RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that industrial processes, such as cement and steel production, are responsible for roughly 20% of global CO2 emissions, while building construction and operation contribute to around 6% of global CO2 emissions. However, as urbanization and high-rise building construction increase, building efficiency decreases. These processes generate approximately 100 billion tonnes of waste from construction, renovation, and demolition globally, with roughly 35% of waste being sent to landfills. These emissions have cumulative effects on ecosystems, soil fertility, and crop yields.

On the other hand, the latest IEA data reveals that the number of individuals without access to electricity worldwide is set to increase by nearly 20 million in 2022, reaching almost 775 million. This marks the first global increase in two decades since the IEA started monitoring these numbers. The global energy crisis highlights the risks associated with our reliance on fossil fuels, and also underscores how the clean energy transition presents new opportunities for countries to address their energy security vulnerabilities. Communities in India that are least equipped to cope with rising fuel and food prices are disproportionately affected at the household level. As a result, many households are forced to resort to black fuels, which contributes to household air pollution. The burning of kerosene and wood in particular has negative health impacts on women and children. Social norms often assign the responsibility of securing fuel to women and girls, further increasing their already heavy burdens.

Renewable energy interventions can fail when technical knowledge is not localized, the solutions are unaffordable, or coverage and saturation are insufficient. Implementation of renewable energy solutions since the 1980s has failed due to a lack of community involvement in design and implementation, weakening sustainability and durability. Engaging communities to account for social norms, local ecosystems, and household behavior is crucial for successful design, dissemination, implementation, and sustainability of renewable interventions. A replicable alternative approach is necessary to ensure a sustainable lifestyle.

The proposed solution, RenewABLE Lifestyle, aims to enable a sustainable lifestyle through three primary focus areas:

1. Affordable house design for colder areas: Access to affordable clean energy is a critical need for developing nations. While governments may be able to lay down the infrastructure, the carbon costs associated with building that infrastructure and generating grid electricity are high. The proposed model aims to demonstrate the use of renewable energy for regular applications, combining access to energy with sustainable solutions. The design of the households will prioritise minimising carbon emissions and reducing waste generation.

2. Use of renewable energy in middle-income housing schemes for better access to energy: The average Indian household uses air conditioning, washing machines, refrigerators, and water heaters. These requirements can be converted into renewable energy with a one-time investment and minimal operational cost, making it more affordable for middle-income families. This will enhance family life with better access to energy and provide a sustainable solution for the environment. To fulfill these requirements, a hybrid model utilizing solar and wind energy will be `implemented. Small-scale wind power technology, which can cater to the energy needs of communities, is not widely known. The hybrid model will be designed to meet all the energy requirements of the households. 

3. Model projects for business solutions for a renewable energy-based economy: The proposed solution also focuses on a better community economy business model using renewable energy. This will help businesses transition to renewable energy, generating more revenue while lowering operating costs, and contributing to a circular economy. The proposed solution is central to community involvement thus localizing the solution and creating a sense of ownership amongst the communities. The money will be circulated in the local economy, thus strengthening their position 

When designing a hybrid energy system, the user's energy needs and the local solar and wind energy availability will be considered. The aim of this design will be to efficiently integrate both solar and wind energy into a single system, minimizing the need for extra components while ensuring that the system can provide sufficient energy throughout the day and night by complementing each other's energy generation.

Finally, the solution emphasizes affordable housing models that use waste materials for construction in hot or colder regions where a significant amount of electricity is used to maintain temperature. By addressing these three focus areas, RenewABLE Lifestyle offers a sustainable solution for communities in developing nations.

The provision of energy access in India has undoubtedly improved significantly over the years, with efforts to provide electricity and clean cooking solutions to even the remotest households. However, this access remains superficial and unreliable in many regions, with anecdotes reporting limited access to energy for only a couple of hours per day. This unreliability, combined with the associated costs, presents a significant challenge to achieving a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle for most communities in Tier 2 and 3 towns and villages in India. 

