Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 August 2020, a meeting was held to discuss bilateral projects in the field of energy, strengthening bilateral ties in science and innovation, as well as possible future work with the assistance of specialists from the Ministry of Innovative Development and the Ministry of Energy.

During the event, the parties discussed the development of hydrogen energy in the country. It should be noted that growing environmental problems, a decrease in hydrocarbon reserves, an increase in demand for clean energy sources, and the development of technologies (especially nanotechnologies) have become an impetus for expanding research in the field of hydrogen energy in the world. Considering that most of this research is currently in its infancy, with sufficient attention to research and development, our country can take a special status in the world in the field of hydrogen energy.

In this regard, the Ministry of Innovative Development, in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education and the Academy of Sciences, has developed a proposal to establish a Scientific and Practical Innovation Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies. It is expected that the center will combine the capabilities of scientific and higher educational institutions in the development of the industry, create a testing ground, expand cooperation with foreign research centers and serve as a training base for doctoral students, students and masters.

A working group consisting of experts from the Ministry of Energy, the Academy of Sciences, JSC "National Electric Grids of Uzbekistan" and CDC "Energia" to study the impact of renewable energy sources on the energy system of the Republic of Uzbekistan is conducting a number of studies based on online trainings with the practical assistance of the regional program of the USAID (USA) "Power the Future".

The ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change in the Republic of Uzbekistan established a number of obligations for the country. In this regard, on the initiative of the Ministry of Innovative Development, the potential of thermal, satellite and flare gases in the Republic of Uzbekistan, the use of secondary energy resources in the production of additional energy without fuel is being studied.

Competitions are held within the framework of state scientific and technical programs aimed at innovative development of the fuel and energy complex and support for research and development in this area. According to the results of the competition, the project “Creation of automated software products for control of energy consumption of industrial enterprises” is financed in the amount of 460.0 million soums per year.

Competitive stages for other projects submitted to the competition are coming to an end. As of 1 August 2020, the topics of 24 thematic projects worth 39.3 billion soums were presented within the framework of the competition for state scientific programs held by the Ministry of Energy. Following the consideration of these topics, a competition for positively evaluated topics will be announced in the prescribed manner.