Sustainable Design in India

The Alliance has been working with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on projects under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate’s Buildings and Appliances Task Force (APP-BATF). One of the Task Force’s goals is to promote high-performance buildings through outreach and training in the use of building simulation tools, and through the promotion of technologies and best practices for net-zero energy buildings, building performance measurement and benchmarking, and market transformation.

One of the program's partners in India – the Center for Sustainable Environment and Energy (CSEE) at CEPT University, Ahmedabad – has implemented a project that uses energy simulation design tools in tandem with the recently approved Indian Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for building design. Alliance Senior Program Manager Alexander Filippov traveled to Ahmedabad to review the results of a year-long project completed by CSEE/CEPT.

Teaching Sustainable Design

Founded in 1962 by Ahmedabad Educational Society, the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology was formally established as CEPT University in 2005. It is considered a top of the line architectural school in India, offering undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral programs in architecture, building science, interior design, planning, technology, G.I.S., real estate, and city management. Its Centre for Sustainable Environment and Energy (CSEE) conducts research and uses its building simulation facilities to conduct training programs for professionals and educators.

During 2008 - 2009, CSEE/CEPT organized eight simulation awareness and hands-on training workshops for nearly 500 practicing architects, government officials, academicians, PhD scholars and students in the usage of EnergyPlus simulation software developed by DOE. The workshops also introduced the ECBC to the participants. The Center prepared a Getting Started Guide on Energy Simulation, which explains the fundamentals of building energy simulation, and the concepts and practical application of building energy efficiency and code compliance.

Under the same project, CSEE/CEPT helped establish the India Chapter of the International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA/India); it also prepared and launched the IBPSA/India website www.ibpsaindia.org. The goal of IBPSA India Chapter is to advance and promote the science of building performance simulation in order to improve the design, construction, operation and maintenance of new and existing buildings in India.

Leading by Example

Ahmedabad, located in Gujarat state, is one of the leading cities in sustainable building design. During the Alliance project team's visit to CEPT University, we had an opportunity to see some examples of such buildings.

The Torrent Pharmaceutical Research Center building in Ahmedabad, designed by the architect Patel, demonstrates passive downdraught evaporative cooling (PDEC) application in a large laboratory complex. The laboratories and offices are arranged on three levels on either side of an open course. Water mist is sprayed from the top of the open course. As it falls, it evaporates and cools the air. A powerful natural draft draws the air to the working spaces at each level, from where it is exhausted out through the perimeter stacks.

Overall, the cooling system creates a comfortable environment approximately 10oC cooler than the outside temperature in the summer. This building consumes 64% less energy than a twin air-conditioned building.

Read more about the Torrent Pharmaceutical Research Center: http://www.archidev.org/article.php3?id_article=1115

The Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI) at Sughad demonstrates sustainable development concepts. Used mainly as a sanitation training complex for municipal organizations, the facility employs construction and energy technologies appropriate for hot climates.

These technologies include reflective surfaces on roofs; solar water heating, including steam generation for cooking; double-brick walls with air gaps; natural draft ventilation; rain water storage and usage for technical needs and showers; plant root waste water treatment and water recycling; bio-gas generation from organic waste; and solar photovoltaic panels that help satisfy the facility’s energy needs.

Read more about The Environmental Sanitation Institute: http://www.vastushilpa.org/activities/projects/esi.htm

- Alexander Filippov (afilippov@ase.org)