This is where the RenewABLE Lifestyle solution comes into play, providing better access to electricity with lower operating costs through a hybrid renewable energy model. This model not only reduces the carbon emissions associated with energy consumption, but also provides a more reliable and affordable source of energy for communities in need. With the heat waves and soaring temperatures in many parts of India, air conditioners have become a necessity for families, but the costs associated with their use can be prohibitive. The hybrid renewable energy model can power air conditioners as well as other appliances, making it an operating cost-free solution. 

The use of an insulating model and engineered arrangements with specific properties can effectively regulate the temperature of a housing project or model, making it suitable for implementation in various geographical regions with extreme hot or cold climates. This unique selling proposition (USP) allows for wider application and adoption of the technology.

Furthermore, the solution also addresses changes in construction material use, promoting affordable and efficient methods in construction practice. The involvement of communities at all levels of the deployment of the solution ensures that it is tailored to their needs and provides a holistic solution at both the community and individual levels. The proposed solution also presents business opportunities for communities, contributing to a circular economy that strengthens their position and enhances their local economy. Overall, RenewABLE Lifestyle offers a sustainable and community-driven solution that can make a significant difference in the lives of communities in developing nations. 

For the intervention, we will choose the varasity of the areas - diverse geographies to prove the mantle of the technology proposed. A sample survey will be conducted in both hot and cold regions to select the beneficiaries from the areas which are deprived of the access to electricity.

• Bhavin Suthar has over 13 years of experience in the electricity distribution industry and is the founder of Polygon Energy, which provides engineering, procurement, and construction of solar systems to both residential and commercial markets in the ACT. Bhavin's expertise lies in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of electricity distribution networks, including grid-connected and standalone PV and battery systems. His passion for developing innovative solutions in the Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) space is evident in his focus on improving power quality and maximizing the return on investment for his customers. Bhavin is committed to applying his extensive knowledge and experience in the energy industry to solve complex problems for his customers through innovative approaches.

• Harshad Supal is a renewable energy professional with almost seven years of experience in the industry. He has been a part of the core team led by Prof. Chetan Solanki at IIT Bombay, which won prestigious awards like the first prize for Solar Chulha Challenge organized by ONGC, 2018. Harshad has played a critical role in leading the team to achieve three Guinness World Records. He has worked closely with rural communities, leveraging self-help groups to deploy technology and impart solar training to them. Harshad has managed various aspects related to supply chain, and at Energy Swaraj Foundation, he has designed and led operational strategies, and developed assembly-friendly products that can be assembled by rural communities, thus generating livelihoods for them. His latest creation, the Solar Diya, is an eco-friendly and flame-less product that illuminates homes just like a conventional diya.

• Adarsh Lal is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in off-grid project design at Schneider Electric. Additionally, he has worked in EPC, designing on-grid projections. Adarsh possesses expertise in designing smart IOT solutions for house load and improving energy efficiency. He has a strong understanding of designing remote off-grid hybrid solutions and power backup systems. Adarsh's skills and experience make him a valuable asset in designing reliable and efficient energy solutions. He was also a panel discussion member at Schneider Electric under the thematic area of Clean Energy for sustainable Community Development 

• Nikita Lihinar has over 9 years of diverse experience in working with the grassroots level. She has been instrumental in designing the Monitoring and Evaluation Strategies for the intervention that has reached millions of households. She has a rich experience in designing community-based interventions. 

• Deep Parmar has rich experience in design and installation of renewable energy generation and storage systems. He has worked with the customers/owners with their needs for PV, battery, energy management systems and engineering consultancy. He is responsible for the deployment of the Residential and Commercial site inspections and assessment for PV and Battery systems.

In 2018, Harshad developed a solar induction cookstove under the Government of India scheme. The same solar cooktop has been deployed in 70 households in the village of Bacha as a pilot project. IIT Bombay has been closely monitoring and recording the performance of these cook stoves since their implementation. The cook stoves are being tested for their performance in terms of user satisfaction and efficiency.

