ENERGY CONSERVATION AND AUDIT

UNIT-1 (ENERGY CONSERVATION BASICS)

1. What are the different energy sources available?

Ans) Primary Energy: Primary energy refers to all types of energy extracted or captured directly from natural resources. Primary
energy can hence be used directly without any conversion. e.g., coal, lignite, petroleum, gas, etc.

Secondary Energy: However, primary energy sources are mostly converted by industrial utilities into secondary energy sources; for
example coal, oil or gas converted into steam and electricity. Primary energy is thus transformed into more convenient forms of
energy such as electricity, steam etc. These forms of energy are called secondary energy.

Commercial Energy: Energy that is available in the market for a definite price is known as commercial energy. No matter what the
method of energy production is, whether it is from fossil fuels, nuclear or renewable sources, any form of energy used for
commercial purposes constitutes commercial energy. By far, the most important forms of commercial energy are electricity, coal,
refined petroleum products and natural gas. Commercial energy forms the basis of industrial, agricultural, transport and
commercial development in the modem world. Examples: Electricity, lignite, coal, oil, natural gas etc.

Non-Commercial Energy: Any kind of energy which is sourced within a community and its surrounding area, and which is not
normally traded in the commercial market is termed as non-commercial energy. Non-commercial energy sources include fuels such
as firewood, cattle dung and agricultural wastes which are traditionally gathered, and used mostly in rural households. These are
also called as traditional fuels. Noncommercial energy is often ignored in compiling a country's energy statistics.
Examples: Firewood and agro waste in rural areas, solar energy for water heating, electricity generation, and for drying grain, fish
and fruits, animal power for transport, threshing, lifting water for irrigation, crushing sugarcane etc.; wind energy for lifting water
and electricity generation.

Renewable Energy: Renewable energy is the energy obtained from natural sources which are essentially inexhaustible. Examples
of renewable resources include wind power, solar power, geothermal energy, tidal power and hydroelectric power. The most
important feature of renewable energy is that it can be harnessed without the release of harmful pollutants.

Non-Renewable Energy: A non-renewable resource is a natural resource which cannot be produced, grown, replenished, or used
on a scale which can sustain its consumption rate. These resources often exist in a fixed amount or are consumed much faster than
nature can create them. Natural resources such as coal, oil and natural gas take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced as
fast as they are being consumed now. These resources will deplete with time.

2. Differentiate between primary and secondary energy sources?

Ans) Primary Energy: Primary energy refers to all types of energy extracted or captured directly from natural resources. Primary
energy can hence be used directly without any conversion. e.g., coal, lignite, petroleum, gas, etc.

Secondary Energy: However, primary energy sources are mostly converted by industrial utilities into secondary energy sources; for
example coal, oil or gas converted into steam and electricity. Primary energy is thus transformed into more convenient forms of
energy such as electricity, steam etc. These forms of energy are called secondary energy.

3. What do you mean by energy conservation and energy audit. List down some of the differences between the two?

Ans) Energy conservation & Energy Audit, Concept and Difference: Energy conservation means using energy more efficiently or
reducing wastage of energy. It is important that any energy conservation plan should only to try to eliminate wastage of energy
without in any way affecting productivity and growth rate. Hence energy conservation is achieved when growth of energy
consumption is reduced in physical terms.
Energy audit means the verification, monitoring and analysis of use of energy, including submission of technical report containing
recommendations for improving energy efficiency with cost benefit analysis and an action plan to reduce energy consumption.
Both aspects are interdependent, however the major difference between both is that Energy Conservation focuses on reducing
wastage of energy, while Energy Audit focuses in identifying the areas where waste can occur and where scope for improvement
exists. Thus energy audit is the translation of
conservation ideas into realities, by evolving technically feasible solutions with economic and other organizational considerations
within a specified time.
 4.Write down the salient features of energy conservation act 2001.

Ans)

5. What are the responsibilities and duties of State Designated Agencies (SDA) as per energy conservation act 2001.

Ans)
6. What are the different schemes of BUREAU of energy efficiency (BEE) under the energy conservation act 2001.

Ans)

7. What are the major regulatory and promotional functions of BEE.

Ans)

8. What do you mean by star labelling. Why is it required?

Ans) There is a wide variation in energy consumption of similar product by various manufactures. Moreover
the information of energy consumption is often not easily available. This lead to continued manufacture &
percent of inefficient equipment & appliances. Hence the need of star labelling became mandatory. Star
labelling is a part of S&L (i.e. Standard & labelling Program) of the EC act. Star Labelling was needed because:

1. India was gradually rising as an energyconsuming country, owing to population growth and economic
development.

2. Information available for energy consumption of products was often skewed or uneasy to understand.

3. A gradual rise in manufacturing and sale of sub-standard appliances was observed.

9. What are the benefits of star labelling?

Ans) Star Labelling are beneficial because:

1. Star ratings serve as an indicator to the common man regarding the energy consumption pattern of the
appliance.

2. One Star indicates that the appliance is least efficient and hence least money is saved.

3. Whereas 5 Stars indicate that the appliance is most efficient and hence more money is saved.

4. Before the introduction of Star label, price was the most determining factor for Indian consumers while
purchasing electrical appliances, however after the introduction of Star Labeling Scheme, the situation transformed
considerably. Consumers, were more aware about electricity consumption of their appliances.

5. Thus choosing products as per star labeling not only benefits consumers economically but also results in overall
reduction of energy consumption thus promoting energy conservation.

6. Further, Reduced energy consumption results in reduced carbon emissions.