Energy Summit 2026: Powering the Future with Solar, Sustainability & Peace
The two-day Energy Summit 2026 – “Solar for Peace & Sustainability: Powering the Future”, organised at Manav Rachna University, Faridabad, brought together leading experts, industry representatives, researchers, academicians, policymakers and young professionals to discuss practical pathways for India’s transition towards clean, reliable, inclusive and sustainable energy.
The Summit opened with an inaugural session exploring the relationship between solar energy, sustainability, energy security and peace. Dr. Amit Bhalla, Prof. (Dr.) Deependra Kumar Jha, Sh. Prafulla Pathak, Sh. Ajay Prakash Shrivastava, Sh. Ashvini Kumar, Dr. Mohammad Rihan, Dr. Rahul Walawalkar and Dr. Anandajit Goswami shared perspectives on India’s expanding solar ecosystem and the challenges of storage, intermittency, grid integration, recycling and domestic manufacturing. Green hydrogen, decentralised solar microgrids, AI-enabled grid management and long-duration energy storage also emerged as important areas for the future.
A panel on “Harnessing the Full-Service Potential of Energy Storage Systems for Grid Stability and Reliability” highlighted the growing importance of Battery Energy Storage Systems and Pumped Storage Hydro as renewable-energy penetration rises. Experts discussed frequency regulation, voltage control, ramping support, congestion management, synthetic inertia and black-start capabilities, while emphasising the need for appropriate market mechanisms, regulation and revenue models for storage services.
The session on “Alternative Energy Pathways: Green Hydrogen, Bio Energy & Emerging Clean Technologies” examined the need for diversification of India’s energy mix while balancing affordability, sustainability and energy security. Green hydrogen, nuclear energy, biogas, bio-CNG, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, carbon capture, biomass gasification and energy storage were discussed as potential components of India’s evolving energy landscape. Stronger domestic supply chains and industry-academia collaboration were identified as important enablers.
An Industry Leadership Talk by Mr. Vaibhav Chowdhary, Director, ACPET, examined the connection between clean energy, economic development and human well-being. The session highlighted renewable-energy interventions that can create grassroots livelihoods and discussed emerging opportunities in AI, energy analytics, ESG, carbon accounting, recycling, reuse and repurposing. Students and young professionals were encouraged to develop interdisciplinary skills for the emerging clean-energy economy.