Polygon Energy has developed a charge controller that is specifically designed to regulate the fluctuating power generated from wind turbines. This controller ensures that the power is directed either to the inverter or to the battery depending on the use case or application. This controller is essential for harnessing renewable energy in an efficient manner, and it allows for the safe and reliable utilization of wind energy. Polygon Energy's charge controller is a reliable and effective solution for managing the power coming from wind turbines to ensure that it is used in the most effective and efficient way.

Not right now, the complete proposed solution comprising of Solar Passive homes integrated with wind and solar micro-gird solution and DC induction cookstove is not serving anyone currently.

In response to the urgent need for action on the climate crisis, governments worldwide are focusing on increasing renewable energy projects. However, limited resources can make it challenging to achieve these goals. Our solution aims to address this issue by not only providing access to energy but also supporting aspirations for better lifestyles and income while mitigating climate change.

Our solution has two main components. Firstly, we use eco-friendly products and traditional construction techniques to reduce energy requirements in households, thereby minimizing carbon footprints caused by modern construction methods. Local communities will be involved at all levels to ensure that they have ownership of the solution and can use it effectively. Working together also addresses cultural barriers that can hinder the deployment of the solution.

Secondly, our hybrid solution is designed to meet all energy requirements for households in a cost-effective manner. While renewable energy solutions are environmentally friendly, they face challenges such as high costs for using solar energy at night, making them unaffordable for many middle-class households. Our solution removes market barriers and makes renewable energy more accessible to those who need it by providing a hybrid solution that can generate and store energy efficiently.

Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of the gram swaraj, the solution involves the localization of the technology deployment. The advantages of the localization are multi-fold: 

1. Decentralization of operations ensures faster dissemination and lesser costs

2. Provides employment opportunities to the people living in the rural area and opens to a wide spectrum of rural population that includes youth and women.

3. Presents an opportunity for the rural population to develop technical skills, which can eventually be used by them in pursuit of future entrepreneurial ventures.

4. Beneficiaries take ownership of the technology since they have helped to build it into a tangible form. 

The intervention, therefore, will be addressing the following sectors of society and benefitting many goals under one initiative. 

1. Environment Friendly - The use of eco-friendly products in the construction of houses is a key feature of our solution. By utilizing materials that are environmentally sustainable, we aim to minimize the impact of the housing project on the environment. Additionally, the use of these materials has the added benefit of improving the insulation of the houses, reducing the energy requirements for the households. This means that less energy is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature within the homes, which ultimately leads to lower energy bills and a more cost-effective solution for the households. Overall, our focus on eco-friendly products is a crucial element of our solution that underscores our commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.

2. Technology: Our solution involves the use of advanced technology to optimize the generation and utilization of energy in households. Specifically, we employ pure DC appliances and inverterless solutions to maximize the efficiency of the system. Inverterless solutions are more efficient than traditional inverter-based systems since they eliminate the energy losses associated with converting DC energy to AC energy and back again. Instead, the DC energy is delivered directly to the appliances in the household, resulting in less energy waste and lower costs. Pure DC appliances operate directly on DC energy, without the need for energy conversion. This not only increases the efficiency of the system but also reduces the overall cost since pure DC appliances are less expensive than their AC counterparts.

3. Social capital is a crucial factor in empowering rural communities by creating job opportunities for local youth through capacity building and training programs that enable them to build these solutions independently. By investing in local manpower and developing their skills, our solution can help to strengthen rural communities and enhance their capacity for self-reliance. This approach not only creates employment opportunities but also provides a sustainable solution for the community by building local capacity and promoting knowledge transfer. By empowering rural communities in this way, we can foster a sense of ownership and pride, thereby encouraging the long-term sustainability of the solution.

4. Financial: Our solution not only aims to meet the energy requirements of households in a cost-effective manner but also has the potential to generate income for the communities involved. By providing job opportunities and training programs for the local youth, our solution can stimulate economic growth and development in rural areas.

Impact Goal for Next Year

• Phase -1: Identification of the target areas and beneficiaries

  • In Phase-1, the identification of target areas and beneficiaries is a crucial step to ensure that the architectural and renewable energy solutions meet the needs of the communities they serve. 

  • The needs assessment will be conducted which may involve identifying key stakeholders, conducting community surveys, and gathering data on the current energy and architectural practices in the area. 

