Latest news with #UnionMinistryofPower
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Science behind setting the right temperature on the air conditioner
The Union Ministry of Power has said it is mulling restricting the temperature range of new air conditioners (ACs) in the country to between 20 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius. In a press conference on Tuesday, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar told presspersons the restriction would apply to ACs in households, hotels, and cars. The option is reportedly being considered at present and no firm decision has been taken. The idea is not new: in 2018 and then in 2021, R.K. Singh, then the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power had said the Ministry was speaking to AC manufacturers about labelling ACs with the optimum temperature setting from the energy efficiency and health points of view and fixing the default temperature setting at 24 degrees. At the time the Ministry had also said in a statement that it would consider instituting the default setting following an awareness campaign for four to six months and after public consultations. 'Every 1 degrees Celsius increase in the air conditioner temperature setting results in saving of 6% of electricity consumed,' Mr. Singh said. He added that the 24 degrees Celsius recommendation had come from a Bureau of Energy Efficiency study and that should all consumers adopt the setting, the country would save 20 billion units of electricity per year. The BEE had said at the time that the total connected load due to ACs would be 200 gigawatt by 2030. Aside from calling the 18-21 degrees Celsius range 'uncomfortable', the Minister said it was 'unhealthy'. Indeed, many studies have found that the blood-pressure load rises quickly below 18 degrees Celsius, with vasoconstriction and sympathetic activation being found to drive the systolic blood pressure up by about 6-8 mm (Hg) and long-term exposure translating to higher risk of hypertension. Separate trials involving children in Japan, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have also found they breathed easier when they slept with ACs set to more than 18 degrees Celsius. On the flip side, whole-house warming with insulation and/or heaters was found to mitigate the prevalence of respiratory infections and lower antibiotic use within a few months. In 2018, the International Energy Agency estimated there were 2 billion ACs in use around the world and that the number of residential units tripled from 2000 to 2022, to 1.5 billion. The agency also said that as of 2022, 43% of people in the Asia Pacific region were still in need of additional cooling. How does an AC work? An AC works by pumping heat from one space to another. Heat naturally flows from warmer to cooler areas, which means continuously moving it in the other direction — e.g. from a room at 30 degrees Celsius to an environment at 35 degrees Celsius — requires work. This work is represented in the AC's power consumption. The typical vapour-compression cycle of an AC uses a liquid called a refrigerant to transport the heat. A device called the evaporator holds the refrigerant at just about its boiling point. When a fan blows air in the room over the evaporator, the refrigerant boils by absorbing heat from the air. The air also becomes dehumidified as moisture in the air condenses on the evaporator and drains away. Next, it flows to the compressor as a superheated vapour. The compressor compresses it by 3-4x, in the process heating it to about 90 degrees Celsius. This is the step during which the AC consumes most of its power. The high-pressure superheated vapour then moves to the condenser, where it naturally loses its heat to the environs while turning back into a liquid. Since its pressure is still high, it passes through an expansion device that turns it into a low-pressure liquid-vapour mix close to its boiling point, and sends it back to the evaporator. The temperature range in which a refrigerant takes up and releases heat most efficiently is the range within which the AC is also said to be most efficient. On either side of this range the energy efficiency drops off. There is also the fact that heat transfer is more efficient at higher temperatures. Risks of setting your AC on low temperatures The power-cost of ACs is not the only reason to want to steer clear of lower temperatures, especially under 18 degrees Celsius, in space-cooling enterprises. Numerous studies have ascertained that save for the small fraction of people that need access to cold spaces, the general population — including infants, the elderly, people with cardiorespiratory diseases — can develop higher risks of hypertension, asthma, and respiratory infections when exposed to living spaces under 18 degrees Celsius. Researchers have generally treated 'comfort' to be the point where a body's core temperature (around 37 degrees Celsius) and mean skin temperature can be kept constant without any sweating or shivering and when no more than about 10% of the occupants of a space say they feel too hot or too cold (called the predicted mean vote). The ASHRAE-55 and ISO 7730 standards begin from this thumb rule before adjusting 'comfort' according to the clothing, cultural sensibilities, and the prevalent types of cooling in different parts of the world. The body at rest dissipates around 100 W of metabolic heat. Around 20 to 24 degrees Celsius, a lightly clothed person can shed that heat by radiation and convection alone without breaking a sweat or restricting skin blood flow. ASHRAE-55 allows the zone to rise roughly 0.3 degrees Celsius for every 1 degrees Celsius rise in the mean ambient temperature, up to about 30 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. Some sleep studies have converged on 16-19 degrees Celsius for healthy young and middle-aged adults. Cool air reportedly helps the core temperature dip by about 1 degrees Celsius, quickening sleep onset and ensuring deep sleep is stable. Infants and older adults may prefer the upper limit of around 19 degrees Celsius because their bodies' thermoregulation is less robust. This said, the