Speakers focus on energy conservation in buildings

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 27

A one-day capacity building training programme was organised at the Ambuja Knowledge Centre here today.

It was the fifth programme in a row to create awareness about the Punjab Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC).

The Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) and the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR) are organising a total of 37 training programmes.

These are being held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) and Global Environment Fund.

Engineer Narender Tomar from the Ambuja Group delivered the welcome address. Architect PPS Ahluwalia delivered a lecture on the salient features of the ECBC. He said the energy code would be applicable on the floor area of 500 square metre or more.

Architect Akshay Kumar Gupta, who is also a master trainer of BEE, deliberated on the ways to save energy consumption in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting, and pumping.

He emphasised the need to design climate-responsive buildings.

Makhan Lal, senior manager, PEDA, explained the role being played by the PEDA in the state to promote energy conservation. Architect Anmol Pupneja, chairman, IIA, Bathinda, introduced the theme of the programme.

On behalf of the NITTTR, Ashish Kapoor addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of the code for the state.

Engineer Kishan Khatri explained the efforts being made by the newly established ECBC cell in the PEDA for implementation of the code in Punjab. Prof Jatinder Kaur gave a presentation on different ways to conserve energy in buildings.

The Punjab government had constituted a committee of officials of the Department of Architecture; Public Works Department; Punjab State Power Corporation Limited; Housing and Urban Development and PEDA to amend the ECBC prepared by the Union government.

The objective of the PEDA is to implement the code in the next six months in the state.

The IIA is planning to train architects, engineers, builders, planners and officials of urban local bodies through this initiative.

Punjab is now among the 10 states of the country, which have prepared the code and going to implement it soon.