Research Projects

Clean Energy for Healthy Environment and Lives

Project Summary

Clean Energy for Healthy Environment and Lives (CE4HEAL) aims to increase access and adoption of domestic solar systems and reduce polluting fuel use in rural and remote Australia and India, contributing to cleaner air, affordable and improved energy security, and better health outcomes for rural, remote and Indigenous communities in both countries.

Our Investigators

  • Associate Professor Veronica Matthews
  • Kris Vine

Collaborators

  • Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis, Australian National University
  • Professor Shiva Nagendra, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Professor Krishna Vasudevan, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Professor Linda Payi Ford, Charles Darwin University
  • Dr Supriya Matthew, Menzies School of Health Research
  • Dr Kerstin Zander, Charles Darwin University
  • Amelia Joshy, Australian National University
  • Catherine Anne Joyce, Charles Darwin University
  • Shoumick Mitra, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Gopika Thalavoor, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Pratika Chawla, Indian Institute of Technology Madras
  • Prerna Sharma, Clean Air Asia

Partner organisations

The project is funded by the Commonwealth Government’s International Climate Change Engagement Program and supported by the Australian National University, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Charles Darwin University, University of Sydney, HEAL (Healthy Environment and Lives), Menzies School of Health Research, CRE-STRIDE and Clean Air Asia.

Status/timing

Two-year project currently underway (2021-2023)

What does the Project focus on?

We will work with rural and remote communities in Central Australia and South India to identify barriers and promote the use of solar energy. We will yarn with communities to collect and communicate examples of clean energy projects already operating in rural and remote communities; identify barriers and enablers for increased adoption of clean domestic energy solutions; co-design in ways to communicate their health, environmental, and economic benefits in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities; and enhance collaboration on clean energy solutions between these communities in Australia and India.

What do we expect to achieve with this project when complete?

The project will run over two years. In that time, consultation with communities and businesses about their knowledge of clean energy and co-design ways of promotion, such as through local artwork and school competitions. The project team will also promote knowledge exchange and communication between communities, businesses, health practitioners, non-governmental organisations, researchers and other local stakeholders to promote business opportunities, and strengthen research and development and cooperation in the clean energy sector.

Resources

More information on this project is available on the HEAL Network website.