The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Stress on energy-efficient buildings

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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Stress on energy-efficient buildings

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Awareness of designing energy-efficient buildings must be created to minimise electricity load, said speakers at a workshop on energy efficient buildings organised here on Friday.

The workshop, organised jointly by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Noida-based organisation International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), had participants from various sectors including government departments, environmental consultants and builders. The ICLEI is an international association of local governments working towards sustainable development.

Speaking on the initiatives of Tamil Nadu Renewable Energy Development Agency (TEDA) to promote integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency in buildings, TEDA’s chairman and managing director Mohan Verghese Chunkath said solar water heating systems had been made mandatory in buildings such as hospitals, marriage halls and hostels with more than 50 rooms in the city. A similar mandate has been given for buildings in districts.

Concept

Nearly 7 lakh tonnes of carbon dioxide emission is mitigated through solar system every year, he said. He also elaborated on the renewable energy park proposed to be set up at the Birla Planetarium at the cost of Rs. 1.4 crore. In a bid to popularise the concept of renewable energy, the proposed park would showcase solar devices and technologies. It would also have solar powered auditorium, he added.

A.K.Singhal of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy spoke on the national programmes on application of both renewable energy and energy efficient techniques in buildings.

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