ENERGY CONSERVATION : INDIAN SCENARIO AND

GREEN BUILDING CONCEPT

Author : Jay Prakash, Scientist ‘C’, CCE(R&D)North, New Delhi

ABSTRACT

The Energy conservation concepts can be traced back in the history of ancient Greek
built cities where they used passive solar design so that all the homes recovered solar heat in the
winter. In the recent times, the oil prices increase in 1970s combined with environmental
movement led to the earliest experiments with contemporary green building concept.

In India construction industry being the second largest sector after agriculture,
contributing around 7% of India’s GDP growth, is forecast to grow at a rate of around 9.2%, as
compared to Global average of 5.5%. This industry consumes 40% of total energy and about
one half of the world’s major resources. Thus, the issue of energy security and green building
initiatives is required to be taken up seriously.

This paper discusses the concerns over energy security measures and energy
conservation in Indian context with a brief idea of different policies made and effected to
construct new and renovate existing buildings in a direction towards Green Building concept.
The potential for energy savings is 40-50% in new buildings designed based on Green Buildings
where as for existing buildings it can go upto 20-25% based on retro fitting measures. The
incremental cost vis-à-vis conventional building is around 5-8% with a pay back period of 2-4
years. The importance and benefits of Green Buildings have been highlighted in the paper in a
view to save our planet and sustain life.
1. INTRODUCTION
Energy efficiency, in today’s scenario, is in no way less important than for resources of
energy i.e. coal, gas, oil and uranium. The best part of energy efficiency lies in the smart
construction and disciplined use of it. Statistics shows that over 40 million sqm of commercial
and residential space is being added annually which results in additional burden of nearly 5.5
billion units of electricity.

Application of energy efficiency requires planning of building, its envelope, interiors, air-
conditioning and other gadgets. The requirement is to recognize the areas where the use of natural
resources of energy can be maximized to make the building effective and sustainable.

2. NEED OF ENERGY CONSERVATION

Since 1990, India has emerged as one of the wealthiest economies in the developing world.
During this period, the economy has grown constantly with only a few major set backs. With 35
cities with populations in excess of 1 million, and more cities joining the list, investments in urban
infrastructure for the provision of services are projected to be higher than ever before.

In order to sustain its GDP growth at the projected average of around 7-8%, one needs to
ensure a sustained energy supply and increased energy security. Be it problems of shortages of
fuels or consumption of electricity we need to work out every detail to fight with the scarcity of
sources of energy. Since the building sector is inextricably connected to nearly all over energy
demands whether it be agricultural, transportation, industrial or residential & commercial, it is of
prime importance that all possibilities towards energy efficiency and conservation in this sector be
looked at in depth and put to use as soon as possible.

3. INDIA’s PERSPECTIVE : GROWTH PROFILE

Sl. Five year Target Cost Remarks

No. plan for energy
efficiency
a) 9th (1997-2002) 5000 MW in elec Rs.14 billion Energy Conservation
6 million tones in (USD 0.3 billion) Act 2001 passed
petroleum

b) 10th (2002-2007) 95000 million units no specific BEE established

(Mu) (3% of allocation
estimated demand)

c) 11th(2007-2012)
The renewable energy targets for 11th five year plan (2007-2012) can be
summarized as below :-

i) Grid interactive renewable power : A physical target of 14000 MW is target

for Eleventh plan for grid –interactive renewable power through wind, small
hydro, bio-power and solar power.
 ii) For rural application a target of 100 MW of renewable based distributed /off
grid power has been decided.

iii) National bio-fuel policy to be finalized that provides incentives and leads to
a competitive industry.

iv) IREDA (Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited) to be

restructured.

4. ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICIES IN INDIA

The energy policies since independence have been adopted only to serve the socio-
economic priorities of development in India. This has resulted in inefficiencies in the use and
production of energy and the situation is so grim that India pays one of the highest prices for
energy in purchasing power purity terms. There are two major challenges ahead

a) to ensure adequate supply of energy at the least possible cost

b) to supply ‘lifeline’ energy to poor in the country and ensure the affordability.

