December 14th is celebrated as World Energy Conservation day

Energy conservation refers to reducing energy consumption through using less

of an energy service. Energy conservation differs from efficient energy use,
which refers to using less energy for a constant service. [1] For example, driving
less is an example of energy conservation. Driving the same amount with a
higher mileage vehicle is an example of energy efficiency. Energy conservation
and efficiency are both energy reduction techniques
Need for energy conservation in India
The increasing demand for power has led to considerable fossil fuels burning which
has in turn had an adverse impact on environment. In this context, efficient use of
energy and its conservation is of paramount importance. It has been estimated that
nearly 25,000 MW can be saved by implementing end-use energy efficiency and
demand side management measures through out India. Efficient use of energy and
its conservation assumes even greater importance in view of the fact that one unit of
energy saved at the consumption level reduces the need for fresh capacity creation
by 2 times to 2.5 times. Further, such saving through efficient use of energy can be
achieved at less than one-fifth the cost of fresh capacity creation. Energy efficiency
would, therefore, significantly supplement our efforts to meet power requirement,
apart from reducing fossil fuel consumption.
The economic development of a country is often closely linked to its consumption of
energy. Although India ranks sixth in the world as far as total energy consumption is
concerned, it still needs much more energy to keep pace with its development
objectives. Indias projected economic growth rate is slated at 7.4per cent during the
period 1997-2012. This would necessitate commensurate growth in the requirement
of commercial energy, most of which is expected to be from fossil fuels and
electricity.
Indias proven coal reserves may last for more than 200 years, but the limited known
oil and natural gas reserves may last only 18 years to 26 years, which is a cause of
concern. The continued trend of increasing share of petroleum fuels in the
consumption of commercial energy is bound to lead to more dependence on imports
and energy insecurity.
Indias energy intensity per unit of GDP is higher as compared to Japan, U.S.A. and
Asia by 3.7 times, 1.55 times and 1.47 times respectively. This indicates inefficient
use of energy but also substantial scope for energy savings. The increasing global
trade liberalisation and growing global competition have made productivity
improvement, including energy cost reduction, an important benchmark for economic
success. Therefore, a paradigm shift in our approach to energy policy issues is
needed a shift from a supply dominated one to an integrated approach. This
integrated approach would have to incorporate a judicial mix of investment in the
supply side capacity, operational efficiency improvements of existing power
generating stations, reduction of losses in transmission and distribution, end-use
efficiency and renewable technologies.
The policy goals and concepts would have to be shifted from energy conservation
to energy efficiency, and from energy inputs to the effectiveness of energy use
and energy services. Creation of new power generation capacity is costly and
necessitates long gestation period whereas energy efficiency activities can make
available additional power at comparatively low investments within a short period of
time.

The State of California employs a tiered energy tax whereby every consumer
receives a baseline energy allowance that carries a low tax. As usage increases

above that baseline, the tax is increasing drastically. Such programs aim to
protect poorer households while creating a larger tax burden for high energy
consumers.[4]
One of the primary ways to improve energy conservation in buildings is to use an
energy audit. An energy audit is an inspection and analysis of energy use and
flows for energy conservation in a building, process or system to reduce the
amount of energy input into the system without negatively affecting the
output(s).

In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, and
distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer.
This is called passive solar design or climatic design because, unlike active solar heating
systems, it doesn't involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices.
The key to designing a passive solar building is to best take advantage of the local climate.
Elements to be considered include window placement and glazing type, thermal insulation,
thermal mass, and shading. Passive solar design techniques can be applied most easily to new
buildings, but existing buildings can be retrofitted.
When purchasing light bulbs, many consumers opt for cheap incandescent bulbs,
failing to take into account their higher energy costs and lower lifespans when
compared to modern compact fluorescent and LED bulbs. Although these energyefficient alternatives have a higher upfront cost, their long lifespan and low
energy use can save consumers a considerable amount of money. [9] The price of
LEDs has also been steadily decreasing in the past five years, due to
improvement of the semiconductor technology. Many LED bulbs on the market
qualify for utility rebates that further reduce the price of purchase to the
consumer.[10] Estimates by The U.S. Department of Energy state that widespread
adoption of LED lighting over the next 20 years could result in about $265 billion
worth of savings in United States energy costs. [11]
An assortment of energy-efficient semiconductor (LED) lamps for commercial and
residential lighting use. LED lamps use at least 75% less energy, and last 25
times longer, than traditional incandescent light bulbs
Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) www.pcra.org is an Indian
government body created in 1977 and engaged in promoting energy efficiency
and conservation in every walk of life.

