About RSoP Scheme

The aim of this Scheme is to ensure optimum utilization of the allocated fund with emphasis on maximizing
the research benefits by better management of research projects under the scheme. This is in tune with the
mandate of CPRI as an apex body for initiating and coordinating various research and developmental
activities in the field of electric power by networking with various state electricity boards, Distribution
companies and maintaining liaison with Academic Institutions engaged in research connected with power
systems and/or power equipment in the country. The themes of the projects may be summarized as follows:
1) Decentralized generation 2) Power Electronics application to power system 3) Improvements in power
generation, transmission and distribution systems 4) Advanced Remaining Life Assessment (RLA)
methodologies 5) Information & Communication Technology applications to power sector 6) Insulation
Engineering and Technology for HTS based Power Apparatus.

Research projects which are pertinent to the area of power sector development e.g. Generation,
Transmission, Distribution, Renewables etc. can be taken up by the Utilities/Academic Institutions which
can be funded under the RSoP scheme to enable them to address mainly local specific operational issues. In
certain cases, the Utilities could associate R&D and academic institutions and take up the projects in a
collaborative manner.

The individual project funding is in the range of Rs 5 lakhs to 50 lakhs. However, proposal with higher
financial outlay can also be considered.

As far as possible, the projects to be devised with the involvement of relevant industries / utilities or ultimate
beneficiary for smooth transfer of Technology.

Project Implementing organization proposing the project should ensure that the services of key investigators
indicated in the project proposal are made available for the entire duration of the project.

Project proposals to be formulated after a thorough literature survey in order to ensure that similar work is
not already done elsewhere.

Some of the thrust areas identified for Research under "Demand driven" category are listed in the CPRI
website at https://www.cpri.in/images/pdf/Chapter_6_WG_12th%20Plan.doc.

Funding:
The projects approved under RSoP scheme will be fully funded by Ministry of Power.
Components of financial outlay of the project
The expenditure pertaining to the project proposal such as Equipment, Instruments, Travel, Consultancy,
Hiring charges for temporary research staff, overheads and miscellaneous & incidentals can be built into the
cost of the project. Size of the project in terms of financial outlay is in the range of Rs. 5 Lakhs to Rs. 50
Lakhs and duration of 1-2 years. Generally, over head charges @15% is allowed to be built into the cost of
the project. Projects with the objective of only carrying out simulation studies and purchase of expensive
software packages is not encouraged under this scheme.

Inclusion of salary component of permanent research staff is not encouraged. However cost towards hiring
temporary research staff for the duration of the project is acceptable.

EXPERT REVIEW:

The proposals as and when received by CPRI are sent to external domain experts from various eminent
Institutions and put up for techno-economic evaluation by a Technical Committee appointed by Director

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General, CPRI. Presently there are four technical committees pertaining to a specific domain viz. 1)
Transmission 2) Generation-Thermal 3) Generation-Hydro 4) Grid, Distribution, and Energy Conservation.
TECHNO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION:

The project proposals reviewed by experts will be evaluated by Technical Committee which is chaired by
Professors from IITs and has participation from Utilities and Industry. The principal investigators will be
normally required to defend their project at the Technical Committee meetings. The Committee while
undertaking techno-economical evaluation specifically examines aspects of deliverables of the project and
their impact on the Utility/Power Sector at large before recommending the proposal to the Competent
Authority for approval.

PROJECT APPROVAL AND COMMENCEMENT:

Proposals recommended by Technical Committee after Techno-Economic evaluations are put up to the
Competent Authority for according approval. Director General of CPRI is the approving authority for
proposals having outlay upto 50 lakhs. Other projects are vetted by the Standing Committee on R&D
(SCRD) chaired by Chairperson, CEA. The SCRD after thorough evaluation of the merit of the proposal
grants approval for the project.

Once approved, the formal sanction and release of grant will be sought from the Ministry of Power.
Communication of the approval and release of first installment of the grant will immediately be done after
signing of MoU between CPRI and Project Implementing Organization.

PROGRESS REVIEW & QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS (QPR):

The R&D Management department is responsible for continuous monitoring and collecting data on
necessary milestones of the project to ensure smooth progress and successful completion of the project.

