Gita Surie, Adelphi University
Journal of Sustainability Research
Abstract: This paper focuses on promoting the sustainability of renewable energy ecosystems to ensure socio-economic development. This is critical for emerging economies where rising demand for energy is likely to deplete resources rapidly. It views industrial ecosystems organized around product/material supply chains or in defined geographies as analogous to natural ecosystems. It focuses on renewable energy for rural populations—a special case of industrial ecosystems—in developing countries such as India. Studying this sector is important because: (1) access to energy is a major problem for bottom of the pyramid populations; and, (2) shifting to renewable energy can improve sustainability and inclusive growth.