Bureau of Energy Efficiency-BEE

The energy efficiency initiatives by BEE leads to savings worth Rs. 89,122 Cr.

Context:

Union Minister of State (IC), Power and New & Renewable Energy & Minister of State, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,today released a Report on “Impact of energy efficiency measures for the year 2018-19” through Video conference.

Report Findings

• The findings of the report reflect that implementation of various energy efficiency schemes have led to total electricity savings to the tune of 113.16 Billion Units in 2018-19, which is 9.39% of the net electricity consumption.
• Energy savings (electrical + thermal), achieved in the energy consuming sectors (i.e. Demand Side sectors) is to the tune of 16.54 Mtoe, which is 2.84% of the net total energy consumption (approx..581.60 Mtoe) in 2018-19.
• The total energy savings achieved in 2018-19 is 23.73 Mtoe (million Tonne of Oil Equivalent), which is 2.69% of the total primary energy supply (estimated to be 879.23 Mtoe in India) during 2018-19.
• This includes both Supply Side and Demand Side sectors of the economy. Overall, this study has estimated that various energy efficiency measures have translated into savings worth INR 89,122 crores (approximately)against last year’s (2017-18) savings of INR 53,627 crore. These efforts have also contributed in reducing 151.74 Million Tonnes of CO2 emissions, whereas last year this number was 108 MTCO2.

About BEE

The Government of India set up Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). on 1st March 2002 under the provisions 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, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy.

Role of BEE

BEE co-ordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations and recognize, identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act. The Energy Conservation Act provides for regulatory and promotional functions.

The Major Promotional Functions of BEE include:

• Create awareness and disseminate information on energy efficiency and conservation
• Arrange and organize training of personnel and specialists in the techniques for efficient use of energy and its conservation
• Strengthen consultancy services in the field of energy conservation
• Promote research and development
• Develop testing and certification procedures and promote testing facilities
• Formulate and facilitate implementation of pilot projects and demonstration projects
• Promote use of energy efficient processes, equipment, devices and systems
• Take steps to encourage preferential treatment for use of energy efficient equipment or appliances
• Promote innovative financing of energy efficiency projects
• Give financial assistance to institutions for promoting efficient use of energy and its conservation
• Prepare educational curriculum on efficient use of energy and its conservation
• Implement international co-operation programmes relating to efficient use of energy and its conservation

The Standards & Labelling Programme

• The Standards & Labeling Programme is one of the major thrust areas of BEE.
• A key objective of this scheme is to provide the consumer an informed choice about the energy saving and thereby the cost saving potential of the relevant marketed product.
• The scheme targets display of energy performance labels on high energy end use equipment & appliances and lays down minimum energy performance standards.

Star Labelling Programme

BEE expanded the coverage of its star labelling programme by including energy efficient Deep freezer and Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC).

• With this inclusion BEE will cover 26 appliances.
• Deep freezer and Light Commercial Air Conditioners (LCAC) are major energy guzzlers in commercial space.
• The program will be initially launched in voluntary mode from 2nd March, 2020 to 31st December, 2021. Thereafter, it will be made mandatory after reviewing the degree of market transformation in this particular segment of appliances.
• Through this initiative, it is expected to save around 2.8 Billion Units by FY2030, which is equivalent to GreenHouse Gas (GHG) reduction of 2.4-million-ton Carbon Dioxide.

The Star Labeling Programme has been formulated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.

During the event, a database on energy efficiency named Urja Dakshata Information Tool (UDIT) was also launched. This initiative has been taken by the BEE with the World Resources Institute (WRI).

• It is a user-friendly platform that explains the energy efficiency landscape of India across industry, appliances, building, transport, municipal and agriculture sectors.
• It will also showcase the capacity building and new initiatives taken up by the Government across the sectors in the increase energy efficiency domain.

World Resources Institute (WRI)

• The World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research non-profit organization established in 1982 with funding from the MacArthur Foundation under the leadership of James Gustave Speth WRI's activities are focused on seven areas: food, forests, water, energy, cities, climate and ocean.
• The organization's mission is to promote environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, and human health and well-being.
• It is headquartered at Washington.D.C.