Energy Conservation Day Observed by The Institution of Engineers (India), Udaipur Local Centre

Udaipur: The Energy Conservation Day was observed by The Institution of Engineers (India) (IEI), Udaipur Local Centre with an informative and thought-provoking programme focusing on sustainable energy practices and environmental responsibility.

At the outset, IEI Udaipur Local Centre Chairman, Er Purushottam Paliwal, shared his views on energy conservation. He said that the objective of celebrating Energy Conservation Day is to promote energy-efficient technologies, reduce carbon emissions, increase the use of renewable energy sources, and spread awareness among individuals, businesses, and industries about energy conservation practices.

Honorary Secretary Er Piyush Javeria highlighted the importance of energy conservation in ensuring sustainable development, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and preserving resources for future generations. He also encouraged the use of public transport as an effective way to reduce energy consumption.

The Guest of Honour, Er Sohan Singh Rathore, former General Manager of Hindustan Zinc Limited, Chairman – Australian Operations, Vedanta PAC, and former Chairman of IEI Udaipur Local Centre, spoke about the scholarships distributed from the savings of the 33rd Indian Engineering Congress held in Udaipur in 2018. He emphasized that professional organisations like The Institution of Engineers (India) play a vital role in motivating students to pursue careers in engineering.

The Chief Speaker, Er Prahlad Chandra Tiwari, Executive Engineer (E&M), Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVVNL), Ajmer, began his address by stating, “Every time you save electricity, you save money today and protect life on Earth tomorrow.” He explained that fossil fuels are formed over millions of years through geological processes involving heat, pressure, and the decomposition of organic matter.

Highlighting rising sea levels as a slow-growing global disaster, he said that melting ice sheets and the expansion of warmer seawater are causing sea levels to rise at a current rate of 4–4.5 mm per year, which is significantly higher than in the previous century. As a result, up to one billion people living in low-lying areas are at increasing risk of flooding. Countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India, and cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, are particularly vulnerable. He added that once major ice sheets melt, the process is extremely difficult to reverse and may take centuries.

Er Tiwari also briefed the audience on key provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, and BEE star labelling, including standards and labelling, energy conservation building codes, mandatory energy audits for designated consumers, enforcement mechanisms, and penalties. He discussed the issue of system power losses in AVVNL, noting that most losses occur during transmission and distribution. Although historically high in India, these losses are gradually improving. Reducing such losses leads to substantial energy and financial savings. He highlighted solutions such as smart meters, upgraded lines, high-voltage distribution systems, and advised domestic consumers to use LED bulbs and 5-star rated appliances.

Another speaker, Er Shafique Ahmed, General Manager, Secure Meters Limited, Udaipur–Ajmer, focused on why energy conservation is critically important. He cited rising energy demand, limited resources, energy costs, economic impact, climate change, and India’s net-zero targets as key factors linking energy conservation with national energy security. He explained that by identifying high energy-consuming areas, analysing energy requirements, improving efficiency, and addressing leakage and reactive power issues, significant energy savings can be achieved. He also stressed the growing importance of electric vehicles and noted that railway electrification is continuously increasing electricity demand while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. He added that electricity storage remains a major challenge.

On this occasion, under the scholarship programme for economically weaker students run by IEI Jaipur Local Centre, scholarships were awarded to Ms Antima Tiwari from MLV Textile and Engineering College, Bhilwara, and Mr Parth Tripathi from the College of Technology and Engineering, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology.

The programme was conducted with dignity, and the vote of thanks was presented by Honorary Secretary Er Piyush Javeria.