Energizing India Podcast

⚡️⚡️Energizing India Podcast Alert! ⚡️⚡️ Bangalore's pollution- a victim of its own economic success. Can EVs change that? | Thirumalai NC, Sector Head - Strategic Studies at CSTEP In this episode of the Energizing India Podcast, we head to India’s tech capital — Bangalore — a city at the heart of innovation, but also at the edge of an infrastructure overload. With startups like Ola, Ather, and Exponent leading India’s clean mobility revolution, Bangalore is setting the stage for what’s to come in 20 more cities. However, rapid economic growth comes with a paradox: 80% of households now own personal vehicles, and the city’s air quality is plummeting. We’re joined by Thirumalai NC, Sector Head at CSTEP, one of India’s leading think tanks in science, tech, and policy. He helps us understand the unique urban challenge Bangalore faces: Can a traffic-choked city leap into an electric future — and where will all that charging power come from? This is a story of hope, policy innovation, and the race to plug into a cleaner tomorrow.

In 2025, hydrogen is a darling of the energy sector. It represents hope for a greener tomorrow and the opportunity to democratize the energy generation industry, allowing any country to generate energy rather than being subject to the tyranny of the hydrocarbon molecule. Yet, it is underrepresented by women at the senior level and all levels of management globally. The Women Leaders in Hydrogen - India is a platform built to bring women in the industry together as a community to solve some of the critical commercial and scientific hurdles faced by the industry in India. With a mission to empower and inspire, in this episode, we are joined by our Co-Chairs: Dr. Anuradda Ganesh, Bhumika Singh, and Supriya Patwardhan

In this episode, we explore the intersection of policy and industry with a distinguished guest who plays a central role in advancing Australia's engagement with India.   We are honored to welcome Phil Green, Australia's High Commissioner to India, and a seasoned diplomat with a remarkable career spanning four continents. Over the years, Phil has served as High Commissioner or Ambassador to Germany, Singapore, South Africa, and Kenya, amassing extensive international experience and a deep understanding of global affairs.   A key figure in shaping Australia’s foreign policy, Phil was instrumental in the implementation of the Indo-Pacific strategy following its launch in 2017. He also played a pivotal role in formulating Australia’s approach to the Quad—a strategic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.   Phil's contributions extend to advancing clean energy collaboration, having piloted the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord in 2021. His career highlights also include serving as International Adviser to former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and being awarded the Order of Australia medal for his exceptional leadership during the response to the Bali bombings.   Join us for an insightful discussion on the evolving Australia-India partnership and its critical role in the global energy transition.

In this episode, Vijay Gokhale, former Indian Foreign Secretary, offers a nuanced analysis of the evolving dynamics of geopolitics and global trade. He examines China's strategic maneuvers in supply chain control, its negotiation strategies, and the broader implications for international diplomacy. The episode also evaluates the potential repercussions of Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, considering its impact on global trade and geopolitical stability. Join us for an insightful conversation on the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the global order.

On Energizing India, we speak with key protagonists in the energy transition and clean mobility sectors to uncover what works, what often doesn’t, and to hear from those who have faced the toughest challenges. While we frequently discuss topics like lithium, hydrogen, and electric mobility, there is another part of the energy transition sector that quietly contributes to making the world a better place to live, even if it doesn’t grab the headlines or generate widespread excitement.   In today’s episode, we’ve decided to shine a spotlight on the role of biofuels—such as ethanol-enriched gasoline, 100% biodiesel, and the increasingly promising sustainable aviation fuel. These innovations hold the potential to alleviate some of the guilt associated with frequent travel.   Joining us is Ranjit Kulkarni, Vice President and General Manager of Honeyworld’s Energy and Sustainable Solutions portfolio. He leads the company’s operations in India and brings valuable insights into this crucial segment of the energy transition.