TECHNICAL PROGRAMME | Energy Leadership – Future Pathways
Energy Access for All
Forum 25 | Digital Poster Plaza 5
27
April
15:30
17:30
UTC+3
Through the continued expectation of increased energy demand on a worldwide scale in the next few decades, the challenge of providing reliable, sustainable, affordable energy for everyone is growing. On the one side the world is transitioning to a lower carbon energy future, on the other side, the cost of new energy sources and new energy supply channels face the challenge of affordability. Balancing these in the future will require additional effort to ensure access to energy for all by 2030. With the added consideration of geopolitical developments we will have to reconsider energy strategies worldwide to achieve this.
Energy is essential for humans globally, facilitating daily activities. Conversely, many rural communities in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, still lack access to reliable and affordable energy sources due to accessibility constraints. It forces reliance on costly, polluting, and inefficient energy sources such as firewood, kerosene, and diesel generators. To address this challenge, Pertamina RU III—Indonesia’s oldest and most reputable state-owned oil refinery—pioneered the Independent Energy Village program as CSR Program under the campaign "Lighting More Hopes", providing scalable approaches to decentralized renewable energy while empowering rural communities through sustainable solutions.
The program focuses on remote, hard-to-reach areas—mountainous and coastal villages inaccessible to the conventional public electricity grid—leveraging local natural resources, including high-pressure water flows and abundant sunlight. Since 2017, The company has implemented micro-hydro power plants (MHPPs) and solar panels, beginning with a 10 kWh MHPP in Merbau Village, which ended 72 years of energy deprivation. By 2024, the initiatives have expanded to six additional villages, installing a cumulative 67 kWh of MHPPs and 12.6 kWp of solar panels. These hybrid systems incorporate smart power stabilizers, real-time energy monitoring, and battery storage that ensure reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation in challenging environments.
What distinguishes this initiative is its holistic community empowerment framework, which extends beyond infrastructure. Key to the program’s success is its community ownership model, built through capacity-building initiatives. Local groups were trained to operate and maintain systems, collect fees, manage costs, and report performance. Collaborations with local governments, universities, and media ensure regulatory compliance, technical assistance, and public awareness. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances sustainability and scalability, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), energy transition agenda, and Pertamina’s net-zero 2060 target.
The program’s impact spans four sustainability dimensions: Environmental – Reduced fossil fuel dependence, reduced emissions by 472 tons of CO₂/year (equivalent to planting 65 trees), and boosting eco-awareness. Economic – Saved IDR 600 million/year in electricity costs while enhancing productivity for 17 micro-enterprises, particularly in fisheries and coffee processing, through electricity-driven tools. Social – Provided electricity access to 634 households (2,536 people) and strengthened community cohesion. Well-being – Improved health from reduced pollution, extended children study hours at night, and upskilled 8 community groups in technical management.
This successful program has gained national and global recognition as a blueprint for sustainable rural electrification. As a catalyst for comprehensive rural development, The company will expand to more villages, reinforcing its commitment to shared value creation and ESG excellence. By integrating renewable energy with community empowerment, it demonstrates how oil and gas companies can pioneer equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
Co-author/s:
Siti Rachmi Indahsari, Area Manager Communication, Relations, & CSR, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
Perliansyah Sukardi, Officer II Communication, Relations, & Compliance, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
The program focuses on remote, hard-to-reach areas—mountainous and coastal villages inaccessible to the conventional public electricity grid—leveraging local natural resources, including high-pressure water flows and abundant sunlight. Since 2017, The company has implemented micro-hydro power plants (MHPPs) and solar panels, beginning with a 10 kWh MHPP in Merbau Village, which ended 72 years of energy deprivation. By 2024, the initiatives have expanded to six additional villages, installing a cumulative 67 kWh of MHPPs and 12.6 kWp of solar panels. These hybrid systems incorporate smart power stabilizers, real-time energy monitoring, and battery storage that ensure reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation in challenging environments.
What distinguishes this initiative is its holistic community empowerment framework, which extends beyond infrastructure. Key to the program’s success is its community ownership model, built through capacity-building initiatives. Local groups were trained to operate and maintain systems, collect fees, manage costs, and report performance. Collaborations with local governments, universities, and media ensure regulatory compliance, technical assistance, and public awareness. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances sustainability and scalability, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), energy transition agenda, and Pertamina’s net-zero 2060 target.
The program’s impact spans four sustainability dimensions: Environmental – Reduced fossil fuel dependence, reduced emissions by 472 tons of CO₂/year (equivalent to planting 65 trees), and boosting eco-awareness. Economic – Saved IDR 600 million/year in electricity costs while enhancing productivity for 17 micro-enterprises, particularly in fisheries and coffee processing, through electricity-driven tools. Social – Provided electricity access to 634 households (2,536 people) and strengthened community cohesion. Well-being – Improved health from reduced pollution, extended children study hours at night, and upskilled 8 community groups in technical management.
This successful program has gained national and global recognition as a blueprint for sustainable rural electrification. As a catalyst for comprehensive rural development, The company will expand to more villages, reinforcing its commitment to shared value creation and ESG excellence. By integrating renewable energy with community empowerment, it demonstrates how oil and gas companies can pioneer equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
Co-author/s:
Siti Rachmi Indahsari, Area Manager Communication, Relations, & CSR, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
Perliansyah Sukardi, Officer II Communication, Relations, & Compliance, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
As the global movement toward net-zero emissions accelerates, many developing countries face a dual challenge aligning with decarbonization targets while ensuring affordable and reliable energy access for underserved populations. This review explores the intersection of net-zero commitments and energy access in low and middle-income countries, assessing whether current climate policies risk reinforcing or alleviating existing energy inequalities. Drawing on recent case studies, international policy frameworks, and access to energy data, the paper analyzes how funding priorities, regulatory shifts, and carbon pricing mechanisms affect energy infrastructure development. Particular attention is given to the unintended consequences of climate finance flows bypassing energy poor regions and the tension between rapid decarbonization and just energy transitions. The review also highlights innovative strategies and policy tools that can balance emissions reduction goals with inclusive energy access, offering recommendations for harmonizing climate ambition with social equity. By synthesizing cross disciplinary findings, this work aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners of pathways to ensure that net-zero does not come at the cost of energy justice.
