Research Papers

​Perceptions towards solar mini‐grid systems in India: A multi‐stakeholder analysis

Graber Sachiko, Narayanan Tara, Alfaro Jose F, Palit Debajit
| 2019

​This study identifies and assesses the perspectives of four key stakeholder groups towards solar minigrids in rural India. The stakeholders considered are policymakers, minigrid developers and operators, development organizations, and national grid representatives. Recent state and national policies in India have increased the focus on minigrids and their services.

In the light of what we cannot see: Exploring the interconnections between gender and electricity access

Winther Tanja, Ulsrud Kirsten, Matinga Margaret, Govindan Mini, Gill Bigsna, Saini Anjali , Brahmachari Deborshi, Palit Debajit , Murali Rashmi
| 2019

In this paper we quantify gendered decision-making patterns regarding electricity access, light and appliances in selected rural contexts in Mahadevsthan (Nepal), Homa Bay (Kenya) and Chhattisgarh (India). In the literature, decision-making in electricity has primarily been studied through case studies and qualitative methods. By quantifying some of the gendered patterns in this field, we first seek to document and compare the situation in selected contexts and then to refine the understanding of the nexus between gender and electricity access.

Enabling Policies for Advancing Sustainability of Electricity Access Programs

Bhattacharyya Subhes C, Palit Debajit
| 2019

As 1.3 billion people lack access to electricity globally, the challenge of ensuring universal electricity access in accordance with the Sustainable Energy for All initiative remains herculean. This chapter maps policy linkages, identifies the gaps in policies and recommends options for developing the enabling environment. The chapter suggests that the policy environment governing electricity access at present is weak and that improvements are required to deliver a sustainable outcome.

Roadmap for achieving additional 2.5-3 billion tons CO2e sequestration from forestry sector by 2030

Sharma Jitendar Vir, Tiwari Priyanka
| 2019

​Forests are considered primarily as social and environmental resource, and secondarily as commercial resource in India. More than 350 million people derive their full or partial livelihood and sustenance need from forests. India has stabilized its forest and tree cover but quality of forests is degrading due to unsustainable harvest of fuel wood and other minor forest produce. Government of India has voluntarily communicated to UNFCCC to achieve additional 2.5-3 billion tons of CO2e by 2030 from forestry sector on 2nd October, 2015 which was further ratified on 2nd October, 2016.

A Study on the Evolution of the Regulatory Framework on CSR Linking to Various Amendments in the Campanies ACT 2013

Thakur Amit Kumar, Datta Manipadma
| 2019

The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained increased significance in recent years. The growing focus on CSR has changed the attitude of businesses all over the world, and India is not an exception. The concept of CSR is n speaking, social responsibility of companies is a well-established phenomenon in India, and the country has one of the world's richest traditions of CSR. In its oldest forms, CSR in India included the concept of corporate philanthropy and the Gandhian Trusteeship model (Ghosh S, 1989).

​Electrochemical sulfur production from treating petroleum produced water.

Jain Pratiksha, Srikanth Sandipam, Kumar Manoj, Sarma Priyangshu M, Singh M.P., Lal Banwari
| 2019

An electrochemical cell was used to remove sulfides from synthetic petroleum produced water (PPW). The cell was run for over 2 months in continuous mode. Sulfides were converted to sulfur at anode with an average conversion rate of 65%. Due to the use of a cation exchange membrane to separate cathodic and anodic chambers, along with sulfide removal conductivity and TDS reduction also took place. Conductivity and TDS reduced by 49.27% and 44.79% respectively on anode and was followed by caustic generation at cathode.

​An Audit of Municipal Solid Waste Management in a Mega-City (East Delhi): Challenges and Opportunities.

Manuja Sourabh, Pandey Suneel , Gulati Pallavi
| 2019

Municipal Solid waste management in developing countries is a gigantic task and its improper management can lead to severe environmental concerns and immense economic loss.

Distributed solar photovoltaics landscape in Uttar Pradesh, India: Lessons for transition to decentralised rural electrification​.

Yadav Prabhakar, Davies Peter J,, Palit Debajit
| 2019

​The energy poverty cycle continues to pose a major challenge for governments in emerging economies. Electrification has typically been delivered through centralised generation and distribution that has not always afforded equitable or efficient access. Decentralised solar technologies are fast approaching financial parity and have certain environmental advantages over grid extension, especially in rural and remote societies. We explore the emergence of decentralised energy systems in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populated state with notable energy access and equity challenges.

​Marginalisation of Off-grid Energy Sector in Sri Lanka: What Lessons could be learnt?

Sarangi Gopal K, Pugazenthi, D., Mishra Arabinda. Palit Debajit, Bhttachraya Subhes K
| 2019

Renewable energy-based off-grid projects have played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s universal electrification effort. The paper, in this context, unravels two crucial and quite interrelated aspects of decentralised off-grid electrification in the country: a) it critically analyses the off-grid electricity sector development and assesses its contribution to the universal electrification in the country and; b) it examines the current set of challenges associated with the off-grid electrification in the larger context of massive grid expansion.

Recovery of antioxidants from sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater and its effect on biomethanation.

Kaushik Ankita, Basu Subhankar, Raturi S, Batra Vidya S, Balakrishnan Malini
| 2018

Antioxidants (melanoidins and polyphenols) present in sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater are not readily biodegradable. However, these compounds exhibit potential physiological properties which may be tapped for food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. Recovery of these compounds from distillery wastewater could thus lead to products of commercial interest while improving the conventional biological (anaerobic) treatment step. Three processes viz.