TERI was formally established in 1974 with the purpose of tackling and dealing with the immense and acute problems that mankind is likely to be faced with in the years ahead
- on account of the gradual depletion of the earth’s finite energy resources which are largely non-renewable and
- on account of the existing methods of their use which are polluting
The Institute has grown substantially over the years, particularly, since it launched its own research activities and established a base in New Delhi, its registered headquarters.
TERI has US$9.4 million funding from BP (British Petroleum) to demonstrate the feasibility of producing biodiesel from jatropha curcas.
The project, which is expected to take 10 years will cultivate around 8,000 hectares currently designated as wasteland with jatropha and install all the equipment necessary for seed crushing, oil extraction and processing to produce 9 million liters of bio-diesel a year. A full environmental and social impact assessment on the supply chain and a life cycle analysis of greenhouse gas emissions will be completed as part of the project. TERI will be responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of the project.
Speaker Profile
Dr Alok Adholeya is currently the Director of Biotechnology and Bioresources Division at TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), New Delhi, an independent, not-for-profit research organization, which he joined in 1986. Many awards and honours have come his way including the Gwalior Ratna in 2000, the Paryavaran Sanrakshan Samman (an award for protecting the environment) in 1999, Young Scientist Award in 1999, and the Biotech Product and Process Development and Commercialization Award 2004 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
He has found ways to harness the power mycorrhizae to increase the productivity of crop plants, and to restore degraded lands. The increased demand for mycorrhizal biofertilizer prompted him to commercialize it. He has developed many other technologies involving mycorrhiza in the reclamation of industrial wastelands. He has also identified suitable microbes beneficial for growing biofuel crops.
He has published over 60 research papers in reputed national and international journals and has also been a member of the editorial boards of many of them. He has often chaired many advisory committees on agriculture and bioremediation, and has guided 11 doctoral students and many masters’ students so far. He also acts as an invited reviewer for several reputed journals. He is also an invited speaker in many international forums.
JatrophaWorld 2009 Kuala Lumpur Speaker
Day 1 – Monday, February 16
09:30 FEEDSTOCK PRODUCTION ON WASTE LAND
16:45 BIOTECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTION TO DEVELOP FUTURE CULTIVARS
JATROPHAWORLD 2009 is a showcase of all the latest trends and shifts occurring in the Jatropha value chain, bringing together on a single platform, the best expertise to discuss and analyze the present and future dynamics of Jatropha from a technological and socio-economic angle. To find more about JatrophaWorld in Kuala Lumpur from February 16 to 17, 2009, please visit http://www.futureenergyevents.com/jatropha/