Many communities in hot climates face rising night-time temperatures. Standard energy-access measures, such as annual kilowatt-hours or the number of grid connections, do not show whether people can sleep safely during heat waves or power outages. This paper introduces safe-sleep hours (SSH), a simple outcome measure defined as the hours between sunset and sunrise when indoor conditions stay below heat-stress limits and the power supply does not fail. Thresholds are evaluated using established comfort and health methods, including ASHRAE Standard 55 for thermal acceptability and the wet-bulb globe temperature screening method in ISO 7243. Bedroom setpoints in the range 25–28 °C at moderate humidity reflect evidence that cooler nights reduce illness, mortality, and sleep disruption. Humid heat is particularly hazardous, and extreme wet-bulb conditions can become life-threatening within hours. With more than one billion people lacking reliable access to cooling, SSH offers an objective benchmark that aligns energy planning with public-health protection at night.
To make SSH practical, the paper presents a cooling design for small power systems that combine solar panels, modest batteries, and compact thermal storage with very efficient local cooling for residential areas. The design goal is not simply to deliver more energy but to provide the most SSH at the lowest overall cost and also provide the minimum energy needed for such residential area of 100–300 watt. Different cooling design setups are compared. In tough conditions such as humid nights, haze that reduces solar output, or multi-hour evening outages, designs that make and store cold during the day keep residential areas safer for longer and need smaller batteries to reach the same level of reliability. This approach is promising for low-income and underserved communities in both hot-humid and hot-arid regions.
The paper also outlines ways to pay for verified results. Support can be linked to measured SSH, with extra help triggered on official heat-alert nights through bill credits or service contracts that guarantee a minimum number of safe-sleep hours. By shifting the focus from generic energy delivered to proven night-time safety, the work connects electrification, resilience, and public health and offers a practical path to protect sleep in a warming world.
Co-author/s:
Abdulrahman Tayar, Offshore Drilling Supervisor, Saudi Aramco.
To make SSH practical, the paper presents a cooling design for small power systems that combine solar panels, modest batteries, and compact thermal storage with very efficient local cooling for residential areas. The design goal is not simply to deliver more energy but to provide the most SSH at the lowest overall cost and also provide the minimum energy needed for such residential area of 100–300 watt. Different cooling design setups are compared. In tough conditions such as humid nights, haze that reduces solar output, or multi-hour evening outages, designs that make and store cold during the day keep residential areas safer for longer and need smaller batteries to reach the same level of reliability. This approach is promising for low-income and underserved communities in both hot-humid and hot-arid regions.
The paper also outlines ways to pay for verified results. Support can be linked to measured SSH, with extra help triggered on official heat-alert nights through bill credits or service contracts that guarantee a minimum number of safe-sleep hours. By shifting the focus from generic energy delivered to proven night-time safety, the work connects electrification, resilience, and public health and offers a practical path to protect sleep in a warming world.
Co-author/s:
Abdulrahman Tayar, Offshore Drilling Supervisor, Saudi Aramco.
Ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access remains a critical challenge amid the accelerating global energy transition. Emerging economies face a dual pressure – delivering modern energy services to their populations while simultaneously investing in clean energy pathways. This paper explores policy strategies that have successfully balanced energy access and affordability, drawing on comparative case studies from Southeastern Europe. The study offers actionable insights into delivering a just energy transition, particularly relevant for countries facing the simultaneous challenges of expanding energy access and achieving climate goals.
The research identifies key barriers, including financing gaps, institutional capacity constraints, and the high cost of emerging technologies. It examines successful interventions such as innovative subsidy designs, blended finance mechanisms, and decentralised renewable energy projects. The analysis highlights the importance of aligning national energy strategies with local governance needs, community engagement, and international cooperation to ensure equitable and resilient outcomes.
Findings demonstrate that policies rooted in inclusive stakeholder dialogue, tailored financial instruments, and adaptable regulatory frameworks are more resilient to political and economic disruptions. The paper concludes with a set of policy recommendations to assist policymakers and energy leaders in designing strategies that deliver "energy for all" without compromising the pace of decarbonisation.
Co-author/s:
Aleksandra Lazevski, Research Assistant, Metropolitan University, FEFA Faculty.
The research identifies key barriers, including financing gaps, institutional capacity constraints, and the high cost of emerging technologies. It examines successful interventions such as innovative subsidy designs, blended finance mechanisms, and decentralised renewable energy projects. The analysis highlights the importance of aligning national energy strategies with local governance needs, community engagement, and international cooperation to ensure equitable and resilient outcomes.
Findings demonstrate that policies rooted in inclusive stakeholder dialogue, tailored financial instruments, and adaptable regulatory frameworks are more resilient to political and economic disruptions. The paper concludes with a set of policy recommendations to assist policymakers and energy leaders in designing strategies that deliver "energy for all" without compromising the pace of decarbonisation.
Co-author/s:
Aleksandra Lazevski, Research Assistant, Metropolitan University, FEFA Faculty.
The energy transition is a constantly evolving process that reconfigures the business model and traditional technologies. On the one hand, new technologies based on alternative energy sources and small-scale renewable energy production facilities, to optimize consumption and costs, reprezent the main concern of the business environment at the local level, but also of households. On the other hand, access to inclusive energy sources implies the definition of economic and social balancs specific to the geographical area, the type of consumers, the capacity of each entity to manage energy independence and financial resources. In this paper we propose to carry out an analysis of the positive and negative externalities of the energy transition on new business model and consumer categories. Statistical and econometric analyses will be developed with specific economic and social indicators, and the measurable effects of the transformation of the energy consumption model at the company levels vs household level will be highlighted. The results obtained suggest the need for an adapted management of activities aimed at environmental securyty and quality of life, especially from the perspective of risks from the management of negative externalities. The novel elements used aim at developing the concept of environmental security from the perspective of improving the quality of life, and of the inclusive expansion of eccess to the new mix of energy resources, with the optimization of choise at the local level. The reserch results will allow theoretical developments - concepts and typologies - but also the indication of practical tools for measuring the effects of the energy transition, by categories of energy resources mix. After a comparative analysis of the local specificities from the perspective of energy resources and future renewable energy storage facilities, two different areas will be selected, as case studies, and the developed calculation methods will be applied. The main challenge in obtaining consistent results is the availability and access to data and this limitation will also define the application part of the selected analysis algoritms.
Upstream gas production faces significant challenges in ensuring continuous gas delivery for LNG production, particularly when planning and operations are fragmented across multiple departments and processes. Traditional approaches to gas production often fail to integrate long-term strategies with operational needs, resulting in suboptimal coordination, unplanned downtime, and increased volume losses. These issues directly impact LNG output, affecting both economic performance and operational efficiency. Considering these challenges, there is a need for an integrated approach in planning and execution of gas production activities that, maximises system uptime, and minimises production losses. QatarEnergy LNG has developed and implemented a premier level process to addresses these concerns. The integrated approach combines long-term gas production strategies with adaptive short-term cycles to ensure synchronisation between well activity planning, maintenance schedules, and operational workflows. By consolidating data across offshore and onshore operations, the methodology enables real-time monitoring and activity re-alignment to avoid production deferments. A rolling four-month cycle facilitates agile adjustments in response to dynamic changes in activities, well conditions, reservoir performance, and processing capabilities. The approach incorporates advanced analytics and scenario-based modelling to predict and mitigate risks related to project execution delays, gas composition variations, well accessibility, and maintenance impacts. Additionally, digital workflows and a structured governance model ensure cross-functional alignment across multiple stakeholders The novelty of this methodology lies in its ability to deliver end-to-end visibility across the entire upstream production process. By integrating predictive modelling, the approach ensures that any operational constraints, such as equipment unavailability or fluctuating well performance, are anticipated and managed proactively. This results in a reduction of unplanned downtime, better optimisation of well interventions, and more efficient shutdown management. Furthermore, this approach offers a data-driven framework and mitigations that maximises uptime, optimises gas availability while reducing volume loss from shutdowns, maintenance, and reservoir depletion. The implementation of this integrated methodology has led to significant improvements in operational efficiency, including higher gas availability, reduced flaring, and more effective management of well interventions and shutdown activities. By minimising production losses and improving the coordination of maintenance windows, QatarEnergy LNG has successfully enhanced the reliability and predictability of its gas delivery to LNG facilities. The approach has also facilitated more effective resource allocation, reduced operational costs, and improved asset integrity. These outcomes not only bolster QatarEnergy LNG’s production capacity but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainability and operational excellence within the industry. This paper will provide a deep dive into the methodology, highlighting its role in optimising upstream production planning, ensuring volume protection, and setting a new industry benchmark for integrated gas production management.
This work examines a framework proposing energy, specifically the "Priced Watt," as a universal single unit of measure for pricing all goods and services globally. The research addresses the fundamental economic challenge of establishing standardized production cost calculations using a single universal measure across all products and services worldwide.
The research methodology explored time as a potential universal measure using bread production as a framework. However, this revealed limitations: parallel processes cannot be linearly aggregated, different agents work simultaneously, and derivative costs create complex interdependencies. These insights led to reconceptualizing the problem through energy expenditure, recognizing that all production requires energy input regardless of the specific agent or process.
Analysis of global data from 1971-2022 demonstrates that while GDP exhibits inflationary characteristics, energy production per capita provides a more accurate measure of real economic prosperity. Energy consumption per person correlates more directly with genuine productive capacity and living standards than monetary measures subject to currency fluctuations and inflation.
This energy-based pricing system modifies economic incentives by prioritizing efficiency as the primary competitive advantage. The system eliminates long-term profits except during temporary "growth windows" created by efficiency improvements. Technology inventors receive "discovery value" while early adopting producers benefit from growth windows by implementing new efficiencies before competitors, until widespread adoption equalizes performance and creates price deflation.
The framework offers several potential benefits: global price standardization, reduced currency arbitrage, economic equality through elimination of monetary manipulation advantages, decreased geopolitical conflicts through resource-based competition, and environmental sustainability through efficiency prioritization over growth. Implementation requires global electrical infrastructure connectivity, feasible through landmass interconnections demonstrated by Fuller's map projections.
Artificial Intelligence serves dual roles: while AI systems require substantial computational energy, they simultaneously enable the precise energy accounting, real-time pricing calculations, and supply chain optimizations necessary for implementing a global energy-based currency system.
Saudi Arabia, strategically positioned between continents with abundant energy resources, possesses unique advantages in leading this economic transformation. The kingdom's capacity to transmit electricity directly to distant markets such as China demonstrates greater efficiency and speed compared to transporting energy stored in ship tanks across oceans, illustrating the practical advantages of electrical energy distribution over traditional fossil fuel logistics. This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential central hub for transaction processing and energy settlement in a global "Priced Watt" economy.
The "Priced Watt" framework represents an energy-based transaction system that is non-inflationary, decentralized, inherently valuable, finite, and enables rapid transmission. This approach may provide a pathway toward global economic stability, efficiency, and sustainability for future energy systems. By establishing energy as a universal currency, this framework could enable equitable access to economic participation for all nations and communities, regardless of their traditional monetary systems, supporting the vision of energy prosperity for all.
The research methodology explored time as a potential universal measure using bread production as a framework. However, this revealed limitations: parallel processes cannot be linearly aggregated, different agents work simultaneously, and derivative costs create complex interdependencies. These insights led to reconceptualizing the problem through energy expenditure, recognizing that all production requires energy input regardless of the specific agent or process.
