Handbook on Energy Conscious Buildings Released

Hon'ble Minister Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (formerly "Non-conventional Energy Sources") Govt. of India, released a publication titled "Handbook on Energy Conscious Buildings", at a function held on 3rd November, 2006 at IIT Bombay.

The handbook is an outcome of interactive efforts of the Energy Systems Engineering Group, IIT Bombay and Solar Energy Centre, Ministry New & Renewable Energy.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Muttemwar congratulated the two Institutes for the very comprehensive handbook.  He said, "From my Ministry I am trying not only to provide appropriate incentives and research grant to promote these and many other ideas but also we are working for making these as our new  way of life by promoting them as true alternatives.  We are hopeful that the R&D efforts at institutes like IIT Bombay will result in cost-effective new and renewable energy solutions that meet the needs of our country.  I am glad to hear that IIT Bombay plans to build a new School/Department of Energy.  Our Ministry will help IIT Bombay in setting up world class research facilities in the field of new and renewable energy."

Earlier, Prof. Ashok Misra, Director IIT Bombay mentioned IIT's plans to upgrade the Energy Systems Engineering Group to a Department or a School with appropriate academic and research programmes.  He announced the donation by Mr. Naushad Forbes, Managing Director, Forbes Marshall, Pune of Rs.1 crore to kickstart the school.

Prof. J.K. Nayak, Energy Systems Engineering, the co author of  the handbook, described the salient features of the book and how, if implemented by architects, it can reduce energy consumption by over 30%.

Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Energy Systems Engineering and Dr. Bibek Bandyopadhyay, Adviser and Head Solar Energy Centre, Ministry of N & R E, also spoke on the occasion. 

The Handbook is an attempt to orient the thinking of practicing architects towards the importance and benefits of energy conscious architecture.  The book provides information on basic principles, climatic conditions of India, passive solar approaches, general recommendations, specific guidelines and integration of renewable technologies in buildings.  It contains a number of illustrations, working drawings, examples, case studies and references.  In addition to practicing architects, it will also be a useful reference book for students of architecture and building scientists.  The design approaches and materials can easily be used by architects.  This hand book will result in widespread use of energy conscious buildings.