A crucial differentiating factor betwe­en developed cou­ntri­es and other nati­ons is their ability to foresee patterns of consumption and supply, and then wo­rk early on futuristic techno­logies that subsequently provide them with levers for global competitiveness and access to global markets. The government provides an enabling po­licy framework for innovative entrepreneurial companies to move fast. Another hallmark of arriving at the cutting edge is the close interaction and collaboration between science and academia. Universities and research institutions join in to provide time-bound solutions to the industry. Some of the best scientists and rese­archers are released for the purpose. This means the cou­ntry arrives at a consensus on the big picture of the future and then mobilises resources at all levels to harness it. This is more so where paradigm-busting technologies and national security is concerned.

We saw this happen in the later part of 19th century wh­en automobiles were just be­ing launched in Europe. The car is essentially an assembled piece of a combination of te­chnologies, including electro-mechanical components, sa­fe­ty and ergonomics. There we­re at least ten manufacturing companies in Germany, wh­ich were working indepe­ndently to create a car, or to produce an efficient engine (diesel was one of them), or provide electric components (Bosch). Many research institutions were created (some by the government and others by automobile associations).

Once a product is commercialised, companies move qui­ckly through a combination of internationalisation strategies to capture scale and the first-mover advantage. At the same time, they keep working on the next leading curve to protect their competitive advantages. Thus as automobiles became more computer-sensors driven machines, most German, Japanese, and US-based car makers acquired ch­ip makers or developed in-ho­use competitiveness before th­is development became life threatening.

Something similar is happen­ing now in the world of cr­eating commercially-viable so­urces of renewable, fossil-free energy. The world knows that so­urces of carbon-based fossil fuels are limited (may last till 2050), cause environment de­gradation and pollution, leading to concerns of global warming. With the stakes being extr­emely high for companies and nations, a different kind of convergence is taking place. Co­mpanies in the energy sector (including power utilities), oil and gas, automobile, bio-chemicals and FMCG are pu­mping capital resources and th­eir best people towards developing prototypes of new, clean, and energy-efficient technologies.

The applications of new emerging, clean technologies are broad based. We have a pl­e­thora of new products ranging from household mass go­ods such as electric bikes, energy-efficient bulbs, hybrid cars and buses, to industrial application technologies such as fuel cells, bio-waste fuels and even hybrid power plants. For example, Volkswagen has already successfully tested a car that gives 100 km per litre of petrol. Philips has tested a micro CFL bulb that lasts 10,000 hours. Siemens has commercially tested a technology that can harness heat energy from homes and recycle it through generation units to provide cheap (almost free) power to individual homes. A gas-based thermal power pla­nt in the US has re-configured itself into a hybrid generation unit by installing huge solar panels that give smooth, ch­eap scalable power to local residents. BP and Exxon Mo­bil are investing billions of dollars in developing patents for non-fossil based renewable energy resources.

Some companies are atte­mpting to use plant and animal oils for manufacturing bi­o­fuels, surfactants, solvents and lubricants through environment-friendly fermentation and microbial bacteria route. ETH Bioenergia — Br­a­zil’s ethanol company — is ta­king over Brazilian Renewable Energy Company (Brenco) to create the world’s-lar­gest company making ethanol from biomass.

At the nation level, China has already altered the economics of solar and wind-po­wer energy by manufacturing and installing sensor-based cheap solar and wind panels across the world.

Where is India in all this excitement? What has happened so far is too few, too afar, and too sporadic to result in anything worthwhile. For instance, the central government had launched eight energy missions in the National Action Plan on Climate Chan­ge. Most of these missions have not yet started their preliminary work. Prime minister’s special envoy for climate change, Shyam Saran, had discussions with scientists, te­chnologists, academia and co­mmunity representatives, but unfortunately he quit abruptly. Several states too have op­ened departments but the pr­ogress is pathetic. One state has created a new and renewable energy resources department. When the principal se­c­retary in-charge was asked about the ‘new’ sources of energy the state was looking at, he could not name any. Another state rich in rivers and natural fountains has identified micro-irrigation and micro-hydro power projects as key areas, yet no significant project has been lau­nched after the initial euphoria. The list goes on.

We need to be much more aggressive in harnessing of alternative and renewable sour­ces of energy if we really aspire to be an economic superpower. Power cuts for 15-18 hours are common in our country. This situation will continue until we compel ourselves to tackle it head on.

The writer is chairman, Centre for Accelerated Learning, Innovation and Competitiveness, Germany and professsor of strategy and corporate governance IIM-Lucknow (Noida campus)