Bengaluru , Nov 13, 2024, TRIPURA TIMES Desk

Bengaluru, Nov 13: The Energy Technology Meet (ETM) 2024, organized by the Centre for High Technology (CHT) and co-hosted by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IndianOil), commenced today in Bengaluru, bringing together industry experts, researchers, policymakers, and innovators under the theme “Green Energy Horizons: Advancing Sustainable Refining and Petrochemicals.” The three-day event from 12 -14 November 2024,  highlights India’s commitment to sustainable energy innovations and the transition towards greener energy solutions.
Inaugurating the event Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, upheld ETM-2024 as a platform to bring together Energy Security, Sustainability and Technological innovation. Articulating his views on the critical role played by Bharth in the global energy landscape. Referring to International Energy Agency (IEA) figures,  Hon’ble Minister remarked that “Our nation’s energy demand is set to double by 2047, with a substantial 25% increase in demand within the next two decades expected from India alone.” Shri Puri lauded the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and private energy companies for their proactive approach in achieving net-zero targets and affirmed India’s readiness to support the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ through advancements in ethanol, hydrogen, and biofuels.
Hon’ble Minister highlighted India’s biofuel achievements, revealing that India’s current biofuel blending rate has reached 16.9%, putting the country on track to exceed the 20% target set for 2030, five years ahead of schedule. As a result of Govt. of India’s biofuel initiatives, we have saved INR 91,000 crore in import bills parallelly giving a much-needed boost to the agriculture sector,” he added. He also said that India ranks second globally in biofuel blending, underscoring its leading position in sustainable fuel practices.
Further, emphasizing India’s refining sector, Shri Puri noted, “India has the capability to  process over 250 types of crude oil, with refining capacity anticipated to grow from the current 258 MMTPA to 310 MMTPA.” India’s refining expansion, coupled with petrochemical integration, positions India well on its way towards flexible, efficient energy transition.
Addressing the role of digital innovation, the Minister referenced BCG’s report forecasting India’s ArtificiaI Intelligence market to reach USD 70 billion by 2027, underscoring digitalization’s potential to drive efficiency in energy operations.

Mr. V Satish Kumar, Chairman & Director (Marketing), IndianOil, in his address said that, the future of the energy industry hinges on integrating green energy solutions into refining processes. Through cutting-edge technologies and resource optimization, we can build a resilient and environmentally responsible industry. ETM-2024 opens rich opportunities for our refining and petrochemicals sector, that can play a significant role in catalysing the nation’s aspirations.
This flagship event of MoPNG is marked by the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and several top cadre leaders of the Petroleum industry and Government of India. Over 1300 delegates from India and abroad including domain experts, academia, licensors, R&D scientists and other professionals from the Hydrocarbon sector are participating in this 3-day event. 
ETM 2024 will feature technical sessions on renewable integration, hydrogen production, waste-to-energy innovation, and strategies for carbon neutrality. An exhibition area will showcase cutting-edge products and technologies from industry leaders, startups, and research institutions. The event fosters collaborative opportunities, encouraging academia-industry partnerships, skill-building, and joint R&D efforts to advance India’s sustainable energy future.