Inspired to Be Green Journal: January 2010

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Free PublicationJanuary - February 2010

Dear Inspired Reader,

I am very happy to introduce myself in the first issue of 2010. Mr Kishore Kumar, Owner of Inspired to be Green Magazine, gave me the great opportunity to manage the green magazine from now on. Together with the team of Inspired to be Green we are building the platform for India’s Green Building community.

Since I came the first time to India, I am fascinated from this country. Every day is full of learning experiences, challenges, lovely people and excitement. Born in the heart of Europe, Austria is one of the most advanced countries for energy efficient buildings and technologies. I graduated from there as an engineer for eco-energy and energy efficient buildings. Maybe it was just not challenging enough to design another net-zero or solar passive building in Austria or maybe it is just the open minded people in India who convinced me to be part of India’s Green Building Movement.

In India I worked on solar airconditioning, energy-efficiency improvement for hotels, as well as on energy modeling and LEED/IGBC projects during my time with Spectral Consultants. To be a LEED accredited professional and certified for energy and quality-management from the TUEV Germany gives me a good understanding of the process involved in an energy-efficient building design.

I love to see so many new ideas and green projects coming up in India, and to get to know the people behind these great projects and companies is a wonderful work.

I know that we have everything required to make the green building movement to a success: expertise, innovative product manufacturers and builders who are ready to take up new ideas. Sharing our knowledge and experience will help us in the future to make buildings more energy-efficient and ecological.

I will work with passion, and a lot of motivation for Inspired to be Green – and I hope you will support our initiative.

Stay inspired,

Isabelle

Focus of the TERI University Building, highlighting its green

features and techniques.

An outlook at CONSTRO 09, Green Building Exhibition held

at Pune, focussing on the Green Innovations showcased.

Understanding the benefits of Green Homes, and explaining the basic concept and strategies of IGBCs Green Home Certification.

Dr.R K Pachauri, visionary and pioneer of Green Building movement in India

answers our versatile questions.

inspired to be

G R E E NBuilding with Great

Concept in mind 10 Questions to the

Green Leader

Why you need to live in a Green Home?

Contents

4

40

2834

2

14Visit at CONSTRO

Green Personality of month: Frank Contanzo

Litter Free Auroville

Free Cooling

A deep green interview with the Director of Peerless Green

Initiatives, Chennai.

Showcase of the LFA Programme held at Auroville, based on the concept of Collective Waste Management, and also the ‘Trashion Show!’ held there.

Understanding Free Cooling and its Implication.

More about: - Green Lifestyle for everyone - Pg 9 - Wash basin + Water Closet - Pg 11 - Grow your Oxygen - Pg 12 - Designing Homes with natural ventilation & daylight - Pg 18 - Healthy high performance cleaning - Pg 20 - Ground source heat pumps - Pg 22 - Leed decoded: Community connectivity - Pg 24 - Stand alone vertical garden - Pg 25 - Water & Energy Efficiency with Economic Impact - Pg 46 - Post Compenhagen - Pg 50

44

Dr. R K Pachauri, Director General TERI

1. What inspired you to take up “the journey on the path ofgreen”?

What inspired me to take up the journey on the path of green stems from two factors. Firstly, I was born and spent a good part of my childhood in Nainital and in the beautiful surroundings of mountains nestling a large and placid lake. Extended exposure to the beauty of nature at such an early stage of my life left a deep impression on my sensibility related to green issues. The second reason lies in the fact that when I became a researcher I initially worked on energy issues and realized very soon the major environmental implications of the entire energy cycle, including the accumulation of greenhouse gases, which have led to human induced climate change.

2. Inwhatprofessionoronwhatprojectwereyouworking10yearsago?

Ten years ago too I was Director General of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and essentially involved in building up this Institute. At that stage I was also the Vice-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and played a significant role in several activities related to the preparation of the Third Assessment Report (TAR). In those days I also had time to carry out some research myself which unfortunately has become increasingly difficult now.

3.Whatistruesustainabilityinyourview?

In my opinion true sustainability is based on a practical understanding and application of the very simple definition in the Brundtland Commission report which essentially defines sustainable development as that form of development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising on the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

4.WhatdoesadayinthelifeofDr.Pachaurilooklike?

My life involves very long hours of work, and when I find I have many tasks to complete I often come in at odd hours in the night, often as early as 2.00 a.m., and work for several hours in my office. I have to travel a lot and hence several of my days during the year are taken up in international travel as well.

“Visionary and Pioneer of the Green Building Movement in India"

QuestionswithGreenLeader:RKPachauri

10

Dr. R K Pachauri Director General TERI.

5. Describeaprojectofyours,thathastrulyinspiredyouandwhy…

The project that inspired me a great deal was what we launched at my Institute in 1995 as the project called Growth with Resource Enhancement of Environment and Nature (GREEN 2047). In this project we at TERI assessed what India has done in managing its natural resources in the first fifty years of independence i.e. from 1947 to 1997, and where we were likely to go by 2047. The results of this project were a major revelation.

8. Name any buildings and projects(modernorhistoric)whichyouregardasonethefinestexamplesofgreen&sustainabledesign.

TERI’s building known as RETREAT is a unique and pioneering example of green and sustainable design. It has been an inspiring example for many green buildings that have followed since its inauguration in the year 2000.

6. The funniest question someoneaskedyouabout“Green”?

The funniest question someone asked me about green was whether painting buildings green would be environmentally friendly.

9. Describeyourpersonalityandpassion.

My personality and passion revolve around bringing about change in attitudes and actions of society, so that we restore our respect and reverence for nature in all human activities.

10. What are the critical elements,you believe, for India to become aworld leader in the green buildingmovement?

I think the only way India can become a world leader in the green building movement is to create public awareness on the benefits that all of us would reap by moving in that direction.

7. What Dr.Pachauri does when hasfreetime(awayfromthehecticworldofarchitecture&TERI)?

I have very little free time, but I always find time to play cricket actively for a day on each weekend during the cricket season, and swim during the summer months every day I am in New Delhi. When I fly I work and if I have the time I write fiction. I have recently published a book called Return to Almora.

Inspired to be GREEN thanks Dr.RK Pachauri, Director General TERI for his valuable time towards this inspiring interview with us.

Inspired to be GREEN I January - February 2010 I 3

Green Construction with a Great Concept in MindThe TERI University Campus: Vasant Kunj

On a plot of two acres, the 1000,000 sq ft university campus comprises an administrative block, an office block and a hostel block. The campus is aesthetically designed with several features of passive solar design, energy-efficiency and water and waste management systems.

The genesis of TERI University is rooted in comprehensive research, consultancy, and outreach activities of TERI. The TERI University offers world-class research facilities to students with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and well-equipped laboratories.

Located at Vasant Kunj in South Delhi, the new TERI University campus has been planned to provide a setting that enhances learning and showcases the concept of modern green buildings. A hostel will also be part of the campus.

The Building is designed by Mr.Sanjay Mohe (Architect) and executed by M/S CONFOSS CONSTRUCTIONS, E- 108, Lower Ground Floor, Greater Kailash Enlclave Part – I, New Delhi.

Compiled by Mrs Milli Mazumdar & Mrs Priyanka Kochar.

The planning and orientation of spaces and building blocks

ensures glare-free daylight in all regularly occupied areas.

All the liner blocks are oriented in East-West direction with

shorter facades facing the sun. The form of the building

self shades the glazing such that direct sunlight is blocked

at critical times of the day. The exposed facades and walls

on the east and west directions have limited glazing.

The shading devices are designed such that the windows

are completely shaded during the summer, which also

contributes to reduction in cooling energy demand of the

building. Energy efficiency is further enhanced by insulation

of the walls and roof; and use of high performance window

glazing to minimize thermal gain.

Orientation Green features

• Insulationofexternalwallswithrockwool.

• Insulationonterracedonewithvermiculiteandpuff

insulation topped with China mosaic for efficient

heatreflection.

• Double insulation synergy azur glass is used in

externalfacadewithaluminumglazing.

• EarthAirTunnel,ThermalmassandVRVsystemfor

coolingthebuilding.

• HunterDouglaslouversandpergolasareusedinthe

buildingforcontrollingtheintensityofincomingsun

rays.

• Solarwaterheatingsystem.

• WastewaterrecyclingwithSTP.


The predominant wind direction is taken into account in

designing the open space. The hot air from outside moves

into the central court where it passes over the water body

and fountain. The air thus gets humidified and becomes

cooler. This makes the central atrium area always cooler

than the surrounding exterior.

Use of efficient double glazing window units helps significantly reduce the heat gained through window glazing in the summers and the heat lost in the winters without compromising on the day lighting integration and the levels of visual comfort.

The walls that are exposed to the harsh solar rays have a stone cladding which is fixed to the wall by channels. The air gap between the wall and the stone cladding by itself acts as an insulation layer. On the facades rock wool insulation is also provided in the wall. Energy efficiency is further

proposed to be enhanced by insulation in the roof slab.

Envelope-Design

Section through the building

To reduce the water demand, buildings in the campus have been provided with low flow fixtures such as dual flush toilets, low flow taps and sensor taps that would result in 25% savings in water use. Further, the wastewater generated from the hostel building equivalent to 8 KL/day will be treated through efficient biological process using a combination of microorganisms and bio-media filter. The treatment system requires low area and energy. The treated water meets the prescribed standards for landscape irrigation. Rainwater run-off from roof and the site would be used for recharge of aquifer. This would enhance the sustainable yield in areas where over-development has

depleted the aquifer.

Water Management

Natural Ventilation

Cooling SystemThe campus is equipped with three types of cooling

systems, integrated to take advantage of different

innovative technologies to achieve energy efficiency.

They are discussed briefly as under.

• Earth Air Tunnel (EAT)

• Variable refrigerant volume systems (VRV)

• Thermal storage

Earthairtunnelsystem

It is used for free cooling / heating of the building for a major

part of the year. This technology uses the heat sink property

of earth to maintain comfortable temperatures inside the

building. Supplementary systems have been used for extreme

conditions (monsoon). In such a system energy savings of

nearly 50% compared to conventional system can be achieved.

At the campus, this system is used for providing comfort for

the rooms in hostel block.

The VRV system is a modern air-conditioning system, similar to an

efficient version of a split air conditioner. The VRV system is highly

efficient under partial load conditions and therefore, has been

used in areas with varying occupancies such as the office block,

laboratories, administrative block and recreation & dining areas

of the hostel block. It features customized control of individual

zones. Depending on the cooling demands of the building, variable

Thermal mass storage is used in the classrooms.

It involves storing energy when available and using

it when required. In the proposed arrangement,

cooling of the thermal mass is done during night

(when ambient temperatures are lower). During

daytime when ambient temperature is high, the

thermal storage is used as sink for the fresh air

requirement. Estimated energy savings of up to

40% can be achieved with this system.

refrigerant volumes circulate through the chillers. The VRV system also eliminates the requirement of a plant room; piping

& ducting for chilled water; and contributes to 15% energy savings as compared to a conventional air conditioning system.


