With EMS fast gaining importance in the Indian construction
sector, the government is taking initiatives to develop energy conservation
codes.
There are buildings. And there are
smart buildings with energy management systems and services.
An 'Energy Management System' (EMS) aims to extract maximum advantage
from the sun and wind, while minimising the wasteful heat load from the
sun into the building and roof. Hence, various services in a building are
integrated to the microprocessor-based EMS for cohesive and reliable hands-free
operation with minimum human interface. These systems incorporated in a building
automatically coordinate with the management of power supply and distribution
system, lighting system, air-conditioning system, fire-fighting and detection,
ventilation system, water supply system and security system in such a way
that minimum energy is consumed in carrying out all these activities for
maximum consumer satisfaction.
In order to address energy conservation issues, the Indian Buildings
Congress recently organised a national seminar on 'Energy Management in
Buildings and Services'. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India, inaugurated
the seminar and the recommendations that emerged out of this seminar were
finalised mainly on the basis of observations made by Dr Kalam during his
inaugural address.
Design perspective
Energy efficiency starts from well planned, self sufficient district
centres, where residents have access to services and can implement the
concept of walk-to-work.
Thereafter, the need of the day is to produce energy-efficient designs
by adopting an 'Integrated Design Approach', where 'energy managers' should
be involved along with the other consultants right from the initial stage.
The use of lower-energy structural systems like load-bearing masonry
in place of reinforced concrete or steel frames helps in reducing the total
energy in a built environment. Accordingly, designers can look for ways to
reduce the thickness of walls, finishes, storey heights, etc. The design
of low-rise buildings in place of high-rises would also do the trick. Thermal
insulation of roof with under deck or over deck insulation would reduce heat
gain from roof. Similarly, cavity walls, hollow bricks or aerated concrete
blocks can also provide thermal insulation. The use of well-designed shading
devices in buildings that employ 'daylighting' would reduce building peak
heat-gain and improve the natural lighting quality of the interiors. Depending
on the amount and location of fenestration, the annual cooling energy consumption
can be reduced from 5 per cent up to 15 per cent. Moreover, regular maintenance
of all building components will save energy in the long run.
The use of computer simulation techniques like EMS helps to analyse
building energy performance, determine the suitability and contribution
of solar passive features and study energy management to optimise the building
design.
Manufacturers of building materials like steel, aluminium, cement,
clay bricks, tiles, glass, etc, can conserve energy by carefully studying
all production processes, as well as by using cheaper or non-premium fuels
in production.
Light and energy
In order to cool the indoor environment, appropriate landscaping and
horticulture designs should be put in place. The use of passive solar heating
concept in extreme cold climates using trombe walls acts as a thermal mass.
Similarly, passive solar cooling concepts can be adopted by using thermal
chimneys, wind towers, courtyard effect, earth air tunnels, etc. The use
of solar systems, windmills, biomass and biogas for heating and lighting
in buildings is recommended.
The power consumed by lighting systems in India is quite high compared
to developed nations, implying poor end-use efficiency. Moreover, energy
is given to many either free or at highly subsidised rates, which results
in wastage of power. Such measures should be minimised or discontinued.
In most developed countries, higher tariff is charged during peak hours,
thus economising energy consumption during peak hours.
Government policies
As energy-efficient items are expensive, it is necessary for the government
to evolve suitable procurement methods, whereby comparative cost should
be worked out on the 'lifecycle cost concept' and not on 'initial cost' alone.
Besides, the government needs to help set up 'energy centres', which can
provide R&D and manage it on corporate terms. Programmes launched through
the media, and books for architects and engineers, etc, will help in creating
awareness.
To stimulate energy saving, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency set up
under the Energy Conservation Act 2001 will come up with 'state-of-the-art
building energy standards', to be made mandatory for all new and old buildings.
In addition, Energy Service Companies (ESCO) will undertake energy-efficiency
projects through third party financing, to enable consumers to save on costs
without incurring any expenditure. Therefore, a periodic energy audit should
be made mandatory for all buildings that consume energy above a threshold
limit.
It's time to get smart about energy.