With the above two primary objectives Planning Commission of India has prepared an
Integrated Energy Policy (2006) linked with sustainable development that covers all sources of
energy and addresses all aspects of energy use and supply including energy security, access and
availability, affordability and pricing as well as efficiency and environmental concerns.

To balance that growth of urbanization and the resultant demand of energy and concerns
over energy security following areas have been identified in the Integrated Energy Policy 2006
where 40-50% of all possible measures of reducing energy consumption needs to be exercised
forthwith :-

i) Mining

ii) Electricity Generation, transmission and distribution

iii) Water pumping

iv) Industrial production, processor, hauling

v) Mass transport

vi) Building design

vii) Construction

viii) Heating, ventilation and Air-conditioning

 ix) Lighting & house hold appliances

Govt of India has set a goal – Mission 2012 : Power for all

Among the major policies which have setup for energy conservation in India are :-

a) Energy Conservation Act 2001 : established the Bureau of Energy Efficiency

(BEE), under Ministry of Power. Formulated Energy Conservation Building Codes
(ECBC).
b) Electricity Act of 2003 : sets up contract and state level independent regulatory
commissions, can mandate and finance DSM (Demand side management)
programs.

The energy conservation act deals with several mandatory as well as promotional measures
relating to :-
x) Designated consumers (energy intensive industry, commercial buildings and
establishments).
xi) Equipment and application standards and labeling.
xii) Energy conservation building codes for new commercial buildings with connected
load of 500 KW or contract demand of 600 KVA and above.
xiii) Research and development, training and capacity building.

Under the statutory authority, BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) has developed the
Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2006 under contract between International
institute for energy conservation (IIEC) and United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) as a part of Energy Conservation and Commercialization (ECO)
project. The development of ECBC involved the energy requirement and the climatic
conditions in India. As figure (I) shows, there are five climatic zones in India. According
to different climatic conditions base models were prepared and option for energy
conservation were exercised in all possible manner. The purpose of this code is to provide
minimum requirement for the energy efficient design and construction of buildings. Code
has been made mandatory for commercial buildings or building complexes (new
construction) after its launch on 26 May 2007.
 Figure-I- Five climatic zones as per ECBC

S. No. The provision of ECBC applies to The provisions of ECBC does not apply
to
a) Mandatory for all new building that a) Buildings that do not use either
have a connected load of 500KW a electricity or fossil fuel.
greater or a contract demand of 600
KVA or greater.
b) Buildings with a conditioned floor area b) Equipments and portions of building
of 1000 Sqm or greater. system that use energy primarily for
manufacturing processes and

c) Multifamily buildings of three or fewer

stories above ground and single family
building.

All the policies made by GoI are guidelines towards Green Building concept. This concept
is now being adopted by various new constructions as well as existing buildings and has proved to
be very pragmatic and efficient.
5. GREEN BUILDING
A green building, also known as sustainable or high performance building, is a structure
that is designed, built, renovated, operated or reused in an ecological and resource efficient
manner. Though several definitions for sustainability arte available, the definition suggested by
the then Primer Minister of Norway, Gro Bruntland in 1987 – “Meeting the needs of the present
without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their needs” is considered as simple
and effective.

In India, IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) which is a part of CII-Godrej GBC has
taken on the initiative of the promotion of Green Building concept in India. The council is
represented by all stakeholders of construction industry – Corporate, Govt and nodal agencies,
Architects, Materials manufacturers, Institutions and Media etc.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plays an active role in promoting sustainability
in Indian construction sector. The CII as central pillar of the Indian Green Building Council
(IGBC). The IGBC has licensed the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
green buildings standards for the US green building council and currently is responsible for
certifying LEED – New construction and LEED – Core and shell buildings in India. TERI Green
rating for integrated habitat Assessment Voluntary Programme is another step towards the rating
system in India.

