Role of Education in Energy Conservation

7/29/2019 Role of Education in Energy Conservation

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Role of Education in Energy Conservation

- by H. S. Kamath and R. V. Nesari( EnerCon Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Pune)

Introduction

Indias energy intensity per unit of GDP is about 3.7 times that of Japan, 1.4 times that of Asia and 1.5times that of USA. It indicates a very high amount of energy wastage and also gives an idea aboutpotential of energy saving that can be achieved. Indias present economic growth of about 8 to 9% peryear is causing a lot of stress on commercial energy resources, most of which are from fossil fuels. Itis also well known fact that increased use of fossil fuels is causing a detrimental effect on theenvironment due to more emissions of Green House Gases (GHGs).

Indias proven coal reserves are estimated to be 70 billion MT consisting of mainly low grade coal. Itmay last for more than 200 years. Known oil and natural gas reserves may last only for about 18 and25 years respectively. India imports nearly 70% of oil requirement. With rising prices of crude oil it iseating up a large portion of export earnings.

In order to maintain the present high economic growth an integrated approach consisting of judicialmix of investment in supply side growth and efficiency, use of renewable energy technologies andDemand Side Management (DSM) through operational efficiency improvement, reduction in T & Dlosses, eliminating wastage of energy resources is the need of the hour.

A fairly conservative estimate of potential for energy conservation in various sectors of economy is asfollows:

Table-1: Energy Conservation Potential in various sectors of Indian economy

Sector Potential %

Indian Economy as a whole Up to 23%

Agriculture Up to 30%

Industrial Up to 25%

Transport Up to 20%

Domestic and commercial Up to 20%

Source: Planning Commission

In spite of many efforts at different levels and benefits of energy efficiency, several technical, financialand policy barriers have affected realization of full potential benefits of energy conservation. Some ofthese barriers are:

a) Lack of awareness in industry managers, policy makers and general public.b) Lack of widespread education and training about energy management and conservation at

different levels.

c) Economic and market distortions causing irrational response to energy conservationmeasures.

d) Lack of standardization and labeling of equipment and devices.e) Lack of financing for investments in energy efficiency improvements.f) Lack of effective coordination at various levels to promote energy conservation activities.

However, during last five years since the Government of India enacted Energy Conservation Act-2001, the environment for energy conservation and improving energy efficiency is more conducive.The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power has been entrusted theresponsibility of implementation of policy programmes and coordination of implementation of energyconservation activities with the involvement of other centre and state level agencies like MaharashtraEnergy Development Agency (MEDA) for Maharashtra.

First two barriers listed above viz. lack of awareness and lack of widespread education and training

are the most important impediments for progress in energy conservation because of their majorinfluence on the attitude and behaviour of the energy consumers at individual and group level. Without


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changing the attitude and behaviour of the end users, improvements in efficiency through investmentsin improved technologies alone will not be successful.

Less consumption of energy by improving efficiency, avoiding wastages without sacrificing comfort orstandard of living is in the interest of everybody - individuals, each family, business and industry andIndia as a nation. This can be achieved with good habits, attitude and behaviour of every individual.Some of the simple good habits of energy saving are

Use of energy saving lighting at home, commercial building and public places.

Switching off lights, fans, air-conditioners etc. in unoccupied areas.

Use of energy efficient cars and other vehicles.

Good driving habits like driving at optimum speed to obtain the best fuel efficiency, avoidinguse of braking too often by speed control.

Switching off electronic equipment like TV, computers, DVD/VCD players, music systemwhen not in use without keeping them on stand by mode.

Use of public transport and walking to the maximum extent possible

Involvement of everybody- children, youth and adults- is essential in energy conservation and this ispossible by educating them appropriately and modifying their behaviour.

Educational initiatives to raise awareness about energy conservation and saving issue will have more

impact on young people. At present environmental education incorporates some portion on energystudies mainly dealing with sustainable development. But what is needed is specific energy educationprogrammes, which will help in developing sustained changes in the behaviour and attitude of currentand future energy consumers in India.

Aims and Objectives of Education in Energy Conservation

Three general objectives can be met with proper education on energy conservation:

Identification of roles of society and individuals regarding energy conservation and saving.

Creation of better awareness of the energy issues and their background.

Imparting deeper understanding of the benefits of actions on energy conservation to societyand individuals.

Structure of Educational Programmes

In developing energy education programme, the people are at the centre of focus with the main themein mind that everyone in the country has to play his/ her role in selecting efficient technology in everysphere of energy consuming area like work places, homes, vehicles etc. Everyone should be able toderive the benefits of energy efficiency for himself, his family, society and the country.

Educational programmes on the energy conservation should aim at students- in schools and colleges-to develop understanding about capabilities, costs and impact of different energy sources andpractical aspects of energy such as availability. This should take into account considerationsregarding climatic and social conditions of the regions. The students should be encouraged to makeproposals to solve the energy problems through experimentation, innovation and holistic approachadapting to local situation.

