India's building and construction sector has been witnessing tremendous growth, but with it comes the escalating challenge of energy consumption and its adverse impact on the environment. A significant portion of this energy consumption is attributed to space cooling, particularly in a country with a warming climate and increasing heatwaves. The need for sustainable cooling solutions has never been more critical. In this blog, we will explore how India can significantly reduce energy consumption in the building sector by embracing contextual cooling mechanisms.
The Rising Cooling Demand
According to NITI Aayog estimates, a staggering 65% of India's energy demand arises from space cooling and heating. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change predicts an 11-fold increase in cooling demand by 2037-38 compared to the 2017-18 baseline. This calls for urgent measures to address the energy-intensive cooling requirements.
The Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, India took a pioneering step in 2019 by introducing the Cooling Action Plan (ICAP). The plan aims to achieve a 20% reduction in cooling load and an additional 30% reduction in cooling energy by 2037-38 through various strategies. These strategies focus on climate-appropriate building envelopes, improving cooling equipment efficiency, and adopting better servicing and maintenance practices. However, the current codes mostly emphasize refrigerant-based cooling, neglecting the potential of low-carbon cooling technologies.
Contextual Cooling Solutions
To address the diverse cooling needs of different regions and climates, it is crucial to adopt contextual cooling mechanisms. Just like our clothing and food choices vary with the external climate, providing thermal comfort requires a tailored approach. Let's explore some innovative cooling solutions that cater to specific climatic conditions:
1. Tapping the Earth's Potential:
By harnessing the Earth's natural properties, we can effectively cool the air without adding humidity. The campus of NIIT University in Rajasthan is a shining example. Here, ambient air is filtered and passed through 100-meter-long tunnels embedded within the Earth. This ingenious technology reduces the air temperature by 10-12°C during the start of the summer season.
2. Evaporative Cooling:
Evaporative cooling, an ancient technique, proves highly effective in hot and dry conditions. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar, has constructed dining halls with a central tower equipped for passive downdraft cooling. This process involves passing hot air through water-saturated mediums, resulting in cool and moist air, providing thermal comfort to occupants.
3. Cooling sans Humidifying:
In regions where humidity poses a challenge, indirect evaporative cooling systems come to the rescue. The Anil Agarwal Environment Training Institute in Rajasthan utilizes an indirect evaporative cooling system. Here, the incoming air stream cools using water-carrying pipes, without directly touching the water, preventing the air from acquiring any moisture.
4. Dehumidifying for Comfort:
In extremely humid conditions, filtering the ambient air through a desiccant can be the solution. Nalanda University in Bihar is implementing a desiccant-based evaporative cooler system, effectively dehumidifying the air with the help of excess or renewable heat before cooling it using evaporative technology.
Embracing Sustainability on a Large Scale
While the solutions mentioned above primarily cater to households, large-scale spaces also demand cooling solutions that are energy-efficient and adaptable to varying contexts and climates. By incorporating these innovative cooling technologies, India can make significant strides towards achieving energy efficiency in the building and construction sector.
Conclusion
The building and construction sector's energy consumption, especially in space cooling, poses a substantial challenge for India. However, the country's commitment to sustainability is evident through initiatives like the Cooling Action Plan (ICAP). By promoting contextual cooling mechanisms and adopting innovative technologies, such as Earth's potential tapping, evaporative cooling, indirect evaporative cooling, and dehumidifying solutions, India can pave the way towards a greener, more energy-efficient future.
As the nation progresses, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable practices, fostering a harmonious relationship between development and environmental conservation. Embracing sustainable cooling solutions is not just a step in the right direction; it is a collective responsibility to protect our planet for generations to come.
Note for UPSC Aspirants: For UPSC aspirants interested in exploring further, here are some keywords to guide your research: Earth's potential tapping, Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, Paris Agreement, UNFCCC.
Source: DownToEarth
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