Important features of a Green Building can be listed as :-

a) Use of fly ash ready mix concrete or light weight concrete / cavity walls for
insulation and sustainability.
b) Use of roof insulation method like expanded polystyrene roof insulation or
reflective painting etc.
c) Recycling of wastewater for landscaping and use of fluidized aerobic bio-reactor
sewage treatment plant.
d) Landscaping with endemic plants which require less water and pesticides.
e) Use of Energy efficient lights like CFL and structures, maximizing use of natural
light by design and orientation of building.
f) All A/C to be CFC free.

g) Rain water harvesting measures with zero drainage to municipal drains.

h) Use of renewable energy like solar and wind energy sources.

j) Installation of CO2 monitors in the buildings and regular check on them.

k) UG parking should be preferred to reduce heat Island effects.

l) Separate dustbins for recyclable and non-recyclable waste.

 Figure-II- Building design, orientation & envelope as per ECBC

Figure-II shows the maximization of natural resources of solar energy to lit up the whole
area and to keep the house properly ventilated. The advantage of proper planning of building is
that it may not add costs to a building at all while designing as per green building concept.

6. BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

The potential benefits of green buildings can be categorized into the following major
categories :-

Environmental benefits :-

The basic concept of ecobalance and Green buildings are similar in nature as both
deal with environment protection and energy conservation. The given condition of rapidly
increasing population resulting in high demand of resources is a big worry for all. The key
is to maintain ecological balance and fulfill the demand of energy avoiding any cause of
hindrance to the progress of industry. Green building concept utilizes the natural resources
to its maximum. During planning and design stage one can ensure proper placing of
windows, orientation of windows and walls, porches and trees to shade windows and roof
thereby increasing natural heat gain during winters and reduce heat in summers. Natural
light during day time ensure that the requirement is met for maximum hours and with solar
energy panels, solar water heating system. They are utilized in night hours too, thus
reducing the electrical operating cost to minimum.
 Natural ventilation and air passage is desired in such a way that fresh air is
available all the time. The green building concept, the orientation and envelope of building
are major areas of emphasis. There are methods to avoid wastage of rainwater in green
building concept like using plants and trees through green roof, rain gardens and reduction
of rainwater run off, using gravel parking instead of concrete or asphalt to enhance
replenishment of groundwater etc.

Green building utilizes the waste material for landfill during construction. Also, the
waste generated by users are reduced by methods of construction of compost and sewage
treatment plants. The advantage of STP is in both ways, the solid waste is utilized
as manure and the recycle water can be used for car washing, flush toilets, arboriculture
and horticulture etc.

Socio-Economic benefits :-

The utilization of natural lights to maximum possible hours protecting the premises
from glare and excess heat in summers and maintaining warmth in winters helps in the
reduction of operating cost to a minimum. With the natural ventilation and passage of
fresh air the comfort level of users increase. It is a proven fact that utilization of natural
resources also result in the health of users as well as building. The proper designing
increase the aesthetics and reduce strain to the infrastructure and users to a great extent. In
a nutshell, green building concept improve over all quality of life of the users and provide
soothing experience.

7. CONCLUSION

The energy efficiency measures are vital in terms of overall provision energy supply.
Construction works being and important source of energy consumption are required to be seem
and dealt with care at each level. The policies and codes formulated by government can be
effective only when every individual mix and effort in this direction.

Green Building concept is a revolutionary step towards energy efficiency programme. For
existing buildings as well as new construction, various methods can be adopted to save energy.
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) combined with energy efficiency can generate
opportunities for carbon credit trading in the International market and financial benefits can be
availed. This is just a small step for a long journey towards India achieving the target of becoming
global power.

REFERENCES

1. Bhattacharjee J., Former Chief Engineer, MES. Paper on Green building concept
and various applications.
2. Singh Gurudev, Addl CE, MES. Paper on ‘Environmental protection through
Green Building philosophy’.
3. Planning Commission, Government of India, ND-Dec 2005 & Aug 2006. Report
of the expert committee on the Integrated Energy policy.

4. Mazumdar Mili, Case study on Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in

India.
5. Website http://powermin.nic.in/actsnotification/energy conservation act/index.htm.
6. Website http://www.teri.resin/core/griha

7. Website – www.igbc.in