WHO's 2018 Housing and Health Guidelines recommend using 18 degrees Celsius as the minimum safe living-room temperature in temperate or cooler climates because cardiovascular and respiratory admissions were found to climb steeply below that threshold. One cross-sectional study published in 2014 reported a strong correlation between indoor temperatures under 18 degrees Celsius and 9% of the 'population attributable risk' of hypertension. Similarly, a 2016 study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing 2012-2013 to compare differences in symptoms between people exposed to living space under and over 18 degrees Celsius. It showed that those living in the colder homes had higher cholesterol and weaker grip strength. Another longitudinal study the same year said 16% of people over the age of 50 and living in spaces cooled to under 18 degrees Celsius had higher blood pressure, lower vitamin D levels, and poorer lung function. Respiratory and mental health On the respiratory front: a study published in 2013 involving 309 children and more than 12,000 child-days analysed the effects of each 1 degrees Celsius drop below a mean bedroom temperature of 14-16 degrees Celsius. It revealed a drop in how quickly children could exhale air and lower lung function. In 2022, researchers in the U.K. reported that people living in persistently 'cold homes' were at twice as much risk of new episodes of depression and anxiety, even after adjusting for incomes and baseline mental distress. Of course, most of the studies that have helped the WHO establish the 18 degrees Celsius mark as the lower temperature threshold involved participants living in countries with temperate weather. This is partly because not many studies have been conducted in tropical or subtropical nations, where there are also fewer sub-18 degrees Celsius living spaces. Additionally, people with greater cold exposure are also likely to be more exposed to damp surfaces and/or suffer some degree of energy poverty. The latter two themselves worsen respiratory and mental outcomes. The case for moving towards a fixed temperature range on ACs is clear — supported by public health benefits as well as energy savings.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Raj to get 720cr for battery storage plants
Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Tuesday said Rajasthan has been allocated 4,000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) under Viability Gap Funding (VGF) by the Union Ministry of Power. As part of the VGF, while will be given from Power System Development Fund, Rajasthan will get a central assistance of Rs 720 crore at the rate of Rs 18 lakh per MWh. The chief minister said that as a result of this allocation, the development of battery energy storage projects in the state will be accelerated, so that electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind energy can be preserved and used as per requirement. This will also improve grid stability and will help in uninterrupted and accessible supply of electricity during non-solar hours and peak load, he added. The chief minister said that the govt is committed to making the state a green energy hub and is ready to develop the BESS system by submitting a time-bound proposal as per the prescribed procedure. Sharma had written a letter to the Union Power Minister and personally met him, requesting him to allocate additional BESS capacity to Rajasthan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Преносим лазерен заваръчен пистолет, 50% отстъпка в нов магазин HEO Купете сега Also, he had prominently raised this demand in the meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. The centre has decided to provide assistance under VGF for the development of 30 GWh BESS capacity across the country, out of which 25 GWh capacity has been allocated to 15 states and 5 GWh capacity to NTPC. Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Tuesday said Rajasthan has been allocated 4,000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) under Viability Gap Funding (VGF) by the Union Ministry of Power. As part of the VGF, while will be given from Power System Development Fund, Rajasthan will get a central assistance of Rs 720 crore at the rate of Rs 18 lakh per MWh. The chief minister said that as a result of this allocation, the development of battery energy storage projects in the state will be accelerated, so that electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind energy can be preserved and used as per requirement. This will also improve grid stability and will help in uninterrupted and accessible supply of electricity during non-solar hours and peak load, he added. The chief minister said that the govt is committed to making the state a green energy hub and is ready to develop the BESS system by submitting a time-bound proposal as per the prescribed procedure. Sharma had written a letter to the Union Power Minister and personally met him, requesting him to allocate additional BESS capacity to Rajasthan. Also, he had prominently raised this demand in the meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. The centre has decided to provide assistance under VGF for the development of 30 GWh BESS capacity across the country, out of which 25 GWh capacity has been allocated to 15 states and 5 GWh capacity to NTPC.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Central Pollution Control Board to decide on future of flue gas desulphurisation units: Power Minister
The Union Ministry of Power will wait for the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to decide on whether flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units should be mandatory for all coal-fired thermal power plants, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said in a response to a question from The Hindu at a press conference on Tuesday (June 10, 2025). On the June 4, The Hindu had reported on a meeting in April involving a high-powered committee of experts, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, Ajay Sood. The group recommended that India do away with its decade-long policy of mandating equipment, including FGD units, in all coal-fired thermal power plant units (TPPs). While 92% of India's 600 TPPs, spread across about 180 coal plants, haven't yet installed FGD units, the recommendation exempts about 80% of them from installing such equipment. So far, the government has granted three extensions since 2017, the latest being in December 2024, for plants to comply by 2027-2030. FGDs are an additional piece of equipment required to be retro-fitted in TPPs to cut harmful sulphur dioxide emissions resulting from burning coal. Sulphur dioxide emissions can also hover in the atmosphere and form aerosols of sulphates that, on the one hand, can somewhat temper the heat from global warming, but also exacerbate particulate matter pollution and respiratory diseases. It is estimated that the current installation cost of such equipment is about ₹1 crore per megawatt (MW) of installed power capacity. 'Scientific institutions such as CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) Delhi have studied this. The sulphate aerosols from these coal plants aren't to the extent that they affect human is less than 5%. On the contrary, it is necessary that some of it remain in the atmosphere. If it is too less, it can increase warming,' Mr. Khattar said. 'That said, the CPCB is looking at this and hasn't come to a conclusion. We will implement anything only after examining their verdict. About 97,000 MW of power will be added, and implementing FGD means an additional expense of ₹97,000 crore. We have to consider this carefully. Neither should health be harmed, nor people face increased tariffs, nor warming increase. You must have read about the thousands of lives lost in Europe from heatwaves,' he added. As The Hindu had reported, the committee, according to the minutes of the meeting viewed by The Hindu, will 'recommend' to the Power and Environment Ministers that only power plants located in a 10 km radius of the National Capital Region, and cities with a population of over one million, are required to install FGD units. These are called Category A plants. There are 66 such plants, and only 14 of them have installed FGD units. All these plants are required to comply by 2027. Those in a 10-km radius of 'Critically Polluted Cities' or 'Non Attainment Cities', called Category B plants, would be eligible for exemption on a 'case by case' basis, upon a joint review by the Central Electricity Authority or the CPCB. There are 72 such plants, with only 4 having installed FGD units. These plants have a deadline of 2028. The remaining 462 plants come under Category C. Thirty-two of them have installed FGD units. These plants have a 2029 deadline. Over 600 units in categories A and B could be additionally exempted if they were 20 years and older. 'The key common point in these studies is that, fitment of FGDs in all TPPs in India is not necessary to comply with the NAAQ (National Ambient Air Quality) standards whose compliance is essential to safeguard public health. While all TPPs must comply with the December 2015 stack emission standards for PM pollution and freshwater consumption, the SO2 stack emission standards can be relaxed to ensure that they are in conformance with the NAAQ standards which are notified by CPCB, keeping in mind the human health and other aspects. This way, TPPs may be able to comply with these standards without fitting FGDs. Since the existing NAAQ standards (for ambient SO2) must be complied with, this change will not affect human health in India,' the committee had concluded.
Hans India
21-04-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Default AC setting at 24°C to benefit consumers: BEE
Vijayawada: With temperatures rising across the country during summer months, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Power, has urged citizens and commercial establishments in particular to set air conditioners to 24°C for optimal comfort and energy conservation. This recommendation, part of BEE's broader energy efficiency drive, is aimed at reducing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring indoor comfort. Setting the AC at 24°C not only ensures significant electricity savings but also contributes to environmental sustainability and public health. According to BEE, it estimates increasing the temperature setting by just one degree Celsius can save up to 6 percent in electricity consumption. Maintaining ACs at 24°C can collectively result in energy savings of up to 20 billion units annually translating into financial savings of nearly Rs 10,000 crore. In a press release the BEE has announced the benefits of setting ACs to 24°C. It can reduce the electricity consumption by up to 24 percent compared to a 20°C setting. Lower energy use leads to reduced electricity bills. The BEE has announced 24°C is within the recommended indoor comfort range for most people. Running the AC at moderate temperatures reduces compressor strain and extends equipment life. It announced additional Energy-Saving Tips: Running a ceiling or table fan alongside the AC at 24°C helps circulate air and improve comfort. Well-insulated rooms retain cool air better, reducing the AC's workload. Adjusting AC settings based on time of day or occupancy can further reduce power consumption. The BEE has also emphasised the importance of this initiative in commercial spaces such as hotels, airports, shopping malls, office complexes, and government buildings. It has urged air conditioner manufacturers to set 24°C as the default setting for all new AC units. If even 50 percent of consumers adopt this practice, the country could save around 10 billion units of electricity and cut down approximately 8.2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. It is worth noting that a single air conditioner running 8–10 hours a day can emit nearly 10 kg of CO₂ daily—highlighting the need for proactive and responsible energy use to combat climate change. Milind Deora, Secretary of BEE has advised all key State Designated Agencies (SDAs) and Southern SDAs such as AP SECM, TSREDCO, TANGEDCO, KREDL, EMC and UTs to take up special campaign for creating wide range awareness on maintaining AC at 24°C to benefit the consumers.
