NDPL to tap solar energy in Rajasthan for use in city

As per article on Times Of India of 16^th Sept. 2009

Green power is the latest mantra of electricity distribution utilities. After the 'roof-top' proposal in which consumers are encouraged to install solar panels on their terrace to tap solar energy, discom NDPL will soon set up a 50-100 MW solar power project in Rajasthan that will cater to its consumer base in the national capital.

NDPL CEO Sunil Wadhwa said three or four locations in the desert state had been identified to set up the plant.

Power officials said that regulations were currently being framed for the project and details like tariff/transmission costs were yet to be decided. "The power tariff is lower in Rajasthan, and hence it will not cost much to transmit this power to Delhi.

For complete article click here:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/delhi/NDPL-to-tap-solar-energy-in-Rajasthan-for-use-in-city/articleshow/5015798.cms

 

Solar power subsidy enthusing investors

As per article on 14^th Sept. 2009

Under its national solar mission, the government has initiated solar power projects up to a maximum capacity of 50 MW supported by financial incentives of a maximum of Rs 12 per kWh for photo voltaic and Rs 10 per kWh for solar thermal power projects for a period of 10 years for achieving 10 per cent of the country’s total electricity requirement by adding 20,000 MW of solar power by 2020.

Karnataka is blessed with active wind and hydro potential. We should exploit these to the maximum,” he said and added, while its wind potential was 7500 MW, the state was tapping 987 MW only. The total energy harnessed from renewable energy sources was 1787 MW, while the total potential was 11,150 MW.

 For complete article click here:

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/solar-power-subsidy-enthusing-investors/370075/

10,000 villages to get solar power

As per news article of 8th Sept. 2009

The central government will convert 10,000 villages which do not have electricity into solar-powered settlements 2012, Union minister Farooq Abdullah has said.

Lauding the initiative by Solkar and Exnora, Abdullah said: "India is deficient on power. We should make this into a movement to make sure that every powerless household will have a solar lamp."

For complete article click here:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/chennai/10000-villages-to-get-solar-power/articleshow/4984075.cms

Arizona gets $9.6 million to help energy efficiency in small towns

As per news article of 14th Sept. 2009

Arizona received $9.6 million Monday that will be funneled to small cities and towns across the state to further their goals for energy efficiency.

The latest round of disbursements will be handled through the Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office and will target towns of 35,000 people or less, said David Drennon, spokesman for the department.

DOE officials said the grants were given to cities that are not eligible to receive direct EECBG funds from the American Recover and Reinvestment Act.

The state has begun to receive its share of stimulus money dedicated to energy efficiency, including about half of the $57 million due it for weatherization.


For complete article click here:

http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2009/09/14/daily8.html

Energy conservation in tea manufacturing stressed at Upasi

As per news article of 14th Sept. 2009

With the tea industry's fortune reviving once again, the Kolkata-based Tea. Board has initiated methods to reduce manufacturing cost and thereby increase productivity to ensure that key segments of the business like processing remain profitable even in a down-turn.

"The tea prices have increased, but productivity is down and with the social cost increasing, we need to look at ways to minimize manufacturing cost," Nilgiris’s Kaikatty Tea Factory MD, K Swaminathan told ET.

"It will reduce our firewood consumption by 20 truck loads, which amounts to 2 lakh kgs per year," Mr Swaminathan said.


For complete article click here:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Commodities/Energy-conservation-in-tea-manufacturing-stressed-at-Upasi/articleshow/5010079.cms

Punjab government asks to create energy conservation cells in all departments

As per news article on Punjab News of 14th Sept. 2009

Chief Secretary, Punjab, S.C. Agrawal has issued instructions to all the Financial Commissioners, and Head of the Departments to create Energy Conservation Cells in their Departments and Corporations/Board/Institutions under their control with the existing staff structure.

S.C. Agrawal, IAS, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Punjab, asked PEDA to propagate the message of energy conservation among the general public and to various sectors of the economy

For complete article click here:

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/18740/38/

Clean energy future has humble beginnings

As per article of 11 Sept.2009

LONDON/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Humble, established technologies including natural gas and energy efficiency are top picks to lead a clean energy race through 2020, policymakers and senior executives told Reuters this week.