Analysis of global data from 1971-2022 demonstrates that while GDP exhibits inflationary characteristics, energy production per capita provides a more accurate measure of real economic prosperity. Energy consumption per person correlates more directly with genuine productive capacity and living standards than monetary measures subject to currency fluctuations and inflation.
This energy-based pricing system modifies economic incentives by prioritizing efficiency as the primary competitive advantage. The system eliminates long-term profits except during temporary "growth windows" created by efficiency improvements. Technology inventors receive "discovery value" while early adopting producers benefit from growth windows by implementing new efficiencies before competitors, until widespread adoption equalizes performance and creates price deflation.
The framework offers several potential benefits: global price standardization, reduced currency arbitrage, economic equality through elimination of monetary manipulation advantages, decreased geopolitical conflicts through resource-based competition, and environmental sustainability through efficiency prioritization over growth. Implementation requires global electrical infrastructure connectivity, feasible through landmass interconnections demonstrated by Fuller's map projections.
Artificial Intelligence serves dual roles: while AI systems require substantial computational energy, they simultaneously enable the precise energy accounting, real-time pricing calculations, and supply chain optimizations necessary for implementing a global energy-based currency system.
Saudi Arabia, strategically positioned between continents with abundant energy resources, possesses unique advantages in leading this economic transformation. The kingdom's capacity to transmit electricity directly to distant markets such as China demonstrates greater efficiency and speed compared to transporting energy stored in ship tanks across oceans, illustrating the practical advantages of electrical energy distribution over traditional fossil fuel logistics. This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential central hub for transaction processing and energy settlement in a global "Priced Watt" economy.
The "Priced Watt" framework represents an energy-based transaction system that is non-inflationary, decentralized, inherently valuable, finite, and enables rapid transmission. This approach may provide a pathway toward global economic stability, efficiency, and sustainability for future energy systems. By establishing energy as a universal currency, this framework could enable equitable access to economic participation for all nations and communities, regardless of their traditional monetary systems, supporting the vision of energy prosperity for all.
CO2 footprint reduction with deployment of Net Zero futuristic bio-fuel technologies in-situ oil and gas refineries is prudent research area globally. India is primarily an agro-economy with varied crops generating annually 165MT of ligno-cellulosic-biomass like Rice husk, Wheat straw, Sugarcane bagasse etc. These are second generation bio-fuel source offering advantages over first generation food crops based bio-fuels without invoking food vs. fuel debate. Diversification of energy basket, Energy Poverty Alleviation and adopting Net Zero Technologies are drivers to promulgate bio-fuel technologies. India has gigantic 1.45 billion people (17.9% of world population) & around 100 million have limited access to clean energy and rely on low energy efficient polluting fuels like firewood, coal and cattle dung cakes for cooking. As per WHO, smoke emitted by these fuels causes smoky kitchens with CO, particulate matter, benzene, formaldehyde 1,3-butadiene and other noxious fumes adversely affecting women and children health causing respiratory disorders.
Present paper critically discuss CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives of Indian Oil & Gas industry with responsibility of eradication of Nations’ Energy Poverty & upgrading Women Health via country wide Ujjawala program by enabling Clean LPG supply in rural areas PAN India.
Present paper also reviews spectrum of Futuristic Bio-fuel Technologies at various stages of development that are prudent to achieve Energy Affordability in India. Different thermo-chemical technologies like Fast biomass pyrolysis oil, Biomass Gasification, Biological Fermentation, Co-generation, Co-Firing of Bio-pellets, Pyro-Bio-oil Valorisation, Hydro-de-oxygenation, Hydrothermal Valorisation, Trans-Esterification Bio-Diesel, Bio-Butanol, Bio-Ethanol and Green Hydrogen via Biomass are analysed in context with low cost energy availibility to rural population & simultaneously making environment gree. It is technically discussed that LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of Biofuels technologies establishes carbon neutral route while coupling renewable solar energy & CCUS (Carbon Capture and Utilization) portrays Bio-fuels technologies as carbon negative. Refinery integration challenges of these biofuel technologies with merits and demerits are analysed in context with eradication of energy poverty Across India with making common person index high on enegy affordability.
This Study encompass Robust capturing of innovation in Bio-Fuel Technologies & their demonstration in-situ oil and gas refineries & coupled bio-refineries. Upgrading Women Health via Ujjawala Clean LPG supply in rural India is also paramount arena of discussion. This study may set role model for oil and gas industry with focus on CO2 Footprint Reduction across global communities with holistic goal of eradication of Energy Poverty coupled with Net Zero, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Women Health worldwide.
Present paper critically discuss CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives of Indian Oil & Gas industry with responsibility of eradication of Nations’ Energy Poverty & upgrading Women Health via country wide Ujjawala program by enabling Clean LPG supply in rural areas PAN India.
Present paper also reviews spectrum of Futuristic Bio-fuel Technologies at various stages of development that are prudent to achieve Energy Affordability in India. Different thermo-chemical technologies like Fast biomass pyrolysis oil, Biomass Gasification, Biological Fermentation, Co-generation, Co-Firing of Bio-pellets, Pyro-Bio-oil Valorisation, Hydro-de-oxygenation, Hydrothermal Valorisation, Trans-Esterification Bio-Diesel, Bio-Butanol, Bio-Ethanol and Green Hydrogen via Biomass are analysed in context with low cost energy availibility to rural population & simultaneously making environment gree. It is technically discussed that LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of Biofuels technologies establishes carbon neutral route while coupling renewable solar energy & CCUS (Carbon Capture and Utilization) portrays Bio-fuels technologies as carbon negative. Refinery integration challenges of these biofuel technologies with merits and demerits are analysed in context with eradication of energy poverty Across India with making common person index high on enegy affordability.
This Study encompass Robust capturing of innovation in Bio-Fuel Technologies & their demonstration in-situ oil and gas refineries & coupled bio-refineries. Upgrading Women Health via Ujjawala Clean LPG supply in rural India is also paramount arena of discussion. This study may set role model for oil and gas industry with focus on CO2 Footprint Reduction across global communities with holistic goal of eradication of Energy Poverty coupled with Net Zero, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Women Health worldwide.
