Energy-saving measures in buildings discussed

Gurdeep Singh Mann

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 13

A one-day training programme on the Punjab Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) was held at the Giani Zail Singh Campus College of Engineering and Technology (GZSCCET) here today.

The programme was organised in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) and the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR).

The IIA and NITTTR are jointly organising 37 programmes in the state to impart training on the newly passed Punjab ECBC. Punjab is among the first 10 states in the country where the code will be implemented.

The workshop commenced with a welcome address given by Prof Ripudaman Singh from GZSCET. Architect Anmol Pupneja, who is also the chairman of the Bathinda centre of IIA, introduced the theme of the programme.

Architect Surinder Bahga, who has co-authored the Punjab ECBC, explained that how the code came into existence and what steps were taken to involve different stakeholders to draft the code. Dr Tejwant Singh Brar, a building expert from Gurgaon, spoke on building envelope and gave a brief introduction to building physics. Prof Jatinder Kaur, a faculty member of the GZSCET, gave a presentation on different ways of conserving energy in buildings.

Engineer Satinder Singh Mann, who is on the panel of the bureau of energy efficiency, talked on heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and lighting during the technical session. In the second session, he elaborated on the energy saving measures in hot water supply, pumping and electrical power.

Dr Poonam Syal, Professor, electrical engineering, NITTTR, spoke on the significance of energy saving in buildings.

Officials of the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) explained the steps being taken by their organisation to promote non-conventional energy. Engineer Money Khanna explained about the efforts being made by the newly established ECBC cell in PEDA for the implementation of the code in the state.

The PEDA has given an assignment to the Indian Institute of Architects, Chandigarh-Punjab Chapter, regarding the code. Architects Surinder Bahga and Archana Chaudhary worked on the code for nearly one year and authored it.

A technical committee was formed comprising officials of the state Department of Architecture, Housing and Urban Development, Public Works Department, Local Government, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and PEDA.

After a number of meetings, discussions and deliberations, the final draft of the code was prepared and submitted to the state government for its approval. In the first phase, the code was prepared. A book has already been published and now a campaign has been launched to train architects, builders, planners and other stakeholders to conserve energy in buildings.