California's chief climate official, Mary Nichols, said efficiency would contribute most carbon cuts from electricity generation -- not renewable energy.

Beyond 2020, electricity would also have to be supplied by an untested technology to trap and bury carbon emissions from coal plants, called carbon capture and storage (CCS), said the head of Britain's science academy, Martin Rees.

For complete article click on given link:

http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE58A0JT20090911

Delhi plans to reduce power consumption by 20 per cent

As per article of The Hindu, Sept 8th 2009

The Centre to promote energy conservation under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation that would involve identification and development of buildings by the latter for saving nearly 20 per cent of all power consumed.

There is a 25 to 30% saving potential in government buildings and the Central Government has taken a decision to implement energy efficiency in government buildings in three years.

For completearticle click on given link:

http://beta.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/article17057.ece

Centre to extend subsidy on solar energy

As per article of Express News Service, 8th Sept 2009


Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah has said that the Union Government is ready to provide Rs. 10 as subsidy for every unit of solar power produced at a cost of Rs 18 in the country by way of augmenting the non-conventional energy situation under the proposed solar energy mission that is going to be in place on November 14 this year.

He also said that solar energy remained expensive and the solar mission under the guidance of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would chalk out plans.
Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said that the State ranked first in wind energy generation, 2,000 MW a day, though the installed capacity stood at 4,000 MW.

For complete article click on given link:

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Centre+to+extend+subsidy+on+solar+energy&artid=7qbam8tgj3o=&SectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&MainSectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&SEO=Farooq+Abdullah+,+Rajindra+Valsalan,+Managing+Dire&SectionName=HFdYSiSIflu29kcfsoAfeg==

Solar Energy in India – Gujarat to host World’s Largest Plant, India’s grand plans

 As per article of 9th Sept, 2009

Gujarat government has signed a MoU with Clinton Foundation to build the world’s largest solar-power plant in the region. Government plans to provide 55% subsidy on installations for home and office.

Government also plans to convert 10,000 villages which do not have electricity into solar-powered settlements 2012, by diverting a part of the subsidy spent on fossil fuel to renewable energy.

For complete article click on given link:

http://www.pluggd.in/solar-energy-in-india-gujarat-to-host-worlds-largest-plant-297/

Eco-friendly LED based lights to save energy

As per article of Times of india, 5th Sept. 2009

For energy conservation Indian Railways has decided to install special types of eco-friendly LED (Light Emitting Diode) based lights in the coaches of trains. There will be reduction of power consumption by 30-35 per cent on account of implementation of LED based coach lighting scheme. It would also reduce the burden on alternator and batteries of the coach which are being fitted in the lower part of the coach.

For complete article click here

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/allahabad/Eco-friendly-LED-based-lights-to-save-energy/articleshow/4976570.cms

60 solar powered Indian cities by 2020: US energy official

As per article of Times Of India 8th Sept 2009

Sixty Indian cities will be solar powered by 2020 if India is able to generate 20,000 MW of solar energy by then, said Mark Ginberg, senior official with the US Department of Energy, on Monday.

The US Department of Energy and the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG) launched a joint training programme on 'Energy efficient and green cities' in Goa.

For complete article click t given link:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/goa/60-solar-powered-Indian-cities-by-2020-US-energy-official/articleshow/4983715.cms

India unviels energy efficiency trading scheme

Our PM has launced this scheme with an intention to reduce consumption by 5% annualy b 2015.

The national mission on enhanced energy efficiency will introduce a "Performa - Achieve - Trade" (PAT) mechanism that would assign energy efficiency targets to the country's most energy intensive industries.

The plan also include setting up of two funds to support energy efficiency products. This mission will be implemented by BEE which will have initial budget of over $60 million including seed capital for two funds

To read more download the following document from the prime minister's website

http://pmindia.nic.in/Climate%20Change.doc

also read news as reported by various newspapers

Times of India - Aug 25,2009

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/New-climate-plan-targets-5-energy-saving-by-2015/articleshow/4930826.cms

Hindu Business Line - Aug 25,2009

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/08/25/stories/2009082552291500.htm

TAX SOPS for energy efficient products

See a news article from Live Mint.

