Tangedco to conserve power in its buildings

Chennai: Years after it started insisting that consumers conserve energy, Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation has finally decided to follow its own advice and harness high energy saving potential in its own buildings and substations. As a pilot project, the energy conservation measures will be implemented in Korattur, Tondiarpet, Singaperumal Koil, Koyambedu and Kadaperi substations.

According to Tangedco sources, it was decided to conduct a load survey in the five 230 KV sub stations located in and around Chennai to identify the enormous saving potential and for implementation of energy conservation measures. The Demand Side Management (DSM) cell of Tangedco conducted load survey in Korattur substation and it decided to replace existing lights and equipment with energy efficient ones.

In  Korattur substation, 70 250-watts sodium vapour  lamps would be replaced by 100 W LED lamps and 33 fluorescent tube lights (FTLs) in the common and washbasin areas with 15 W CFL bulbs as part of the conservation measure. In office areas of the building, 80 FTLs will be replaced by 18 W LED retrofitting lamps.  “The existing lights will be replaced with energy efficient ones at a cost of '10 lakh. It will result in about 60 per cent energy savings and another advantage with LED lamps is its extended life,” said a senior Tangedco
official. Based on the success of the pilot project, the conservation measure will be extended to other sub stations across the state, the official added.

The load survey, which will help assess energy saving potential, will  be conducted in Tangedco’s distribution region and circle offices. The details of the available loads like lights, fans, air conditioners and pumpsets would be collected to arrive at a consolidated requirement, the official said, adding that the proposal for replacement of existing lights and other equipment with energy efficient ones will be prepared based on the requirement.

 Through the implementation of the energy conservation measures in its buildings, Tangedco will be adhering to the state government’s August 2012 order directing all the government offices and buildings including local bodies and public sector undertakings to adopt energy conservation measures.