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(GIST OF YOJANA) Energy Efficiency is the Key for Sustainable Development [MAY-2019]

(GIST OF YOJANA) Energy Efficiency is the Key for Sustainable Development

[MAY-2019]

Energy Efficiency is the Key for Sustainable Development

Introduction

In India the electrification of households has taken place on a massive scale and demand for energy has increased. One of the key reasons for this has been the growing population.
Another is the enormous increase in energy intensive economic activities. As the conventional sources of energy are reducing and the renewable sources are under developing phase, improving energy efficiency at all levels of the energy spectrum is the cost-effective and quick solution to address this problem.
Some of the concerns regarding the limitations imposed on sustainable development by environmental emissions and their negative impacts can in part be overcome through increased energy efficiency.
The government, through Nationally Determined Contributions has aimed to reduce emission intensity of GDP to 33-35 per cent below what it was in 2005 by 2030.
However, to achieve this target there is a need for a concerted move to ensure increased efficiency especially in 3 sectors:
Industrial sector,
Real estate,
Consumer appliance.

Industrial Sector

Industrial sector continues to be the highest energy consuming domain where energy conservation would play a vital role. There is also huge potential for energy conservation and technology enhancement for efficiency in key intensive industries. With an aim of energy efficiency improvement, Bureau of Energy Efficiency ( BEE ) is implementing Perform, Achieve and Trade ( PAT) scheme under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency (NMEEE).

Real Estate Sector

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency ( BEE ) envisages a phased approach for developing an energy conservation code for the residential sector. The idea is to create a simple and implementable code focusing building envelope which can be integrated with the existing building codes and bye-laws.

The design of the building envelope will have a direct impact on:

Heat conduction through the roof , opaque wall and glazed windows
Solar radiation gains through glazed windows
Natural ventilation
Day-lighting.

The real estate sector consumes over 30 percent of the total electricity consumption in India annually and is second only to the industrial sector as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases; of which around 75 per cent is used in residential spaces.

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The building envelope thus will impact both the thermal comfort as well as electricity used for space conditioning. In this context, BEE has two programs

(1) Eco Samhita, (Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings), and
(2) Labelling for Energy Efficient Homes.

Eco Samhita, (Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings): The Eco-Niwas Samhita (Part I: Building Envelope) aims to set minimum building envelope performance standards to limit heat gains (tor cooling dominated climates) and to limit heat loss (for heating dominated climate) as well as for ensuring adequate natural ventilation and day lighting. The code is applicable to all residential use building projects built on plot area >= 500 m2. The code has been developed with special consideration for its adoption by the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) into building bylaws. This strategy enables most of the new urban housing stock to be brought into the net for capturing the opportunities and the benefits of energy efficiency in residential buildings.

Labeling Programme for Energy Efficient Homes

To enable consumers to compare building performances from a sustainable energy point of view
a comprehensive labeling scheme is import.
The objective of proposed labeling programme is mentioned below:
To provide information to consumers for EE Homes
Energy sustainability for India
To achieve Indian NDC Targets
Market Transformation for energy efficiency in the housing sector.

Way forward

It shall act as an embryo to stimulate the larger energy-efficient materials and technologies market. To seek the energy efficiency label, customers shall demand energy efficient building materials which in turn, would give enough impetus to suppliers to produce the same.
After implementation of the labeling mechanism, the housing value chain would encourage an additional set of professionals to expedite the complete process of residential label granting. This way, the labelling regime shall also be a stimulant for the Indian job market.
It will also motivate material manufacturers to invest in energy efficient material manufacturing in India.
Labelling mechanism shall cause a reduction in energy bills. This will empower individuals with
a greater disposable income that can be consumed at other avenues, saved for future contingencies or invested for cash generating asset creation for overall economic growth.
It helps the nation in working towards fulfillment of Global Sustainable Development Goals 7 of the United Nations: Affordable and Clean Energy.