Directs Energy Audit of Govt buildings and Energy Efficient Green Buildings,
Webinar on Energy Conservation Day was organised by Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre, Srinagar, in collaboration with Divisional Administration, Kashmir, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Ltd and J&K State Emergency Operation Centre, Srinagar. The webinar was inaugurated by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole and Valedictory function was chaired by Er. Bashir Ahmed Dar, Secretary Technical, Power Development Department.
Er Aijaz Ahmed Dar, Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Addl Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Syed Hanief Balkhi, Er. M. Auquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Honorary Secretary IEI JKSC Er. Aamir Ali Mir, Chairman IEI JKSC, Er. Shurjeel G. Lala, CEO IT KPDCL, Mohmad Suhail Wani, Consultant Disaster Management, Er. Hindaal Mustafa, Secretary, J&K Envirotech, Hafsa Bhat, MSc Disaster Management and PG in Social Work, Gowhar Jeelani, Disaster Management Expert and Qazi Mohammad Imran Shah Sahib, a prominent Religious Preacher spoke on the occasion.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said that mankind is more dependable on resources and due to excessive utilisation of energy it has resulted in Global warming and average temperatures have increased globally. This has already altered the climatic conditions and even the harvesting seasons in some States, which has led to destruction of crops. He said it is time that we shift to resources that are renewable and eco-friendly. He requested the Institution of Engineers to get Energy Audit of 25 Government buildings on a pilot basis, and furnish actionable recommendations which can be implemented. He also requested that a webinar be organised for creating awareness about green buildings and basic skills to preserve energy. He also said that while it is mandatory now to construct earthquake resistant structures, similarly it should be mandatory to make energy efficient buildings.
Welcoming the participants Chairman Institution of Engineers Er Aamir Ali said that the purpose of Energy Conservation Day was to highlight its importance in our day to day affairs and promote a process of energy conservation by generating healthy discussions and webinar and promote less usage of energy. He said that there is need to encourage energy efficient appliances and devices since every one of us uses energy in our daily lives, in one form or other and that we need to sustain the natural resources that are limited and conserve it for our future generations.
He suggested the need to adopt renewal energy resources, like solar-power or nano-hydro projects, similar to water-mills or Gharats that can generate electricity sufficient for individual houses or small villages or hamlets and utilise horizontal nano-turbines which can generate electricity in village streams for street lights. He said that Municipal Corporations are struggling to ensure scientific disposal of house-hold waste and Garbage, whileas, in developed countries they have converted Waste to Energy. He said that bio-diesel is another eco-friendly fuel that can be obtained from renewable resources like vegetable and animal fats. He implored for reducing carbon emissions to help improve clean air quality and minimize natural disasters and conserving energy to ensure a better quality of life. He further said that water is another very important resource, without which life on earth is impossible and we need to use it judiciously and adopt methods like rain-water harvesting, as water is critical for sustenance of life.
Er. Shurjeel G. Lala, CEO IT, KPDCL gave a detailed briefing about the energy conservation measures taken by the department and Er. Hindaal Mustafa, Secretary J&K EnviroTech also spoke at length about the measures that the Power Development Department is taking to ensure that energy is conserved. Mohmmad Suhail Wani, Consultant Disaster Management spoke about Energy Conservation & its relationship with Disaster Management, and said that all the forms of energy fulfill our energy needs, but all of them have a negative side, which leads to environmental disturbance and also affects the habitat of the local population.
He said that there is growing concern about green-house gasses, climate change, given the potential impacts of associated sea level rises, flooding and altered risks of other natural hazards. He added that use of green technology, education and its awareness by consumers can result in energy conservation. Miss Hafsa Bhat spoke on why it was necessary to conserve energy and gave practical tips to conserve energy, which was appreciated by the participants. Qazi Muhammed Imran Shah Sahib, a renowned religious practitioner spoke about the Use of Electricity and Shariah obligation and implored the public to desist from illegally hooking the power lines as it is a sin and against the basic tenements of religion.
He urged the public to utilise electricity judiciously, which was appreciated by the participants. The programme was coordinated by Er. M .Aaquib Sultana Waheed Deva, Honorary Secy IEI JKSC, who also presented the vote of thanks. Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar said that there is need to adopt green building technology, and adopt energy conservation concept and implored on the organiser to bring out a white paper on energy conservation with actionable points for implementation. Chief Engineer KPDCL said that many reformative measures have been initiated to reduce the energy consumption but implored the public to cooperate with the department and use energy efficient devices only.
He urged that more such programmes be held as it is very beneficial for the general public. RJ Sameen Khan suggested that meters should be installed in all areas and make tamper proof and requested that the street lights should be installed with sensors to save energy. Speaking at the Valediction, Er Bashir Ahmed Dar, Secretary Technical Power Development Department said that Energy Conservation Act of 2001 makes it mandatory for all structures to be energy efficient, as per the guidelines of BEE, Ministry of Power. He said that there is a need for more Energy Auditors in the State so that the Building Codes can be applied.
He urged the public not to use crude water and cooking electric devices which come into direct contact with water as it causes a loss of almost 1000 MW. He suggested that if the public desists from using such crude electrical heating and cooking devices at peak load time, the department will be in a position to supply uninterrupted power supply to the consumers. He implored Engineers and Architects to design the roof of our houses in such a manner that solar panels can be installed for generating solar power, which can be very beneficial for the consumer, as the electric bill will drastically reduce and they will have their own captive power available to them.
He implored all religious leaders to act as role models and install energy efficient devices in religious places like mosques, temples, gurudwaras and also to install meters, so that they can set an example for the society. He informed that the Department has initiated the process of installing smart meters in phases in the entire J&K.
The webinar was attended by senior officers including Additional Deputy Commissioners, Students and Staff from NIT Srinagar and SSM College of Engineering and Technology, Parihaspora, besides professionals from various walks of life, general public and media personnel.
Get real time update about this post directly on your device, subscribe now.
