Energy Conservation and Green Energy

ECBC for residential buildings is being launched to help reduce domestic energy consumption. Energy Conservation Building Code (Part I: Building Envelope Design) has been prepared to set minimum building envelope performance standards to limit heat gains (for hot climates) and to limit heat loss (for cold climate) as well as for ensuring adequate natural ventilation and day lighting. The code is applicable to all residential use building projects built on plot area ≥ 250 m².

The Part I – Building Envelope Design, is the first component of the Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings to be launched. Its introduction is to improve the construction and design of new residential building stock, as it is being built currently and in the near future, to significantly curtail the anticipated energy demand for comfort cooling in times to come. This critical investment in envelope construction and design made today will reap benefits in terms of reduced energy consumption and thereby operational costs for owners and tenants during the lifetime of the buildings.

The code is designed in a simple-to-apply format, requiring only arithmetic tabulation based on the architectural design drawings of the residential buildings. This will be usable by architects as well as engineers and will not require any specialized skills or simulation software. This also enables the Code to be readily adopted in the Building Byelaws and regulatory instruments such as Environmental Clearance for Large Projects.

In the coming years, new components will be added to the Energy Conservation Building Code for Residential Buildings, which will address other aspects such as, Energy Efficiency in Electro-Mechanical Equipment for Building Operation, Renewable Energy Generation, Embodied Energy of Walling Materials and Structural Systems.

Scope of the ECBC (Residential)

The code aims at limiting heat gains/loss from building envelope and for ensuring adequate natural ventilation and day lighting.

To limit the heat gain/loss from the building envelope, the code specifies:

• Maximum value of Residential Envelope Transmittance Value (RETV) for building envelope (except roof) applicable for four climate zones, viz. Composite Climate, Hot and dry Climate, Warm-humid Climate and Temperate Climate.
• Maximum value of thermal transmittance of building envelope (except roof) for Cold Climate zone (U_{Envelope, cold})
• Maximum value of thermal transmittance of roof (U_roof) for all climate zones

To ensure adequate natural ventilation, the code specifies

• Minimum Openable window-to-floor area ratio (WFR_op)

To ensure adequate daylighting, the code specifies

• Minimum Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) for the non-opaque building envelope components

The code is applicable to all residential use building projects built on plot area ≥ 250 m². The type of building projects includes, but not limited to:

• Group housing projects: Building unit or units constructed or to be constructed with one or more floors having more than two dwelling units having common service facilities where land is shared and commonly used by the dwelling units, and the construction is undertaken by one agency.
• Mixed Land Use Building projects: With buildings partly used for non-residential uses and partly for residential use.
• Multi-dwelling unit building on residential plots.

Electrical Safety

Under the Electricity Act, 2003, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) issues mandatory safety guidelines titled: Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023. These apply nationwide across all states and union territories.

Key Regulations

Reg. 1: Scope and Extent of Application

Applies to all electrical installations, plants, lines, and persons involved in generation, transmission, distribution, trading, or usage of electricity.

Reg. 2: Designated Person for Work

• Only certified persons with electrical competency permits can be designated.
• Designations must be recorded and made available for inspection.

Reg. 3: Inspection of Designated Person Records

Records to be produced on request; non-compliance can lead to removal recommendations.

Reg. 4: Electrical Safety Officer

Mandatory for entities with ≥250 kW load; responsible for safety in construction, operation, and maintenance.

Reg. 5: Chartered Electrical Safety Engineer

Authorized by Government to assist with self-certification under safety regulations.

Reg. 6–7: Safety in Operation and Construction

• Qualified personnel must operate generating/transmission systems.
• Installations must conform to National Electrical and Building Codes.

Reg. 8–11: Consumer Premises Requirements

• Safe condition of supply lines and apparatus.
• Fireproof switchgear and earthed terminals required.
• Clear identification of earthed conductors.

Reg. 12–14: Bare Conductors and Personal Safety

• Inaccessible to public; provided with switches.
• Danger notices mandatory for >250V installations.
• Protective gear and precautions for workers are mandatory.

Reg. 15–17: Mobile Equipment and Street Boxes

• Vehicles/cranes must have single-point voltage cut-off.
• Portable cables must be three/four-core and protected.
• Street boxes must avoid gas/water influx and be ventilated.

Reg. 18–20: Circuit Distinction and Accidental Charging

• Clear markings for different circuits and feeds.
• Arrangement to prevent accidental over-voltage or contact.

Reg. 21–22: Protective Equipment and Resuscitation

• Fire safety and first-aid facilities required in all key installations.
• Post resuscitation instructions prominently.

Reg. 23: Licensing and Supervision

Only licensed electrical contractors under certified supervision may carry out electrical installation works.

Reg. 24: Periodic Inspection and Testing

Installations above notified voltage must be inspected by the Electrical Inspector. Lower voltage installations require self-certification by the owner or user.

Reg. 25: Precautions Before Connection

Supplier must test for insulation resistance before making connection to prevent leakage. Written explanation must be given if connection is denied.

