This project involves detailed studies of existing business processes and information flows in four Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs) in Karnataka to analyze IT needs under RAPDRP and beyond. The aim is to create a framework and a roadmap for deployment of IT over the medium to long term.

In the wake of recent terrorist attacks and natural disasters in urban areas, disaster preparedness has been identified as a key factor to respond to such situations effectively, failing which casualties can be very high. This project aims to understand the effect of intervention options available to the authorities in the event of a natural or a man-made disaster in urban areas. The influence of information flow structures (or lack thereof) during a disaster and efficient use of infrastructure systems and services to contain the disaster is explored within this project.

Focus on case studies of Chennai, Bangalore, and possibly Mumbai (and/or Delhi) – Before we incorporate the transportation sector into models, we need to develop further expertise in the institutional side -- how these systems are designed, financed, built, implemented, maintained, and regulated.

Agricultural Supply Chain: A simulation-based game built on a model of agricultural supply chains is underway in collaboration with TUD. Once a basic game is developed, it is hoped that we can make further revisions to use to guide policymakers in appropriate policy for resolving this critical problem for rural India.

Industrial Clusters: A simulation built on a model of industrial clusters, developed by TUD, will be applied to the case of Chennai to help determine what is needed to make it more ecologically sustainable. Data collection has begun.

"Harnessing Materials for Energy: Special Issue of the Materials Research Society Bulletin". This comprehensive report on challenges and progress made in materials research as they apply to energy. CSTEP Chairman V.S. Arunachalam, the editor of this issue, has received a Board Special Recognition Award from the Material Research Society "for meritorious service in and important contribution to the development and publication" of this issue.