Rishi Pinnamaneni

The energy we consume in the world is but a reflection of our minds.

As we go through a very energy intensive phase of our existence, the responsibility on humans to adopt sustainable energy practices is huge. The search for optimum solutions has never been more challenging.

I have spent the last seven years working on energy infrastructure projects such as oil refining, power & utilities and coal handling sea ports in India. Am a keen follower of sustainable energy practices and energy policies.

I believe there are two approaches to tackle the world's unprecedented energy demand.

One is to increasingly rely on sustainable energy sources and practices. Two is to increasingly be aware of our actual energy needs.

The first is a technological and economic issue that has the attention of every industry and country of the world. World over, establishments are now adopting more sustainable and environment friendly practices.

The second is an individual issue that needs the attention of every citizen of the world. A big chunk of the energy consumption of the world is the cumulative sum of the consumption of each person.

I am a passionate endurance runner. Running a marathon requires formulating a personalised energy conservation & consumption strategy for the race. This helped me better understand the second issue.

Endurance running instigated me to explore and think towards energy conservation options at a personal level. It led me to explore and use public transport instead of driving to work. It also made me cognizant of a person's daily energy consumption and prompted me to replace power intensive appliances with solar powered ones at my home.

And that is why endurance running is a big part of me.

I believe the approach towards a solution is from both directions i.e promoting more use of energy efficient industry practices and spreading more awareness towards reducing energy consumption at an individual level.

When I'm not running or working, I like to explore my creative side by designing merchandise such as T shirts & medals for marathon events such as the Airtel Hyderabad Marathon, watch Sebastian Vettel burn up the track in Formula 1, drink wine and fine dine with my friends or catch up on reading non fiction such as 'Banker to the Poor' by Muhamman Yunnus.