Why Now?

The global demand for energy is predicted to rise by 50-60% by the year 2030. In India alone, energy needs will triple in the same amount of time, and demand is projected to far outstrip supply.

While coal and oil helped to power the economic rise of many Western nations, today nations such as India and Africa must consider a new international climate. Oil and coal, once inexpensive, abundant fuel sources, have lost their appeal; fuel supplies have decreased and are not evenly distributed, transportation and production costs have increased, and environmental concerns have gained importance. Furthermore, these energy sources no longer promise long-term viability. To be most successful in its energy policy, nations today must look forward in developing its energy capacity to find solutions that satisfy multiple criteria: efficient use of current supplies of resources, multi-decade lifetime of systems, and long-term cost effectiveness.