KOCHI: The Energy Management Centre (EMC), an autonomous body under the Department of Power, Government of Kerala, has decided to introduce efficiency ratings for electrical appliances. The appliances will have EMC labels that indicate energy efficiency. Display of these labels will be made mandatory for the electrical appliances on sale, according to a top official of EMC.

The measure is being introduced to check the wastage of power. Electrical appliances that consume more power contribute to the loss of power. When a large number of such appliances are in use, a substantial amount of power is lost. The new move is to prevent it because `the energy saved is energy generated'.

There are appliances that cost less but the consumption of power will be comparatively higher. The consumers buying a cheaper electrical appliance may incur higher expenditure by way of larger power consumption. The EMC will test the appliances and mark the efficiency level accordingly. The EMC label will be a valuable guide to the consumer, according to the officials.

The EMC has launched awareness programmes on energy conservation. Energy Clinic is one such programme aimed at energy conservation activities in the domestic sector. The awareness on energy conservation among rural households helps them economically while lessening pollution.

Selected women volunteers are given training and `energy kits' containing different energy saving gadgets. They conduct classes on energy conservation and demonstrate the use of energy saving techniques.

Another project of EMC is the induction of a micro-processor system for keeping the street lights on only when required. The system helps to prevent wastage of power by switching off the streetlights when there is enough sunlight. The device works on the timings of the sunrise and sunset of a particular place. It is programmed to take into account the `civil twilight timings' which depend on the latitude and longitude of the place of installation. It can be connected to a computer for monitoring and controlling. The technology has been successfully demonstrated at Perealasserry panchayat in Kannur, according to officials of EMC.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail