Organisers
IUSSTF
The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) is a bilateral organisation that promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Innovation through substantive interaction among government, academia and industry. It provides Solar Decathlon India as a platform for innovation towards sustainable economic development, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and towards promoting the design of buildings that are energy efficient and self-reliant in energy usage.
AEEE
Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), is one of the leading organisations in India that works on creating awareness about energy efficiency as a resource. AEEE supports policy implementation and is an energy efficiency market enabler with a not-for-profit motive. AEEE promotes data-driven and evidence-based energy efficiency policies and research.
IIHS
The Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) is a national education, research, practice and capacity development institution committed to the equitable, sustainable and efficient transformation of Indian cities and settlements. A proposed Institution of Eminence (IOE), IIHS aims to transform the current nature of urban education as one of the most important drivers for India’s national development and sustainable global futures. Its interdisciplinary approach to research and practice helps build new global knowledge, and trains urban professionals. IIHS is jointly conducting Solar Decathlon India.
Note: The roles and responsibilities of AEEE and IIHS are separate and distinct, with independent budgets, financial resources and execution.
SUPERVISORY GROUP
Ashok B Lall
Principal, Ashok B Lall Architects
Ashok Lall, b. 1948, graduated from the University of Cambridge U.K. in Architecture Fine Arts and obtained the Architectural Association Diploma in 1970. His architectural firm (estd. 1981) is committed to an architectural practice based on the principles of environmental sustainability and social responsibility. It has won a number of awards and its work has been published widely. Engaged in architectural education since 1990, he has developed curricula and teaching methods to address environmental issues. His current interest is in developing strategies for sustainable urban development in the context of rapid urbanisation.
Dr. Nisha Mendiratta
Executive Director (ED), Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF)
Dr. Nisha Mendiratta oversees the strategic initiatives for Indo-U.S. collaboration in science, technology, and innovation. She began her career at NRSC, Dept. of Space and has more than three decades of experience. Dr. Mendiratta was named as one of the twenty ‘Most Influential Women in Education for the Year 2023 in the country’ by Business World Education. Before joining IUSSTF, she spearheaded two important scientific divisions, namely Climate Change Program (CCP) and the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE-KIRAN), at the Department of Science & Technology (GOI). In addition to leading various initiatives as Head-National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), she has been instrumental in developing many binational S&T programs with the United States of America, UK, and Switzerland including the prestigious Fulbright-Kalam Climate Fellowship. Her vast knowledge and experience bring expertise in the fields of strategic planning, conceptualizing, and implementing scientific programs and national missions; science communication; policy interventions; capacity building; inter-ministerial cooperation; and related aspects.
Aromar Revi
Director, IIHS
Aromar Revi is Director, Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), a national education, research, practice, and capacity development institution committed to the equitable, sustainable, and efficient transformation of Indian cities and settlements. Over a decade, he has built IIHS into one of the world’s leading education, research, training, advisory, and implementation-support institutions, focusing on the multi-dimensional challenges and opportunities of sustainable urbanisation. He is an alumnus of IIT-Delhi and the Law and Management schools of the University of Delhi. He is a global practice and thought leader and educator with over 35 years of interdisciplinary experience in sustainable development, public policy and governance, human settlements, global environmental and technological change.
Dr. Satish Kumar
President and Executive Director, AEEE
Dr. Satish Kumar is an international energy efficiency expert and serves as President and Executive Director of the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE). In his current role, he has led AEEE’s transformation into a leading energy efficiency policy think tank and business enabling entity through a combination of thought and programmatic leadership, collaboration and partnership with Indian and global public, private and peer organisations, and fundraising. He has served as a senior energy efficiency advisor or technical expert in energy efficiency to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), NITI Aayog, Energy Efficiency Services Limited, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Department of Science and Technology (DST), and Confederation of Energy Efficiency (CEE).
Prasad Vaidya
Director, Solar Decathlon India
Prasad Vaidya leads the Solar Decathlon India effort and is a Senior Advisor to the Indian Institute for Human Settlements and the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy. He has served as a Professor and Area Chair for Building Energy Performance at CEPT University, and a Partner at The Weidt Group. He has over 25 years of experience in working on energy policy, energy efficiency program development, and net-zero-energy building projects. He is a LEED Fellow, and has been an ASHRAE and USGBC faculty member.
