Professor Deepak Sharma

Do, T. & Sharma, D. 2011, 'Vietnam's energy sector: A review of current energy policies and strategies', Energy Policy, vol. 39, no. 10, pp. 5770-5777.
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Since the introduction of market-oriented economy in 1986, Vietnam has made noticeable socio-economic progress. In this progress, the energy sector has played a vital role. This role is likely to deepen in the years to come as Vietnam strives to achieve even higher levels in economic progress. Such deepening in the role of energy, this paper argues, will heighten concerns about the security of energy supply, and economic, environmental, social and political consequences. In order to address these issues, Vietnam has over the last decade, developed a suite of energy policies. A deeper review of these policies suggests that they are typified by economic-growth orientation, exclusive focus on a single-sector or single issue, and largely neglect the significance of cross-sectoral and cross-thematic issues arising from the interdependencies between energy, economy, and the polity at large. The existing energy policy settings are, therefore, unlikely to be able to provide a satisfactory redress to the challenges noted above. This paper provides an overview of the current energy policies with a view to identify areas where further policy effort is needed in order to facilitate a sustainable development of the Vietnamese energy sector.

Newell, B., Marsh, D. & Sharma, D. 2011, 'Enhancing The Resilience Of The Australian National Electricity Market: Taking A Systems Approach In Policy Development', Ecology And Society, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 0-0.
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As the complexity and interconnectedness of present-day social-ecological systems become steadily more apparent, there is increasing pressure on governments, policy makers, and managers to take a systems approach to the challenges facing humanity. However, how can this be done in the face of system complexity and uncertainties? In this paper we briefly discuss practical ways that policy makers can take up the systems challenge. We focus on resilience thinking, and the use of influence diagrams, causal-loop diagrams, and system archetypes. As a case study, set in the context of the climate-energy-water nexus, we use some of these system concepts and tools to carry out an initial exploration of factors that can affect the resilience of the Australian National Electricity Market. We stress the need for the electricity sector to prepare for the impacts of global change by encouraging innovation and diversity, supporting modularity and redundancy, and embracing the need for a policy making approach that takes account of the dynamics of the wider social-ecological system. Finally, taking a longer term view, we conclude by recommending that policy makers work to reduce reliance on conventional market mechanisms, institute continuing crosssector dialogue, and promote basic education in system dynamics.

Wattana, S. & Sharma, D. 2011, 'Electricity Industry Reforms in Thailand: An Analysis of Productivity', International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 494-521.
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In the early 1990's the Thai government initiated a process of refrom of the electricity with the arguement that such reform would improve the performace of the industry and contribute to enhancing the overall economic prosperity. The purpose of theis papr, using analysis-based methodology, is to exame the veracity of this argeument by analysing both the technical and environmental perfoermace of the Thai electricity industry.

Chanan, A.P., Kandasamy, J.K., Vigneswaran, S. & Sharma, D. 2009, 'A gradualist approach to address Australia's urban water challenge', Desalination, vol. 249, no. 3, pp. 1012-1016.
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There is growing consensus worldwide against the conventional centralised approach to water management, and a Ô++soft pathÔ++ for water management has emerged as a sustainable alternative. A Ô++soft pathÔ++ for water management emphasizes the optimization of end-use efficiency, small-scaled management systems, incorporates fit-for-purpose water use, and recommends the use of diverse, locally appropriate and commonly decentralised infrastructures. However, large-scale desalination plants are currently being built for almost all metropolitan centres in Australia to ensure water supply security. Unlike Ô++soft pathÔ++ for water management, large-scale desalination plants embody the traditional urban water supply approach. In spite of knowledge and values relating to the water cycle having shifted towards Ô++soft pathÔ++, the old organisational framework is believed to be hindering its adoption. Perhaps, therefore major water utilities in recent times have opted for the ideologically easier option of large-scale desalination conforming to the existing framework, instead of choosing a Ô++soft pathÔ++ for water management with potential for decentralised management. This paper critically reviews the urban water management direction in metropolitan Australia and puts forward a Ô++gradualist approachÔ++. It incorporates a comprehensive non-potable water reuse program necessary to build the familiarity and trust in water reuse, as a first step before introducing the idea of potable reuse.

Do, T., Sharma, D. & Nguyen, N. 2009, 'Review of Existing Energy Framework for Vietnam', GMSARN International Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 13-22.
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Since introducing a market-orientation to the economy in 1986, Vietnam has made considerable socioeconomic progress. For example, over the period 1986-2007, the GDP of Vietnam has grown at approximately 7 per cent per year which is the highest growth rate in the ASEAN region. In this growth, the countryÔ++s energy sector has played a vital role. This role is likely to deepen in the years to come as Vietnam strives to achieve ever higher economic progress. Such deepening in the role of energy, this paper argues, will heighten concerns about the security of energy supply, increased CO2 emissions and pollution and other social and political challenges. In order to address these challenges, Vietnam has over the last decade, initiated several energy policies underpinned by appropriate legislation Ô++ called, Ô++institutional frameworkÔ++, in the context of this paper. A deeper review of this framework suggests that it is typified by a lack of cohesiveness of policy direction and purpose, fragmented institutional structures and responsibilities, and weak public constituency on environmental issues. The existing framework is therefore unlikely to be able to provide a satisfactory redress to the challenges noted above. This paper provides some suggestions to reduce the weaknesses of the existing framework. These include: articulating the significance of the link between energy, economy and environment; developing coherence in institutional purpose and design, and raising public awareness through better communication and education.

Chaivongvilan, S., Sharma, D. & Sandu, S. 2008, 'Energy Challenges for Thailand: An Overview', GMSARN International Journal, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 53-60.
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Thailand is one of the most dynamic countries in South-east Asia. Energy has traditionally played a vital role in its economic growth. Currently, over 50% of the energy consumption in Thailand is imported. The energy demands are expected to increase by approximately 4.5% per year over the next decade. The future economic prosperity is, therefore, dependent on the provision of adequate energy. In order to ensure such provision, effective national energy policies would be needed. This is likely to be a challenging task. This paper examines if the current energy policies are adequate to meet this challenge. The examination reveals that the current policies are not adequate. This paper further recommends the need to develop a comprehensive framework that could be used to analyse the economy-wide impacts which could provide guidance for the development of appropriate energy policies.

Rogner, H., Sharma, D. & Jalal, A.I. 2008, 'Nuclear power versus fossil-fuel power with CO2 capture and storage: A comparative analysis', International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 181-196.
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Purpose - In recognition of the urgency of the global need to reduce CO2 emissions from the electricity sector, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the cost-effectiveness of nuclear power and fossil-fuel-based power with and without the provision of carbon capture and storage in select, yet environmentally-significant, group of countries - China, India, Russia, Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Argentina, Bulgaria and Romania. Design/methodology/approach - The analyses are based on comparisons of electricity generation costs for nuclear and fossil-fuel technologies. These costs, expressed in present value terms, are estimated on the basis of life-cycle costs, employing detailed country-specific technological and economic data and assumptions. Findings - The analyses suggest that that the provision of carbon capture and storage is likely to result in a significant increase in the cost of electricity produced from fossil fuels (principally coal) in all countries represented in this paper. Such increase would completely erode the existing cost advantage enjoyed by fossil-fuel power (in relation to nuclear power) in some countries (Argentina, Bulgaria, China, and India) and considerably enhance the existing cost-advantage of nuclear power in other countries (Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, and Russia). Originality/value - Notwithstanding these limitations, thefindings of this paper contribute appreciably to the emerging knowledge on this topic and provide useful foresight into the likely challenges of developing internationally acceptable policy prescriptions for mitigation CO2 emissions from the electricity sector. At a mundane, yet important, level, this paper establishes a platform on which further analyses could be built.

Vaiyavuth, R., Sharma, D. & Sandu, S. 2008, 'The Relationship between Electricity and Gas Industries in Australia', International Energy Journal, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-8.
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Electricity and gas industries are major industries in the Australian economy. Significant reforms were initiated in these industries in the early 1990s, with a core objective of improving their efficiencies through recourse to market competition. Further, these reforms were being undertaken separately for each industry, in total disregard of the relationship that may exist between these two industries. Several studies have alluded to the need for examining the nature of this relationship as it may provide useful insights for developing more meaningful reform program for each of these industries. This paper is an attempt in that direction. This relationship is examined both through qualitative (historical) and quantitative analyses. The qualitative analysis is supported by cross price elasticities of demand between electricity and gas, at the national and state levels. These elasticities are estimated using simultaneous demand functions for electricity and gas. While this paper focuses on Australia, its findings should be relevant for other countries that are in the process of reforming their electricity and gas industries.

Wattana, S., Sharma, D. & Vaiyavuth, R. 2008, 'Electricity Industry Reforms in Thailand: A Historical Review', GMSARN International Journal, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 41-52.
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The Thai Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) has been undergoing reform since the early 1990s. The first stage of reform resulted in the introduction of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Small Power Producers (SPPs) programs. This was followed by, in the mid-to-late 1990s, a proposal to introduce a market-oriented reform. This reform program envisaged the separation of generation from transmission and distribution functions; introduction of competition in generation; development of new market-oriented regulatory arrangements, and the privatization of the industry. This reform, argued its proponents, will improve the efficiency of the electricity industry; lower electricity tariffs; improve quality of service; draw private investment into power generation sector; reduce the government+s investment burden of financing expensive electricity infrastructure and hence enhance its capacity for investing in other priority programs such as health, education and other social activities. This paper examines the veracity of these arguments. This examination is assisted by a historical review of the evolution of the Thai Electricity Supply Industry (ESI). This review reveals that the above noted arguments are unsupportable on the basis of the technological, economic, environmental, social and political realities prevalent in Thailand. This paper further emphasizes the need to clearly identify the `real+ rationale for reform so that an appropriate reform pathway + consonant with socio-political contexts in Thailand + could be selected.

Marsh, D. & Sharma, D. 2007, 'Energy-Water Nexus: An Integrated Modelling Approach', International Energy Journal, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 235-242.
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Sharma, D. 2005, 'Australian Electricity Reform: The Ownership Debate', International Energy Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1-12.
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A direct and indirect change in the ownership of significant segments of the electricity industry -from the public to the private arena - has been an accompaniment to the structural and regulatory reform of the Australian electricity industry, underway for much of the last decade. While the structural and regulatory aspects of reform have engendered considerable public debate, the debate on the various aspects of the change in ownership - its rationale, methods, and impacts - has however been rather narrow, largely opaque, and mostly surreptitious, confined almost exclusively to the immediate fiscal impacts of the sale of electricity assets. It lacks any substantive consideration of the historical, political, and philosophical underpinnings of this change, and the profound, variegated, and fundamental consequences that this change will inevitably induce in terms of redistributing wealth in society, recasting the balance between the market and the welfare state, reorganizing the institutions of governance, realigning economic and political interests, reinterpreting of the role of the state, and indeed a rethinking on the philosophical foundations of a civilized society. This paper provides reconnoiter of the political and philosophical connects of the change in the ownership of the Australian electricity industry and argues for the need to broaden the nature of the current debate on these issues. While the review focuses on the Australian electricity industry, the messages are relevant for other countries undertaking reform, especially developing countries as they begin to dismantle and privatize their electricity infrastructures.

Sharma, D. 2005, 'Electricity Reforms in the ASEAN: A Panoramic Discourse', Economic and Political Weekly, vol. 40, no. 50, pp. 5318-5326.
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Fathollahzadeh Aghdam, R. & Sharma, D. 2004, 'Rationale Behind Electricity Industry Reform in the ASEAN: A Review', Journal of Eghtessad-e-Energy, Energy Economics, vol. 58/59, pp. 27-32.
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Sharma, D., Madamba, S.E. & Chan, M. 2004, 'Electricity Industry Reforms in the Philippines', Energy Policy, vol. 32, pp. 1487-1497.
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Palmer, C.G., Gothe, J., Mitchell, C.A., Riedy, C.J., Sweetapple, K., McLaughlin, S.M., Hose, G.C., Lowe, M., Goodall, H., Green, T., Sharma, D., Fane, S.A., Brew, K. & Jones, P.R. 2007, 'Finding integration pathways: developing a transdisciplinary (TD) approach for the Upper Nepean Catchment.', Australian Stream Management Conference, Albury, NSW, Australia., May 2007 in Proceedings of the 5th Australian Stream Management Conference. Australian rivers: making a difference, ed Wilson, A.L., Dehaan, R.L., Watts, R.J., Page, K.J., Bowmer, K.H., & Curtis, A., Charles Sturt University, Thurgoona, New South Wales, pp. 306-311.
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Challa, B., Challa, S., Chakravorty, R., Deshpande, S. & Sharma, D. 2005, 'A Novel Approach for Electrical Load Forecasting Using Distributed Sensor Networks', International Conference on Intelligent Sensing and Information Processing, Bangalore, India, December 2005 in Proceedings - Third International Conference on Intelligent Sensing and Information Processing, 2005. ICISIP 2005., ed Palaniswami M., Patnaik L. M., Venugopal K. R., Rajeev Khosla, Rajgopal Kannan, IEEE, USA, pp. 189-194.
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Electrical market often demands accurate forecasting of electrical load for planning and operation of the power infrastructure. Current models can forecast load from half hour up to 24 hours and are based on aggregate temperature for the entire day. Although these models work very well, they do not consider the intermediate real time information between time intervals to forecast load which introduce many uncertainties pertaining to factors such as climatic conditions, geographic locations etc. Furthermore, such intermediate real time information is costly and difficult to obtain. With the aid of distributed sensor networks, real time information can easily be obtained which can lead to precise planning and operation of power systems. Such information can easily improve electrical load forecasting and reduce uncertainty which can have a direct impact on the customer. We propose new and improved models for electricity load forecasting by incorporating real-time weather (temperature) information arising from the low-cost distributed sensor networks.