  • Once the target areas have been identified, the next step is to train the local youth in the architectural and renewable energy aspects of the solutions.

  • The baseline data will be collected on the current energy and architectural practices in the target areas. This data can include information on energy usage, building design, and materials, among other things.

• Phase -2: Deployment of Solution:

  • In Phase-2, the focus will be on the practical implementation of the architectural and renewable energy solutions. The architectural design that has been developed will be shared with the local communities, and model households will be constructed to showcase the benefits of the solutions.

  • The construction of the model households will be done in collaboration with the local youth, providing them with hands-on training in the deployment of the technology. 

  • The installation of the hybrid solar-wind model will involve a range of activities, including the design and installation of the turbines and solar panels, and the training of the local community in the operation and maintenance of the system.

• Phase -3: Mid-course corrections:

  • In Phase-3, the focus will be on documenting the learnings from the project and taking proper mid-course corrections for upscaling

  • Documentation of the project can include the collection of data on energy usage, cost savings, and other indicators of success. This data can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the solutions and to identify areas for improvement.

• Phase -4: Impact Survey

  • In Phase-4, the focus will be on conducting impact surveys to understand the relevance and impact resulted from the technology deployment. 

  • The results of the impact surveys can be used to evaluate the success of the solutions and to identify areas where further improvements can be made. This feedback can be used to make adjustments to the design or implementation of the solutions, based on the needs and preferences of the communities.

Impact Goal for Five Years

• It is important to incorporate feedback mechanisms in the deployment of architectural and renewable energy solutions in order to ensure that the technologies are meeting the needs of the communities they serve. 

• To upscale the deployment of these technologies, a strategy must be developed that takes into account the specific needs and circumstances of each community. 

• Once a strategy has been developed, it is important to repeat the deployment process across other communities and regions. This can help to ensure that the benefits of the technology are being spread more widely, and that underserved communities are not left behind.

Measuring progress towards impact goals is critical to ensure that the project is on track and achieving its intended outcomes. Below are a few specific indicators we are using to measure progress towards our impact goals:

1. Number of households adopting environmentally friendly architecture - This indicator will help us track the adoption of sustainable architecture among the targeted communities. 

2. Sustenance of Off-grid solutions- This indicator will help us track the number of households that have Number of hours / days / weeks / months the trial system is able to self-sustain in an off-grid scenario

3. Reduction in carbon footprint - Measuring the reduction in carbon footprint is an important indicator of the success of the project in reducing the impact of climate change on the environment.

4. Reduction in cost of living for the user: This will be measured from Reduction in user’s cost of living measured for capex as well as the reduction in the cost of energy 

5. Increased income levels of the communities - The project aims to create income opportunities for the communities through the adoption of sustainable and environmentally friendly industries. Measuring the increase in income levels of the communities will help us track the progress of the project in achieving this goal.

6. Community feedback and satisfaction - Measuring community feedback and satisfaction is an important indicator of the success of the project in meeting the needs and expectations of the targeted communities. We will be using surveys and focus groups to gather feedback from the communities on the project's impact and effectiveness.

By tracking these indicators and analyzing the data collected, we will be able to evaluate the progress towards our impact goals and make adjustments to our approach as needed to ensure that we achieve the desired outcomes.

Activity -1: Involving Local communities in building the architecture of the households that is environmental-friendly

Output: Communities gain a good experience in building the material for their own households and in turn will earn a decent income 

Short-term Outcomes: Increased awareness among the communities about the benefits of environmentally friendly architecture, Improved skills among the local communities in building environmentally friendly households, Increased income opportunities for the communities through the sale of materials

Long-term Outcomes: Improved environmental sustainability of the communities

Increased resilience of the communities to climate-related risks, Improved livelihood opportunities for the communities through the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly industries

Activity -2: Adoption of Renewable Energy

Output: Communities will be trained to operate and maintain their own renewable energy products. They will have the ownership of the technology deployed and will be well-positioned to adopt and sustain it. 

