Social Impact of Energy Transition

Energy Analytics Lab

ACPET’s Energy Analytics Lab is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy transitions through innovative research, data-driven insights, and stakeholder collaboration. Operating on a “Hub and Spoke” model, the lab develops a central integrated hub of analytical and decision-making tools while engaging with institutions as a network of knowledge spokes. Its focus areas include decarbonization, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, social impact of energy transition and modelling future scenarios- an essential tool for exploring diverse energy futures, informing policy and investment decisions. By balancing technological innovation, societal needs, and policy frameworks, the lab aims to empower equitable energy solutions. Through cutting-edge analysis and collaboration, ACPET’s Energy Analytics Lab strives to shape a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy future.

Energy Policy

India, and the world at large, has declared ambitious goals for transforming energy and related systems. India has been actively shaping policy and implementation measures to address the challenges of energy security, energy affordability, and environmental sustainability. Some of these steps predate the Paris Climate Agreement. But given the large nature of the transition one is seeking and the constantly evolving landscape of the country’s development needs, one has to be vigilant about the challenges that may emerge. The response has to come in form of research that can inform policy and markets alike.

One also has to keep in mind the unintended consequences of certain implementation actions. They may need to be studied using spatial, temporal and equity-related lenses. Such a study can help establish reparatory and capacity building measures that need to be instituted through revised or new policies.

To do this one will need to inform theoretical knowledge with lived experiences and bring into one’s fold practice-based reality-checks to better shape policies and strategies to achieve transformative changes.

Decarbonisation

The work of decarbonisation is a multi-layered one. It involves engaging with and implementing new technologies, identifying multiple systems transformation pathways and their drivers, understanding their possible fallouts, and building the decarbonisation framework/s within defined timelines.

Technological advancements have so far been utilised to mitigate the effects of climate change but there are innovations that can also help build adaptation capacities and resilience. No one technology is a silver bullet and systems change requires pushing multiple levers in interlinked yet varied contexts.

The centre would adopt a trans-disciplinary approach to undertake such evaluations in a speedy, yet robust, manner bearing in mind the specific contexts within which these frameworks need to be deployed.