IIT Bombay and Indus Towers Forge a New Path in Sustainable Energy Innovation

Mumbai, April 22, 2025: Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B) and Indus Towers Limited, one of the world’s largest telecom infrastructure company, today inked an agreement for two transformative research initiatives in sustainable energy. The research will primarily focus on advancing solar power generation and energy storage, aiming to create visionary and viable solutions. This initiative is part of Indus Towers’ flagship Corporate Social Responsibility program, Pragati.

At a time when climate imperatives and energy demands are reshaping global priorities and the world is racing towards cleaner, smarter, and greener energy systems, innovation is no longer an option—it is a necessity. Highlighting the importance of creating solutions for a better tomorrow, Prachur Sah, MD & CEO, Indus Towers said “This partnership is a powerful example of industry and academia coming together to address real-world challenges through research and innovation. Research on Perovskite Solar Cell technology and utilising agricultural waste for energy storage is an exciting concept and could become crucial in advancing sustainable energy solutions. We are confident that the research has the potential to revolutionise our approach to clean energy.”

The pioneering effort to develop Perovskite Solar Cell technology aims at surpassing the limitations of conventional silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells. This next-generation technology is designed to achieve higher efficiency without increasing the existing cell cost. It has extensive applications in both terrestrial and space-based solar systems, developed entirely through indigenous efforts.

The second initiative under this collaboration addresses another critical sustainability challenge—agricultural waste and energy storage. The project aims to develop a scalable method to convert rice straw, an abundant agricultural residue, into doped hard carbon materials. These materials will serve as anodes or additives in sodium-ion batteries, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion technology. This research not only mitigates the environmental hazards of stubble burning but also strengthens the country’s clean energy ecosystem by utilizing indigenous, eco-friendly resources.

Commenting on the broader vision of the partnership, Prof. Ravindra Gudi, Dean, Alumni and Corporate Relations said, “At IIT Bombay, we believe that scientific excellence must be anchored in purpose. Collaborations like this not only push the frontiers of research but also demonstrate how academia and corporates can work hand in hand to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time. We are grateful to Indus Towers Ltd. for supporting innovation that has the potential to accelerate India’s journey towards energy sustainability.”

This partnership underscores IIT Bombay’s role as a national hub for high-impact, mission-driven research. Through a meaningful collaboration with Indus Towers, the Institute continues to convert scientific ideas into scalable, real-world solutions. It also highlights how CSR funding, when channelled toward innovation and knowledge creation, can help build not-only the technological backbone of a more sustainable and Atmanirbhar India, but also positions India as a pioneer in energy technologies as a global leader.

About IIT Bombay:

The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, set up in 1958 as the second IIT is recognised worldwide as a leader in the field of engineering education and research. The Institute was granted the status of ‘Institution of Eminence’ by the Ministry of Education (the then Ministry of Human Resources Development) on July 9, 2018. IIT Bombay is reputed for the quality of its faculty and the outstanding calibre of students graduating from its undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The Institute has 17 academic departments, 31 (Centres/ Programmes/ Academic facilities), three schools and three Interdisciplinary programmes. Over the last six decades, more than 70,000 engineers and scientists have graduated from the Institute. It is served by more than 715 faculty members considered not only amongst the best within the country but also highly recognised in the world for achievements in the field of education and research. In March 2025, IIT Bombay was ranked 28th in Engineering and Technology in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject for 2025.

About Indus Towers Limited

Indus Towers Limited is India’s leading provider of passive telecom infrastructure, and it deploys, owns and manages telecom towers and communication structures, for various mobile operators. The Company’s portfolio of 229,658 telecom towers, makes it one of the largest tower infrastructure providers in the country with presence in all 22 telecom circles. Indus Towers caters to all wireless telecommunication service providers in India. The Company has been the industry pioneer in adopting green energy initiatives for its operations. For further details visit www.industowers.com