Topics Covered:
- Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
ECO Niwas Samhita 2018
Context: Bureau of Energy Efficiency and CPWD sign MoU on promoting energy efficiency in buildings
According to the MoU, BEE and CPWD will cooperate on promoting designs and construction of Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) compliant new buildings, star rating of CPWD managed buildings across the country with no registration or renewal fee, awareness on energy efficiency in building sector and support for capacity building of CPWD officials in ECBC.
ECO Niwas Samhita 2018 an Energy Conservation Building Code for residential buildings, to push for energy efficiency in residential sector was launched on December 14, 2018. It aims to promote design and construction of homes including apartments and townships to give benefits of energy efficiency to the occupants. Ministry of Power launched the ECO Niwas Samhita 2018.
Aim of ECO Niwas Samhita 2018:
To benefit the occupants and the environment by promoting energy efficiency in design and construction of homes, apartments and townships.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Role of BEE –
- Processing of application for star rating of buildings
- Preliminary scrutiny of application
- Data verification of CPWD maintained buildings
- Installation of smart meters
- Award of certificate & label
- Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings
- Support for construction of ECBC complaint buildings
- Efficient coordination with CPWD
- Capacity building of CPWD officials
Role of CPWD –
- Completely filled application for star rating
- Support and facilitation to data verification and monitoring
- Construction of ECBC Complaint buildings
- Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings
- Efficient coordination with BEE
It is anticipated that this initiative will result in energy saving of more than 260 million units in the first stage with operational savings of about Rs. 100 crore.
Star Rating for Commercial Buildings:
- It is based on the actual performance of a building in terms of its specific energy usage in kwh/sqm/year.
- It rates office buildings on a 1-5 Star scale, with 5 star labelled buildings being the most efficient.
- It is on a voluntary basis and label provided under it is applicable for a period of 5 years from the date of issue.
- It provides public recognition to energy efficient buildings, and creates a “demand side” pull.
- Various categories of buildings like Day Use Office Buildings, BPOs, Shopping Malls and Hospitals in the five climatic zones have been identified under the scheme.
Background:
About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) –
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is a statutory body, set up by the Government of India on 1st March 2002 under the provision of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- The mission is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- This will be achieved with active participation of all stakeholders, resulting into accelerated and sustained adoption of energy efficiency in all sectors.
About Central Public Works Department (CPWD) –
- CPWD came into existence in July, 1854 when Lord Dalhousie established a central agency for execution of public works and set up Ajmer Provincial Division.
- It is headed by DG who is also the Principal Technical Advisor to the Government of India.
- It has PAN India presence and has ability to undertake construction of complex projects.
- It has been involved construction of stadiums and other infrastructure requirements for Asian Games 1982 and Commonwealth Games 2010.
- CPWD is now engaged in construction of Afghan Parliament Building (beyond national boundaries).
Source: PIB
