Energy conservation is the effort of preventing wasteful use of energy sources. This can be done by systematic use of energy, which helps in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and also reduces user’s energy bills. This is affected by reducing wastes and unnecessary use of energy, user’s behavior and habits, monitoring of appliances and the load given to them.
A large part of energy conservation depends on the user’s behavior towards it. Users who have an awareness about energy conservation and environment-friendly lifestyles tend to lean towards effective methods to lessen their energy consumption. The characteristic habits and routines of the people also plays an important role in conservation, which is often based on age, gender, education, household income, and the norms of the society they were brought up in.
Nonessential use of energy can be avoided by setting a suitable schedule for the operating of several appliances in the household. An efficacious method is user activity detection. This consists of understanding the precise function of various appliances and only using them when necessary. For example, if an appliance is active, but is not needed for the activity that the user is engaged in, then, the appliance can be turned off to save energy.
Energy conservation can also be carried out in other ways. The development of technology and construction today can be utilized to reduce energy consumption. Existing buildings can play their role towards energy conservation by altering their air-cooling systems, selecting energy-saving equipment, and using energy audits. Energy audits are an inspection or check of energy flows in a system, process or structure. They help in reducing the amount of energy used without negatively influencing the output.
We can easily upgrade some other features of existing building to increase the rate of energy conservation. Complete insulation which forms an effective building envelope can help to reduce the number and usage of machines needed to heat or cool the space. Adding double or triple glazed windows can aid in lessening thermal heat transmission. Finally, the most effective way to reduce wasteful energy usage is by adding vegetation to the area to function as a shading element.
There are many ways that the Government of India has contributed to reducing wasteful energy usage. The Energy Conservation Act (EC Act) created in 2001 and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency which was set up on 1st March 2002 has played a very important role in reducing energy consumption in India. It also spreads awareness in rural areas about energy conservation and the potential dangers it poses to our species.
And the other main solution is the visible impact of solar energy in the Indian energy scenario during the last few years. Solar energy based decentralized and distributed applications have benefited millions of people in Indian villages by meeting their cooking, lighting and other energy needs in an environment friendly manner. National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) has assessed the country’s solar potential of about 748 GW assuming 3% of the waste land area to be covered by Solar PV modules. Solar energy has taken a central place in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change with National Solar Mission (NSM) as one of the key Missions.
The perfect example to address the climate change and energy conservation is the Cochin International Airport, India’s first airport built under a public-private-partnership (PPP) model, has scripted another chapter in aviation history by becoming the first airport in the world that operates completely on solar power. The 12 MWp solar power plant was comprised by 46,150 solar panels laid across 45 acres of land near the air cargo complex. Now, Cochin Airport will have 50,000 to 60,000 units of electricity per day available to power all of its operational functions, making the airport “absolutely power neutral”.
As students and responsible citizens of our country, we can also take some easy measures which promote energy conservation. The first and best method is by altering our day to day behaviours. We should turn off electrical and other energy-consuming appliances when not in use. Secondly, we can install smart or programmable thermostats. It reduces heating or cooling while you’re asleep or away, which reduces energy consumption. Thirdly, while cooking use a microwave whenever possible. Microwaves are the most energy- efficient way of heating your food, and uses minimal energy.
At the end of the day, energy conservation and the reduction of wasteful energy consumption is a thing which can help us survive in this ever changing world.