IIT Kharagpur Foundation (USA) NEWSLETTER

Volume: 8.24.2024

Dear Reader,

In this edition, we describe the accomplishments of IITKGP alumna, Rachana Vidhi, who is being inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. We also share the list of YAA 2024 awardees.

 IIT Kharagpur Alumna Rachana Vidhi (B.Tech/2010/ESE) selected for the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

Dr. Rachana Vidhi, an IIT Kharagpur alumna, has made significant strides in the field of renewable energy and technology. After graduating in 2010 with a degree in Energy Engineering, she pursued a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of South Florida (USF) and later earned a master’s degree in management from Harvard University. Currently, she serves as the Director of Sales Engineering for NextEra Analytics, Inc., a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, where she leads the sales engineering team for the NextEra 360™ software platform.

Dr. Vidhi has had a profound impact on the renewable energy industry, having pioneered the engineering, design, and integration of key solar and storage projects at NextEra Energy. Her innovative work in hybrid resource deployment has resulted in multiple patented technologies. Her expertise spans various renewable energy technologies, including energy storage, wind, photovoltaic, concentrated solar thermal, electric vehicles, and fuel cells.

Dr. Vidhi's contributions to the field have been widely recognized. She holds nine U.S. patents and has been honored with numerous awards, including the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from USF's College of Engineering. On October 25th, 2024 she will be inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, a testament to her remarkable achievements and influence in driving technological innovation. Additionally, she has been featured in the prestigious GreenBiz 30 Under 30 list, which highlights leaders in sustainability and clean energy.

Beyond her technical accomplishments, Dr. Vidhi is a strong advocate for women and young professionals in the energy sector. She has served on the boards of Women in Energy, American Solar Energy Society and the International Solar Energy Society. Her leadership and advocacy efforts are geared toward empowering the next generation of engineers and promoting sustainability initiatives across the globe. 

Rachana attributes her advocacy efforts to her experiences at IIT Kharagpur that played a crucial role in shaping her resilience and determination. She said “At KGP, I learned the importance of advocating for equity and inclusion, and standing up for my values. That innovation can only thrive when it’s focused on building solutions that are rooted in strong personal values.” She also fondly remembers the lifelong connections made on campus, that includes several best friends as well as her co-inventor and husband Prasanna Shrivastava. Mr. Shrivastava graduated in 2009 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur.