Context: India’s building and construction sector accounts for a substantial portion of energy consumption, primarily driven by heating and cooling demands. Reports from NITI Aayog suggest that a staggering 65% of the nation’s energy demand stems from space heating and cooling. Cooling innovations in India’s construction sector need to meet energy demands. Discover the Cooling Action Plan & energy-efficient techniques to reduce cooling load & energy consumption in construction.
A Vision for Cooling Solutions
Acknowledging the imminent threat, India rolled out the Innovative Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) in 2019, aiming for a 20% reduction in cooling load by 2037-38. This can be done through climate-conscious building structures. This ambitious plan also envisions an additional 30% reduction in cooling energy by enhancing equipment efficiency and maintenance practices.
Contextual Cooling Solutions: A Holistic Approach
Beyond household solutions like ceiling fans and desert coolers, large-scale spaces require energy-efficient cooling techniques adaptable to diverse climatic conditions:
Earth’s Subsurface Potential
Leveraging the Earth’s consistent subsurface temperature. Approximately 4 meters below the surface, as a heat sink or source based on seasonal requirements.
Earth Air Tunnel Technology
Channeling air through subterranean tunnels for about 100 meters before introducing it indoors, effectively reducing air temperature by 10-12°C.
Passive Downdraft Cooling
Utilizing water sprinklers in a central column to create mist, cooling hot ambient air as it enters the structure.
Evaporative and Indirect Evaporative Cooling
Leveraging water-saturated mediums to cool hot air through evaporation, ensuring thermal comfort without increasing humidity.
Cooling Sans Humidifying or Indirect evaporative cooling
Cooling sans humidifying or indirect evaporative cooling is a system that cools incoming air using pipes containing water. In this process, the air doesn’t directly come into contact with the water, but heat exchange happens between the air and the water in the pipes. Importantly, the air doesn’t pick up any moisture during this cooling process.
Navigating Humid Climates: The Desiccant Solution
In regions with high humidity challenging traditional cooling methods, integrating desiccants—materials that absorb moisture—into the cooling process becomes essential. Nalanda University in Bihar is pioneering a desiccant-based evaporative cooling system, effectively dehumidifying air and subsequently cooling it using evaporative techniques.
Paving the Path to Efficiency
Promoting climate-conscious building design and harnessing innovative cooling technologies. That should tailored to India’s diverse climatic conditions are crucial steps towards achieving substantial energy savings in the construction sector. These advancements promise not only environmental benefits but also greater resilience and comfort for a burgeoning nation.
Read Also: Energy Conservation: Where Do We Stand?