United States
Main article: Energy conservation in the United States
The United States is currently the second largest single consumer of energy, following China.
The U.S. Department of Energy categorizes national energy use in four broad sectors:
transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial.[22]
Energy usage in transportation and residential sectors, about half of U.S. energy
consumption, is largely controlled by individual consumers. Commercial and industrial

energy expenditures are determined by businesses entities and other facility managers.
National energy policy has a significant effect on energy usage across all four sectors.
The average house uses 38 percent of its total annual energy use on heating.
microwave uses power even when youre not cooking foodits keeping the
digital clock running. And even when your computer is asleep, its still using
energy! In fact, scientists at the US Department of Energys Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory say standby power accounts for 5-10% of household
electricity consumption.

2.2.2 Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

Management Centre of Ministry of Power.
BEEs mission is to develop programs and
strategies on self-regulation and market
principles with primary objective to reduce
the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
Some key activities that BEE is pursuing
include the development of energy
performance labels for refrigerators,
motors, air conditioners, and other massproduced
equipment, certification of energy
managers and auditors, assisting industry in
the benchmarking of their energy use, and
energy audits of prominent government
buildings. BEE is also working closely with
energy development
agencies at the state level in order to deliver
energy efficiency services including
through public-private partnership
Electricity Act in 2003
The Indian Parliament also passed the
Electricity Act in 200312. It consolidated
laws related to generation, transmission,
distribution, trade and use of electricity.
Among other things, it called for
rationalization of electricity tariffs, creation
of a competitive environment, and open
access in transmission and distribution of
electricity. The Act also mandated the
creation of regulatory commissions at the
central, regional and state levels.
Source/System Cumulative achievements (MW)
Wind Power 6315
Small hydro Power 1905
Cogeneration Bagasse 602
Waste to Energy 40.95
Bio Power (Agro residues) 510
Total 9372.95

Easy Ways to Conserve Energy

Electricity Act in 2003

1. Set your clothes washer to the warm or cold water setting, not hot
2. Turn down your water heater thermostat
3. Clean or replace air filters as recommended
4. Use less hot water by installing low-flow shower heads
5. Whenever possible, walk, bike, car pool, or use mass transit
Read on to find out how you can start making a difference now!
Saving Energy at Home

Home energy usage adds up quickly, as we power our televisions and computers, take
showers and run our dishwashers and washing machines every day. One of the worst energywasters is vampire electronicsappliances and gadgets that waste energy even when
theyre not being actively used. For example, your microwave uses power even when youre
not cooking foodits keeping the digital clock running. And even when your computer is
asleep, its still using energy! In fact, scientists at the US Department of Energys Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory say standby power accounts for 5-10% of household electricity
consumption.
You can combat the issue of wasted standby power by unplugging appliances when theyre
not in use or replacing your energy offenders with more efficient models. Check out the
Federal Energy Management Program Standby Power Data Center website to learn which
appliances use the least energy.
Outside

Use a broom instead of a water hose to clean the sidewalk or driveway.

Plant shade trees and paint your house a light color if you live in a warm
climate, or a dark color if you live in a cold climate.

Use a rake instead of an electric or gas leaf blower.

Heating and Cooling

Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Energy is lost when air

conditioners and hot-air furnaces have to work harder to draw air through
dirty filters.

