THE CHALLENGE

Energy and its universal availability is one of the most critical challenge and opportunity that civilisation faces today. It is widely recognised that modern energy services are crucial to human well-being, vital for any country’s economic development and essential for the provision of clean water, sanitation, health care and for other useful energy services. Achieving universal sustainable energy provision is an opportunity that has the potential to transform lives and economies.

The pace at which the urban fabric is emerging in India is creating changes in consumption profiles that require deep investigation. This is important because India is currently 30% urbanized and would become 50% urbanized by 2050. Any policy corrections at this point will be instrumental in achieving the country’s goal of providing quality energy to all. At the same time, we have yet to break across the silos of disciplines and form a rich multi-disciplinary research agenda to stimulate synchronized impacts across energy, society, and economics.

OUR APPROACH

Sustainable Development Goal 7 (ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all) emphasises certain key issues, which form the basis of understanding the practicality of triggering energy transitions with the potential to transform lives and economies. These issues are broadly categorised around energy access challenges; improving affordability and reliability of modern energy services; enhancing the quantum of renewable energy in the primary energy mix; improving technology penetration and exchange, particularly with regards to access to clean energy research; and finally, focussing on improving energy efficiency across the entire energy value chain.

Our research agenda aims to identify key elements that would be essential for characterizing, managing and triggering sustainable energy transitions in Bangalore.

1.  What has been the nature, form and structure of energy transitions in Bangalore over the last 2-3 decades, including identification of specific drivers?
2. What are the multiple possible future energy pathways for Bangalore and its characteristics?
3. What policies and instruments align future energy pathways with social, environmental and economic sustainability agendas? What is the role of technology, regulation and governance in managing the alignment of energy pathways with sustainability?