3 rd Sept’24
Akhil Singhal, Tarun Garg – RMI India Foundation
Shatakshi Suman, Aun Abdullah – Lodha
India's urban residential electricity consumption is rapidly increasing, making it more crucial than ever to prioritize energy efficiency in residential buildings. Over the next decade, home ownership is projected to grow by more than 100 million, driven by rising incomes and improved lifestyles. As a result, per capita energy use is expected to rise, significantly influencing energy use patterns. An energy conscious behaviour and developing a market for energy efficient solutions in this new India is critical to ensuring energy security – a vital pre-requisite for sustained economic growth. We are at a pivotal moment where the choices made today will shape India's energy future for generations.
UrjaAnk is our initiative aimed at analysing and optimizing energy usage in urban homes across India, beginning with Palava City. We aim to establish a benchmark for typical energy consumption by comparing household usage to industry standards and analysing it by load type. This will help designers, homeowners, developers, and policymakers determine key improvement areas and reduce energy use and costs in residential units. This initiative aligns with the Lifestyle for Environment campaign, combining initiatives such as green space guidelines, energy-efficient building codes, and catalysing the market of star-rated appliances. This approach boosts sustainability, resident wellbeing and property market value.
Palava, our flagship integrated city-development near Mumbai, exemplifies our methodology in action. An energy baselining and benchmarking study of around 10,000 households in Palava City indicated a median energy performance index (EPI) of 41 kWh/m²/year, which is 35% lower than the industry standard for warm and humid regions. This is due to the extensive green and blue infrastructure, which made the area 2°C cooler after development. Furthermore, the layout of city blocks facilitates natural ventilation and daylight. Notably, every new apartment in Palava since 2020 is equipped with BEE 5-star rated air conditioners, a stark contrast to the mere 10% air-conditioning access across the rest of the nation.
Through UrjaAnk, we aim to shape the future of urban energy landscapes and set benchmarks for emerging cities. The Net Zero Urban Accelerator platform, set up in collaboration with RMI India Foundation, brings together stakeholders interested in driving change, enabling them to engage in direct dialogue and gain valuable insights from Palava. We focus on understanding household energy consumption patterns and behaviours, factors influencing appliance purchases, and potential demand-side city-scale energy management. Moreover, we assess the thermal performance of building envelope components, focusing on the features that improve natural cooling through architectural design. Finally, by advocating energy performance metrics in utility bills, we aim to directly engage with residents and foster a multiplier effect that encourages energy-efficient practices. These insights are crucial as we evolve our approach to scale these solutions and contribute significantly in India's journey to net-zero emissions. By setting new standards for energy management in residential developments, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.