A CSIRO research project, Liquatech coal and gas turbine system, is part of the delegation. The system is based on the recycling of methane gas emissions from underground coal mines, which can also be used to power the mines, as well as reducing the cost of managing waste coal.

Liquatech Turbine Co chief executive John Hocken said as India is the world's third-biggest coal producer it would have a great deal to gain from the development.

"The majority of the country's power stations are coal-fired since coal is a plentiful resource and therefore relatively cheap," Hocken said.

"The proposal offers an opportunity for India to burn much of its waste coal in the generation of power in regional areas."

Research investment manager in CSIRO Exploration and Mining in Queensland, Cliff Mallett, said India has a vast network of coal mines supporting power generation.

"The major sources of coal for this system would be the currently under utilised waste coal available and the methane gas now escaping into the atmosphere from inefficient coal mines scattered across the country," Mallett said.

The Liquatech plants' system is based on methane and coal in a kiln producing hot air which passes through a heat exchanger to drive the gas turbine. It does not require water treatment systems, condensers, cooling towers or high-pressure fluid handling systems.

The delegation is being led by federal Trade Minister Mark Vaile, who will meet with his counterpart, the Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry, Arun Jaitley, in New Delhi during the visit on February 17-19.