Introduction

IETP is an attempt to explore non-linear thinking and focus on themes across the energy system.

The India Energy Transformation Platform is an informal, independent, multi-stakeholder group of experts aiming to develop an informed narrative on India’s strategies for meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through non-linear, transformative solutions. This unique initiative hopes to ensure that India stays ahead of the curve and cements its leadership in the global transition to clean energy – even beyond 2030.

Objectives

India’s growing energy aspirations are balanced against its climate goals as seen in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and energy targets for 2030.

However, it is time that our energy transition towards sustainable energy systems look beyond the NDCs and 2030 timeline. It must take advantage of technology developments around the world to leapfrog into an advanced system that brings a better quality of life to all its citizens.

It is in this context that the India Energy Transformation Platform was conceived by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation (SSEF).

  1. Think of non-linear, transformational technology and policy options for deep decarbonisation of India’s energy sector
  2. Look beyond urgent and short-term priorities
  3. Envision completely different paradigm for planning and operation of energy systems
  4. Identify innovative business models in the organised and unorganised markets
  5. Identify “triggers” for transitions and develop a collective vision to take on the alternate paradigms
  • CORE MEMBERS
  • SPECIAL INVITEES/EXPERTS
  • RESEARCH GROUPS

Supported by

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is an international cooperation agency within the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of Swiss development activities and cooperation, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation

The Secretariat

CSTEP is one of India’s leading think thanks, with the mission to enrich policymaking with innovative approaches using science and technology for a sustainable, secure and inclusive society. Our young and dynamic research team works in the areas of climate, environment, sustainability, energy and AI for social impact and new materials. Our research aims to leverage the power of technology through socially relevant and innovative ideas, to both understand and solve current and future developmental issues. Our vision is to be the foremost institution for policy analysis in India.

Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation works to facilitate India’s transition to a cleaner energy future by aiding the design and implementation of policies that promote clean power, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, climate change mitigation and clean energy finance.

Members of IETP

Prof. Geetam Tiwari

Mr. Shalabh Tandon

Mr. S. K. Soonee

Mr. Pankaj Batra

Mr. Chetan Maini

Mr. Amit Kapur

Dr. Winfried Damm

Dr. Satish Kumar

Dr. RR Sonde

Dr. Geeta Gouri

Dr. Ayodhya Tiwari

Dr. Arunabha Ghosh

Dr. Anup Bandivadekar

Decentralised energy generation consumption and storage

Envisioning India’s transition towards decentralised energy systems using combinations of renewables, storage and smart control technologies.

01

With this project, IETP aims to establish systems that enable customers to generate and store their own energy using local RE resources for meeting various essential and non-essential loads. It explores hybrid energy systems for meeting electrical consumption needs such as cooking, heating, pumping, waste management, e-vehicle management and water purification. This project also aims to determine the economics and construct a regulatory framework to inform policy decisions.

Research done by :

Consortium of: cKinetics Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd. and Global Centre for Environment and Energy at the Ahmedabad University

Mentors:

Mr. Pankaj Batra, Dr. Winfried Damm, Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, Dr. Geeta Gouri, Mr. Amit Kapoor (and Mr. Vishnu Sudarsan), Ms. Sakshi C. Dasgupta

Industrial process heat

Transitioning towards efficient practices and cleaner fuels to meet the rising industrial process heat demand

02

India has a growing MSME sector which is known to generate significant amounts of greenhouse gases. Although measures taken via Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) have improved energy efficiency, it is still not enough to check emissions caused by the increasing manufacturing demand. In this study, IETP explores options such as fuel switching, electrification, and use of hydrogen and other direct renewable heat sources available for the MSME sector.

Research done by :

Development Environergy Services Ltd.

Mentors:

Dr. R R Sonde, Dr. Anshu Bharadwaj, Dr. Anand Shukla

Space cooling

Developing cost-effective and low-carbon options to meet India’s cooling demand through 2050

03

By the year 2050, India, China and Indonesia together are likely to contribute 50% of global space cooling energy consumption (air conditioning energy consumption). Lowering the amount of energy used in air conditioning rooms will help in lowering greenhouse gases and energy consumption from this sector. In this study, IETP looks at ways of checking this through novel cooling technologies and smart building and room designs for thermal comfort, as well as assesses challenges faced in adopting these technologies.

Research done by :

Consortium of: Greentech Knowledge Solutions Pvt. Ltd.,  Energe-se and Centre for Advanced Research in Building Science & Energy (CARBSE, CEPT University)

Mentors:

Satish Kumar, Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, Dr. Anand Shukla, Dr. R. R. Sonde

RE systems

Envisioning the role and operations of various technology options in an RE-dominant electricity system

04

Around 42 GtCO2 of India’s projected greenhouse gas emissions of 79 GtCO2 (by 2050) can be avoided by integrating RE technologies into the grid. This requires India’s policies to look at avoiding investments in harmful technology lock-ins and investing in RE technologies instead. In order to do this, bold steps need to be taken in investments, changes to policy, technology and regulations and commercial arrangements for non-renewable energy. This study is aimed at evaluating the costs and benefits of these changes and decisions.

Research done by :

Consortium of: KPMG Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd. and Carbon Trust

Mentors:

Mr. Pankaj Batra, Mr. S. K. Soonee, Mr. Amit Kapoor (and Mr. Vishnu Sudarsan), Dr. Winfried Damm, Mr. Shalabh Tandon, Dr. Ayodhya Tiwari

Publications

01 Decentralised energy generation consumption and storage

Outreach

Launch: India Energy Transformation Platform

Date: 07 Feb 2020

Venue: The Claridges, New Delhi

IETP was announced to the public in February 2020. The event brought together all Platform members and research teams. At the event, Anshu Bharadwaj (Former Executive Director, CSTEP) stated that the aim of the Platform is to evaluate whether India can carve out an alternative development paradigm (without compromising on economic development or the NDCs) and emphasised the need to look at non-linear pathways for development that could influence multiple sectors.

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Fifth Meeting

Date: 04 December 2019

Venue: Delhi 

The objective was to facilitate an interaction session between the Platform members and research teams, and to have the teams present their final results and recommendations.

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Fourth Meeting 

Date: 12 September 2019

The next step after finalising the four research themes was to identify research organisations. A Terms of Reference document was created and after approvals from Platform members, copies were sent out to a long list of organisations.

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Third Meeting

Date: 08 April 2019

Venue: Delhi

The primary objective of this meeting was to finalise research themes to be pursued further. Prior to this meeting, the Core Group participated in a survey that captured their preferences and inputs on the list of ideas that had been generated during previous meetings. The Secretariat presented the shortlisted topics: energy-efficient air conditioning, industrial process heating/cooling, decentralised energy generation and consumption, and innovations on contracting structures for thermal power plants.

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Second Meeting

Date: 21 Feb 2019

Venue: Delhi

Members were invited to make presentations on transformative ideas in the energy sector meriting further research. Initiating the meeting by setting the agenda, Dr. Anshu Bharadwaj, Chair, IETP touched upon the need to explore long-term energy pathways for India that also satisfy different national priorities and are compatible with both global climate commitments and India’s domestic requirements.

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First Meeting

Date: 08 Jan 2019

Venue: Delhi

In the first meeting of IETP, members discussed the key focus areas for the Platform. Subsequently, a list of possible research areas was created. Some of the key discussions revolved around hydrogen and its end-use applications (particularly in industries), transport-sector interventions (demand side), formulating of policies and processes that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, increased public engagement, need for pricing externalities and linking with sustainable financing, acceleration of decentralised distributed generation (reaching up to the household level), alternative models and market mechanisms, and data availability.

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