Adjust heating and cooling controls to reduce overheating or overcooling

and use natural ventilation more effectively. During the summer, keep
your thermostat at 78F / 25C. During the winter, keep it at or below 68F
/ 20C. Wear a sweater or long-sleeved shirt if you need extra warmth.

Keep the air flow by keeping air vents open.

Use fans to cool off.

Have your air conditioner and heater serviced once per season.

Install a programmable thermostat. This can reduce heating and cooling

bills as much as 10% since you can conserve energy when you are away
from home.

Set your clothes washer to use warm or cold-water setting, not hot.

Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket.

Turn down your water heater thermostat. Thermostats are often set to
140F / 60C when 120F / 49C is usually fine.

In the Kitchen

Do not overfill pans and kettles.

Use the correct size burner for your pan.

Keep refrigerators ice free.

Turn down your refrigerator temperature. Refrigerators account for about

20% of household electricity use. Use a thermometer to set your
refrigerator temperature to 37F / 2.7C and your freezer as close to 3F /
-16C or close as possible. Make sure that the energy saver switch is
turned on.

Check the gaskets around your refrigerator/freezer doors to make sure

they are clean and tightly sealed.

Run your dishwasher when it is full and use the energy-saving setting, if
available, to allow the dishes to air dry. Not using heat in the drying cycle
can save 20% of your dishwashers total electricity use.

Dont let the faucet run while performing various activities such as rinsing
dishes, or scrubbing vegetables.

Lighting Options

Use sunlight to illuminate your home. Its free!

Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights. Efficient fluorescent

light bulbs use less than half the energy than traditional incandescent
bulbs do to produce the same amount of light, and they last a lot longer.

Turn off lights, TVs, and computers when they are not being used.

When purchasing an appliance such as a dishwasher or television, look for

a model thats highly efficient. If possible, choose an appliance that has an
official label, such as the Energy Star in the US or A/A+ in Europe.

Intelligent Insulation Choices

Insulate your walls and ceilings. This can save 20 to 30% on home heating
bills and reduce CO2 emissions. (If you have electric heat, you might also
consider switching to more efficient gas or oil.)

If your home already has some insulation, consider increasing the amount
in the attic and over the basement or crawlspace ceiling. The insulation in
your attic should be at least 6 in thick, though a full foot is better.

If your homes windows have only one pane of glass, theyre probably
letting a lot of heat in (or out) of your home. Windows with two panes of
glassdouble-pane windowsare much better at insulating your house.

Install curtains on your windows.

Check for leaks and drafts around windows and doors, and add caulk or
weather stripping as needed.

Do electronics use energy when theyre off?

The New York Times recently published an article asking how much electricity appliances
use when they are turned off. This form of energy use is called, standby power, and it
actually uses more energy than many think. The author turned to the Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory and found that some devices can use as much as 20 watts of power when
theyre off, but not unplugged. The Berkeley Laboratory also has interesting home tours
that show standby power usage in homes in various countries. Take a look at the power your
electronics are using.
Saving Energy on the Road

When you think of ways to save energy on the road, you may immediately think of
alternative-fuel cars. And while these vehicles, often called hybrids, are certainly helpful in
the quest for cleaner energy in transportation, there are plenty of actions you can take to
reduce the amount of fuel you use (no matter what kind of car you drive!). Having your car
tuned regularly and keeping your tires properly inflated are two easy ways to save energy.

Whenever possible, walk, bike, car pool, or use mass transit.

Have your car tuned regularly.

Keep your tires properly inflated.

Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses.

Avoid abrupt starts. They use about twice as much gasoline as gradual
starts.

Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns, and stops decrease

fuel economy.

If your car has an air conditioner, make sure its coolant is recovered and
recycled whenever you have it serviced.

Use your air conditioner sparingly.

Avoid lengthy engine idling.

Plan your trips in advance and try and combine short trips into one to do
all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hours to reduce high fuelconsumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling
periods.

When you buy a car, choose one that gets good mileage.

