CSIR chief urges NIO to work on energy security

Panaji: The first woman to be appointed director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), N Kalaiselvi, said the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) can play a crucial role in advancing cutting-edge solutions that meet India’s energy, food, and strategic security needs.
“The country is looking at energy, food, health, and strategic security. It is high time that NIO participates in all five securities, both directly and indirectly,” she said while speaking at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Goa-based institute.
Drawing inspiration from international examples, Kalaiselvi pointed to Norway’s pioneering efforts in energy diversification. “Despite being a relatively small country, Norway has integrated five different forms of energy harvesting: solar, electrical, tidal, wind, and geo-energy.
This comprehensive approach has made Norway one of the global leaders in sustainable energy practices, particularly in carbon capture and utilisation,” Kalaiselvi said.
She also highlighted that such nations have developed a wealth of knowledge and other technological expertise that India could adapt to its needs. “These countries provide invaluable insights that we can learn from and embed into our systems,” she said.
“There is no dearth of knowledge or expertise within NIO, and I encourage them to feel free to collaborate with global experts to create a new model,” she said.