Variablerefrigerantvolumesystems(VRV)

ThermalMassStorage

ArtificialLightingThe campus has an efficient artificial lighting system designed

for minimizing the energy consumption without compromising the

visual comfort in the building. The system takes advantage of day

lighting wherever available.

Efficient lamps with high lumen output fixed with mirror optics

reflectors and bat-wing louvers for glare free uniform illumination

have been installed. All fixtures have energy saving electronic

ballasts. With efficient designing the lighting loads have been

reduced from 2W/m2 to 1 W/m2.

In areas where daylight is available, fixtures have

been fitted with continuous dimming electronic

ballasts. These fixtures are controlled by light sensors,

which automatically dim the connected fixtures to

achieve uniform illumination required for the task.

In areas with non-uniform occupancy, Occupancy

sensors that can turn off the lights when the space

is unoccupied have been installed. This kind of

sophisticated lighting system has a potential of saving

70% lighting energy demand.

Day Lighting

A View of Admin. Block Teri University

SummaryIn an integrated scenario to achieve efficiency, all the above measures will contribute to 60% energy savings in comparison

to a conventionally designed building. The water saving measures will have 25% reduction in the potable water use only

by use of efficient fixtures. In addition, reuse of wastewater for irrigation purpose through resource and energy efficient

biological process and rainwater harvesting for aquifer recharge would also contribute to efficient water management.

Inspired to be GREEN is impressed by the sustainable design of the TERI university and is looking forward to more

buildings designed in a very GREEN way. We thank Confoss Group for sharing this valuable information with us.

For more information on the projects and Confoss, please visit the website www.confoss.com or write to [email protected]

InyourGarden• Water the garden early in the morning or late in the

evening. This reduces water loss due to evaporation. • Explore water efficient irrigation systems. Sprinkler

irrigation and drip irrigation can be adapted to garden situations.

• If you have little space in your garden, you could make a compost pit to turn organic waste from the kitchen and garden to soil enriching manure.

• While shopping buy fruit and vegetables that are in season to help reduce enormous transport costs resulting from importing produce and, where possible, choose locally produced food.

• When buying fish look out for a variety of non-endangered species and buy local fish if possible.

AtRenovationtime• Make the renovations to incorporate green strategies

like daylight and ventilation.• Chose low VOC paints and adhesives.• Use local and eco friendly materials & products.• Select water saving fixtures for your toilets and kitchen.• Use BEE rated equipment and appliances.• Recycle the waste generated from construction like

scrap & packaging material.• Install CFC free air conditioning equipment with high

energy rating.• Improve the building envelope system by installing

insulation in roof and walls as well as select a high performance glass window with uPVC frame.

AtHome• Choose energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.• Save water: some simple steps can go a long way in

saving water like for e.g: you should always turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth. And try to collect the water used to wash vegetables and salad to water your houseplants.

• Let clothes dry naturally.• Keep lids on pans when cooking to prevent your cooker

having to work extra hard• Prefer to use gas ovens, Geysers etc in place of the

electric ones.• Recycle your paper, glass, plastics and other waste.• Use rechargeable batteries.• Send e-greetings instead of paper cards.

AttheOffice• Use printers that can print on both sides of the paper;

try to look into this option when replacing old printers.• Use the back of a draft or unwanted printout instead

of notebooks. Even with a double-sided printer there is likely to be plenty of spare paper to use!

• Always buy recycled paper - for your business stationery and to use in your printers.

• Switch off computer monitors, printers and other equipment at the end of each day. Though in standby mode they're still using power - and that adds to global warming.

• Always turn off your office light and computer monitor when you go out for lunch or to a meeting..

Going green is not only about living and working in a Green Building. There are so many ways to go green in your day to day life. If it is simple, fast and gives you the joy of showing your love & respect for our Mother Earth, then why not try these out. Make as many of these tips a part of your life and the environment and your friends will smile back!

We need a Green Revolution to save the planet that gives us life.Inspired to be GREEN I January - February 2010 I 9

Formas delicadas y tecnología innovadora por fin se combinan en beneficio del avance sostenible. La nueva W+W es la suma de elementos indispensables para ahorrar agua y espacio. Porque su sistema renovador filtra el agua del lavamanos para reutilizarla en la descarga de la cisterna. Y porque su diseño exclusivo en forma de “L” sintetiza en un único cuerpo lo que hasta hoy era impensable, consiguiendo libertad de movimientos. Un cruce de caminos entre sofisticación y amor al planeta.

Premio Diseño

DISEÑO + SOSTENIBILIDAD =

Washbasin+Watercloset

R-6

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Roca Sanitario, S.A. · Av. Diagonal 513 · 08029 Barcelona

Delicate forms and innovative technology combine at last in the interests of sustainable progress. The new W+W is the sum of indispensable elements for saving both water and space, because its renovation system filters the wastewater from the basin and reuses it in the discharge of the cistern, and because its exclusive L-shaped design brings together in a single body what until now was unthinkable, giving greater freedom of movement. A meeting of the ways between sophistication and love for the planet.

Design Award

DESIGN + SUSTAINABILITY =


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W+WRoca Sanitario, S.A. · Av. Diagonal 513 · 08029 Barcelona

W+W is the fusion of washbasin and watercloset in one single piece. Complemented with the Single Pro faucet series, it is the logical choice when sustainability and good design are the priority. All in one.

CISTERNA WC

TRATAMIENTODEPÓSITO DE

TRATAMIENTO DE AGUASISTEMA DE

SELECTIVOSISTEMA DE FILTRAJE

NO SE DESPERDICIAEL AGUA CORRIENTE

CISTERNA WC





CISTERNA WC





CISTERNA WC




NO SE DESPERDICIAEL AGUA CORRIENTE The running water is not wasted

System of selective filtering

System of water processing

Deposit of processing


Now every drop counts for two.All of the water that falls into the white ceramic of the washbasin follows an exclusive drainage system. Thanks to a filtering system, the larger waste products are separated out from the water, and only the liquid passes directly into a small treatment tank where it is purified. Each discharge is made directly from this tank, which is connected to the watercloset cistern. In this way, the water supplied is clean and hygienic and is used down to the last drop.

Technology in the service of the environment.The exclusive Single Pro faucet series was born out of the same need to find sustainable solutions that respect the environment. For this reason, it saves both space and water. On the one hand, it presents a compact format with smooth, minimalist lines, and on the other, it contains a progressive cartridge which enables water to be saved.In addition, its revolutionary system opens directly in the cold position, avoiding turning on the boiler unnecessarily and so reducing CO2 emissions. W+W is the fusion of washbasin and watercloset in one single piece. Complemented with the Single Pro faucet series, it is the logical choice when sustainability and good design are the priority. All in one.


Design Award

DESIGN + SUSTAINABILITY =


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W+W

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W+WRoca Sanitario, S.A. · Av. Diagonal 513 · 08029 Barcelona

Now every drop counts for two.All of the water that falls into the white ceramic of the washbasin follows an exclusive drainage system. Thanks to a filtering system, the larger waste products are separated out from the water, and only the liquid passes directly into a small treatment tank where it is purified. Each discharge is made directly from this tank, which is connected to the watercloset cistern. In this way, the water supplied is clean and hygienic and is used down to the last drop.

Technology in the service of the environment.The exclusive Single Pro faucet series was born out of the same need to find sustainable solutions that respect the environment. For this reason, it saves both space and water. On the one hand, it presents a compact format with smooth, minimalist lines, and on the other, it contains a progressive cartridge which enables water to be saved. In addition, its revolutionary system opens directly in the cold position, avoiding turning on the boiler unnecessarily and so reducing CO2 emissions.

W+W is the fusion of washbasin and watercloset in one single piece. Complemented with the Single Pro faucet series, it is the logical choice when sustainability and good design are the priority. All in one.

EL AGUA CORRIENTE NO SE DESPERDICIA

SISTEMA DE FILTRAJESELECTIVO

SISTEMA DE TRATAMIENTO DE AGUA

DEPÓSITO DE TRATAMIENTO

CISTERNA WC

Ref. 893020001

Roca is the world leader in bathroom spaces. For years we have anticipated the future thinking of solutions that best adapt to consumers’ tastes and requirements.

DesignWe surround ourselves with the world’s finest architects and designers, such as Ferrater, Chipperfield, Moneo, Schmidt & Lackner, Herzog & de Meuron… We want to offer a design that will make your bathroom a unique space.

InnovationWe have our own Innovation Lab where we experiment every day with new ideas, designs and materials, with the sole aim of enhancing your bathroom experience and providing solutions to make your everyday life more comfortable.

SustainabilityWe love our planet and we demonstrate it every day. For this reason, our products have advanced water- and energy-saving devices that permit balanced and sustainable co-existence with our environment.

Roca GuaranteeEvery one of the products we sell complies with all specific European regulations. We offer you the finest product with the best guarantee. Our goal is your total satisfaction.

Cistern WC


GROW YOUR OXYGEN

Oxygen is the very essence of life! However, it is suggested that many of us have low levels of oxygen in our bodies. Over the last several thousand years it is estimated that the amount of oxygen in the air has fallen significantly and now stands at around 21%. However some cities around the world are recording levels of oxygen as low as 12%. At 7% human life can no longer exist.Why has it dropped so much? Simple - man is to blame. We pollute the air with carbon-based fuels and other chemicals and we are destroying our natural oxygen farms, the rain forests. This means more carbon dioxide and less oxygen throughout the world.

Many people do not know their bodies are suffering from low oxygen and toxins caused by the effects of pollution and bad diets, but may not recognise the symptoms which include: low energy, interrupted sleeping patterns, frequent colds and infections, poor concentration and general poor health.

• Stimulate brain activity• Increase memory capacity• Boost concentration• Develop stronger alertness• Raise energy levels• Improve strength• Build endurance• Detox your blood• Reduce stress• Calm anxiety• Alleviate tension headaches• Remedy irregular sleeping patterns• Help with cardiovascular activity• Prevent lactic acid build up• Strengthen the immune system• Revitalise the skin• Ease hangovers

• A single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. That means two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four!

• Over the course its life, a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide.

• Trees help cool down the atmosphere. They can bring down your air conditioning costs by up to 20 percent.

What can optimum level of oxygen can do to us?

GROW YOUR OXYGEN

Trees are our breathing partners. We may not live in a forest, but we need trees in order to live. People and animals depend on trees and plants for oxygen. As we breathe in, our body uses oxygen. As we breathe out, it gives off carbon dioxide. Trees do just the opposite. They take in Carbon Dioxide and then release oxygen (which also helps clean the air).