It says that various states are planning to purchase only star rated parts and Ministry of Power will make it mandatory to procure only energy efficient products starting Jan 1,2010.

http://www.livemint.com/2009/06/19233043/Tax-sops-in-budget-for-8216.html

Green Life Smart Life

This is a green home building project which demonstrates how home owners can make smart decisions which benifits their families

http://www.greenlifesmartlife.com/

Green Homes For a Sustainable Tomorrow(ET, June 4,2009)

A news articles in ET says that

More than being a buzzword, building 'Green Homes' have become a necessity today and real estate sector is slowly waking up to the potential of carbon credit trading.

Read the complete article here

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Real-Estate/News-/Green-homes-For-a-sustainable-tomorrow/articleshow/4614869.cms

There are few more news aricles related to builders offering green homes

Satyavani secures PE Funds for green home projects

http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/18/stories/2008011851492300.htm

Central India's first IGBC certified green home project

http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/6049

India Green Home Market Potential Set at USD 15 Billion by 2012

http://www.domain-b.com/environment/20080929_indian_green_homes.html

SMC Plans green homes to counter global warming

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_smc-plans-green-homes-to-counter-ravages-of-global-warming-in-surat_1252494

Reports on Energy Efficency in Govt Deptts by TUV SUD for BEE

In April 2008, TUV SUD submitted a report for BEE indicating state of energy efficiency in various municipalities.

This report covers urban local bodies in 171 cities of 23 states and covering app 10 % of Indian Population.

The complete report is available here

http://www.energymanagertraining.com/DSM/MuDSM/SurveyReport_28May2008.pdf

A summary of reports says that only 1.5% of building and 7% of street lights are covered by energy efficiency initiatives

Protocols for energy meters

India CPRI test lab for DLMS

http://www.cpri.in/testing/it/protocol_it.html

DLMS standards body

http://www.dlms.com/index2.php

Blog for DLMS India

http://dlmscosem.blogspot.com/

A Paper on DLMS by Kalkitech

http://knol.google.com/k/prasanth-gopalakrishnan/need-for-open-communications-standard/3bk0x32fl4sfh/11#

An Indian company developing products based on DLMS

http://www.kalkitech.com/

Prepaid meters in India

Banglore offers prepaid meters

http://www.bescom.org/en/news/SinglePhaseThreePhase.asp

Android Home Energy Meter

Interface energy Meter with GSM phone based on android.

http://labs.moto.com/

Power Cost Home Energy Use Monitor

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/12/powercost_home.php

Multiple Products

10 monitoring tools bring smart energy home

http://earth2tech.com/2009/04/14/10-energy-dashboards-for-your-home/

Multiple products available from Green Depot

http://www.greendepot.com/greendepot/dept.asp?dept_id=2030&s_id=0

Open Source Modification to Kill A Watt

How to make a energy monitoring unit at home and convey information to tweeter

http://www.picobay.com/projects/2009/01/real-time-web-based-power-charting.html

Kill A Watt

Save Money by using Kill A Watt from P3. Just connected appliance to this unit and find out how much efficient they are.

A real boon for urban homes

http://www.p3international.com/products/special/P4400/P4400-CE.html

Reducing energy consumption by instant feedback

A paper from UK university is here

http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/energy/electric-metering.php

It talks about importance of direct and immediate feedback to users of electrical energy.

A US based company offers open source billing, reporting and analysis

http://www.fatspaniel.com/products/insight-platform/

Another program offers how to get energy usage feedback for users of wattson energy meter

http://www.myenergyusage.org/

Google launchd power monitoring via internet

Way to save energy is to monitor energy consumption as we do it in case of prepaid mobile phones. Even post paid mobile phones offer users a choice to check current balance.

In case of electricity we do not get to know total dues till we get the bill. A check on daily consumption can reduce power wastage.

In a country like India which has a sever shortage of power, this will be a good idea.

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/power-to-people.html

Best time for energy efficieny products in India

A US Govt Website says that it is best time to enter India for energy efficiency. A trade delagation will visit India in November 2009.

See the brocher here

http://www.buyusa.gov/india/en/eetm.pdf

Also a report on India's cleantech energy needs is here

http://www.buyusa.gov/india/en/400.pdf

Indian websites (Govt/Others) efforts on energy efficiency

Energy Efficiency Information for Industries

http://eeii.org.in/

Bureasu of Energy Efficiency

http://www.bee-india.nic.in/

India Green Building Congress

http://www.igbc.in:9080/site/igbc/index.jsp

CII - Green House Building Center

http://www.greenbusinesscentre.com/

Website of Indian Utility Companies

Reliance (Delhi and Mumbai)

http://www.rel.co.in/Rel/default.jsp

http://www.bsesdelhi.com/ (Delhi - 22.6 Lac customers)

North Delhi Power Limited

http://www.ndplonline.com (Delhi - 10Lac customers -1180 MW)

Greater Noida

http://www.noidapower.com

Uttar Pradesh

http://www.uppcl.org/

http://puvvnl.up.nic.in/ (eastern UP - 24 Lac customers)

http://www.mvvnl.org/

http://www.pvvnl.org/ (western UP - 25 Lac customer - 3000 crore)

http://www.dvvnl.org/

http://www.kesco.co.in/ (kanpur 4.2 Lac customers)

Smart Energy Meters

As per a recent report from Research Firm Parks Associates, 8.3 million homes now have smart energy meters (a little more than 6% of total residential buildings). Complete report is at http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/8.3m-smart-meters-and-counting-in-united-states/

Real growth is expected in next 5 years, It is expected to grow to 13.6 million next year and 33 millions by 2011.

These meters can measure electricity as well as control electricity and is expected to save cost for home ownere and utility companies.

Google and Microsoft have web based software that can integrate with these smart energy meters. Google lanuched their home manangment software on May 19th,2009

In India, Reliance Energy Plans for 5 million smart meters that will interface with google home management software.

website for buidling automation information

Magazine

http://www.greenintelligentbuildings.com/

http://www.greentechmedia.com/

Indian Product Companies

Market size for building automation products

A US Govts website has this report. Report is dated 2005 and is based on data till 2001. The website is current indicating that there has been no recent data.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/advanced_rd.html

It says that in 2001 US has spent USD 3,100 million on automation products. Making report is a pretty complex job, We do not have such information for Indian Buildings

US Govts Deptt of Energy Recommends Automatic Light Management

US Govt's Deptt of Energy encourages use of automatic light controls for saving electricity

http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12180

Rebates/Free equiments for Energy Efficient Homes/Offices

CPS Energy is largest municpally owned electric company. In San Antanio, Texas it delivers electricity to over 7 Lakh homes.

It encourages users to use dimmers and electronic timers to control lighting when away from home. It offers free programmable controller from Honeywell to reduce cooling (and heating) cost by 10%. It also offer rebate of upto 20% for smart energy homes users.

http://www.cpsenergy.com/Residential/Residential_Rebates_2009/Peak_Saver/index.asp

For commercial users it recommends use on computer based energy management system. It also offers rebate is users has better energy efficiency.

Intelligent Power Electronics for Energy Efficiency

European Center for Power Electronics website (http:://ecpe.org) has been formed in 2003. Vision statement says that

The aim is to boost Europe´s innovative strength and its leading role in future key areas such as energy production, energy distribution, the use of energy and - covering all of these - energy conservation, thereby extending Europe´s competitiveness with respect to North America and Asia.

has a document which says that share of electrical energy controlled by power electronics is 40% in 2000 and will reach to 80% by 2015. Power electronics is the key technonlogy which controls the flow of electricity from source to load.

Advanced power electronics can save over 50% of lossed in converting from mains/battery to that used in equipments.

For example lighting consumes 21% of electrical energy and a better electronic control can save over 25% of energy used in lighting using a small uController.

