Reports

Geoengineering refers to a suite of technological interventions aimed at slowing or halting some of the effects of climate change. Two of the major kinds of geoengineering that are at present gaining traction rapidly are Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). SRM approaches focus on deliberately cooling the planet by reflecting a small amount of sunlight to space or by allowing more of Earth’s infrared radiation is to escape to space. SRM methods include utilizing mirrors in space to reflect sunlight (Space Based Reflectors), increasing the reflectivity of land or ocean surfaces (surface albedo), increasing the reflectivity of marine clouds (Marine Cloud Brightening), and increasing the reflectivity of the stratospheric aerosol layer via Stratospheric Aerosol Injection of SAI.

India’s trajectory for energy transition will determine the policy and planning approach for the just transition. Two recent modelling studies on net-zero emissions pathways for India provide a glimpse of possible trajectories to reduce fossil fuels over the next three to four decades.

Government of India has unveiled a major programme called KUSUM to solarise the irrigation pump. But how sustainable is the solar pump programme? The report, using case studies, recommends major changes in the design of KUSUM.

How do we provide electricity to the energy-poor using renewable sources? How do we make decentralized and distributed electricity future a reality? This report, using real-data, proposes a framework and a plan to make mini-grids a reality.

While Solar PV has become a real alternative to the fossil fuel plants, Solar Thermal technology has lagged behind. This report is a roadmap to developing solar thermal technologies in India.

The report gives an overview of the energy resource governance in India. It illustrates the energy-poverty challenge, the economic, social and environmental issues emerging out of rapid development in the energy sector and the challenge of sustainable energy access in view of climate change.

In 2013, CSE and What’s Next forum of Sweden proposed a Globally funded payment guarantees/feed-in tariffs for electricity access through renewable sources in developing countries. Just before the Paris Climate meet, many more organizations came together and supported this proposal as part of the Paris climate deal. This proposal was the genesis for Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI).

Clean renewable energy sources also have unintended environmental consequences. Wind power impacts ecology. So, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be conducted before setting-up large wind farms.

Hydropower plants of less than 25 MW capacity is required to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in India. But these plants have major environment impacts depending on the location and design. This report recommends environmental safeguards for the small hydro plants.

India is installing wind power at a rapid pace. What kind of environmental safeguards should be put in place to minimize the unintended environmental consequences? This report recommends those safeguards.

When solar power was not so big in India, this report provided a policy framework for the development of sustainable grid-connected solar energy in the country.

In India, off-grid was generally about giving solar lanterns and installing solar housing systems in remove villages. This report proposed a re-invention of the off-grid solar through mini-grids.