Trees also help cool the Earth. Trees give off moisture. More moisture in the air means more rain and all living things need water. Trees cool the air by shading and through water evaporation. They act like huge pumps to cycle water up from the soil back into the air. The 200,000 leaves on a healthy 100 foot tree can take 11,000 gallons of water from the soil and breathe it into the air in a single growing season.

Trees are a natural resource that can be renewed - by the planting of trees - replacing the trees that are harvested for use by people. We depend on forest products for things like the wood we burn for heat and the wood we use to make houses and furniture. We use trees for the paper to make books and letters we write. Actually, there are more than 5,000 things made from trees. Trees give us baseball bats, shoe polish, and even tooth paste that comes from tree extracts.

Today, the people and companies that manage our nation's forests recognize that trees are a valuable resource and that it is in the best interest of each of us to conserve them. The idea of sustainable forestry means trying to keep things in balance - when trees are cut down to make paper and other products, new trees are planted or regrow naturally. Forests helps wildlife by providing them food and a home. Trees and forests help us by cleaning our air, soil, and water - and provide a place for you to camp and hike! So you can help the world by planting a tree.

1. Spider Plant(Chlorophytum comosum) This variety is effective at removing formaldehydes, and tests have shown that it can remove more than 95% of the carbon monoxide in a room.

Improve your Indoor Oxygen level with these landscape specimens

2. Peace Lily(Spathiphyllum) This Lily excels at cleansing alcohol, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde from the air and does very well under artificial light – one for the office.

3. Ficus AliiIn recent years this attractive South East Asian plant has increased in popularity. It’s easy to grow, resistant to insects and is an efficient air purifier.

4. Bromeliad(Aechmea fasciata) Long lasting pink and blue flowers make this a real statement plant. Excellent for formaldehyde and xylene.

5. Rubber Plant(Ficus elastica) Does very well at removing all indoor toxins, and is especially effective at removing formaldehyde.

6. Orchid(Dendrobium) Excellent for removing acetone, ammonia, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methyl alcohol, formaldehyde and xylene.

This article is been written by Santhosh M, final year student of Architecture from Chennai.Inspired to be GREEN I January - February 2010 I 13

Spider Plant Peace Lily

OrchidBromeliad

Why You Need to Live

in a Green Home?Introduction

"Home is where the heart is and a safe & pleasant place to be. Poor or rich, no children or a dozen children, adults have the control to make any place a good home.”

The question that comes to mind, does “safe” only refer to protection from thieves and forces of nature? What about the home being safe for its occupants? Do you actually know the quality of the indoor environment you live in? Does “pleasant” only have to do with the design and interiors? Does it come at the cost of destroying nature and other species on the earth? What kind of world are we leaving for our future generations?

Housing in India:It is our responsibility, as residents of India, to look beyond the old paradigm and look at our home, in a broader context and more responsible way. Our homes not only affect our lives, but affect the world around us. A simple step towards a more holistic lifestyle can have compounded effects on our environment.

The population of our country has crossed the 1 billion mark and with the energy used by the residential sector is 22% of total energy consumption. A majority of this power comes from coal and oil; both having severe negative impact on the environment. With the economic growth, the housing sector growth has also flourished. The most critical issue is if this growth is sustainable and has a minimum negative impact on the environment.

The domestic waste generated in our country which is sent to landfills is also staggering. We all generate waste, but in most countries, a majority of this waste is recycled or reused. Our lifestyle and awareness about the environment is lacking and hence these sustainable practices have not been implemented in majority of homes.

We spend more than 85% of our life in an indoor environment and it is not uncommon to live in homes which have inadequate fresh air and ventilation.These are some of the many reasons why all homes to be built, should be designed and built in a sustainable manner.

The Home & Its Occupants:Do you have any idea what a major impact the home can have on its occupants? A home can affect our physical as well as mental health. The design of a home can facilitate natural light and ventilation as well as provide a connection to the outdoors. Construction as well as selection of building materials is also critical to ensure no materials are selected, which have toxic effects on the occupant’s health.

Countless studies have been done which prove the positive impact of fresh air and daylight can have on individuals. Research shows an improvement of up to 20% in productivity and well being of individuals who work and study in such indoor environment. Children learn better in schools which conform to these standards.

Megapolis Pune

India has always been Green!

Green Buildings and homes is not a new concept, the principles have been successfully done for centuries in the past. Our heritage buildings are great examples of truly sustainable buildings. The Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Hawa Mahal are great examples of buildings which followed these principles to the “T”. The green concepts were also used in residential buildings like the Havelis and courtyard homes. At a time where people did not have air conditioners and artificial lights, the designs had to utilize these free natural resources. Materials were predominantly procured locally and the waste generated during construction was minimal. And it is such a joy and pleasure, to experience the breathtaking architecture and comfortable indoor environment in any of these buildings.We do not need to reinvent the wheel, we only have to recognize the knowledge and wisdom of our past and incorporate these in today’s context of lifestyle and construction requirements.

What is a Green Home?

“A green home incorporates smart design, technology, construction and maintenance elements to significantly lessen the negative impact of the home on the environment and improve the health of the people who live inside.” (US Green Building Council)A green home doesn’t cost much more than a regular design but it has a much better market value. Green Homes will approximately cost 3% to 5% more than conventional building constructions. The payback period for the higher investment is around 3 years and will be recovered through the energy & water savings.

Benefits of Green Homes

• Improved energy efficiency, between 20% to 50% energy savings over conventional homes

• Increased water savings, around 30% to 50%• Toxin free materials & natural ventilation for better

indoor air quality• Increased use of regional materials & products with

recycled content• Promotes use of daylight for better health &

productivity• CFC free equipment• Reduces/eliminates negative environmental impact• Improved asset value and marketability

Tepeyac HavenPasco, WashingtonLEED Gold Certified

Taj MahalAgra

Salim Ji Ki Haveli Jaisalmer

Hawa MahalJaipur

RedfortDelhi

Margarido House, North CaliforniaLEED Platinum Certified


Designing and building a green home is not a complicated process. The most important factor is the project team’s understanding and commitment to Green.

The process of going Green involves the whole project team, i.e. the architect, landscape architect, HVAC, electrical, plumbing engineers, and contractor and for the most benefit, should start at the Conceptual design stage itself.

IGBC Green Home Rating SystemThe Indian Green Building Council with over 500 committed members launched the first rating system for residential buildings in India. IGBC Green Homes is based on the LEED New Construction and LEED Homes but has been modified to reflect residential architecture and construction in India and our culture. National priorities are addressed in Green Homes, water and energy efficiency play a big role next to reduced use of fossil fuels and virgin materials, also handling of household waste and wellbeing of occupants is a criteria for a Green Home. Like in all LEED rating systems certification levels from certified over silver and gold up to platinum are achievable for projects which are reducing the negative environmental impacts.

The Rating system consists of six categories and nine prerequisites. Credit Points can be earned under Site Selection and Planning, Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Materials, Indoor Environmental Quality and Innovation & Design Process. The diagram illustrates the importance of each category, and shows that Energy and Water Efficiency together cover more than half of the total 80 Points.

The potential of Green Homes is amazing because 75% to 80 % of the real estate demand comes from the residential sector. Developers like Mahindra Life-spaces and Aliens Group took the chance and came up with a completely new definition of residential buildings. These include climate appropriate design, building materials with recycled content, water saving fixtures, VOC free paints, and an energy saving building envelope additional to green areas which help create a healthy environment.

For further information about the IGBC Green Homes Rating System visit the website of the Indian Green Building Council www.igbc.in

Site Selection

WaterEfficiency

Energy Efficiency

MaterialsIndoor

Environmental Quality

Innovation

Site SelectionWater

Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

MaterialsIndoor

Environmental Quality

Innovation

Site Selection and Planning

Water Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

Materials

Indoor Environmental Quality

Innovation and Design Process

Chart showing point distribution and weightage of green homes

How to Make your Home, a Green Home?

BCIL T ZED Green Home Platinum Rated Mahindra Royale Pre Certified Platinum,Pune

Kalpataru Hills Pre Certified Platinum, Thane

Green Grace Pre Certified Platinum, Hyderabad

20 Simple Strategies to Go Green:

Here are some of the strategies that make a home Green. You do not have to implement all of them but incorporating will make a difference to your operational costs as well as put a smile on Mother Earth’s face:

1. Sustainable Site• Retain at least 25% of the site as vegetated open space• Provide electric charging stations to encourage alternative fuel vehicle• Use a light color (painted or light tiles) to reflect heat away• Chose a site which is close to basic amenities like ATM, shops, schools etc

2. Water Efficiency• Select water conserving fixtures like water closets, faucets and showers• Reduce the amount of turf in the landscape, use native ground covers• Implement a rainwater harvesting plan for all roof run-off water• Install water meters to understand and gauge your consumption

3. Energy Efficiency• Improve building envelope performance by choosing appropriate glass, wall and roof• Install solar hot water heating system• Use efficient lighting technologies and fixtures like CFL’s and LED’s• Use BEE star rated equipment and appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators etc

4. Materials and Resources• Separate waste into recyclables like paper, plastic, metal and glass at source• Specify materials with high recycled content like AAC blocks, glass and steel• Procure materials locally (within 500 kilometres)• Reuse salvaged and refurbished materials / products when possible

5. Indoor Environmental Quality• Architectural design to provide adequate daylight and views for all spaces• Use LOW VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, adhesives, sealants and carpets• Utilize natural ventilation when possible and design to accommodate cross ventilation• Perform building “flush out” before occupancy, to remove construction contaminants.

The process of going Green is of course, much simpler and easy to implement in a new construction than in an existing home. From the above checklist, existing homes can implement these during renovation.

Conclusion:Green homes are, simply put, better homes. Homes built to these standards are energy & water saving, provide its occupants with an indoor environment which positively affect their health, reduce the impact on the nature and most importantly show our commitment and concern for our future generations.

Go Green, show you care for more than yourself! The author of this article is a green building consultant

working with Spectral Services Consultants. You can contact him at 09958882738. [email protected]

Mr.Dhruv Futnani, LEED AP


Designing Homes with Adequate

Natural Ventilation & Daylight

We all know that a good home should provide an indoor environment for occupants with adequate natural ventilation and daylight. “More easily said than done” is a statement that holds true when you have analyzed some of the homes in our cities and realize that and these basic requirements have not been satisfied in all cases.

Have you ever noticed the abundance of fresh air and daylight in any historic building or home? These were spaces which did not have air conditioning or artificial lights, and hence attention was paid to utilizing free natural resources. These buildings combined the use of materials, innovative technologies and understanding comfort related issues in buildings. The fact that these buildings are still functioning and pleasing to the eye is testament to the greatness of our heritage and wisdom.

Designers today, tend to overlook this challenge, only to hide the deficiencies in the built environment through artificial means. The role of an architect, is far greater than the designer of an aesthetically pleasing elevation and functional plan, and also includes understanding the comfort of occupants.

