Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)

Why in news?

• The Ministry of Power and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy have jointly launched a National Mission titled Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR).

About Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR):

• MAHIR aims to facilitate indigenous research, development and demonstration of the latest and emerging technologies in the power sector.
• It also aims:
  • To leverage emerging technologies as the main fuel for future economic growth and thus make India a manufacturing hub of the world.
  • To provide a common platform for Power Sector Stakeholders for collective brainstorming, synergetic technology development and devise pathways for the smooth transfer of technology.
  • To support pilot projects of indigenous technologies developed by Indian start-ups and facilitate their commercialization.
  • To leverage foreign alliances and partnerships for research and development of advanced technologies and technology transfer.
• MAHIR functions by pooling financial resources of the Ministry of Power, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the Central Public Sector Enterprises under the two Ministries.
  • Additional funding, if required, will be mobilized from the Government’s budgetary resources.
• It is planned for an initial period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

Structure:

• The Mission will have a two-tier structure:
  • Technical Scoping Committee (TSC):
    • It will survey and identify the on-going and emerging areas of research globally and will make recommendations to the Apex Committee.
    • It is chaired by the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority.
  • Apex Committee:
    • It deliberates on technology and product development, approves research proposals, and looks into international collaborations.
    • It is chaired by the Union Minister for Power & New and Renewable Energy.

Eight areas identified for MAHIR:

• 1) Alternatives to Lithium-Ion storage batteries
• 2) Modifying electric cookers / pans to suit Indian cooking methods
• 3) Green hydrogen for mobility (High Efficiency Fuel Cell)
• 4) Carbon capture
• 5) Geo-thermal energy
• 6) Solid state refrigeration
• 7) Nanotechnology for EV battery
• 8) Indigenous CRGO technology.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Which of the following are the focus areas of ‘Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research (MAHIR)’?

1. Carbon capture

2. Geo-thermal energy

3. Green hydrogen for mobility

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer