Energy Efficient Building
The relevance of energy efficient buildings has assumed greater significance in the light of fast depleting energy resources, energy scarcity and environmental pollution. The building construction is one of the largest energy consuming sectors. Energy demand is for manufacturing materials required in building construction and running needs of the building. The ministry of power approximation indicates that 20-25 per cent of the total electricity consumed in the government buildings are wasted because of inefficient design parameters of the building, thus resulting in a whopping energy financial loss of about Rs. 150 Crore a year.
With the rise in population and more urbanization, construction activities are also expected to increase, thus increasing the demand of energy. Eco building, which uses the resources judiciously, minimizes emissions and has efficient waste management system, should be considered and designed to achieve the collective objectives of energy security and environmental protection. The design of an energy efficient building is as integrated approach. Architects and designers accomplish the task, through solar passive designs, natural building materials and use of renewable input of conventional energy. Not only the new building can be targeted but also retrofitting of existing buildings with efficient technologies can result in substantial reduction of energy consumption. In general, energy efficiency can by achieved in new buildings through :
· Load minimization by incorporation of passive solar techniques in building design
· Design of energy efficient lighting and HVAC (heating, ventilation & air-conditioning) systems
· Use of renewable energy systems to meet a part of the building load; and
· Use of CFL’s, electronic chokes, energy efficient luminaries etc.
For increasing awareness amongst citizens about this concept during the construction stage itself, we are finalizing a schedule jointly with Uttar Pradesh State Architecture Association (UPSAA) for conducting seminars in three phases as below:
(a) First phase - Seminar for Architectures/Designers.
(b) Second phase – Seminars for Builders & Architectures/Designers.
(c) Third phase – Seminar for general citizen.
The radio programme “Boond Boond Ki Baat” being aired on various channels has covered issues related to energy efficient buildings in six episodes during the last year. During the programme important features, which made the buildings energy efficient, have been discussed:
A platform for convergence of ongoing efforts by various agencies working in this field was provided by organizing “ENERGIUM- 2003” in Mumbai from 4th to 7th April, 2003 in collaboration with United States Environmental Resource Center (US-ERC).
In line with the PM’s directive to
all govt organizations to reduce their energy consumption by 30% in the next
five years through contracts ,PCRA is also working on energy consumption in Govt buildings .
In buildings, energy efficiency means using less energy for heating,
cooling, and lighting. It also means buying energy-saving appliances and
equipments of standard make / ISI mark for use in any building.
During the last three years PCRA audited 13 buildings
and the saving potential identified was to the tune of 10 - 12%.
As a step towards urban energy management, PCRA
emphasized the potential energy saving areas as given below.
¨
Efficient
lighting system & better use of natural light
¨
Boilers
steam & hot water systems,
¨
Air
conditioning system & refrigeration,
¨
Diesel
generating sets,
¨
Proper
insulation
PCRA has complied data for the energy audits conducted by it in the buildings in the
recent years for identifying key saving potential areas .
Addressing the issue on cluster approach basis for
maximizing the energy saving , recently
PCRA Officials met top officials of NOIDA authorities and gave a presentation
with respect to energy savings through Energy Audit in their buildings under
Urban Energy Management program of PCRA.
Hotels
(Commercial Buildings)
PCRA carries out energy audits to identify the areas
of energy efficiency improvement. The
energy audits done by PCRA have revealed that substantial energy savings can be
realised with marginal investments.
Energy is one of the major cost heads in hotel industry. During the period 2003-04 PCRA audited two
hotels and gave recommendations which could result in net saving potential to
the tune of 5-8% of their total consumption .
During the month of Nov. 2003 a conference was
organised at PCRA New Delhi to share our experience and capabilities with
various important hotels in New Delhi as a step towards urban energy
management. PCRA emphasised the potential energy saving areas which are as
follows.
¨
Electrical
system,
¨
Boilers
steam & hot water systems,
¨
Air
condition system & refrigeration,
¨
Pumps &
fans,
¨
Lighting
system,
¨
Electricity
load management,
¨
Commercial
laundries,
¨
Water
management,
¨
Diesel
generating Sets,
¨
Co-generation
system studies,
¨
Effluent
treatment- (EA point of view),
¨
Training of
drivers on energy conservation.
Around 25 Hotel executives participated in the
conference.
Recently we have shared simple tips towards energy
conservation with 88 nos. of 4/5 star hotels and also requested them to share
their experience in this field.
PCRA along with United States Environmental Recourse
Centre (US- ERC) organised Energium 2003 for the first time. This year also we
are organising Energium 2004 in June 2004 at Mumbai.