The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “Energy-efficient buildings needed”

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Saturday, May 24, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Energy-efficient buildings needed”

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.

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.

ICLEI’s executive director Emani Kumar said that about 30 cities across the country had registered for the programme cities for climate protection, with the organisation.

On energy efficiency in buildings, he said use of passive design features would help regulate the heat load and thereby reduce electricity consumption. Use of solar water heating systems, energy saving lights for street illumination and energy efficient air-conditioners would also decrease the load of conventional systems by 30 –40 per cent, he said.

He also elaborated on the policies taken up in cities, including Bhubaneshwar, to integrate use of renewable energy and energy saving system in buildings.

Various topics including energy-efficient innovative building materials and technology were covered.

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