Abdulrahman M. Alkadhi
Chair
Advisor, Energy Sustainability & Technology Management
Oil Sustainability Program
Khorlan Ayazbekova
Vice Chair
Head of Strategy Management Office (Deputy Head, Expert)
KazMunayGas
As the global movement toward net-zero emissions accelerates, many developing countries face a dual challenge aligning with decarbonization targets while ensuring affordable and reliable energy access for underserved populations. This review explores the intersection of net-zero commitments and energy access in low and middle-income countries, assessing whether current climate policies risk reinforcing or alleviating existing energy inequalities. Drawing on recent case studies, international policy frameworks, and access to energy data, the paper analyzes how funding priorities, regulatory shifts, and carbon pricing mechanisms affect energy infrastructure development. Particular attention is given to the unintended consequences of climate finance flows bypassing energy poor regions and the tension between rapid decarbonization and just energy transitions. The review also highlights innovative strategies and policy tools that can balance emissions reduction goals with inclusive energy access, offering recommendations for harmonizing climate ambition with social equity. By synthesizing cross disciplinary findings, this work aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners of pathways to ensure that net-zero does not come at the cost of energy justice.
This work examines a framework proposing energy, specifically the "Priced Watt," as a universal single unit of measure for pricing all goods and services globally. The research addresses the fundamental economic challenge of establishing standardized production cost calculations using a single universal measure across all products and services worldwide.
The research methodology explored time as a potential universal measure using bread production as a framework. However, this revealed limitations: parallel processes cannot be linearly aggregated, different agents work simultaneously, and derivative costs create complex interdependencies. These insights led to reconceptualizing the problem through energy expenditure, recognizing that all production requires energy input regardless of the specific agent or process.
Analysis of global data from 1971-2022 demonstrates that while GDP exhibits inflationary characteristics, energy production per capita provides a more accurate measure of real economic prosperity. Energy consumption per person correlates more directly with genuine productive capacity and living standards than monetary measures subject to currency fluctuations and inflation.
This energy-based pricing system modifies economic incentives by prioritizing efficiency as the primary competitive advantage. The system eliminates long-term profits except during temporary "growth windows" created by efficiency improvements. Technology inventors receive "discovery value" while early adopting producers benefit from growth windows by implementing new efficiencies before competitors, until widespread adoption equalizes performance and creates price deflation.
The framework offers several potential benefits: global price standardization, reduced currency arbitrage, economic equality through elimination of monetary manipulation advantages, decreased geopolitical conflicts through resource-based competition, and environmental sustainability through efficiency prioritization over growth. Implementation requires global electrical infrastructure connectivity, feasible through landmass interconnections demonstrated by Fuller's map projections.
Artificial Intelligence serves dual roles: while AI systems require substantial computational energy, they simultaneously enable the precise energy accounting, real-time pricing calculations, and supply chain optimizations necessary for implementing a global energy-based currency system.
Saudi Arabia, strategically positioned between continents with abundant energy resources, possesses unique advantages in leading this economic transformation. The kingdom's capacity to transmit electricity directly to distant markets such as China demonstrates greater efficiency and speed compared to transporting energy stored in ship tanks across oceans, illustrating the practical advantages of electrical energy distribution over traditional fossil fuel logistics. This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential central hub for transaction processing and energy settlement in a global "Priced Watt" economy.
The "Priced Watt" framework represents an energy-based transaction system that is non-inflationary, decentralized, inherently valuable, finite, and enables rapid transmission. This approach may provide a pathway toward global economic stability, efficiency, and sustainability for future energy systems. By establishing energy as a universal currency, this framework could enable equitable access to economic participation for all nations and communities, regardless of their traditional monetary systems, supporting the vision of energy prosperity for all.
The research methodology explored time as a potential universal measure using bread production as a framework. However, this revealed limitations: parallel processes cannot be linearly aggregated, different agents work simultaneously, and derivative costs create complex interdependencies. These insights led to reconceptualizing the problem through energy expenditure, recognizing that all production requires energy input regardless of the specific agent or process.
Analysis of global data from 1971-2022 demonstrates that while GDP exhibits inflationary characteristics, energy production per capita provides a more accurate measure of real economic prosperity. Energy consumption per person correlates more directly with genuine productive capacity and living standards than monetary measures subject to currency fluctuations and inflation.
This energy-based pricing system modifies economic incentives by prioritizing efficiency as the primary competitive advantage. The system eliminates long-term profits except during temporary "growth windows" created by efficiency improvements. Technology inventors receive "discovery value" while early adopting producers benefit from growth windows by implementing new efficiencies before competitors, until widespread adoption equalizes performance and creates price deflation.
The framework offers several potential benefits: global price standardization, reduced currency arbitrage, economic equality through elimination of monetary manipulation advantages, decreased geopolitical conflicts through resource-based competition, and environmental sustainability through efficiency prioritization over growth. Implementation requires global electrical infrastructure connectivity, feasible through landmass interconnections demonstrated by Fuller's map projections.
Artificial Intelligence serves dual roles: while AI systems require substantial computational energy, they simultaneously enable the precise energy accounting, real-time pricing calculations, and supply chain optimizations necessary for implementing a global energy-based currency system.
Saudi Arabia, strategically positioned between continents with abundant energy resources, possesses unique advantages in leading this economic transformation. The kingdom's capacity to transmit electricity directly to distant markets such as China demonstrates greater efficiency and speed compared to transporting energy stored in ship tanks across oceans, illustrating the practical advantages of electrical energy distribution over traditional fossil fuel logistics. This positions Saudi Arabia as a potential central hub for transaction processing and energy settlement in a global "Priced Watt" economy.
The "Priced Watt" framework represents an energy-based transaction system that is non-inflationary, decentralized, inherently valuable, finite, and enables rapid transmission. This approach may provide a pathway toward global economic stability, efficiency, and sustainability for future energy systems. By establishing energy as a universal currency, this framework could enable equitable access to economic participation for all nations and communities, regardless of their traditional monetary systems, supporting the vision of energy prosperity for all.
Many communities in hot climates face rising night-time temperatures. Standard energy-access measures, such as annual kilowatt-hours or the number of grid connections, do not show whether people can sleep safely during heat waves or power outages. This paper introduces safe-sleep hours (SSH), a simple outcome measure defined as the hours between sunset and sunrise when indoor conditions stay below heat-stress limits and the power supply does not fail. Thresholds are evaluated using established comfort and health methods, including ASHRAE Standard 55 for thermal acceptability and the wet-bulb globe temperature screening method in ISO 7243. Bedroom setpoints in the range 25–28 °C at moderate humidity reflect evidence that cooler nights reduce illness, mortality, and sleep disruption. Humid heat is particularly hazardous, and extreme wet-bulb conditions can become life-threatening within hours. With more than one billion people lacking reliable access to cooling, SSH offers an objective benchmark that aligns energy planning with public-health protection at night.
To make SSH practical, the paper presents a cooling design for small power systems that combine solar panels, modest batteries, and compact thermal storage with very efficient local cooling for residential areas. The design goal is not simply to deliver more energy but to provide the most SSH at the lowest overall cost and also provide the minimum energy needed for such residential area of 100–300 watt. Different cooling design setups are compared. In tough conditions such as humid nights, haze that reduces solar output, or multi-hour evening outages, designs that make and store cold during the day keep residential areas safer for longer and need smaller batteries to reach the same level of reliability. This approach is promising for low-income and underserved communities in both hot-humid and hot-arid regions.
The paper also outlines ways to pay for verified results. Support can be linked to measured SSH, with extra help triggered on official heat-alert nights through bill credits or service contracts that guarantee a minimum number of safe-sleep hours. By shifting the focus from generic energy delivered to proven night-time safety, the work connects electrification, resilience, and public health and offers a practical path to protect sleep in a warming world.
Co-author/s:
Abdulrahman Tayar, Offshore Drilling Supervisor, Saudi Aramco.
To make SSH practical, the paper presents a cooling design for small power systems that combine solar panels, modest batteries, and compact thermal storage with very efficient local cooling for residential areas. The design goal is not simply to deliver more energy but to provide the most SSH at the lowest overall cost and also provide the minimum energy needed for such residential area of 100–300 watt. Different cooling design setups are compared. In tough conditions such as humid nights, haze that reduces solar output, or multi-hour evening outages, designs that make and store cold during the day keep residential areas safer for longer and need smaller batteries to reach the same level of reliability. This approach is promising for low-income and underserved communities in both hot-humid and hot-arid regions.
The paper also outlines ways to pay for verified results. Support can be linked to measured SSH, with extra help triggered on official heat-alert nights through bill credits or service contracts that guarantee a minimum number of safe-sleep hours. By shifting the focus from generic energy delivered to proven night-time safety, the work connects electrification, resilience, and public health and offers a practical path to protect sleep in a warming world.
Co-author/s:
Abdulrahman Tayar, Offshore Drilling Supervisor, Saudi Aramco.
Upstream gas production faces significant challenges in ensuring continuous gas delivery for LNG production, particularly when planning and operations are fragmented across multiple departments and processes. Traditional approaches to gas production often fail to integrate long-term strategies with operational needs, resulting in suboptimal coordination, unplanned downtime, and increased volume losses. These issues directly impact LNG output, affecting both economic performance and operational efficiency. Considering these challenges, there is a need for an integrated approach in planning and execution of gas production activities that, maximises system uptime, and minimises production losses. QatarEnergy LNG has developed and implemented a premier level process to addresses these concerns. The integrated approach combines long-term gas production strategies with adaptive short-term cycles to ensure synchronisation between well activity planning, maintenance schedules, and operational workflows. By consolidating data across offshore and onshore operations, the methodology enables real-time monitoring and activity re-alignment to avoid production deferments. A rolling four-month cycle facilitates agile adjustments in response to dynamic changes in activities, well conditions, reservoir performance, and processing capabilities. The approach incorporates advanced analytics and scenario-based modelling to predict and mitigate risks related to project execution delays, gas composition variations, well accessibility, and maintenance impacts. Additionally, digital workflows and a structured governance model ensure cross-functional alignment across multiple stakeholders The novelty of this methodology lies in its ability to deliver end-to-end visibility across the entire upstream production process. By integrating predictive modelling, the approach ensures that any operational constraints, such as equipment unavailability or fluctuating well performance, are anticipated and managed proactively. This results in a reduction of unplanned downtime, better optimisation of well interventions, and more efficient shutdown management. Furthermore, this approach offers a data-driven framework and mitigations that maximises uptime, optimises gas availability while reducing volume loss from shutdowns, maintenance, and reservoir depletion. The implementation of this integrated methodology has led to significant improvements in operational efficiency, including higher gas availability, reduced flaring, and more effective management of well interventions and shutdown activities. By minimising production losses and improving the coordination of maintenance windows, QatarEnergy LNG has successfully enhanced the reliability and predictability of its gas delivery to LNG facilities. The approach has also facilitated more effective resource allocation, reduced operational costs, and improved asset integrity. These outcomes not only bolster QatarEnergy LNG’s production capacity but also contribute to the broader goals of sustainability and operational excellence within the industry. This paper will provide a deep dive into the methodology, highlighting its role in optimising upstream production planning, ensuring volume protection, and setting a new industry benchmark for integrated gas production management.
CO2 footprint reduction with deployment of Net Zero futuristic bio-fuel technologies in-situ oil and gas refineries is prudent research area globally. India is primarily an agro-economy with varied crops generating annually 165MT of ligno-cellulosic-biomass like Rice husk, Wheat straw, Sugarcane bagasse etc. These are second generation bio-fuel source offering advantages over first generation food crops based bio-fuels without invoking food vs. fuel debate. Diversification of energy basket, Energy Poverty Alleviation and adopting Net Zero Technologies are drivers to promulgate bio-fuel technologies. India has gigantic 1.45 billion people (17.9% of world population) & around 100 million have limited access to clean energy and rely on low energy efficient polluting fuels like firewood, coal and cattle dung cakes for cooking. As per WHO, smoke emitted by these fuels causes smoky kitchens with CO, particulate matter, benzene, formaldehyde 1,3-butadiene and other noxious fumes adversely affecting women and children health causing respiratory disorders.
