Social Impact of Energy Transition

Energy Futures (Analytics) Lab (EFAL)

Data analytics is the foundational pillar of any energy policy think tank. Working at the intersection of energy policy-technology-finance-social welfare, ACPET’s EFAL vertical seeks to facilitate energy and climate modelling, optimizing energy systems through systems analysis, machine learning and other advanced computational approaches to solve critical energy and climate challenges in India and the Global South in a people-centric manner. An integrated energy, economy, development and sustainability science-based modelling framework provides a comprehensive and systems-level approach to analysing energy transitions. It enables policymakers, planners, and stakeholders to address the complexity and interconnectivity of modern energy systems. The lab's integrated approach will allow it to go beyond energy projections and offer solutions that balance environmental, economic, and social priorities.

Energy Policy

India has set ambitious goals for energy transition and sustainable energy development, actively shaping renewable energy 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.

Critical Minerals & Circular Economy (CM&CE)

India’s energy transition hinges on secure, sustainable, and equitable access to critical minerals essential for renewable energy technologies. Yet, global supply chains are fragile, ecologically sensitive, and geopolitically volatile. The CM&CE vertical will lead transformative research, capacity building, and stakeholder collaboration on critical minerals and circular economy for a just, sustainable energy transition in India and the Global South.

The vertical’s main objectives are to advance evidence-driven policy research, strengthen supply chain mapping and geopolitical analysis, enable policy convening and global stakeholder engagement, and lead knowledge dissemination and capacity building through academic, policy and industry engagement, guided by circular economy principles and socially responsible mineral strategies.