Date:18/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/18/stories/2007071853800400.htm

New Delhi

A building to showcase energy conservation

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

“Urja Bhavan” will be spread over 9,000 sq. metres
In compliance with Energy Conservation Building Code

NEW DELHI: After preaching the merits of energy conservation and efficiency, the Delhi Government’s Power Department is now ready to walk the talk. It is ready with the plans of its upcoming new green building, which will house the State Load Dispatch Centre, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the corporate office.

The yet-to-be-constructed “Urja Bhavan” will be spread over 9,000 sq. metres and has been planned in association with the School of Planning and Architecture.

“The building is in compliance with the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) finalised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and we will soon begin its construction,” said S. R. Sethi, Director Operations of Delhi Transco Limited. The ECBC for efficient use of energy and its conservation sets the minimum energy performance standards for buildings and recommends standards for the exteriors, lighting, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, which reduce energy consumption by 25 per cent to 40 per cent.

To be used as an example of energy conserving initiative, the building will use CFL and five-star rated florescent tubes apart from motion sensors that will automatically switch off and switch on power on detecting occupancy, harness daylight and will have a North-South orientation.

“The building has been organised around a series of courtyards, sealed from hot, humid and dusty conditions on the outer profile,” said Mr. Sethi.

Raised on piles and surrounded by a shallow pool of water, the building will be equipped to harvest rainwater and also treat waste water, making it fit for horticultural purposes. The building will also have water as an integral visual feature; there will be terrace gardens, camouflaged parking and an expansive green cover.

Shallow pools of water around the building and baolis inside will contribute to the air quality and temperature control; hollow core concrete floor slabs to circulate cool air for natural ventilation and zoned air-conditioning distribution will be the additional features of the building, which will be built using bricks made from fly-ash. The use of individual room control air-conditioning is expected to bring down the energy consumption by 50 to 70 per cent.