Complete article is here -

http://www.ecpe.org/download/power_electronic/ECPE_SRA_EnergyEfficieny.pdf

communities on saving energy/electricity

the following are some interesting facebook communities on saving electricity.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=9e970fb7fdf34f67022878a85d6ebb87&gid=72645489788&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=9e970fb7fdf34f67022878a85d6ebb87&gid=28368188446&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=9e970fb7fdf34f67022878a85d6ebb87&gid=31762083509&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=9e970fb7fdf34f67022878a85d6ebb87&gid=72645489788&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?sid=32e8d77a9b3c669cc43b8a6354aed1f2&gid=7414289378&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?sid=32e8d77a9b3c669cc43b8a6354aed1f2&gid=10200293925&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=32e8d77a9b3c669cc43b8a6354aed1f2&gid=21215818001&ref=search
http://www.facebook.com/s.php?ref=search&init=q&q=save%20electricity%20&sid=32e8d77a9b3c669cc43b8a6354aed1f2&n=-1&o=4&s=10&hash=e85e53abbcd336812c2fbf132d8108f9&sf=p#/group.php?sid=32e8d77a9b3c669cc43b8a6354aed1f2&gid=73539959393&ref=search

the Efergy e2

the new Efergy e2 is the most feature-packed wireless energy monitor available with a built-in USB port. The Efergy e2 can store up to 8 months of hourly data for uploading to your PC and comes with software to analyse the data.

for more infrmation the company website can be accessed -http://www.efergy.com.au/

the cost controller power strip.

this is a power strip . however it is more than a power strip. It displays the energy consumed .

more information can be accessed http://www.gizmowatch.com/tags/power-strip-with-electricity-monitor/

kill a watt

The product is very portable . It like the product which we have conceived can be attached to the individual appliances .It is very similar to the product which we have conceived.IT does not get connected to the meter and therefore cannot monitor the electricity consumption of the entire house . IT does not display the cost of electricity consumed. It only displays the watt consumption . You can calculate your cumulative electricity expenses and forecast for the entire month and even an year . You can also monitor the quality of electricity supply as it shows the voltage ,line frequency and also power factor .IT shows in all 8 critical units of measurement . This is to be noted that it displays power factor which other products do not display . It has built in battery back up .For futher deatils you must visit this link -

https://www.chooserenewables.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16172&cat=260&page=2

Power Tab

The product gets attached to the circuit braker .from the circuit braker the monitor sends signal to via power line communication to the display unit .The dispaly unit is mobile and cn be carried to different parts of the house . the unit can be used also to monitor the electricity consumption of different appliances by swtiching off and on the power supply of the appliances .thus unlike the

Black and Decker it does not have any facility to digitally monitor the consumption individual appliances.

more information on this can be accessed at http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/another-green-gadget-to-monitor-your-electricity-consumption/

wattson electricity monitor

This is a unique product .It gets attached to the fuse box easily (without the help of the electrician ).It dispalys energy consumption in watts or in currency (rupees).The monitor's trendy light changes according to the electricity consumption . It is asthetically very good . It looks very good.One can save upto 4 weeks of history .YOu can also download the lot into your usb and then to the computer . It contains :-

Wattson display unit
Transmitter batteries
Sensor Clip
Display charger
USB lead
Instruction manual

brief details about the product are available at http://www.gizoo.co.uk/Products/EcoFriendly/EnergySaving/wattson.htm

black and decker power monitor

this is an innovative product . its features are :-

1-it dispalys real time electricity

2-it displays real time electricity costs .

3-it displays month to date costs and expected bill at the end of the month

4-its wire less sensor gets connected to the meter . Therefore it is a central system which gets connnected to the household meter .

5- It also has appliance mode to help consumers isolate individual appliances like TV, fridge , refrigirator .

6- the system is completely wireless.

complete details are available at http://www.thegreenhead.com/2008/12/black-decker-energy-saver-series-power-monitor.php

further

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ELJKLE?ie=UTF8&tag=200820-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001ELJKLE

also

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/09/review-black-de/

Beginning of the Idea

I  have been working on this project for some time. Recently Gaurav from Amity Business School joined us for 2 months summer internship. During discussion he said that he is concerned with the high electricity bills for his dad's factory. 

I realised that we have a common interest and started on the project on May 8,2009.

First step was to do market research and get ideas from actual users. 

We created a survey at google docs and started sending emails to persons known to us.