Natural ventilation and daylight have been proven through countless studies to improve health, productivity and overall well-being of the occupants. So does your home meet these minimum standards or do you need to rethink the environment you spend a majority of your life!

Windows: Daylight vs. Heat GainDaylight (which we have abundance of in India) needs to be carefully managed and dealt with in the design of buildings. While the light from the sun is critically important, the heat needs to be controlled. How often have we seen glass box buildings, which have more glare than light, resulting in curtains and blinds being closed and artificial lights burning through the day.

The windows are responsible for bringing in light and heat and hence the design should address both issues. The R value (resistance to heat transfer) of a window (high performance) is about 1/4th of a opaque wall, hence the placement, performance, size and shading are critical.

• North or South orientations preferred• Appropriate shading for all windows• Specifications of VLT (visible light transmittance), Solar

Factor / SHGC and U value• Windows between 2’6-7’6” contribute to views, above 7’6” are

for daylight only• Frame – uPVC are most energy efficient• Light shelves for spaces of larger depths

Glazing Factor = WindowArea [SF]

Floor Area [SF]x ( VLT x Constant)

Constant Values: Windows on wall : 0.2 Skylight : 1.0

Another rule of thumb is that light will penetrate 1.5 times the height of the window and hence for larger floor plates, courtyards can be introduced based on this calculation.

A simple rule of thumb to achieve daylight is to achieve 2% with formula below:

Natural Ventilation:The movement of air from the outside and through a space is termed as ventilation. Ventilation is critical to replenish the oxygen and remove contaminants in a space. A common issue known as “Sick Building Syndrome” is observed in building with inadequate fresh air being supplied and the spread of germs and a general uncomfortable feeling is experienced by the occupants.

Many designs claim ventilation by providing a window per space. This is incorrect, as for air to flow, there needs to be an inlet & outlet for air and some type of convective or pressure system. This is evident in any traditional home design incorporating courtyards. The courtyard is a store for cool air and windows open into the court. Equally important are the high level ventilators on the opposite side of the room, which when vented, create a negative pressure in the space, whereby drawing in the cool air from the courtyard.

While designing homes, a simple rule of thumb for fenestration to achieve adequate natural ventilation is as follows:

Please note that this refers to “openable area” and hence the type of window is critical – sliders allow only 50% operable and should be calculated.

Space Type Openable areas as a percentage of total carpet area

Living Spaces 13%

Kitchens 10.5%

Bathrooms 5%

Conclusion:A healthy and productive indoor environment is the result of careful and intelligent design. A design incorporating natural daylight and natural ventilation would certainly not cost anything more and the benefits are both monetary and intangible.

Buildings are made to keep us safe, happy and healthy. It’s up to us to demand this from our architects, MEP, building material & product manufacturers and the design & construction industry.


Author:Mr.AbhayDesaiDirector Marketing South Asia.

HEALTHY HIGH PERFORMANCE CLEANING A pathway to Sustainable Cleaning

Clean is just the beginning

Just imagine where we would be today without the means to remove harmful and unwanted contaminants from our buildings. Contaminants like bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi can adversely affect human health. Common dirt dust and soils can be contaminated with pesticides and other chemicals. Poor indoor quality is often associated with improper cleaning products and procedures. Aside from the obvious impact on health issues (respiratory illnesses, allergies, headaches etc) the cleaning products and procedures can also impact an organization financial bottom line. Without a doubt cleaning is important to protect our health as well as the buildings in which we live and work.

Also Users of cleaning products are increasingly aware of the need to conduct cleaning operations in a way that is ‘environmentally friendly’. But this doesn’t just mean using chemicals that are safe for the environment, it means minimizing all the many other environmental impacts that arise in making and using cleaning products, such as energy consumption and waste disposal. The term ‘improving sustainability’ is used to refer to making an improvement in the overall impact of cleaning.

There are three key steps, which are required to optimize sustainability:

• Choose products that are designed for sustainability as well as safety.

• Work with suppliers so that they responsibly manage their manufacturing impacts.

• Minimise the environmental impacts that arise during your cleaning operations.

Step1:Choose products that are designed for sustainability as well as safety.

a) Require your vendor to declare the list of banned ingredients. b) Ensure that the manufacturer produces enough evidence of the fact that the ingredients are selected not just for safety but optimize sustainability of the finished product when used diligently.

Step2Work with vendors so that they responsibly manage their manufacturing impacts.a) Ask your vendor for evidence that they have effective control of impacts during the manufacturing phase. Key areas include:

• Minimising raw material and finished product wastage during manufacture.

• Minimising consumption of energy and water.• Minimising emissions to sewer and atmosphere and, in

particular, controlling emissions of hazardous substances to avoid risk to people or the environment.

• Minimising packaging waste and recycling used packaging.• Operating an Environmental Management System.• Operating procedures to prevent accidental emissions.• Operating Occupational Health & Safety systems

to protect staff.

Step3Minimise the environmental impacts that arise during your cleaning operations.

How?• Define what task the cleaning products will be used for and

buy products which deliver the required performance.• Analyse and reduce rework rates. First time cleaning is

essential to minimise waste, particularly in energy intensive operations such as machine dishwashing.

• Favour more concentrated products, where applicable.• Dilute and use products according to the manufacturer’s

instructions using accurate dosing systems where appropriate.

• Service cleaning equipment regularly, particularly critical items such as dosing pumps for automated machines.

• Train staff, for example using BICSc courses which detail out the way we handle cleaning chemicals.

Smart building owners and managers in organizations from across all sectors and industries are taking actions to reduce the negative impact of s of their facilities.

Healthy High Performance Cleaning programs are designed to improve a buildings environmental quality and sustainability with a cost neutral or cost reduction impact on operations. It is a unique, all inclusive approach to cleaning that helps ensure a clean and safe work environment, increase employee productivity and satisfaction and enhance the value and integrity of buildings while reflecting organizational mission and values.

The HHPC program starts with environmentally preferable chemicals then offers proven cleaning strategies, procedures and purchasing guidelines for consumables, tools and cleaning Equipment. With a HHPC program you get:

1. A clear perspective on the need for green cleaning and green cleaning concepts.

2. Cleaning strategies procedures and guidelines backed by the most up to date training support tools.

3. Environmentally preferable janitorial guidelines for chemicals, paper tools and cleaning equipment.

4. A pathway to earn credits towards certification under the LEED for existing buildings Green building Rating system

The Healthy High Performance Cleaning takes traditional cleaning beyond appearances with procedures designed to make your building the safest, healthiest, and the cleanest it has ever been. The most important step is to understand that cleaning plays a huge role in the health of the buildings occupants. Cleaning also directly affects the asset value of the building. The end goal of the HHPC program is to simplify the lives of customers by providing more than environmentally preferable cleaning products and helping them achieve safe, healthy, high productivity facilities.

Ground Source heat pumpS

In contrast, the Geo-Thermal Heat Pump uses the same type of compressorized refrigeration system to remove heat from the building, but it transfers the heat into the temperate earth and not into hot air. Because it is easier to move heat to the cooler earth than into the sweltering summer air, Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps do not have to work as hard to cool your home. This efficiency has a bottom line - substantial savings reflected in your monthly utility bill.

When heating, the compressor system of the Geo-Thermal Heat Pump uses the heat energy stored in the earth to efficiently heat your home while other heat pump systems are laboring to gather heat from the frigid outdoor air, or are even freezing up. Because Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps utilize such a large amount of the earth’s stored energy, they are typically more efficient than even heaters which burn environmentally damaging fossil fuels.

Geo-Thermal wonder works by taking advantage of the near constant temperature of the earth which exists only a few feet below the surface. For example, when cooling, air-to-air heat pumps and other air conditioning units found in most homes actually remove heat from the air in the building through their compressorized refrigeration mechanisms and move the heat to the outdoors where they attempt to expel it into the air. As summer progresses and the average daytime temperatures raise, these other units find it more difficult to expel this heat into hot air-the system actually loses efficiency and labors to keep up with cooling demands.

An Energy Efficient Air-Condition System. India’s First Installation.

Inspired to be GREEN thanks Mr.Mahesh, of McD Built Environment Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. for sharing with us this valuable information.

Ground source heat pump - Section

Ground source heat pump uses ground to reject the heat. Conventional heat pumps (chillers or Air conditioners) reject heat, either to water or air. The ground temperature below 4 m is always constant and it is equal to annual average temperature of a particular geographical location. For Bangalore, the temperature below the earth is 24 C (Described in EAT section). The ground system links the heat pump to the underground and allows for extraction of heat from the ground or injection of heat into the ground. The system can maintain space temperature up to 22 C.

Types of Ground Source Heat Pumps

• Vertical Open loop• Vertical Closed loop• Horizontal loop

Advantages

• It consumes 70% of the energy compared to conventional highly efficient water cooled chillers.

• User can set to any temperature in the range of 180 C to 280 C.

• Can work in huge diversity temperature ranging from 10% to 100%.

• Able to produce hot water for residents at lower energy cost.

• Best suitable for hot and humid climate.• No water requirement because this is a closed loop.

Project InformationProject: National Data centre for Aircel, Gurgaon, New DelhiNo of bore holes: 28 nosDepth of the bore well: 140 mtsEquipment size: 20 TR x 3 nos (2 working + 1 standby)Inlet water temperature to bore well: 34.40COutlet water temperature from bore well: 29.4 0CAverage Heat rejection : 40 W / mAchieved COP: 4.2 to 4.8

Team InformationGSHP Consultant: McD BERL: Contact Mr. Mahesh, Mob: 098453 24942, Web: www.mcdberl.comGSHP Installation company: Wipro Eco EnergyGSHP Supplier: Climate Master, USA.


l e e dd e c o d e d SustainableSitesCredit2:CommunityConnectivity

IntentTo channel development to urban areas with existing infrastructure, protect green-fields, and preserve habitat and natural resources.

Constructorrenovateabuildingonasitethatmeetsthefollowing4criteria:• Located on a previously developed site.• Within 1/2 mile (0.8 KM) of a residential area

or neighborhood with an average density of 10 units per acre net.

• Within 1/2 mile (0.8 KM) of at least 10 basic services.• Has pedestrian access between the building

and the services.

LEED-CI v2.0: Sustainable Sites Credit 2 – Development Density Harvard Law School Offices, 125 Mount Auburn, Second Floor

Harvard Green Campus Initiative Prepared by: Andrea Ruedy 5 June 2008

HLS Offices 125 Massachusetts Avenue

Second Floor Cambridge, MA 02138

½ mile radius

• Bank / ATM• Place of Worship• Convenience Grocery• Day Care Center• Cleaners• Fire Station• Beauty Salon• Hardware• Laundry• Library• Medical or Dental Office

• Senior Care Facility• Park• Pharmacy• Post Office• Restaurant• School• Supermarket• Theater• Community Center• Fitness Center• Museum

SubmittalDocuments:• Map (to scale) showing

project entrance and radius of ½ mile shown.