Short-term Outcomes: Improved knowledge among the communities on the operation and maintenance of renewable energy products, Increased confidence among the communities to adopt and use renewable energy products, Enhanced capacity of the communities to sustain the renewable energy products

Long-term Outcomes: Increased use of renewable energy products in the communities, Reduced dependence of the communities on non-renewable energy sources, Improved livelihood opportunities for the communities through the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly industries

Activity -3: Capacity building for the local communities

Output: Youth will have the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the deployment and adoption of renewable energy solutions in their communities.

Short-term Outcomes: Increased awareness among the youth on the benefits of renewable energy and environmentally friendly architecture, Improved knowledge and skills among the youth in renewable energy and architecture and Increased confidence among the youth to take on leadership roles in their communities

Long-term Outcomes: Increased entrepreneurship and innovation in the communities,

Improved resilience of the communities to climate change and other environmental risks

The technology underlying this solution is based on three primary aspects. The first aspect involves designing solar passive houses, particularly for the coldest regions of India where temperatures can drop as low as -30 degree Celsius. This technology aims to provide a solution for building energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable homes in such harsh climatic conditions.
1. Civil/architectural: The civil and architectural aspect of this technology centers on the principles of solar passive architecture. The buildings are constructed using insulated blocks made from rice straw waste, which is typically burned and contributes to air pollution in India. The rice straw is mixed with clay, a material that is widely available in India, to form lightweight and insulating blocks. This method has been traditionally used in India to build mud/clay houses. The windows on the southern side of the building are fitted with double-glazed windows that capture the sun's heat. This orientation is optimal for constructing these houses as during winters, the sun is diagonal, directly facing the walls, and during summers, it is overhead, keeping the interior cool. The insulated blocks are filled with wood and wool waste sourced from local industries to further retain heat. Behind the double-glazed windows, a thermal wall made from waste plastic bottles filled with water is installed. The water in the bottles is heated during the day and releases heat during the evening to keep the house warm. In case of compliance with construction codes, the insulated blocks can also be combined with RCC columns and structures.

The technology has been successfully implemented at HIAL, India, with a proof of concept demonstrated. The next step is to incorporate a resistive heating cable into the building's flooring, which will produce heat from the excess energy generated by solar and wind energy.

2. Renewable energy

The colder regions of India like Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh are rich in solar irradiation and wind energy. The said solution is aimed at harnessing both the energies. Solar PV technology is coupled with Wind Energy generated from small scale wind turbines and a regulated power is fed to the inverter. These wind turbines can be deployed at small scale residential level (3,5 and 7kW) as well. Polygon Energy is instrumental in developing a charge controller which regulates the highly fluctuating power coming from wind turbines and feeding it directly to the inverter or feeding it directly to the battery according to the use case or application. Since the power generated from these turbines is highly fluctuating AC power, for off-grid systems the power is converted into stable DC power. The charge controller being developed by Polygon Energy will have the capability of this functionality as well. To reduce costs, a community-based solution is suggested, where a central energy storage system stores and distributes energy to fulfil the electrical energy requirements of these households. The resistive heating coil planned to be installed in the flooring of these houses is heated from the excess energy remaining after charging the batteries or the excess power generated during PSH or higher wind speeds.

3. DC Cookstove
Solar passive households are provided with a solar-based DC induction cookstove, which was developed by Harshad Supal and won the Solar Chulha challenge held by ONGC in 2018 which received over 1500+ applications. The cookstove is distributed to all the households and was deployed in over 70 houses in Bancha Village, Betul, MP.

Bhavin brings expertise in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of electricity distribution networks, particularly grid-connected and standalone PV and battery systems.
Harshad, the team leader, has extensive experience in large-scale projects such as the Solar Urja through Localization for Sustainability (SoULS) Initiative, where he played a key role in promoting clean lighting, technological innovations, supply chain management, training, skill development, and women empowerment. He has been actively involved with SHG Women for nearly 4 years.
Adarsh specializes in designing remote off-grid hybrid solutions and power backup systems, contributing valuable knowledge and skills to create reliable and efficient energy solutions.
Nikita brings extensive experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation, having worked closely with grassroots communities for almost 8 years. With diverse technical and socio-economic backgrounds, our team offers a multidisciplinary approach to address the intervention.
Deep has rich experience in design and installation of renewable energy generation and storage systems. He has worked with the customers/owners with their needs for PV, battery, energy management systems and engineering consultancy. He is responsible for the deployment of the Residential and Commercial site inspections and assessment for PV and Battery systems.
We are not only technically proficient but also sensitive and intuitive about the demographics and needs of the beneficiaries we serve.

