The transformative role of energy-efficient fans

Fans as cooling solutions in various industries can efficiently reduce energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. Voicing their opinion, Neha Dhingra, PK Mukherjee, and Kishore Kumar from CLASP say we are currently offering technical guidance and capacity enhancement support to EESL for the fan program. Here is how this shift can make a difference.

Please talk about CLASP as a resource for appliance energy efficiency programs in India.
Kishore Kumar: CLASP offers technical assistance and skill enhancement to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, a statutory body under the Ministry of Power. The aim is to develop policies for appliance energy efficiency programs. This involves analysing the market and technology, making international efficiency policy and testing standard comparisons, and suggesting efficiency benchmarks and their potential impacts to aid BEE in shaping policies.

What measures are adopted to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient fans in India?Neha Dhingra: CLASP aided BEE in crafting energy efficiency regulations for ceiling fans, including their revision and the transition to mandatory implementation last year. Additionally, we assisted BEE in launching energy efficiency guidelines for table, wall, and pedestal fans in a voluntary phase in 2023. Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a collaborative effort of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) operating under the Ministry of Power, revealed intentions to deploy 10 million energy-efficient air conditioners. We are currently offering technical guidance and capacity enhancement support to EESL concerning the Quality Assurance and Quality Control framework for the fan program. An MoU was also formalised between us and EESL during the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial on July 22, 2023.

What impact do energy-efficient fans have on India’s energy consumption for cooling?
PK Mukherjee: Ceiling fans, utilised by around 90 percent of Indian households, have emerged as a crucial cooling means due to their affordability and widespread availability. In 2021, ceiling fans alone were responsible for roughly 40 percent of the residential electricity consumption in India. Fan energy usage is predicted to contribute around 32 percent of the total residential electricity consumption up to 2030. Despite their extensive usage, it’s noteworthy that merely 5 percent of the annual sales market, which accounts for 50 million units, consists of premium energy-efficient fans. This situation offers a significant opportunity for energy savings and peak demand mitigation.

A pivotal strategy in the energy transition, aiming to uphold accessibility, fairness, and reduction of emissions, revolves around expanding the adoption of energy-efficient cooling appliances like fans. Effectively scaling the adoption of energy-efficient fans would effectively tackle these twofold challenges by promoting equitable access and curbing the growth of emissions.

How can enhanced HVAC energy efficiency combat greenhouse gas emissions?
Kumar: Energy efficiency offers many advantages, notably in diminishing greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion during electricity generation. The need for enhanced energy efficiency becomes apparent in the context of building HVAC systems, which contribute significantly to increased energy consumption and subsequent greenhouse gas emissions. This requirement arises from the escalating energy expenses and underlines the importance of reducing energy consumption through sustainable approaches within HVAC installations. By refining design aspects and implementing adequate controls, optimising the energy, thermal, and environmental aspects is possible, rendering HVAC systems cost-effective.

What advancements can improve the energy efficiency of HVAC systems in commercial and residential spaces?
Mukherjee: HVAC experts and manufacturers focus on emerging areas such as smart buildings and intelligent HVAC systems. Noteworthy features in these systems include advanced controllers like remote controls and programmable thermostats. Additionally, environmentally conscious cooling solutions like geothermal and solar-powered thermally driven cooling systems are gaining traction. These smart HVAC solutions can enhance energy efficiency while offering cost benefits to users substantially. Another innovation sphere involves the integration of smart pumps within HVAC systems, playing a pivotal role in optimising efficiency.

These intelligent pumps utilise permanent magnet motors with integrated frequency converters, controllers, and sensors to manage energy usage effectively. Automation processes constitute another area of innovative technologies, streamlining human involvement in HVAC operations and enabling remote process monitoring. This adaptability ensures response to requirements and temperature adjustments, ultimately leading to significant cost savings across the system’s lifespan. BEE launched a labelling program for HVAC chillers and made it mandatory recently. The reference standards for these equipment are reviewed periodically to keep pace with the latest technology followed globally.

Please discuss insights into enhancement in the efficiency of AC units.
Kumar: Since 2006, when AC efficiency policies were launched, India has achieved a 47 percent enhancement in efficiency. Over the last 15 years, the nation has produced over 63 million air conditioning units that adhere to energy-efficient standards. This production effort has reduced 85 terawatt-hours (TWh) in India’s electricity consumption, preventing the emission of 70 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Moreover, using these energy-efficient AC units has resulted in an approximate cost savings of USD 5.6 billion on electricity bills.

How do you envision the future of energy-efficient HVAC systems?
Mukherjee: In the present context, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the HVAC sector in India is undergoing significant changes driven by a range of emerging trends. The significance of indoor air quality has recently gained heightened recognition due to mounting concerns related to airborne pollutants, allergens, and other harmful substances. HVAC manufacturers are actively developing systems aimed at enhancing indoor air quality. These innovations encompass high-efficiency air filters, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, and advanced ventilation setups.

Moreover, numerous HVAC companies are integrating IoT-based air quality monitoring sensors into their systems. This integration empowers users to monitor and manage indoor air quality in real time. Incorporating IoT-based building management systems for HVAC installations is also instrumental in achieving sustainability objectives. Manufacturers, HVAC experts, and consultants are placing increased emphasis on IoT-powered HVAC systems that leverage sensors, cloud-based algorithms, and data analysis. These technologies enable more precise control over indoor climate conditions, reducing energy consumption. The utilisation of sensor-based control mechanisms is also gaining popularity. They provide real-time data insights into system performance, energy usage, and indoor air quality.