Research Papers

Concentrating molasses distillery wastewater using biomimetic forward osmosis (FO) membranes

Singh N, Petrinic I, Helix-Nielsen C, Basu S, Balakrishnan M

Treatment of sugarcane molasses distillery wastewater is challenging due to the presence of complex phenolic compounds (melanoidins and polyphenols) having antioxidant properties. Due to zero liquid discharge regulations, Indian distilleries continue to explore effective treatment options. This work examines the concentration of distillery wastewater by forward osmosis (FO) using aquaporin biomimetic membranes and magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2.6H2O) as draw solution. The operational parameters viz.

Expression in rice of an autoactive variant of Medicago truncatula DMI3, the Ca+2 / calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from the common symbiotic pathway modifies root transcriptome and improves mycorrhizal colonization 

Ortiz-Berrocal Marlene , Lozano Luis , Sánchez-Flores Alejandro, Nava Noreide , Hernández Georgina, Reddy Pallavolu M.
| 2017

Rice is the principle staple food for more than half of humankind. Frequently, productivity of rice is affected by low nitrogen in the soil and hence, for enhanced rice production it heavily relies on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers that beget economic and ecological costs. In this context, the interest in transferring legume-like biological nitrogen fixation capability to rice has increased lately.

​Energy poverty in Asia

Bhattacharyya Subhes , Palit Debajit
| 2017

​This chapter presents a review of the energy poverty situation in Asia, with a particular emphasis on South Asia. Lack of access to electricity and clean cooking energy is presented, followed by a summary of initiatives being taken in the region to address the challenge. Examples of successful and not-so-successful initiatives are then discussed to highlight the cross-learning potentials. Policies and interventions required to achieve universal energy access by 2030 are discussed in the final section.

​Diffusion of solar PV in East Africa: What can be learned from private sector delivery models?

Muchunku Charles, Ulsrud Kirsten, Palit Debajit, Jonker‐Klunne Wim
| 2018

Solar photovoltaic (PV) will play the leading role in addressing off‐grid electricity access; it can be applied almost anywhere and used in a wide range of applications for households, businesses, institutions and communities. However, to fully exploit this opportunity, off‐grid markets that need these solutions need to be effectively penetrated. This article focuses on delivery models for off‐grid solar PV solutions and how they address barriers such as awareness, acceptance, access and affordability.

​Solar microgrids in rural India: Consumers' willingness to pay for attributes of electricity​

Graber Sachiko, Narayanana Tara, Alfaro Jose, Palit Debajit
| 2018

​This paper assesses consumer valuation of different attributes of electricity supply to elucidate the conflict between solar microgrids and the centralized utility grid in India, as well as to provide insight into supporting government policies and structures. The study contributes significantly to the understanding of the role of microgrids in complementing a centralized system and its value as a sustainable energy solution for development.

​Rural electricity access in India in retrospect: A critical rumination

Palit Debajit , Bandyopadhyay Kaushik Ranjan
| 2017

Despite the large-scale efforts towards electrification in India since the time of independence, approximately 45 million households still continue to be without electricity access. This paper critically analyses the evolution of the process of rural electrification in India, the factors that potentially determine the household electricity access and juxtaposed that with the policies adopted over three distinct time periods: the pre-independence period; the period of state ownership and the post-reforms period.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Reduction Stratagems from Waste Sector in India

Manuja Sourabh, Kumar Atul, Pandey Suneel
| 2018

​India’s population growth, urbanization trends, patterns of income distribution, and increasing industrial production leads to increasing waste generation. Inappropriate waste management results in emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) constituting methane and nitrous oxide, contributing to global warming.

​A Systems Approach to Agricultural Biosecurity

Anand Manish
| 2018

This article highlights the importance of systems approaches in addressing agricultural biosecurity threats. On the basis of documentary analysis and stakeholder interaction, a brief survey of agricultural biosecurity threats and vulnerabilities

from global and Indian perspectives is provided, followed by an exploration of technological and institutional capabilities. Finally, a perspective on the agricultural disease diagnostic networks is provided, drawing instances from global

​Validation of the SARAH-E Satellite-Based Surface Solar Radiation Estimates over India

Riihelä Aku, Kallio Viivi, Devraj Sarvesh, Sharma Anu and Lindfors Anders V
| 2018

​We evaluate the accuracy of the satellite-based surface solar radiation dataset called Surface Solar Radiation Data Set-Heliosat (SARAH-E) against in situ measurements over a variety of sites

in India between 1999 and 2014. We primarily evaluate the daily means of surface solar radiation. The results indicate that SARAH-E consistently overestimates surface solar radiation, with a mean

​Solar microgrids in rural India: Consumers' willingness to pay for attributes of electricity​

Graber Sachiko, Narayanana Tara, Alfaro Jose, Palit Debajit
| 2018

This paper assesses consumer valuation of different attributes of electricity supply to elucidate the conflict between solar microgrids and the centralized utility grid in India, as well as to provide insight into supporting government policies and structures. The study contributes significantly to the understanding of the role of microgrids in complementing a centralized system and its value as a sustainable energy solution for development.