Saving Energy as You Shop

When youre browsing at the grocery store, do you look for foods that were grown locally? If
not, you should! Buying locally produced food has numerous energy and environmental
benefitsit means less fuel burned in the transport of the foods from production site to store,
less packaging and, often, less exposure to pesticides and other chemicals.

Buy minimally packaged goods. Less energy is used to produce the

package and less waste will go to the landfill.

Choose reusable products over disposable ones, and recycle.

In many cases, products made from recycled materials require less energy
to produce compared with those made from original materials.

Buy local food to reduce the need for the food to be transported a great
distance.

Buy local fresh fruit and vegetables in season. This will reduce the amount
of produce grown in energy-intensive greenhouse conditions that are often
necessary for out-of-season production.

2015 energy4me

Source of Energy Conservation :

Solar Energy : Solar power uses the sun's energy and light to provide heat, light, and electricity for
homes. It is the primary source of all energy forms on the earth. It is one such energy which helps in
maintaining the ecological balance through the process of photosynthesis and green house effect. We
have been using sun to dry clothes and boil food for generations. But now number of techno powers
which have been developed to make full use of solar energy such as : Photovoltaic systems : By these systems the electricity could be produced directly from the

sunlight.
Solar Process Space heating and cooling : It is the commercial and industrial use of sun's heat.
Solar Hot Water : The process to heat water with the solar energy.
Solar Power plants : Producing electricity bu using the sun's heat.
Passive Solar heating and daylighting : Use solar energy to heat buildings.
Wind energy :
Wind energy is often used to generate the mechanical power or the electricity. In the country like
India, wind energy holds the great importance because of large hilly, coastal and desert areas. In the
rural areas it is used to pump water and grind grain. The benefit of wind energy is that it is fully
pollution free and is eco friendly too. It costs low and the generation of power is continuous. It is the
most effective way to conserve the energy and prevent the environment.
Geothermal Energy : Geothermal energy is used in the form of thermal energy, electrical energy,
nuclear energy, mechanical energy, chemical energy and light energy. It uses heat energy from
beneath the surface of the earth. It was first used to produce electricity in the Itlay in 1903.
Geothermal energy has the major environment benefit as it prevents air pollution. It is particularly
important in the inland nations such as Indian Oceans and the pacific regions. Energy generation from
geothermal sources is only possible in few places under unique geographic conditions.
Wave energy :
Ocean waves contain large amount of energy, which can be extracted through Ocean winds, Ocean
currents, Ocean Geothermal etc. if the barrage is built across the river, electricity can be obtained by
by the flow of water through turbines as the tide rise and falls.
Hydroelectric energy :
Another renewable source of energy is the hydroelectric energy, which is produced from fast flowing
water. The process is pollution free. The movement of water spins the turbines which in turn generate
electricity.
Biomass energy :
Biomass is the plant and animal waste which is used as the energy. Biomass energy like manure from
livestock, plant waste etc can be used to generate electricity, fuel, light, and heat. We get biomass
energy directly from plants and indirectly from the animal
waste.

Biomass and cogeneration

Overview
Currently, biomass contributes about 14
percent of the total energy supply worldwide
and 38 per cent of this energy is consumed in
developing countries, predominantly in the
rural and traditional sectors of the economy.
The various applications of biomass energy
include:
Thermal or heat.
Mechanical
water pumping
for
irrigation.
Power generation (stand-alone or gridconnected) including village
electrification and industrial applications.
India is the largest producer of cane sugar and the Ministry is implementing
the worlds largest co-generation Programme in the sugar mills.

Biomass power generation from surplus agricultural residues is also being

actively promoted.

Million tons (equivalent in oil)

Middle Eas
t
Africa
Central and
South America
Asia
( excluding China
)
China
Former Soviet Union

Sector wise % contribution of Power from Renewables

as on 31.1.2007
6.4%

0.4%

5.4%

20.3%

67.4%

Wind Power
Cogeneration Bagasse
Bio Power (Agro residues)

Small hydro Power

Waste to Energy