It is the responsibility of Principal Investigator to furnish the progress (Technical and Financial) of the
project for each quarter within a month after completion of the quarter. For the purpose of furnishing
quarterly reports, the 1st quarter starts in April of every financial year. The QPRs are to be furnished in the
prescribed formats for reporting technical & financial progress (Forms 9 &10) respectively.

PROJECT APPROVAL AND COMMENCEMENT :

Governing Council of CPRI chaired by Secretary (Power), Ministry of Power, Government of India is the
Approving Body for projects to be taken up under RSoP Scheme. Proposals recommended by RSoP Expert
Committee after Techno-Economic evaluations are submitted to the Governing Council of CPRI for
according approval.

Once approved, the formal sanction and release of grant will be sought from the Ministry of Power.
Communication of the approval and release of first installment of the grant will immediately after signing of
MoU between CPRI and Project Implementing Organization & this marks the commencement of the project.

PROGRESS REVIEW & QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS (QPR):

A technical expert from CPRI will be identified and designated as Nodal Officer for each of the new RSoP
projects and this officer is equally responsible for achieving progress and successful completion of the
project.

It is the responsibility of Principal Investigator to furnish the progress (Technical and Financial) of the
project for each quarter within a month after completion of the quarter. For the purpose of furnishing

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quarterly reports, the 1st quarter starts in April of every financial year. The QPRs are to be furnished in the
prescribed formats for reporting technical & financial progress (Forms 9 &10) respectively.

PROJECT MONITORING:
On-going Projects are monitored by the R & D Management Division of CPRI. Progress of the projects is
reviewed by the Technical Committee at Bangalore or in some cases at respective investigating
organizations by CPRI Officers nominated of R&D Management Division.

FUND UTILIZATION CERTIFICATE (UC):

Principal Investigator shall submit the Fund Utilization Certificate for the released amount immediately after
exhaustion of funds. Satisfactory technical progress and submission of progress reports and utilization
Certificates (Form 12) are pre-requisites for release of further tranche for the project.

PROJECT COMPLETION & TECHNICAL REPORT:

The investigating agency shall make a presentation to the Technical Committee once the project is
completed. Prior to this, CPRI will scrutinize & analyze the final results of the project and give a report to
the Technical Committee.

The Technical Committee finally declares that the project is completed with the deliverables as stipulated in
the original project proposal. The Principal investigator shall submit a Technical report to CPRI within one
month of the completion of the project.

DISSEMINATION:
The information on technologies / products developed as part of RSoP scheme is currently available on
CPRI website (c ). However, the institute is in the process of putting in place, a comprehensive & reliable
system for effective dissemination of research findings. This will also address approach towards
commercialization, technology transfer & industry participation. Details of this new mechanism will be
announced shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions

WHO CAN SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL?

Power Utilities
Academic Institutes
R&D Institute
Collaborative proposals are also encouraged under this scheme.
WHEN AND HOW TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?
Research proposals can be sent any time during the year to CPRI.
The formats for submission of proposal and other details pertaining to the scheme are available on the CPRI
Web site (URL: https://www.cpri.in/r-a-d-schemes/research-scheme/research-scheme-on-power-rsop/list-of-
rsop-formats) or can be obtained by writing to Head, R&D Management Division.
Proposals prepared in the format should be submitted through the head of the respective institution to Head,
R&D Management Division CPRI.
The Principal Investigator is normally required to make presentation on the proposal to the Technical
Committee.
Technical Committee meets only 2-3 times in a year for techno-economic evaluation and recommendation of
projects to the Competent Authority for according approval.
Recommendations of the Technical Committee will be communicated to the Principal Investigator through
e-mail.

Monitoring of the projects through QPR and UC

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Review of technical progress through experts of the Technical Committee
Reviewing and processing any requirement as requested by the Project leaders
Project Completion

Review of research outcomes through experts of the Technical Committee

Archival of Technical Report
Patentability Assessment
Marketing of research outcomes
Technology Transfer
Miscellaneous

Preparing plan budget for the schemes

Obtaining release of funds from the MoP at regular intervals
Release of Govt. funds to various executing research agencies and keeping audited accounts thereof
Identifying Technology trends and thrust areas for future research

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