Gurgaon And Delhi Taking Up Green Construction Projects

Gurgaon hosted a two day training programme on the ECBC or Energy Conservation Building Code. It was organized by Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the GEF-UNDP supported project “Energy Efficiency Improvements in Commercial Buildings”. A non-profit organization, Advit Foundation working in sphere of energy conservation and environment was associated in the organization of this event.

Launched by Ministry of Power under the Govt. of India in the month of May 2007, the Energy Conservation Building Code or ECBC is seen as the initial step towards promotion of efficiency in energy in the construction sector. It is approximate that countrywide compulsory enforcement of the code will lead to a lot of energy savings annually. With this objective in mind, the capacity building initiatives in ECBC are organized to raise awareness among its stakeholders and for making sure there is gradual implementation of the ECBC. These training programmes are organized to improve awareness among building designers, architects, green building consultants and other participants of the sector regarding the requirements of ECBC and providing technical knowledge towards compliance with the ECBC.

The conference was inaugurated by energy economist of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. At the conference he spoke of the significance of these training programmes in the longer run. According to him capacity building initiatives of the ECBC are regularly conducted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The initiatives are a part of the attempt to prepare the designer, architect, builder and other student communities by arming them with the basic aspects of BEE.

Almost 40 participants who are mostly architects attended the training programs, along with property developers, designers of commercial buildings which are high in performance, local and urban bodies and government officials. Sustainability consultants, green building consultants, energy analysts for buildings, teaching faculty and academicians of architecture colleges also participated in this program.

Ashu Gupta and AnuragBajpai, who are certified trainers of BEE, conducted the technical part of the programmes over two days covering numerous aspects such as building envelope, lighting components, HVAC systems and energy simulation. Expert architects such as Gurneet Singh of Environmental Design Solutions, Gaurav Shorey of Psi Energy and RajendraChoudhary of Kalpakrit Sustainable Environments Pvt. Ltd. presented case studies at the programme. A field trip to the green architecture building of IRRAD or Institute of Rural Research and Development in Sector 44 in Gurgaon concluded the session.

Charu Jain, director of the Advit Foundation delivered here closing address where she said there is a requirement for intensive training programmes. Awareness about basic concepts should be propagated among the large construction community so that well informed decisions can be made during construction of houses.

About The Organizers

Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency or Hareda was set up as a nodal agency for implementing the various state and central sponsored projects or schemes in the domain of renewable energy in Haryana and is noted as the State Designated Agency for implementing various programmes and schemes of BEE.

The BEE or Bureau of Energy Efficiency is a statutory wing of Ministry of Power of the Government of India which was constructed under the 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The main objective of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to frame programmes and policies with the goal of decreasing energy intensity of India’s economy.

A non-profit organization, Advit Foundation is working with people towards conservation of the environments and enhancement of livelihood. It operates the RGREP Energy Centre established by HAREDA situated in Gurgaon in Haryana.

The ministry of environment and forests has a difficult time while getting permission for cutting some trees for building its green corporate office in the green west Delhi area of JorBagh. For reducing the ecological footprint, the structure was constructed in a way to prevent chopping down of too many trees. Few of the older trees were brought into the design. However, 19 trees were chopped eventually and 50 percent of them were transplanted.

Prashad commented that the building demonstrated technological and design solutions to make buildings energy positive for generating more energy than it takes up. He showcased his project at Urbanscapes, Centre for Science and Environment conference on 2^nd May. For example, the Indira ParyavaranBhavangenerates all its required energy via solar photovoltaic panels installed on the rooftop which have a capacity of 930KW at the peak.

This building, however, doesn’t use solar energy directly. It is first supplied at the grid and then it uses energy from the grid for fulfilling its own requirements. This form is called the renewable purchase agreement. The government shall be able to provide renewable energy created by the Indira Paryavaran Bhavanat the grid.

At the green corporate office of the ministry of environment and forests at JorBagh, the group used a technique called vertical ground cutting method where only a section of the land where the building shall be made is excavated. A lot of people in the JorBagh area protested against the felling of old trees. The construction team got a sanction for 45 but succeeded in saving much more. Fifty percent of the ones that were cut up have been replanted as well.

Almost 1000 officials shall be using the building as soon as the next government is sworn in. Aside from the numerous passive amenities such as having equitable play of air and light, there are quite a few fascinating interventions in usage of energy. For example, the air con shall be operated at 26 degrees rather than 20 degrees and lower temperature.

An automated parking system has been instated which will mechanically lift cars. Priority has been given to pedestrians while designing the buildings. The entrance to the main entrance has stairs to prevent cars from using them. Alternative gates have been provided on the sides for cars to directly enter parking lots. Rainwater harvesting has been provided in the building with recharge pits which do not sustain water. The building is supplied with regular water supply. The total expense for the project has been approximated to be around Rs 120 crore.