Reg. 26: Controls for Use and Supply

• Appropriate switchgear must be installed near the supply point.
• Transformers must have protective switching on both sides depending on capacity.

Reg. 27: Multi-storeyed Buildings

• Inspection and approval by Electrical Inspector required for >15m buildings.
• Fire-resistant cabling, bus trunking, isolators, and lightning protection mandatory.
• Electricity meters not allowed on staircases.

Reg. 28: Conditions for Installations Over 250V

• Metal enclosures or conduit required for higher voltages.
• Proper spacing and access around switchboards is mandatory.

Reg. 29–30: Insulation and Earthing

• Lines disconnected for repair must be retested before reconnection.
• Neutral, metallic sheaths, equipment frames must be earthed with multiple connections.
• Earth fault loop impedance and bonding must meet relevant standards.

Reg. 31: Residual Current Devices (RCDs)

RCDs must be used on all installations, with ≤30 mA sensitivity for domestic setups.

Reg. 32: Interlocks and Protection (>650V)

• Isolator and breaker interlocks mandatory to prevent unsafe operations.
• Protection systems required: overcurrent, earth fault, differential, and Buchholz relays.
• Fire safety, oil containment, and layout standards required for substations.

Reg. 33: Testing, Operation, and Maintenance

• Manufacturer’s test certificates must be provided for equipment before approval.
• Site tests required before commissioning any new apparatus or cable exceeding 650V.
• Reconnection after 6+ months requires site testing.
• Periodic maintenance, testing, and record-keeping are mandatory.
• Failure of 220kV+ transformers/reactors/towers must be reported within 48 hours.

Reg. 34: Precautions Against Excess Leakage in Metal Sheathed Cables

• All high-voltage cables (except certain insulated ones) must be metal sheathed and earthed.
• Resistance of earth connection should allow for protective devices to operate properly.

Reg. 35: Earthing for Equipment Exceeding 650V

• Entire substation equipment must be connected to a grounding mat to control touch and step voltages.
• Neutral points of transformers/generators must have dual earthing paths, optionally impedance-limited.
• Common grounding grid allowed for 33kV+ installations if touch/step limits are safe.
• Earthing must be tested yearly during dry season and records maintained.
• Telecom authority must be notified before connecting existing systems with earth.

Reg. 36: Use of Electricity Exceeding 650V

• Consumer premises must maintain separation, fire protection, safe clearances, and maintenance protocols.
• Substations must adhere to oil containment and fire-resistant building requirements.
• Protective relays and safety systems are required for equipment above threshold capacities.

General Conditions for Transformation and Control

• Outdoor installations must be fenced (min. 1.8m) unless fully metal enclosed and earthed.
• Underground switchgear spaces require ventilation and no storage of flammable materials.
• Transformer mounting must follow notified standards.

Participating in the Smart City Concepts

In India, about 31% of the population living in urban areas contribute 63% of GDP. It is projected that by 2050, 70% of the population will live in cities. Cities are already facing problems such as overpopulation, rural migration, poor air quality, inadequate waste management, power shortages, and traffic congestion.

To address these challenges, the Smart City Mission was launched in June 2015 to develop 100 smart cities across India. The mission aims to make cities more sustainable through smarter solutions and modern infrastructure.

What is a Smart City?

A smart city is tailored to its unique needs. One broad definition is:

“A smart city uses information and communications technology to enhance its liveability, workability, and sustainability.” - Smart Cities Council

Objectives of a Smart City

• Clean, safe and sustainable environment
• Efficient use of resources
• Green, climate-resilient infrastructure

Pillars of a Smart City

1. Core Infrastructure
2. Quality of Life
3. Sustainable Environment
4. Smart Solutions

Smart cities use technology to improve various services including energy, water, transport, education, healthcare, and waste management.

Planning and Participation

Each smart city must define its own vision based on local needs. Citizen participation and leadership are key to customizing and implementing ideas, including features like:

• Open public spaces
• Clean water and sanitation
• E-Governance and transparency
• Advanced transit systems

Types of Smart City Development

1. Greenfield projects: Entirely new cities (e.g., Dholera, Gujarat)
2. Retrofitting existing cities: Upgrading with latest technologies

Funding Sources

• INR 48,000 Cr by Centre
• INR 100 Cr per city over 5 years
• Matching by State and Urban Local Bodies
• External Commercial Borrowing, Banks, Foreign Investment

Energy Management in Smart Cities

Key components include:

• Smart grid, smart meters, and energy storage
• Distributed generation & rooftop solar
• Smart street lighting with networked LEDs and sensors
• Advanced HVAC, smart appliances, and building retrofits

Example: Smart Street Lighting can reduce energy costs by 50-70% by dimming when activity is low and reporting anomalies.

Smart Transportation

By 2031, over 600 million people will live in Indian cities. But only 20 cities have organized public transport, and road safety is a major concern.