Present paper critically discuss CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives of Indian Oil & Gas industry with responsibility of eradication of Nations’ Energy Poverty & upgrading Women Health via country wide Ujjawala program by enabling Clean LPG supply in rural areas PAN India.
Present paper also reviews spectrum of Futuristic Bio-fuel Technologies at various stages of development that are prudent to achieve Energy Affordability in India. Different thermo-chemical technologies like Fast biomass pyrolysis oil, Biomass Gasification, Biological Fermentation, Co-generation, Co-Firing of Bio-pellets, Pyro-Bio-oil Valorisation, Hydro-de-oxygenation, Hydrothermal Valorisation, Trans-Esterification Bio-Diesel, Bio-Butanol, Bio-Ethanol and Green Hydrogen via Biomass are analysed in context with low cost energy availibility to rural population & simultaneously making environment gree. It is technically discussed that LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of Biofuels technologies establishes carbon neutral route while coupling renewable solar energy & CCUS (Carbon Capture and Utilization) portrays Bio-fuels technologies as carbon negative. Refinery integration challenges of these biofuel technologies with merits and demerits are analysed in context with eradication of energy poverty Across India with making common person index high on enegy affordability.
This Study encompass Robust capturing of innovation in Bio-Fuel Technologies & their demonstration in-situ oil and gas refineries & coupled bio-refineries. Upgrading Women Health via Ujjawala Clean LPG supply in rural India is also paramount arena of discussion. This study may set role model for oil and gas industry with focus on CO2 Footprint Reduction across global communities with holistic goal of eradication of Energy Poverty coupled with Net Zero, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Women Health worldwide.
Present paper critically discuss CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives of Indian Oil & Gas industry with responsibility of eradication of Nations’ Energy Poverty & upgrading Women Health via country wide Ujjawala program by enabling Clean LPG supply in rural areas PAN India.
Present paper also reviews spectrum of Futuristic Bio-fuel Technologies at various stages of development that are prudent to achieve Energy Affordability in India. Different thermo-chemical technologies like Fast biomass pyrolysis oil, Biomass Gasification, Biological Fermentation, Co-generation, Co-Firing of Bio-pellets, Pyro-Bio-oil Valorisation, Hydro-de-oxygenation, Hydrothermal Valorisation, Trans-Esterification Bio-Diesel, Bio-Butanol, Bio-Ethanol and Green Hydrogen via Biomass are analysed in context with low cost energy availibility to rural population & simultaneously making environment gree. It is technically discussed that LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of Biofuels technologies establishes carbon neutral route while coupling renewable solar energy & CCUS (Carbon Capture and Utilization) portrays Bio-fuels technologies as carbon negative. Refinery integration challenges of these biofuel technologies with merits and demerits are analysed in context with eradication of energy poverty Across India with making common person index high on enegy affordability.
This Study encompass Robust capturing of innovation in Bio-Fuel Technologies & their demonstration in-situ oil and gas refineries & coupled bio-refineries. Upgrading Women Health via Ujjawala Clean LPG supply in rural India is also paramount arena of discussion. This study may set role model for oil and gas industry with focus on CO2 Footprint Reduction across global communities with holistic goal of eradication of Energy Poverty coupled with Net Zero, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Women Health worldwide.
Ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access remains a critical challenge amid the accelerating global energy transition. Emerging economies face a dual pressure – delivering modern energy services to their populations while simultaneously investing in clean energy pathways. This paper explores policy strategies that have successfully balanced energy access and affordability, drawing on comparative case studies from Southeastern Europe. The study offers actionable insights into delivering a just energy transition, particularly relevant for countries facing the simultaneous challenges of expanding energy access and achieving climate goals.
The research identifies key barriers, including financing gaps, institutional capacity constraints, and the high cost of emerging technologies. It examines successful interventions such as innovative subsidy designs, blended finance mechanisms, and decentralised renewable energy projects. The analysis highlights the importance of aligning national energy strategies with local governance needs, community engagement, and international cooperation to ensure equitable and resilient outcomes.
Findings demonstrate that policies rooted in inclusive stakeholder dialogue, tailored financial instruments, and adaptable regulatory frameworks are more resilient to political and economic disruptions. The paper concludes with a set of policy recommendations to assist policymakers and energy leaders in designing strategies that deliver "energy for all" without compromising the pace of decarbonisation.
Co-author/s:
Aleksandra Lazevski, Research Assistant, Metropolitan University, FEFA Faculty.
The research identifies key barriers, including financing gaps, institutional capacity constraints, and the high cost of emerging technologies. It examines successful interventions such as innovative subsidy designs, blended finance mechanisms, and decentralised renewable energy projects. The analysis highlights the importance of aligning national energy strategies with local governance needs, community engagement, and international cooperation to ensure equitable and resilient outcomes.
Findings demonstrate that policies rooted in inclusive stakeholder dialogue, tailored financial instruments, and adaptable regulatory frameworks are more resilient to political and economic disruptions. The paper concludes with a set of policy recommendations to assist policymakers and energy leaders in designing strategies that deliver "energy for all" without compromising the pace of decarbonisation.
Co-author/s:
Aleksandra Lazevski, Research Assistant, Metropolitan University, FEFA Faculty.
Ahmad Adi Suhendra
Speaker
Officer I CSR & SMEPP Management
PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional
Energy is essential for humans globally, facilitating daily activities. Conversely, many rural communities in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia, still lack access to reliable and affordable energy sources due to accessibility constraints. It forces reliance on costly, polluting, and inefficient energy sources such as firewood, kerosene, and diesel generators. To address this challenge, Pertamina RU III—Indonesia’s oldest and most reputable state-owned oil refinery—pioneered the Independent Energy Village program as CSR Program under the campaign "Lighting More Hopes", providing scalable approaches to decentralized renewable energy while empowering rural communities through sustainable solutions.
