The research aims to address the following questions:
1. To what extent have the existing business models and policies/ regulations for energy efficiency been inclusive of creating value for low to middle-income households and also distribution utilities in different Indian states?
2. What are the motivations and value proposition behind existing business models and policy and regulatory action to promote efficiency in residential energy use in different Indian states?
3. What key characteristics of business models create complex value for efficient energy use for low to middle-income households and distribution utilities?
4. What stimulus policies would be effective in supporting and sustaining such business models ?

The research will use three case study states in India: Karnataka, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP). While Karnataka has been a front runner on introducing energy efficiency policies/ regulations, Uttar Pradesh has taken a back seat (Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy 2021). Delhi on the other hand, stands somewhere in the middle. Both Karnataka and UP have public sector distribution utilities, whereas private sector utilities manage the distribution sector in Delhi. This selection of states would facilitate understanding whether the ownership of utilities has a strong role in driving energy efficiency measures. The research questions will be studied using qualitative methods.
These will involve the following steps:
1. Mapping the extent of exclusion/inclusion in creating value for low to middle income households and distribution utilities
2. Understanding the motivations and value proposition behind existing business models, and policy and regulatory action
3. Identifying key characteristics of a business model to create complex value for efficient energy use for low to middle income households and distribution utilities
4. Exploring the stimulus policies to support and sustain such business models