In addition to the team diversity, we will ensure that following steps are undertaken to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) in the deployment of the technology

1. Creating a diverse team: Ensure that the team working on the project represents diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. This can help to ensure that the project is more inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse communities

2. Conducting community consultations: Consult with diverse groups of stakeholders throughout the project cycle to ensure that the project meets the needs of diverse communities.

3. Incorporating a gender lens: Analyze how the project may impact men and women differently and take steps to ensure that the project benefits both genders equally.

4. Promoting local ownership: Ensure that local communities are engaged in the development process and have a say in how the project is designed and implemented.

5. Building capacity: Support the development of local capacity by providing training and resources to help communities take ownership of the project and sustain it over the long term.

RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle has both short term and long-term benefits. Those are briefly discussed in the following sections.

1. Employment Generation The essence of RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle is ‘localization of solar energy’ that gives an impetus to local economy through livelihood generation, skill development and capacity building. These efforts are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The technical skills imparted to local human resources through systematic training gives them the exposure and inducement to further build their technical knowledge, which supports government’s Skill India Initiative.

2. Reaching Out to Marginalized Communities RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle targets the most remote and backward regions of India. A majority of the blocks covered under the target geographical location are people from ST; hence it reaches out to the most marginalized communities. Scheduled Tribes face infrastructural backwardness and have been distanced from economic growth and development that has been achieved in the past few years. 

1. Create Sustainable Clean Energy Markets A subsidiary advantage of implementing this solution will be the creation of a clean energy and material market. RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle will help in creating climate change awareness amongst the rural people by providing them with an unmediated experience of solar products, thereby encouraging them to use advanced and sophisticated products and systems. This in turn will create demand for renewable energy products opening up the avenues for new solar entrepreneurs. A sustainable rural solar market will not only benefit the current generation, but also ensure easy accessibility of solar products for future generation.

 2. Entrepreneurship Development
Around 10,000 local women and men will be provided with advance technical and management training to become solar entrepreneurs to run a solar enterprise in their vicinity. Further, trainings will be given to entrepreneurs for understanding local markets for solar products and estimate demand for the same. These entrepreneurs will be linked to local manufacturers as well as vendors to create a robust distribution network for deeper penetration of a range of diverse solar products. Support in terms of developing linkages with commercial banks, vendors and capacity building agencies will be ensured through systematic and intensive trainings under RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle. Several government programs such as National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Jana Dhana Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, Make in India Program, Start Up India Initiative have made finances available for the development of the masses; RenewABLE Lifestyle: Enabling carbon-zero lifestyle can provide avenues for utilizing these funds with desired pace and effectiveness.

Currently the R&D is bootstrapped by Mr. Bhavin Suthar. An entity with the name of Smart Energy Solutions is established in India, which is a subsidiary of Polygon Energy, with the aim to execute Research and Development projects. India is a country with a wide potential to experiment and develop new and innovative solutions. In the above proposed model, Smart Energy Solution and Polygon Energy will be the acting “Aggregator Company” in India and Australia respectively (based on the country of implementation). Role of the aggregator company will be to aggregate the demands from all the blocks and beneficiaries, in which the solutions are implemented, and supply the ordered material. This ensures continuous order flow and  a steady supply chain mechanism. Additionally training will conducted to advance the network and blocks in newer region, this will ensure newer business avenues

Polygon Energy has been in operation for almost 3 years now and has generated more than $2.5 million dollars in revenue. The company has acquired no debt during this period and has reserved some funds for further deployment of the technological solutions described here. Further capital will be raised through government grants and partnership investment funding.