American multinational oil and gas corporation, ExxonMobil signed a five-year agreement with IIT-Bombay and IIT-Madras yesterday, which focusses on progressing research in biofuels and bio-products, gas transport and conversion, climate and environment, and low-emissions technologies for the power and industrial sectors. The agreements will partner the institutes’ areas of expertise with ExxonMobil’s research. 

The company says these collaborations are recent additions to a series of global partnerships ExxonMobil has established to progress innovative, lower-emissions research programs with more than 80 universities, five energy centers and multiple private sector partners. ExxonMobil says it has spent $10 billion (Rs 71,020 crore) since 2000 developing and deploying lower-emissions energy solutions.

Vijay Swarup, vice-president of research and development at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company said: “These agreements will give us a better understanding of how to progress and apply technologies in India, and develop breakthrough lower-emissions solutions that can make a difference globally.”

Professor Ravindra Gettu, dean of industrial consultancy and sponsored research of IIT Madras said: "IIT Madras is committed to providing sustainable solutions in the energy, chemicals and waste management sectors, and I am confident about our collaboration with ExxonMobil to achieve these goals."

Professor Milind Atrey, dean of research and development at IIT Bombay said: “IIT Bombay values its relationship with ExxonMobil and the cause associated with it. We are sure that this relationship will be long lasting and yield fruitful results.”

Recently, ExxonMobil conducted a joint study with IIT Bombay and the Council for Energy, Environment and Water, a leading India-based think-tank, focusing on the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with India’s power sector. The study looked at India’s projected electricity demand growth over the next 20 to 30 years and compared emissions associated with power generated by domestic coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from the United States. It found that, on average, life cycle GHG emissions from LNG imported into India are approximately 54 percent lower than those associated with India coal.