• Basic services marked on the map, with legend.

• Residential development with density.

• Photos of services / facilities.

Notes

• Basicservicescanbeonsiteorwithinradius,butshouldbefunctioningattimeofcommissioningofbuilding.• Multipleshopsprovidingsameserviceisnotpermitted(Evenif3ATM’sor4GroceryStoresarepresent,only1

canbecountedforeachservice).• Radiusiscalculatedaroundamainbuildingentrance.

BasicServicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

LEED-CI v2.0: Sustainable Sites Credit 2 – Development Density Harvard Law School Offices, 125 Mount Auburn, Second Floor

Harvard Green Campus Initiative Prepared by: Andrea Ruedy 5 June 2008

HLS Offices 125 Massachusetts Avenue

Second Floor Cambridge, MA 02138

½ mile radius

BasicServicesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:

Do you know the quality of air you breathe when you are in your home or office? Is there enough oxygen and have the contaminants been removed? Did you know that plants can improve the

quality of the indoor environment of our buildings?

Imagine breathing air which contains more oxygen and less pollutants and being in a space that can actually help improving your health. Oxygen levels have been directly

linked to productivity and the feeling of well being. And of course, the psychological effect of being connected to nature, even if you are on the 32nd floor.

ELT India has introduced an innovative solution to provide the benefits

of landscape in buildings and the design requires minimal floor area and maintenance. These stand alone vertical gardens are affordable for

households and suitable for small offices & commercial spaces. The company specialized in vertical gardens & roof gardens introduced this

system in India specifically for smaller scale, hassle free applications. Selection of plant medium is specific to the light levels and the

individual requirements. The plants could be chosen from a wide variety of indoor plants.

The stand alone systems are available in 3 sizes and they can be installed in any place with sufficient daylight. Watering of the plants is very simple through a small tank which is built in the frame of the panel. The panel allows the water to travel down to the bottom, providing adequate water for the entire vegetated medium. A similar tank collects the excess water, making the system very neat and tidy. The frame of the new system can be designed to suit the interiors of the place.

Invest in your health and happiness… After all, what could be more important! Inspired to be Green is very happy to have one of the first stand alone systems in the Chennai office.

For more information please contact ELT India, Mr Pradeep Barpande, Mobile: 9923020000 or write a mail to [email protected]

Water Tank


Green Personality of the Month:

Frank Costanzo Mr.FrankCostanzoDirector/ConsultantPeerlessGreenInitiatives,Chennai

A deep Green Interview...Can you tell us about your background andwhatmadeyougiveupthepracticeoflawtobeagreenconsultant?

Well, because of my background, I like to think that I bring a unique skill set to the eco-consultant facilitation marketplace. I’m also amazed how the blessings of life have worked out so poetically in my case. When I was in college and law school I was extremely active in the budding green movement. Then I graduated and-like many of my lawyer peers- you chase the position that offers the best benefits. Unfortunately, commercial insurance litigation firms won over green-advocacy. (Laugh) However, it couldn’t be more perfect because for fifteen years I assembled all the skill sets necessary to become an ‘all round’ consultant and facilitator.

As a litigation attorney, your stock and trade is your ability to deeply and fully find and analyse every factor that can influence a case one way or the other. You also have to get inside your opponent’s head and you have to know every detail of your client’s business. Many of my peers would interview clients in their air conditioned offices and soft leather chairs...not me. I came from a business background...my great-grandfather started a hardware store that still operates today. For me, there’s nothing like understanding someone’s operations by studying it -first-hand- in the field. So, I’d frequently be found wearing a hardhat on construction-sites, spending long nights with Madras IIT techs doing copywrite forensics for Mumbai-based BPO platforms, or wearing hip waders for a due diligence for commercial fishing vessel. The advantage it gave me when it came time to stand-and-deliver in front of a judge or jury was immense.

So when I achieved the freedom to choose my career path, I let my heart lead and brain follow. I harmonized my international legal, business and economic background with my passion for the green movement. I also utilized my deep network of experts in India and U.S. to build my consultant ‘dream team.’

The benefit of my experience is that I know how big and small businesses think. Plus we’ve finally arrived in an age where ‘going-green’ makes business sense beyond CSR (corporate sustainability and responsibility). It’s unfortunate that we need to think that way, but the reality is that businesses (by and large) only start thinking CSR when their bottom lines are fat or if they have an image they need to protect. So now we in the green industry have the distinct advantage of offering solutions that allow businesses to fatten their bottom lines regardless of their dedication to sustainability. I guess that’s another advantage of being a former lawyer with a business background- you become very practical and economic minded in your approach.

Tell me about your consultation companyPeerlessGreenInitiatives?WhatisPGI?

The PGI mission ethos is two-fold in that it consults and is an advisory; and it is also a network portal that creates and facilitates project and business plans to fruition. PGI also is adept at creating and securing strategic relationships -tie ups- domestically and internationally, between privates, NGO’s and public-private partnerships. At PGI, we’re skilled at vertical integration of process and can offer end-to-end solutions that can really impact the research, development or supply of new green technology, materials and processes.

We’re all pleased with the economic ties that our respective countries are establishing. It’s very encouraging for the green industry as well as combating global warming, which obviously knows no political borders. When a group from Madras IT won the New York ‘Next Big Idea’ award, that made us at PGI very excited and inspired to continue pushing the envelope of green business development.

WhatisthescopeofPGI’srangeofservices?

We focus on four areas: energy, sustainable building, responsible agricultural practices, and ‘green’ certifications (LEED, WFTO, FLO, Organic to name a few.) Then we have two sub-sectors: support of rural primary education and environmental crisis management. We couple that with creating and negotiating domestic and cross-border U.S.-India strategic alliances for the best development and use of the state-of –the-art; funding core missions through public private partnerships and NGO’s and so on.

What I can say philosophically, regarding PGI’s ethos, is that we use our wide reach network to be a force multiplier for clients. To use the sourcing vernacular...our core group has extensive vertical penetration along a wide horizontal spectrum.

Translationplease?

Ha...yes, ok. Well we have as our core some of the finest in the industry in areas including LEED architecture/ engineering/construction, energy R&D techs, organic horticulturists, conservationists and IT engineers. Our sciences-set is what makes us ‘peerless.’ We overlay that with top-shelf professionals in business, vertical integration, supply-lining, trade practices, law, economics, licensure, government relations/lobbying and media. That set is what makes us able to facilitate tie-ups and projects. That’s the ‘initiative’ aspect of what we do.

SoyouliveandworkinIndia?

Yes, and I love it. Before starting Peerless Green Initiatives (PGI) I was general counsel to many U.S. companies with interests in India and I was enamoured with the development of India as an up-and-coming economic power. Also some of my closet colleagues were Indians and NRI’s and I really cliqued with their balanced business mindset. The best thing about getting into the green movement in India is that it doesn’t come with a lot of the other baggage that exists in certain sectors. Media and politics worry about border threats, business sector worry about outcompeting China...but the green-set flies above all that, and with the growing amount of Government incentives and great institutions like the India Green Building Counsel, we’re witnessing a period of innovation that makes every other Indian sector envious. (Laughing) It true...I mean, in the U.S. the government has been providing massive incentives for promotion and innovative of green business models, and I’m pleased to see the Indian Government, particularly in Tamil Nadu, has joined in introducing strong incentives for the development of green non-grid-dependent solutions for the burgeoning energy building and agricultural demands. Economic scientists like Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner have shown that people respond strongly to strong incentives. Those incentives, for example LEED, World Fair Trade and Fair Trade Labelling fuel the engine of green innovative development.


I could fill a volume with all the India economic forecast data in my head. But it suffices to say ‘going green’ is not a luxury- its mandatory if India is to continue its current trajectory. It’s a well quoted fact that 6% of India’s grid potential comes from wind energy, but only 1.5% is being utilized...reason being that all the incentives were put into facilitating erection of turbines but not for their on-going operation. That’s where PGI focuses. Building relationships, alliances and using its lobby arm to balance the benefits. We’re very holistic in our project approach and it pays dividends for our clients and the industry as a whole.

What do you see as the industry’s; yourcompany’sgreatestchallenge?

I think we’re facing the same challenge as the rest of the industry....how to distribute the concept of using eco-sustainable alternatives in sectors accustom to conventional ways and means... sectors that are often addicted to non-renewables, fossil-fuel and grid dependency. It disturbs me to see these massive 1000+ unit development plans for North Chennai with no CSR plan in mind. We have to enlighten that sector that incorporating LEED principles at the planning stage is vital to the region’s survival...literally. They should put as much analysis in sustainable building factors as they do determining whether the building foundation is on solid footing.

Whatadvicewouldyougivetogreenbusinessownersandstart-ups?

Those starting ventures or growing existing ventures need to have a solid business-plan but when the calculations lead to questions of risk, the unavoidable fact is that is the cost of being a pioneer... of being entrepreneurial. I gave a lecture at Kodai International School and I used the example of Henry Ford (who by the way planned his model T to run on corn alcohol) who failed three times before starting his successful

brand. The students were shocked and we had a lively discussion regarding the value of failure. Being unafraid of failure, and seeing failure as an opportunity for future modification and success, changes one’s risk tolerance and their perceptions about risk. I know I’m sounding like I’m a mix of Donald Trump and J. Krishnamurti, but you know, I read Krishnamurti’s compendium ‘On Fear’ probably ten times through my life and you find that it applies so easily to business that I credit much of PGI’s meteoric success to his vision.

My personal value-added to consulting venture start-ups is that I’ve represented 1000’s of businesses as a lawyer and you end up ‘living’ their successes as well as learning what mistakes they’ve made. I have immense first-hand knowledge regarding suitable strategies and where the snares may lie.

So to those business owners I say that these are exciting times we are living. Never in the history of Man have the stakes been so high, and never has mankind had to change its habits and infra-structure more dramatically. If you’re not willing to be part of it, you’re in trouble, because the ‘risk analysis’ of not being part of it is fatal. Literally. I think I have a right to comment because I’m an American who loves living in American and I decided that I could make the difference I want by being maverick and having my boots-on-the-ground here in India. And I love the experience of consulting here. I’m pleased to say that I’ve had more than a few hesitant clients –in India and US- who I’ve helped ‘see the light’ and exercise their spirit of entrepreneurialism effectively, and now they enjoy life at the helm of healthy companies or tied in fruitful US-India relationships.

Let me finish this interview by thanking Inspired to be Green for this opportunity and it providing the industry with such a quality and timely periodical. It’s a great source of information, insight and a terrific forum.

Mr.FrankCostanzo

PEERLESS GREEN INITIATIVES www.peerlessgreen.net

[email protected]

Applications of Shading Structures• Cafeterias & Food Courts

• Exhibition & Convention Centers

• Roof Top Structures

• Canopies

• Swimming pools Covers

• Vehicle Parking

• Resorts

Tensile Membrane Structures“Architecturally Engineered”

Space Frames “Robust Versatile Aesthetic”

Shading Structures “Functional & Aesthetic”

It redefines the way shading structures can be conceived and designed. Their creative shapes and inspiring forms are dynamic and contemporary to today's ambience.