Awareness about energy conservation and saving in school children of all ages can be broughtthrough education programme that provides a balance between theory and practical aspects throughlectures, demonstration, developing hands-on skills through training, and exposure to design andmanufacturing.

Benefits of educational programme should be able to demonstrate the positive consequence ofchanging behaviour. When people understand that energy conservation and energy saving meanssaving money and considerable savings can be achieved through simple practical steps, it willcontribute towards achieving the target of energy conservation. So the change of behaviour can bebrought through the fundamental motivation of personal benefits. Also a clear message should bespread that lower energy consumption combined with increased use of cleaner source of energy willreduce pollution leading to health benefits like less expenditure on health, reduced GHGs and climaticchanges.


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It is well known fact that large part of our ideas, knowledge and our adult behaviour are influenced byour education in the childhood. Education obtained during childhood do mould our individual attitudesby exposing ourselves to new ideas and concepts. All parents might be aware how much influenceteachers have on students. If you tell your child something which is contrary to what has been taughtin his school, the child wont accept your teaching. So teachers can influence positively the behaviourof the students regarding energy conservation. Young students should be exposed to project based

learning by studying and analyzing a particular situation and search for alternate answers andprovide the best solution.

It is also true that children and youth accept and adapt to new ideas or change faster than the adults.You may realize this from the example of Personal Computers (PC) in our lives today. Children andyouth learn the operation of PCs quickly whereas the most of the adults are afraid to learn operationof a PC and even after learning often struggle to operate it. Therefore, it has to be taken into accountthat the learning process for different categories of people is different. A number of factors such asexisting level of awareness, age, gender, regional, social and cultural background have to be takeninto account while imparting the energy conservation education. Its design should be such that it willcreate interest and influence the attitude and behaviour of the group of people.

For kids and youth the best forum to impart the education in energy conservation is schools andcolleges. For them, teachers are the principal source of educational information and also source of

creating interest in the subject. So, imparting the knowledge and acceptance of new ideas/ values willdepend on the enthusiasm of teachers and methods they use while teaching the subject to createinterest in the subject. Teachers also come from diverse background. The teaching of the subjectshould have flexible approach. It has been observed in many cases that teaching quality and learningexperience is higher when the teachers modify or refine the teaching material provided based on theirexperience on the subject. For the success of the energy conservation education, educational policymakers have to develop a suitable framework to encourages projects on energy saving and energyawareness. In Maharashtra, MEDA is playing an important role as regional energy agency inimparting energy conservation education by creating energy parks at different places in the state.

For implanting new ideas about energy conservation in adults, the education has to be outside school.The messages and methods for adult education in energy conservation have to be different from thatfor children and youth. In this case, messages can be conveyed more effectively throughentertainment. For adults the education has to be more informal. TV is one such powerful mediumthat can be used effectively. However, the programmes should not be preaching type. They shouldconvey the messages and develop interest about energy conservation in the minds of all who see theprogrammes. Quiz and interactive programmes are likely to be more effective in case of adults.

For professionals in energy related work, agencies like BEE, MNES and MEDA are active throughtheir websites and various forums like workshops, seminars in training technical workforce engaged inenergy management and introducing to newer developments in the field of energy conservation andsustainable energy. Some universities like Pune, Indore and institutes like Maharashtra Institute ofTechnology, Pune and IITs have developed post graduate programmes in energy conservation. Thereis a good response for these programmes. We are able to achieve some degree of success throughthe work done by these agencies. However, it is still a long way to go to achieve more in energyconservation and sustainable development of our country which can be attained only througheducation of all people so that they tune their habits/ behaviour to save more and more energy for the

benefit of themselves, and the society as a whole.

The following concrete steps can be taken in the schools in order to impart awareness of energyconservation among the school children:

1. Include subjects covering energy conservation in the curriculam starting from say fifthstandard.

2. Display posters with catchy illustrations and words on the theme of energy conservation3. Celebrate Energy Conservation Week once a year in December along with National Energy

Conservation Day on 14th

December and organize competitions, exhibitions, workshops etcon energy conservation

4. Practice what you preach to drive home the importance of energy conservation in thechildrens mind.

Necessary teaching material and teaching aids should be made available to the teachers to maketheir teaching interesting and effective. Agencies like BEE /MEDA can be of great help in this regard.


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In Engineering colleges and Diploma level courses, adequate coverage of this subject needs to begiven. Students should get familiar with the available energy efficient technologies and equipmentalong with methods of achieving better energy efficiency in the systems and equipment which arecommon in most industries. Once they get this exposure, they will be able to contribute in improvingenergy efficiency in their sphere of activity.

Improving energy efficiency is a national mission This can be achieved by educating and motivatingthe entire cross section of the society. By targeting school and college students for impartingknowledge in this field, the future consumers and decision makers can be prepared to play ameaningful role in energy conservation through their better habits and behaviour.

(Authors of the article are BEE certified energy auditors)

by Mr. H. S. KamathEmail: [email protected]

Mr. R. V. NesariEmail:[email protected]
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

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Role of Education in Energy Conservation