Sridhar Gururaja Rao

I am a Sustainable Energy Leader with over 30 years of experience spanning academia, industry, government, and research leadership. I have held research and leadership positions at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Siemens Corporate Technology, NineSigma, and the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE). My expertise encompasses bioenergy, biomass valorization, biochar, clean cooking, alternative fuels, thermal engineering, and energy conversion systems, with a strong focus on translating research into scalable technologies and fostering innovation-driven collaborations.

As Director General of SSS-NIBE, I led the transformation of India's premier bioenergy R&D institute by expanding research capabilities, establishing advanced testing and computational facilities, developing the Institute's Technology Roadmap, strengthening capacity-building and doctoral programmes, and fostering strategic collaborations with leading national and international universities, research organizations, industries, and government agencies. I also contributed to national policy through expert committees of the Government of India on biomass, green hydrogen, and renewable energy, while advancing technology validation, and international research partnerships.

I am passionate about building high-impact innovation ecosystems, mentoring future leaders, and fostering multidisciplinary collaborations across academia, industry, government, and international organizations to accelerate the commercialization and deployment of sustainable energy technologies. I actively contribute to the global scientific community through advisory, peer-review, and Scientific Committee roles, including the European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE). I welcome opportunities for international collaboration, strategic advisory roles, research leadership, and technology partnerships that contribute to a resilient, low-carbon, and sustainable energy future.