Power Ministry launches Chiller Star Labelling Program on energy efficiency in chillers

Union Ministry of Power has launched Chiller Star Labelling Program to encourage deployment of energy efficient chiller systems in the country. It was launched as part of occasion of 24th World Ozone Day and 31st Anniversary of Montreal Protocol, which will be observed on 16th September 2018.

Chiller Star Labelling Program

The program was formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It envisages providing star rating in terms of its energy performance. Initially, the program has been launched on voluntary basis and will be valid upto 31st December 2020. BEE has developed online registration platform for easy and expeditious approval under this program. It will allow manufacturers to register online for availing appropriate star rating of chiller equipment. Based on test certificate from designated agencies and after due verification from BEE, star label on the scale of 1 (less efficient) to 5 (most efficient).
Significance of star labelling of chillers
It will help promote advancement technology for central HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems and will also facilitate energy efficient solutions for large commercial and industrial applications. It will also help to save more than 500 million units of electricity in 2019 along with Green House Gases reduction of 0.5 million-ton equivalent of CO2. It will also save more than 4 billion units of electricity by 2030 with CO2 emission reduction of 3.5 million ton.

Background

Chillers are used extensively for space conditioning of buildings and for industrial process cooling applications. The size of Indian chiller market which stood at 1 Million Tonne per year at 2017 and is projected to grow at CAGR of 3.6% fuelled by growth in the retail, hospitality and infrastructure projects. Chillers, being energy intensive system, contribute more than 40% of total energy consumption in commercial buildings. Therefore, it is important to optimize energy performance of chillers and create awareness amongst the end users to adopt transition towards energy efficient chillers.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2018