Using emerging technologies for socio-economic transformation: A distributed model of energy production and consumption in India

摘要

The acceleration of global integration and inter-dependence, a consequence of increasingrninterconnectivity, provides new opportunities and models of technological innovation andrnsimultaneously heightens global challenges such as the provision of clean energy and water, foodrnsafety, security, and reduction of environmental pollution. However, the benefits of new,rnemerging technologies available to industrialized countries are often not accessible to largernsegments of developing economy populations, particularly the rural poor who are often unable tornparticipate in markets. Moreover, technology alone is insufficient to solve systemic problemsrnrampant in developing economies, such as access to energy and fuel, health services, clean waterrnand lack of employment opportunities.rnThis paper uses complex systems theory, which highlights interdependence, to develop arnconceptual model that suggests how development can be catalyzed by leveraging innovation inrnboth technologies, emergent or otherwise and social organization to solve systemicrnsocioeconomic problems. Besides technology, innovation in social organization is also essentialrnto create new platforms that can be used by populations that are currently not participants inrnworld markets. Using information technologies and other emerging technologies in combinationrnwith new forms of organization that incorporate partnerships between public and private sectorrnorganizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), reach can be enhanced andrntechnological solutions more effectively applied. The model is supported by evidence from arncase study of a leading multi-actor partnership in the Indian renewable energy sector,rnspecifically, bio-fuels production.