Challenges in Teaching and Research in the Energy Sector

There is a set a multifaceted challenges facing the global energy scenario in both developed and the developing world. While the developed countries are trying to transition away from the conventional energy resources, the developing countries are unable to fully harness the available energy resources. The issues range from environmental considerations, supply and demand mismatc h, dwindling reserves, financial and technological inadequacy, logistics of energy production, transmission and consumption, and the social issues. To address these issues facing the globe, it is essential for the academic world to come up with new ways of teaching and research. A response proportionate to the problems demands innovative research to achieve sustainable development of energy resources, while at the same time taking care of social well - being and environmental quality. There is a perceptible l ack of clarity in addressing these issues in the current agenda of teaching and research in the energy sector. They are mostly confined to their respective silos, fossil fuels or alternative sources of energy, while a broad - based agenda is needed with acti ve involvement of the government, to focus on the big challenges. It is proposed that there are three important aspects which influence the teaching and research agenda, and focusing on these will provide the solutions to the energy issues facing the globe . First, collaboration between academicians and policymakers is required in order to prioritize the issues in energy supply and demand, logistics, social well - being, and global climate. Secondly, there is a need for increased focus on the identification an d characterization of climatological and social impact of alternative sources of energy. Thirdly, industries and government should increase spending on human capital development to improve training and R&D activities on energy sustainability.