Fabrics used in Tensile Structures have following features:Unlike other materials these fabric have high strength to weight ratio that allows lighter construction.

• Out standing dimensional stability

• High Tensile Strength

• Very Durable

• UV Resistant

• Flame Retardant

• Less Maintenance

Chiet Advantages of Space Frames • Minimum Structure Weight

• Long clear spans & Cantilivers

• Accomodates concentrated loads

Aesthetically designed Space Frames cover large spans. The Space Frames can be cladded with polycarbonate sheets or colour coated metal sheets to provide shelter. Accentuates the entry points and adds prominance to the spaces.

Shading structural solutions for various functional requirements can be desined and erected using lexan polycarbonate sheets. Freedom of design is possible because of light weight structuring system and flexibility of polycarbonate sheets.

Applications of Tensile Member Structures • Canopies

• Rooftop Structures

• Walkway Covering

• Vehicle Parking Covering

• Swimming Pool Covering

• Bus Shelters

Shading Devices

• Supports irregular supports

• Preengineered and prefabricated to avoid site work

• Reusable with simple dis-assembly

GREEN BUILDINGCONSULTANCYby

Mr.Rumi Engineer,DGM, Godrej & Boyce.

Growth is necessary for development of individual and nation as a whole. India’s growth rate is pegged at modest 8% . Construction Industry has significant contribution in India’s GDP.

There are modern day evils associated with developmental measures adapted today. Development should adapt sustainable measures and Focus on Environmental benign impacts.

Hence whenever one thinks of constructing/ renovating a building… Think green.

Why Green ….Green is an iconic word for sustainability. sustainability encompasses features like site , water, energy, materials and indoor environmental quality IGBC has been spearheading the movement since past couple of years.

Myth #1 : Green Buildings are costly..? Incremental cost solely depends on project’s baseline cost. Now a days in competitive environment the baseline has improved considerably with respect to the past hence incremental cost is marginal.

Green building is not a Cost but an Investment which pays back in form of rich dividends to all the stake holders year on year.

Myth #2 : Green Buildings result in time overruns..? Normally a construction project of 10 Lac sq.ft built up area, takes 2 years minimum or more to complete.

There is no activity in the green building certification which will span more than the project completion time lines. All the activity runs parallel to the project activities. There is absolutely no chance of project time lines getting impacted.

Myth #3 : Green Buildings … lots of documentation..? Documentation by way of drawings, calculations and technical submittals is anyway done for all the projects.

Same documentation is compiled and collated in a structured manner which benefits the project’s design team and facility staff who operates the building.

Benefits of going in for a Green Building

• Win-Win situation for all the stake holders.• Energy & water savings features considered and

built in right from the design.• Measurement and verification of the energy & water

consumption in the building.• Measurement & verification will bring in the

accountability and help in optimization of resource use and result in cost control.

• Good ambience (internal & external) for the occupier.• Waste management & recycling of materials helps

reduction in pollution and burden on landfill.

Godrej Green Building Consultancy renders services in three different areas.

1. Facilitation.2. Energy & Lighting simulation. 3. Fundamental and enhanced commissioning.

Facilitation :

Facilitator is an anchor to the project team guiding them through entire journey of certification process.

• Conduct training for the team members to understand the gamut of documentation.

• Review the status of documentation. • Sharing wealth of information for sourcing of

vendors, materials.• Evaluation & promotion of new technologies. • Review the documentation prior to submission. • Interpret the review by the assessor and explain to

project team.

Energy & Lighting Simulation :

Prior to freezing up of designs, materials and equipment specs, simulating the building design on the software goes a long way in helping the designer to make judicious decision.

Similar exercise can be taken up for lighting design. Day light consideration with glare control is very important aspect in the lighting design. Simulation facilitates the designers by displaying virtual images of the interiors to gauge the situation which will be prevalent after construction.

For commercial green buildings it is mandatory to meet the ASHRAE 90.1.2007. In Cores & Shell project it is mandatory to demonstrate 14% saving over and above the ASHRAE 90.1.2007 benchmark.

Chunk of Investment in a building is attributed to

1. Glazing : High performance double glazed unit assembly

2. Roof Insulation : Overdeck roof insulation3. HVAC : High efficiency chillers, pumps, motors,

drives, heat recovery wheels4. Indoor air quality : CO2 Sensors, demand control

ventilation

To optimize on the CAPEX one needs to have best mix & match of the above measures mentioned above.

In absence of energy & lighting simulation exercise, it is virtually not possible to arrive at best efficiency measure suitable for the project.


Fundamental & Enhanced Commissioning Building design has world class architectural features, robust and versatile HVAC design, selection of Hi-Eff. equipments etc. Will the building systems operate as intended and results in the savings..?

The answer is emphatic NO !

In any building be it green or non-green the systems in the building have sub-systems which are interactive with each other. This complicates the matter hence one requires to test and integrate the systems.

Fundamental commissioning commences right from the design stage, continues through the construction stage and ends with the project completion.

Design stage is very critical to understand the projects requirement and also work jointly with the MEP consultants to optimize the Capex. Even operation and maintenance cost has to be given due consideration during design stage itself.

Verifying of system performance at site and co-relating with the design is known as Testing and Commissioning (T & C) of systems.

There are different type of T & C performed, some may be sampling and other could be 100% comprehensive.

Preparation of system manual and training to facility staff is one of the important feature of fundamental commissioning.

Enhanced Commissioning : After completion of project, post occupancy this period is very critical in any project. The project team hands over the systems to facility staff, smooth transition is what one looks for.

Commissioning agent facilitates the process and carries on with the review of the operations of the system and also help resolve the pending issues in the project.

Measurement & Verification Proof of the pudding is in eating! One cannot improve till one measures one’s performance, keeping in mind this adage, measurement and verification is like having display panel in the car.

Imagine driving a car without the display panel. No indication of how much fuel is left, what is the oil level, engine temperature and what speed are we driving etc.

With all the herculean efforts put in through out the journey at end if one does not have robust monitoring system in place how can one gauge the benefit derived from all the initiatives taken up for energy and water optimization.

Commissioning, measurement & verification is very critical to all the building be it green or conventional.

Energy simulation, commissioning, measurement & verification are a must for all the buildings to realize the potential of energy and water saving.

In a building Operational and Maintenance (O & M) cost outweigh the capital investment. The analogy is of iceberg.

Cap (30%) of iceberg is the CAPEX and the base, which one cannot fathom underneath (70%) is the operations and maintenance cost.

A modest Target of 10% Saving in Operation & Maintenance Costs will outweigh the 20% saving in the Capex.

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A really green home at the showgroundAll visitors could see how simple green principles are implemented. Compressed paper boards were used for the ceiling, Bamboo was prominently used as furniture and green walls formed an attractive indoor space. The exhibitors showcased their products and could feature their systems better than at a “conventional” exhibition.

The ‘Eco-Friendly Model Home’ is a compilation and assembly of various ‘green materials’ like recycled plywood, energy savings paints, UPVC windows, to name a few. Around and outside the Model Home, there was a display of numerous materials. A film on application of eco-friendly materials and methods was run at intervals inside the model home.

Usually professionals are aware of the need to use green; however, the actual system of using it, right from identification and sourcing the material to the execution and inter-linkage of the technologies is a matter of detailing which is non –standard. This essentially means that there is a gap between the awareness of the principles and the need, to the actual usage of the materials and technology at professional level. In addition, there is a need to

educate the common man, the client, the customer, the buyer and the end-user. Many a times, this role of an educator falls upon the designer, the architect or builder. While the desire to be and design green is present, one is usually unable to translate into reality due to incomplete knowledge.

It was expected that the Eco-friendly Model Home present in Constro along with the stalls for the materials and technology providers was covering required aspects completely. While the actual house demonstrated the usage, the looks, the inter-linkage etc, the details as regards pricing, availability and other administrative aspects were available in the stalls. One could obtain end-to-end information for actual design and execution of the ‘Eco-friendly Model Home’.

Green Model Home with slide show of green technologies

Mr. R .B Chaphalkar explaining the eco-friendly concept in the Green model home.

Energy-efficient lighting & ceiling construction with compresses paper boards.

Chairman of Constro 2009, Mr J.P Shroff,

While so many people talk about green – and so many others doubt that all green technologies/materials can be applied, the Constro in Pune organized by Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation (PCERF) Shows:

green model home


As bamboo is a very “green”, rapidly renewable and versatile building material – the Contro in Pune showcased also a “Bamboo-House”.

The Bamboo house was clearing any misconceptions about bamboo and perceived limited usages! In fact, it should inspire many a visitor to actually use bamboo in their projects. Since ‘seeing is believing’, this attempt to create a structure in bamboo got sceptics to rethink! Additional information and guidance about bamboo was available from the personnel at the stall for ‘National Bamboo Mission’ thus, one obtained end-to-end information for actual execution of bamboo usage.

How Green is Bamboo?• Bamboo is not a tree – it’s a grass, and it grows like

one, many species of bamboo can grow two feet or more a day.

• When it’s harvested, it need not be replanted, because it will grow a new shoot from its extensive roots system.

• Bamboo renews itself readily, unlike hardwood trees, which once cut, are gone forever.

• Bamboo is an endlessly renewable resource.

• Bamboo is a viable replacement for wood. It is one of the strongest building materials, with a tensile that rivals steel and weight-to-strength ratio surpassing that of graphite.

• Bamboo is a critical element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

• It helps reduce the carbon dioxide gases blamed for global warming.

• Some bamboo even sequesters up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare, which makes it an extremely efficient replenisher of fresh air.

• Bamboo plays an important role in construction industry because of its versatility and appropriateness for affordable housing in India.

• Potential of Bamboo as construction material has been already explored, experimented and implemented by designers, engineers, and institutions like KONBAC, National Bamboo Mission and INBAR to name a few.

Bamboo house model at exhibition

Bamboo Cot Bamboo stool

bamboo house

bamboo house

With COFFOR stay-in-place formwork technology, eco-friendly construction is possible without compromising on TIME, QUALITY and COST of construction. Its an eco-friendly company, making "green" products.

Their product is "eco-friendly" because it allows the use of various "green" filler materials, i.e. laterite, clay, ash, which reduces the use of concrete for GF and GF +1 structure. Depletion of natural resources is reduced, as less wood is used compared to conventional structures and also much less water compared to brick masonry. Use of brick is decreased/eliminated, reducing the amount of natural resources and energy used to

make them. The use of oils to clean metal sheeting is eliminated.

