Professor C.N.R. Rao to receive the prestigious International Eni Award 2020 for research in renewable energy sources & energy storage

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As the global temperature is on a constant rise, the need for alternate energy is a necessity in coming years. The primary source of energy on planet earth is fossil fuels, but the devastating effects of climate change have forced humankind to innovate new technologies that are driven by renewable energy. In one such step Indian chemist, Professor C.N.R. Rao will be receiving the prestigious International Eni Award 2020 for research into renewable energy sources & energy storage.

The Bharat Ratna Awardee has been working on hydrogen energy and how it can be used as a primary source of energy in near future. The International Eni Award is also known as the Energy Frontier award and is considered to be the Nobel Prize in energy research. The Eni Award 2020 will be presented to Professor C.N.R. Rao on 14 October 2021 in Rome, Italy.

Why Eni Awards are given?

The award aims to encourage and promote the better use of energy sources and to recognize the new generations of researchers in the field of energy and the environment. The award has gained international recognition in the past few years. The award includes a specially minted gold medal and a cash prize.

The awards also create a viable ecosystem for researchers around the globe to explore the immense possibilities of renewable energy sources & energy storage.

Professor C.N.R. Rao’s Work

Professor C.N.R. Rao has been on hydrogen and how can it be used as a source of energy in an efficient manner. Hydrogen is present in abundance on Earth combined with other elements, such as in hydrocarbons and water. So, Hydrogen is a potential contender for alternative fuel.

Hydrogen storage, non-metallic catalysis, solar production of hydrogen and photochemical & electrochemical production of hydrogen are some of the highlights of his work. But, the award is pressed to Professor C.N.R. Rao for his research on metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, and two-dimensional systems.

The two-dimensional systems include graphene, boron-nitrogen-carbon hybrid materials, and molybdenum sulfide (Molybdenite – MoS2) for energy applications and green hydrogen production.

Professor Rao has developed some highly innovative materials that have beneficial properties for the construction of hydrogen storage systems. The storage system is similar to batteries, which is an important part of the renewable energy sector.

Why storage systems are an important part of the renewable energy sector?

Renewable sources of energy have their limitation. Solar energy, Wind energy, Hydro Energy, and several others have certain conditions in which they work best. So, the storage system acts as a bank of energy that is generated from renewable sources. For Example, Sunlight is not there at night and on cloudy days. The solar panels will generate energy on sunny days and will store the energy in batteries (The storage system). Now the energy can be used through the storage systems at night as well as on cloudy days.

That is why storage system technology and its efficiency is a key to renewable energy. We can maximize the energy production in suitable conditions and then further using the energy in tough conditions.