The program focuses on remote, hard-to-reach areas—mountainous and coastal villages inaccessible to the conventional public electricity grid—leveraging local natural resources, including high-pressure water flows and abundant sunlight. Since 2017, The company has implemented micro-hydro power plants (MHPPs) and solar panels, beginning with a 10 kWh MHPP in Merbau Village, which ended 72 years of energy deprivation. By 2024, the initiatives have expanded to six additional villages, installing a cumulative 67 kWh of MHPPs and 12.6 kWp of solar panels. These hybrid systems incorporate smart power stabilizers, real-time energy monitoring, and battery storage that ensure reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation in challenging environments.
What distinguishes this initiative is its holistic community empowerment framework, which extends beyond infrastructure. Key to the program’s success is its community ownership model, built through capacity-building initiatives. Local groups were trained to operate and maintain systems, collect fees, manage costs, and report performance. Collaborations with local governments, universities, and media ensure regulatory compliance, technical assistance, and public awareness. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances sustainability and scalability, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), energy transition agenda, and Pertamina’s net-zero 2060 target.
The program’s impact spans four sustainability dimensions: Environmental – Reduced fossil fuel dependence, reduced emissions by 472 tons of CO₂/year (equivalent to planting 65 trees), and boosting eco-awareness. Economic – Saved IDR 600 million/year in electricity costs while enhancing productivity for 17 micro-enterprises, particularly in fisheries and coffee processing, through electricity-driven tools. Social – Provided electricity access to 634 households (2,536 people) and strengthened community cohesion. Well-being – Improved health from reduced pollution, extended children study hours at night, and upskilled 8 community groups in technical management.
This successful program has gained national and global recognition as a blueprint for sustainable rural electrification. As a catalyst for comprehensive rural development, The company will expand to more villages, reinforcing its commitment to shared value creation and ESG excellence. By integrating renewable energy with community empowerment, it demonstrates how oil and gas companies can pioneer equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
Co-author/s:
Siti Rachmi Indahsari, Area Manager Communication, Relations, & CSR, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
Perliansyah Sukardi, Officer II Communication, Relations, & Compliance, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
The program focuses on remote, hard-to-reach areas—mountainous and coastal villages inaccessible to the conventional public electricity grid—leveraging local natural resources, including high-pressure water flows and abundant sunlight. Since 2017, The company has implemented micro-hydro power plants (MHPPs) and solar panels, beginning with a 10 kWh MHPP in Merbau Village, which ended 72 years of energy deprivation. By 2024, the initiatives have expanded to six additional villages, installing a cumulative 67 kWh of MHPPs and 12.6 kWp of solar panels. These hybrid systems incorporate smart power stabilizers, real-time energy monitoring, and battery storage that ensure reliability, low maintenance, and ease of operation in challenging environments.
What distinguishes this initiative is its holistic community empowerment framework, which extends beyond infrastructure. Key to the program’s success is its community ownership model, built through capacity-building initiatives. Local groups were trained to operate and maintain systems, collect fees, manage costs, and report performance. Collaborations with local governments, universities, and media ensure regulatory compliance, technical assistance, and public awareness. This multi-stakeholder approach enhances sustainability and scalability, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), energy transition agenda, and Pertamina’s net-zero 2060 target.
The program’s impact spans four sustainability dimensions: Environmental – Reduced fossil fuel dependence, reduced emissions by 472 tons of CO₂/year (equivalent to planting 65 trees), and boosting eco-awareness. Economic – Saved IDR 600 million/year in electricity costs while enhancing productivity for 17 micro-enterprises, particularly in fisheries and coffee processing, through electricity-driven tools. Social – Provided electricity access to 634 households (2,536 people) and strengthened community cohesion. Well-being – Improved health from reduced pollution, extended children study hours at night, and upskilled 8 community groups in technical management.
This successful program has gained national and global recognition as a blueprint for sustainable rural electrification. As a catalyst for comprehensive rural development, The company will expand to more villages, reinforcing its commitment to shared value creation and ESG excellence. By integrating renewable energy with community empowerment, it demonstrates how oil and gas companies can pioneer equitable and inclusive energy transitions.
Co-author/s:
Siti Rachmi Indahsari, Area Manager Communication, Relations, & CSR, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
Perliansyah Sukardi, Officer II Communication, Relations, & Compliance, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional Refinery Unit III Plaju.
The energy transition is a constantly evolving process that reconfigures the business model and traditional technologies. On the one hand, new technologies based on alternative energy sources and small-scale renewable energy production facilities, to optimize consumption and costs, reprezent the main concern of the business environment at the local level, but also of households. On the other hand, access to inclusive energy sources implies the definition of economic and social balancs specific to the geographical area, the type of consumers, the capacity of each entity to manage energy independence and financial resources. In this paper we propose to carry out an analysis of the positive and negative externalities of the energy transition on new business model and consumer categories. Statistical and econometric analyses will be developed with specific economic and social indicators, and the measurable effects of the transformation of the energy consumption model at the company levels vs household level will be highlighted. The results obtained suggest the need for an adapted management of activities aimed at environmental securyty and quality of life, especially from the perspective of risks from the management of negative externalities. The novel elements used aim at developing the concept of environmental security from the perspective of improving the quality of life, and of the inclusive expansion of eccess to the new mix of energy resources, with the optimization of choise at the local level. The reserch results will allow theoretical developments - concepts and typologies - but also the indication of practical tools for measuring the effects of the energy transition, by categories of energy resources mix. After a comparative analysis of the local specificities from the perspective of energy resources and future renewable energy storage facilities, two different areas will be selected, as case studies, and the developed calculation methods will be applied. The main challenge in obtaining consistent results is the availability and access to data and this limitation will also define the application part of the selected analysis algoritms.
