MISSION INNOVATION CHAMPIONS
Championing the clean energy revolution: A program for recognizing and supporting the next wave of energy technology leaders.
The Mission Innovation Champions Program seeks to celebrate and support innovative individuals who are accelerating the clean energy revolution by working on key clean energy research and technology developments. By supporting cross-border exchanges of ideas and talent and building a community of visionaries committed to the promise of clean energy research and development, the program activates and engages a new generation of researchers, inventors and leaders.
The Champions work in a variety of energy-related fields and industries. They are individuals with a track record of progressing creative new ideas that can drive the pace and scale of the clean energy revolution — they are the people inventing the products and services of the future or discovering the science that underpins them. The Champions were selected through a rigorous international competition, including peer-to-peer reviews and evaluations by a diverse panel of experts from around the globe. Applications were evaluated based on the audaciousness and creativity of the ideas or solutions proposed, their potential impact and the vision of the candidates towards addressing climate change challenges in the energy sector through innovation.
2019 MISSION INNOVATION CHAMPIONS
2019 MISSION INNOVATION CHAMPION-INDIA
SANTI PADA GON CHAUDHURI
Visiting Professor, Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology, Shibpur
“I believe in the potential of renewable energy in heating, cooling, drinking water, and rural transport. As a Mission Innovation Champion, I will lead innovators and initiate a nationwide programme.”
Santi Pada Gon Chaudhuri is a Strategic Advisor at Vikram Solar. Mr. Chaudhuri plays a vital role in Vikram Solar’s R&D and various technological innovations. Mr. Chaudhuri works for the Government of India as a National Level Monitor of Renewable Energy Programme. He has 28 years of experience in the field of Renewable Energy and worked for more than 17 years as the Head of the Renewable Energy Department for the Government of West Bengal. India’s first off-grid solar power plant with mini grid was designed and set up by Mr. Chaudhuri
2020 MISSION INNOVATION CHAMPIONS
2020 MISSION INNOVATION CHAMPION-INDIA
Purnima Jalihal
Head, Energy and Fresh Water, Ocean energies: Energy from Waves, Marine Currents, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, National Institute of Ocean Technology, India.
“With 30% of the large Indian population living along the long coastline where both energy and water are scarce, renewables like Ocean Energy are needed. I am fortunate to be leading the technology development of ocean renewable energies and ocean thermal desalination.”
Dr. Purnima Jalihal is a senior scientist who heads the Energy and Fresh Water group in the National Institute of Ocean Technology, India. She has led device developments for harnessing energy from waves, marine currents, and ocean thermal gradient (OTEC). The wave-powered navigational buoy for ports is now being transferred to industry. The marine hydrokinetic turbine was successfully demonstrated, and a design for small off-grid devices is now available. She was a tremendous contributor to setting up of the first-ever ocean thermal gradient based desalination plant at Kavaratti island in the Lakshadweep group in the Arabian Sea, which helped transform the lives of the small island community which had a serious lack of drinking water. She is now working towards scaling up the technologies and attempting to power a desalination plant using OTEC. She has a PhD in Civil Engineering from Duke University in the United States.
For more information on MI Champions , please visit the MI Champions website or read the press release announcing the Champions.