Technologies in Smart Transport

• Bicycle sharing systems: Real-time apps show availability and locations
• Dynamic carpooling: Real-time app-based car sharing
• GPS tracking: Real-time public transport data and route optimization
• Road user charging: Tolls, congestion, and emission charges
• Single fare cards: One card for multiple transport modes and services
• Smart parking: Sensor-based parking space monitoring
• Smart tolling: RFID and automatic number plate detection for tolls
• Smart traffic lights: Adaptive traffic signals based on real-time data
• Electric vehicles: Infrastructure for EVs and renewable energy integration

Smart transportation not only reduces congestion and emissions but also provides safety and convenience for the citizens.

Latest Electrical Products & Investment Opportunities

Latest Technologies for Energy Conservation of Electrical Systems

Energy efficiency should be viewed as an energy reserve just like fossil fuel reserves. There is a very significant potential (15-25%) to improve industrial energy efficiency using existing, proven technologies that are cost-effective today, as well as applying new technologies. Best practices in Electrical and Thermal, along with relevant case studies, covering electrical and thermal areas are presented here:

Best Practices and Technologies in Electrical System

Case for Energy Efficient Motors

Electric motors convert electrical power into mechanical power within a motor-driven system. In industrial applications, electric motor driven systems are used for various applications such as pumping, compressed air, fans, conveyors, etc. The system approach for optimizing energy efficiency of motor-driven systems is recommended, which includes the following:

• Use of energy efficient motors;
• Selecting the driven equipment―like pumps, fans, compressors, transmissions, variable speed drives―right type and size, and high efficiency;
• Efficient operation of the complete system.

From the motor perspective, when buying a new motor, operating cost and not just the purchase cost should be the main consideration. In a single year, the cost of energy can be up to 10 times the purchase cost. Over the life of the motor, it is by far the most significant cost. Old motors, typically more than 15 years and operating for over 5000 hours in a year can be considered for replacement with energy-efficient motors to reduce energy costs.

IE Classification

International Efficiency (IE) is a new trend around the world in describing the energy efficiency of motors. The IE classes IE1 to IE4 are well developed, while the IE5 is under preparation. The classification method allows for further improvement in the energy efficiency of motors.

IE4 represents the highest energy efficiency while IE1 represents the least energy efficiency. The higher the class number, the higher the motor efficiency. IE5 is to be incorporated in the next edition of IEC 60034-30-1, with a goal to obtain an energy loss reduction of 20% relative to IE4.

Energy Savings with Energy Efficient Motor

The annual energy saving by upgrading to more efficient motor is calculated as per the following formula:

If the annual energy consumption of motor is not available, it can be estimated with the following formula:

Replacing IE1 Motor with IE3 Motor

The information regarding the old motor and the operation pattern is as follows:

Annual Energy Consumption calculation:

It is proposed to replace the IE1 motor with an IE3 motor with higher efficiency.

The percentage of energy-saving and the anticipated annual energy saving is calculated below:

Replacing IE1 Motor with IE4 Motor

If the new motor is IE4 with better efficiency, further energy savings can be expected.

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Applications

The potential for energy saving from speed reduction depends on the characteristics of the load being driven. There are three main types of load prevalent in industry: variable torque, constant torque, and constant power.

Variable Torque Load

Variable torque loads are typical of centrifugal fans and pumps and have the largest energy saving potential. They are governed by the Affinity Laws which describe the relationship between the speed and other variables:

• The change in flow varies in proportion to the change in speed: Q1/Q2 = N1/N2
• The change in head (pressure) varies in proportion to the change in speed squared: H1/H2 = (N1/N2)²
• The change in power varies in proportion to the change in speed cubed: P1/P2 = (N1/N2)³

Where, Q = volumetric flow, H = head (pressure), P = power, N = speed (rpm)

Constant Torque Load

Typical constant torque applications include conveyors, agitators, crushers, positive displacement pumps, and air compressors. On constant torque loads, the torque remains constant with speed and the power absorbed is directly proportional to the speed. This means that the power consumed will be in direct proportion to the useful work done, for example, a 50% reduction in speed will result in 50% less power being absorbed or consumed.

Although the potential energy savings from speed reductions are not as attractive as with variable torque loads, they are still worth investigating to achieve efficient process control and energy savings.

Constant Power Load

On constant power loads, the power absorbed is constant while the torque is inversely proportional to the speed. The torque loading is a function of speed up to 100% operating speed. As the speed of the operation is decreased, the torque increases so that the power required remains essentially constant.

Typical applications are saws, grinders, and machine tools. The installation of VFD is not recommended for constant power applications.

VFD for Fans

Dampers are often used to regulate the flow of fans in applications such as ventilation systems, air extract systems, industrial cooling, combustion-air control, and flue gas evacuation systems for boilers. With damper control, the input power reduces as the flow rate decreases.

If dampers are replaced with VFD control, input power is reduced much more significantly as per the cube law.

Note: One limitation of VFDs is that the speed can be reduced below 30% only with caution, as the cooling capacity of the motor will be affected.