Transportation is reduced (saving Gasoline) as COFFOR panel can be folded flat for shipment. This uses far less space than brick trucks. For example, 1 house can be constructed in 1 container of COFFOR panel, as opposed to almost 5 trucks of brick. The company manufactures locally, eliminating need for international shipments.Coffor's operating practices are also eco-friendly, for example, 1 tree was planted for every 1000sq.ft. of developed landscape area for their latest project.

A new way to build GREEN an Innovation seen at CONSTRO

Small wind turbine, solar streetlight, roof garden & vertical garden

Reuse of glass bottles for lighting

Constro 2009 in Pune Pune organized by Pune Construction Engineering Research Foundation (PCERF). inspired more people in the construction community to go green and we are excited to see also more exhibitions turning towards green. Thanks to Mr.K.P.Baney (President - Constro 2009), Mr.J.P.Shroff (Chairman of Constro 2009), Mr.S.S.Nivasarkar, Chairman of Bamboo House Committee, Mr.K.B.Chaphalkar (President of Association of Civil Engineers India) and the whole committee for this lovely exhibition and the information.

Isabelle, from Inspired to be GREEN was present there to witness the events happening at the exhibition. Which enabled her to pen down this article.


green innovations

THE Confoss GROUP

Solutions Offered

• Civil Construction• Interiors• Sanitary• Landscaping• Roads• Industrial Building• Residential Building• Electrical - H.T & L.T• Air Conditioning Works• Lan & Security Systems• Fire Fighting & Fire Alarm Systems

TERI University

Housing Project at Gurgoan

Indian Oil Building, Gurgoan

Metro Station

CONFOSS Constructions is an Indian group of associated companies engaged in construction & real estate development businesses spread over various fields of construction industry. It is also one of the very few companies that has environment friendly operations.

Green Buildings

Housing

Industrial

Institutional

Infrastructure

Contact Information CONFOSS Group

Delhi Office:

E-108, Lower Ground Floor,

Greater Kailash Enclave - INew Delhi 110048

Tel: +91-11-26242723Fax: +91-11-26241823

Cell: +91-9310270358, +91-9810652482Website: www.confoss.com

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

TERI Retreat

About Confoss

Confoss Constructions is an ISO 9001:2000 certified Indian group of associated

companies engaged in construction & real estate development businesses

spread over various fields of construction industry. Civil construction of all types

such as Green buildings, Multistory Housing, Industrial, Institution and other

infrastructure projects are done by the company. Confoss undertakes all type

of disciplines involved in the constructions such as Interiors, Plumbing , Water

Supply, Air Conditioning and more. It is one of the very few companies that offers

environment friendly operations. In times of global warming and a foreseeable

energy crisis Confoss strives for using renewable sources of energy.

Mr.TirlochanSingh,Managing Director and Founder of Confoss

For more information on the projects and Confoss, please visit the website www.confoss.com or write to [email protected]

Tirlochan Singh, Managing Director and founder of Confoss, has applied his management and engineering skills into

maturing this company. A man of strong ideas and values, Mr. Singh dedicated more than 2 decades into building a

company of high status and market repute. Mr. Gurvinder Singh engineer by profession and director of the company is

main force behind the company undertaking the technical and site execution or the major project. The company has

completed a number of projects in India, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yamen, Nepal and Russia.

Other project of Confoss include Underground Metro Station, Indian Oil Building at Gurgaon and TERI Retreat Resort

at Gurgaon. The company offers professional services with state-of-art technology to match international standards,

meeting deadlines and satisfying clients beyond expectations. That is the reason behind the healthy market reputation

and a positive word of mouth from satisfied clients who contributed vastly to the growth of the company. With a strong

support system, dedicated personnel and keep eye on the goal, only sky is the limit for Confoss...


LITTER FREEAUROVILLE

Collective Waste Management

Welcome to...

The LFA campaign is an initiative of Soma Waste Management, Auroville, in collaboration with Eco Service and many volunteers from Auroville - to be more precise: over 1800 people participated in the days activities, significantly higher than the organizer expected! LFA wants to make all of us aware of our waste-generating behaviour and of the need to upscale waste management in Auroville.

Its an extraordinary event which took place in Auroville, the town project aiming at human unity as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. 25 teams of children from twelve schools, of employers and employees, and of residents and guests were single-mindedly involved in a sweeping clean-up action, clearing roads and roadsides of carelessly discarded litter throughout the city and its immediate environment.

“That’s not all”, says Ribhu, one of the young coordinators of LFA, the “Litter-free Auroville” campaign. “We heaped up the collected garbage and demonstrate its segregation and sorting, to ensure that most of it can later be recycled. We had an interactive exhibition with games, puppet shows, quizzes, pledges, and lots of information on global and local pollution and on composting and recycling.”

The Litter Free Auroville Concept

The Strategy behind Litter Free Auroville:Goals

1. Waste avoidance and reduction.2. Pollution free environment.

These are high aspirations and long term goals, but we felt that all initiatives should be steps forward towards achieving these goals.

Objectives

• Awareness: To promote and create awareness on positive waste disposal practices and the impacts of waste on the environment (air, water, soil).

• Actual waste clean-up: To have the highest community participation in AV to date in collecting litter in half a day in AV.

Create a platform for change: To create an interactive platform for the exchange and dissemination of ideas and advocacy of best practices. Develop ideas and translate them into action which would be a step towards reaching our goals.

• It is very much an objective of this campaign so I strongly felt it should be included with the other two.

LITTER FREEAUROVILLE


India’s waste generationOfficial estimates of waste generation in Indian cities range from 180 to 800 gm per capita per day. The waste generation in India amounts to about 1 lakh tons a day, i.e. 365 lakh tons a year – which is probably an estimate on the lower side. Yet, in sheer volume it is enough waste to build a complete Chinese Wall every few years.

Urban local bodies spent between Rs. 500 and 1,500 per ton, 70% on collection, 30% on transport, and hardly anything on treatment and disposal. Out of all waste collected, about 94% is dumped, 5% is composted, and very little is recycled.

Need for solid waste management Where not discarded properly, litter blocks drains which leads to fly and mosquito breeding and thus to the spread of diseases.

Where not disposed of adequately, trash and litter is ingested by animals on land and in the oceans causing their poisoning and death. This has far-reaching consequences on the food chain and the biosphere in general.

Leachate from dumpsites pollutes soil and groundwater and releases substances toxic to man and all living organisms.

The first step in all waste management is the separation of different types of waste at the source, to be followed, after collection, by some more refined separation and sorting, to keep the resource value of the material as high as possible i.e. to keep the materials recyclable.

Official comments On Nov. 20, 2009, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forest, GoI, said:

“I think that our cities have the dubious distinction of being the dirtiest cities in the world. There is no doubt about it. But if there is a Nobel Prize for dirt and filth, India will win it hands down. There is no competition for that, and we have to do something dramatic on municipal solid waste.”

On the same occasion, Mr. R. K. Pachauri, head of Nobel Prize winner Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said:

“It is important for every sector and every section of the society to understand that protecting the environment is not a luxury. It’s an intimate part of promoting the economic welfare of people.”

Solid waste figures of Auroville &the LFA Auroville produces everyday roughly 70kg of residual non-recyclable waste that needs to be buried in a dumpsite.

About 70% of Auroville households separate their waste appropriately i.e. into four or five waste categories.

Composting is being practiced in many communities, but not always efficiently.

The Auroville Eco Service separates the collected waste into more than 20 different waste streams and forwards them to recycling industries.

A small dumpsite was created in consideration of low groundwater levels, far distance from residents, and protection against stray cattle.

Yet Auroville’s generation of residual waste fills up the landfill too fast and is regarded as too high for a community that wants to excel in sustainability.

We have difficulty in assessing Auroville’s per-capita waste generation as our population of 2,100 people

employs about 5,000 people, hosts a large number of guests throughout the year, and receives thousands of visitors every weekend.

Inspired to be Green is excited to see similar actions all over India to bring more awareness about waste. Collective waste is one of the ideas into action but the team who worked on this project is Chandrah, Meera and Ribhu of the team of Litter Free Auroville.

Please visit www.collectivewaste.org to find out more…

In the evening a “trashion” show, accompanied by live music, demonstrated the creative use of discarded materials. 27 designers displayed clothes and accessories made only from waste materials in a "Trashion" Fashion Show, the grand finale of the Litter-Free Auroville campaign to encourage recycling and waste reduction.

The designers, who came from Auroville and all around India, transformed a wide range of recycled materials including vinyl records, casette tapes, tetrapak juice boxes, bubblewrap, rice sacks and plastic shopping bags, into stunning catwalk-ready creations. Materials for the clothes and accessories came primarily from Auroville's Eco-Service, factory waste and household trash.

- Victorian-era-inspired woven packing plastic see-through hoop skirt and bodice; created and modeled by French designer Arlet.

“Trashion” Show

Origami-folded magazine-page dress, with woven tetrapak boots and skirt with apple-packing foam leaves as hair decoration; designed by Jyotis Feraud.

Trashion Show !


ABSTRACT

The concept of free cooling in HVAC has been age old and due to increasing energy prices and the green building movement this topic is more popular than ever before. There is no single definition of free cooling and therefore it is perceived and applied differently. To many it is the natural cooling energy available.

DEFINING FREE COOLING WITH AN HVAC PERSPECTIVE

Free cooling takes place when the external ambient air enthalpy is less than the indoor air enthalpy and the cool external air is transferred to the building envelope. Free cooling is used in conjunction with air systems. Air conditioning systems either provide supply air using:

• A mixture of outside air and re-circulated air or

• 100% outside air system or in other terms dedicated outdoor air system.

• DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) is an independent unit for bringing in all the fresh air directly to each occupied space. In addition special DOAS units also condition the fresh air to a dew point where it is lower then the room design dew point, enabling the dehumidified fresh air to also take care of internal latent load.

• The room air & return air are maintained at 75°F / 50%RH.

• Red line depicts RA enthalpy line.

• The triangle shown in blue depicts free cooling on account of enthalpy which can be calculated using the enthalpy difference of Outside Air & Return Air.

• The area with supply air temperature less than the room return air temperature will give sensible free cooling calculated by difference in DBT between outside air & return air.

• The area when the air condition is less than the dew point temperature of room is an area with free latent load. This area has constant load not based on enthalpy difference. There is no free sensible cooling in this area.

UNDERSTANDING APPLIED FREE COOLING CONCEPT

As per figure 1, the Chart simplifies the concept of free cooling and how it is applied:

-Milind Mate & Rahul Aeron

Figure 1

• In the case of cool outside air the quantity of outside air is increased and the quantity of recirculated air is reduced to provide the required supply air temperature. In this way cooling by means of refrigeration equipment is avoided all together at certain times of year and often at night.

