Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Union ministry of power, is planning to save 2,308 Mw of energy worth around Rs 11,540 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) by mandating the labelling of electronic products. Of this, 400 Mw, worth Rs 2,000 crore, is expected to be saved from the air-conditioners segment.

The central government has already mandated four products – split air-conditioners, fluorescent lamps, transformers and frost-free refrigerators – under the energy efficiency star-labelling to reduce energy consumption, and identified 10 products on a voluntary basis.

Kerala State Industrial Enterprises (KSIE), a public sector unit, will tie up with the UN to spearhead a major drive aimed at reducing the State's carbon footprint.

The idea is to get the State rid itself of kerosene lamps that lit up the rural landscape and replace them with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps.
FIRST STATE

If implemented, Kerala will become the first State to get rid of the kerosene lamp. This will also lead to significant fuel savings, Mr M. C. Mayin Haji, chairman, and Mr Febi Varghese, managing director, KSIE, told Business Line.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency plans to add more products under the mandatory energy efficiency labelling drive bringing in water heaters, direct cool refrigerators and television sets.

However, it is yet to finalise the timeline for bringing them into the mandatory products as manufacturers would also need to gear up to make such products.

Reeling under a severe power crunch, the Tamil Nadu Government has drawn up plans to encourage energy efficient systems using solar and other forms of energy in the coming months.

The proposals include provision of subsidised solar pumps, generation-based incentive scheme for domestic solar rooftops, besides presenting awards to those who use solar power lights effectively.

A prize-winning, super-energy-saving LED bulb from Dutch electronics giant Philips said to last over 20 years went on sale on Sunday to coincide with Earth Day.

The bulb that won the US Department of Energy’s ‘Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize’ was available from retailers for $50, down from an initial $60 price tag. The company said it was planning discounts to bring the cost down to as little as $25. \

If you think nothing good can come out of the scorching summer heat, think again. Gujarati Kelvani Mandal’s Amulakh Amichand High School at Matunga is harnessing solar energy to generate 10%-15% power and thus, reduce the electricity bills. “We want to provide first-hand knowledge of renewable energy not only to our students, but other schoolchildren too.We are inviting schools to learn about solar panels,” said Dinesh Shah, member of the managing council.

CFLs replace 1,799 bulbs, 76 streetlights installed. Bibipur, a small hamlet in the district, has hit a new milestone with a larger awareness and proper use of solar energy in the village. With the replacement of 1,799 bulbs with CFLs, the village has been provided with 76 solar streetlights in less than two years.
All this has been achieved perhaps due to the efforts of the village panchayat led by its young sarpanch. Winner of a district-level award in energy conservation, the village has been vying to win the state’s top honour in this field in 2012.

First 100% Solar Building In Gujarat To Be Opened Today

Gandhinagar: If you believe that solar energy is good enough only to cook rice in solar cooker or heat water as solar water heaters, you need to look further. Solar energy can also provide you the muchneeded respite from heat by running air conditioners (ACs).For the first time, all 40 air conditioners in the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB)’s new building will run on solar energy. The building will be inaugurated today.

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) to be provided free to 14.62 lakh huts

A proposal aimed at strengthening the power transmission network at a cost of about Rs.3,573 crore has been sent by the State government to the Union Ministry of Economic Affairs for seeking financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).