Context

• Union Minister for Power and MNRE inaugurated “Aiming for Sustainable Habitat: New Initiatives in Building Energy Efficiency 2021” as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav'.

 

Why  there is a need for Sustainable Habitat?

• Building sector is second largest consumer of electricity after industry but it is expected to become the largest energy consuming sector by 2030.
• That is why, Government of India is focusing on improving energy efficiency across residential as well as commercial building establishments.
• Enhancing the energy-efficiency levels in residential buildings across the country, can lead to sustainable habitation.
• Initiatives like smart home ecosystems, optimizing energy-efficiency in any given structure can help to achieve this.

 

Initiatives launched included:

• Specifying code compliance approaches and minimum energy performance requirements for building services, and verification framework with Eco Niwas Samhita 2021.
• Web-based platform ‘The Handbook of Replicable Designs for Energy Efficient Residential Buildings’ as a learning tool, to create a pool of ready-to-use resources of replicable designs to construct energy-efficient homes in India.
• Creating an Online Directory of Building Materials that would envisage the process of establishing Standards for energy efficient building materials.
• Announcement of NEERMAN Awards (National Energy Efficiency Roadmap for Movement towards Affordable & Natural Habitat), with the goal of encouraging exceptionally efficient building designs complying with BEE’s Energy Conservation Building Codes.
• Online Star Rating tool for Energy Efficient Homes created to improve energy-efficiency and reduce energy consumption in individual homes.
• Training of over 15,000 Architects, Engineers and Government officials on Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) 2017

 

Energy Conservation Building Code

What is ECBC?

• The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) was launched in May 2007 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power.
• Its main objective is to establish minimum requirements for energy efficient design and construction of buildings.

 

Why is ECBC important?

• India’s two thirds of the total building stock that will exist in 2030 are yet to be built.
• New buildings possess a great challenge to meeting its increasing energy demand.
• ECBC sets minimum energy efficiency levels for commercial buildings, locking in energy savings for years to come, retaining occupant comfort, while combating climate change.

 

Is ECBC applicable to all type of buildings?

• The ECBC is applicable to all buildings or building complexes that have a connected load of 100 kW or greater, or a contract demand of 120 kVA or greater and used for commercial purposes.
• It is applicable for both Government and private buildings.
• The code is not applicable to Equipment and portions of building systems that use energy primarily for manufacturing processes.

 

Does water conservation come under the scope of ECBC?

• No, ECBC addresses only energy efficiency of buildings. Water and other aspects are generally covered in green building rating systems.

 

About BEE:

• The Government of India has set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on 1st March 2002 under the provision of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
• The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency 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.

 

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1736246