre for Applied Research and Development (CARD), NLCIL, in collaboration with Institute for Energy Studies (IES), Anna University, will set up an innovation and incubation centre, which will be known as Anna University – NLCIL Innovation Hub for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (ANIHEES). It will be focused on innovation work on identified theme areas, such as value-added products from lignite and ash, lignite quality upgradation, waste heat utilisation, water recovery, emission reduction etc.

This innovation and incubation centre will create business opportunities for young innovators and also develop new technologies to accelerate the growth of industry and support the society in nation-building

Anna University, Chennai, will set up ANIHEES in 3,000 square feet area and a work station at NLCIL to lead start-ups with seed fund by NLCIL. The programme has an outlay of Rs 495.65 lakhs for a period of five years. Young innovators will be invited with proposals to develop proof of concepts and prototypes. This innovation and incubation centre will create business opportunities for young innovators and also develop new technologies to accelerate the growth of industry and support the society in nation-building.

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NLCIL's CMD appreciated the initiative and encouraged this collaborative work to focus on sustainable solution for energy and environment-related challenges faced by power plants. Anna University, Chennai has been recognised as 'Atal Incubation Centre' (AIC) and also recognised as 'Institution of Excellence' (IoE) for possessing world-class facility.

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