• Free cooling may be used with mixed outside air and re-circulation systems by the use of modulating dampers. Dampers are provided on the outside air intake duct

The main sources of natural cooling are:

1. Deep seawater.2. High altitude coldness.3. Nighttime coldness.4. Subterranean geothermal energy.

R. Mark Nunnely & several other authors have explained in various papers the advantages of the “Divide & Conquer (DAQ)” approach which separate the fresh air unit from the parallel terminal unit. To explain further in a DAQ approach the fresh air unit takes care of the entire fresh air load and deliver the ventilation /supply air at design temperature neutral with a dew point sufficiently lower than the design dew point to take care of the Internal latent load. Thus the parallel unit, be it FCU/Chilled Beams / AHUs has to only cater for the building envelop & internal sensible loadas both can be handled and managed independently. This design provides a very simple and economical approach to the building air conditioning design.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

DEDICATED OUTDOOR AIR SYS-TEM (DOAS) APPROACH

As explained above, in the DAQ approach the importance shifts to configuration and type of fresh air unit,often referred to as Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS). Depending on different geographical reasons & several other considerations various DOAS have been configured, designed & developed. The authors have been continuously studding & developing different configurations for a DOAS by using one or more of the following:

• Enthalpy wheel• Cooling Coil• Active dehumidification wheel• Passive dehumidification wheel• Sensible Wheel• Evaporative Cooling Pads

An intelligent combination of a total enthalpy wheel, cooling coil & passive desiccantdehumidification wheel (refer figure 3) offers the best solution in terms of substantial energy saving, offsetting internal latent load and “effective RH (relative humidity) management” by supplying air at a dew point lower than room design to take care of internal latent load in addition to removing fresh air latent & fresh air sensible load.

FREE COOLING AND ITS IMPLICATION IN A DOAS DESIGN APPLIED ON GLOBAL WEATHER PROFILE

To apply the free cooling concept for the most energy efficient DOAS design (enthalpy wheel, cooling coil & passive desiccant dehumidification wheel). The idea is to get holistic picture with a global prospect. To further demonstrate the importance of hourly data the study is further categorized into a 24 x 7 scenario and a normal working hours 9am to 5pm scenario.

As it is evident from the above data (Table3) the free cooling hours basis from one city to another, the DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) should be intelligently designed to decide its control logic on the basis of free cooling available. This can be done by controlling various parameters like supply air fan speed and bypass, different component speed and cooling coil temperature. An intelligent DOAS will offer a logical solution to ably utilize advantage of free cooling.

Free cooling from an HVAC perspective and is inclined to find that the most important criteria that governs free cooling is the ambient air condition. The HVAC equipment system design will govern the way free cooling is applied in the most effective manner.

Figure 3

Mumbai

GLOBAL WEATHER PROFILE

Geographical weather profiling is an understanding and study of various measurable parameters which govern the natural climatic conditioning of the various geographical region. Profiling plays a major role in assisting & applying HVAC concepts & designs with a weather profile backdrop.

The weather profile of any city is the key driving parameter in assessing free cooling value, the climate offers to any HVAC design.


To install an efficient working HVAC System in a building will help to save energy but the maintenance of those systems is equally important. As energy requirement for air conditioning takes up a huge percentage of the buildings total energy consumption it is worth to have a closer look and understand the efficiency of air conditioning systems over their lifecycle.

The energy usage in HVAC systems is split up between chillers, AHU and cooling tower. Depending on the climate conditions the energy consumption for cooling towers is responsible for a big share of the total HVAC-energy-consumption. Water is used in the HVAC cycle as transport medium of energy, it is pumped through heat exchangers, cooling towers and many other pipes. Using high quality water in the sense of purity will enhance the systems lifetime and an efficient working cooling cycle.

A bad water quality will impact the HVAC System negatively and can even destroy pipes what will result in downtime of the whole system. Other impacts are:

- Lost of production

- Low efficiency cooling

- Cleaning

- Re-tubing

- Poor system hygiene

- Cooling Towers

Water issues lead to major operation cost impact.

Analyzing important chemical properties can help to draw a conclusion about the water quality and take actions to clean the water before it is used in the system:

-Conductivity is proportional to the amount of dissolved solids in the water (calcium, magnesium, alkalinity, silica, sodium). Water with high conductivity leads to corrosion and has a great scale potential.

-Hardness is the amount of present calcium and magnesium. Increased hardness causes forming of hard deposits in heat exchangers and reduces the heat transfer.

-Alkalinity describes the amount of carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxide ions. These ions react with hardness of the water and form scale (calcium carbonate).

-pH value gives information if the water will contribute to corrosion (low pH) or scale (high pH).

Pipe with accumulation of calcium carbonate

Fouling the accumulation of solid material

Water &

Energy

Efficiency with

Economic Impact

MINERAL SCALEThe concentration of minerals along with other parameters will affect scale formation:

-Water temperature

-Water pH

-Suspended solids

-Water flow velocity

-Surface roughness

FOULINGFouling is the accumulation of solid material, other than scale, in a way that hampers the operation of equipment or contributes to its deterioration. Materials causing fouling could be silt, sand, mud, iron, dirt, dust and process contaminants like oils and microbiological-growth.

Mineral scale or foulant in a system (eg heat exchanger) has several negative impacts. It reduces the diameter of pipes what increases the pumping energy and reduces the heat transfer from one medium to the other. A heat-exchanger contaminated with foulant will have a drastically reduced efficiency. The insulating effect of foulant deposited on a clean heat transfer surface can be seen below:

An example of a 1000 TR Plant with 24/7 h operation shows the great impact of fouling on the energy consumption:

CORROSION Corrosion is caused like mineral scale from bad water quality. Depending on pH, temperature, dissolved solids, system deposits, water velocity and microbiological growth corrosion takes place on metal pipes.

MICROBIOLOGICAL GROWTHThree kinds of microorganisms are troublesome in HVAC systems, they are:

-Bacteria-Algae-Fungi

The bacteria form a sticky mass that causes fouling and reduces heat transfer. They also produce acidic waste which lowers pH and leads to corrosion. Iron deposits formed by the bacteria are enhancing the fouling. Bio-films are a 3 times better insulator than calcium carbonate scale.

Seeing the total cost of running a cooling tower: Energy of running a cooling tower is the main cost parameter which increases further as the water quality goes down. On the other hand cost of chemistry for purification is very little what which makes clear why water purification for cooling towers will payback within a few month.

CONCLUSIONProper water management helps to

+enhance life of equipments in systems+saves energy+reduces water consumption by increasing the recirculation rate+eliminates down time of the equipment

Fouling Factor Film Thickness on Tubes Increase in Energy0.0005 0.006 in 5.3%0.001 0.012 in 10.8 %0.002 0.024 in 21.5 %0.003 0.036 in 32.2 %

Fouling Factor

Film Thickness on Tubes

Increase in Energy

0.0005 0.006 in 5.3%0.001 0.012 in 10.8 %0.002 0.024 in 21.5 %0.003 0.036 in 32.2 %

Thanks to Mr Milind Pawar Sr. Service Manager & Strategy Manager – Water Solutions, Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls India, for providing us this valuable information on energy savings with clean water.


Sharmila Oswal,President GEF

“The ultimate test of man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard.”- Gaylord Nelson

Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible citizen of Mother Earth, seeking choices in ecology and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution and poverty, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in all living creatures.

Sustainability has to be a lifestyle. The way we live, work and enjoy should all have Mother Earth and her wellbeing at its core as priority. Such an attitude among the entire human race alone can give the planet a longer lease of life and make it liveable for our children and grandchildren. It is here that Green Energy Foundation intends to intervene.

Green Energy Foundation endeavours to bring about a total shift in the lifestyle of our people. Green Energy Foundation is an NGO based in INDIA with a view to spread the culture of sustainable living and disseminate knowledge & information to accomplish development with minimal hurt to Mother Earth while simultaneously endeavouring to reverse at least some of the damages caused by our generation and those which preceded ours.

Green Energy Foundation aims at working with like minded NGOs and self help groups all over the world and empanelling experts & organizations from the domains of environment-protection, nature & resources conservation, sustainable development-planning, green technologies etc. GEF works hand in hand with like minded organisations like Exnora, Snehalaya ( GEF’s initiative), IGBC etc.

GEF identifies passionate environmentalists and mould them to become Green-Leaders and role models to the upcoming generation. GEF develops reports on sustainability projects implement them either on their own or through other associate organizations, corporate or government institutions.

GEF is determined to work towards chanalising the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of corporates across the country. Further to enhance these corporate social responsibility initiatives, GEF has instituted Green CSR awards for those of the corporate who make outstanding contribution to the environment and promote sustainable life styles. The foundation also works closely alongside the government & local administration to develop policies & regulations addressing Sustainable Development. One of the main objective of the Green Energy Foundation is to create employment for the under privileged by turning the Sustainable Development efforts into viable economic activities. GEF trains and empowers local workforce for Green Jobs. Similar projects have been done in Pune for Rag pickers to create a dignity to the profession as “Service Providers”.

www.greenenerygymission.org

Sharmila Oswal,President GEF

To create awareness in the society regarding sustainable living, the foundation promotes green products and an environment friendly way of living. Additionally they conduct campaigns against unconscious hazardous material disposal which harm the environment and against usage of non-degradable substances. GEF provides guidance on recycling and reuse with intend to establish collection centres across the country for recyclables to facilitate economical processing of refuse materials for reuse. This is already started in a big way in the city of Pune along with the help of well wishing people from the society.

GEF is bound to bring together Green Entrepreneurs and Green Investors to work together for the enrichment of the planet.

Green Energy foundation is committed to Mother Earth in promoting sustainable energy sources including all renewable sources, such as biofuels, solar power, wind power, etc. Several of their major activities are concentrated towards conservation of water and energy. They promote usage of a lot of products ranging power savers for lighting loads to optimisation systems for pumping stations. GEF is also involved in advising on chiller optimisation for HVACs, use of Phase Changing Materials (PCM) for increasing the efficiency of air conditioners etc. GEF has a team of full-fledged energy auditors and environmental economists who put their best efforts to improve and save energy and eliminate energy over use wherever possible. Alongside this GEF works with builders to offer them green consultancy

services whereby the foundation helps with the construction of “highly energy efficient buildings”. The organisation works very actively on Eco- housing standards of The Science and Technology Park, Pune University, which helps the builders go green with an additional bonus of exclusive tax discounts.

Green Energy Foundation is well positioned to advice on sewage treatment and industrial effluent treatment technologies. Apart from this they are promote the use of water saving devices on taps, showers, faucets, toilets etc so as to reduce the unwanted wastage of water.

GEF is determined never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing things. Those who develop the technologies, who promote them and stand to profit most from them, are not those who suffer their risks. The analysis of technologies is biased toward their use because the technology promoters generally lack the expertise and the incentive to analyze the risks of the technologies for human health and the environment. Green Energy Foundation strives forward in the movement to attain global sustainable prosperity involving energy, environment and people.

Listen, and understand! That end is out there! It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. The destiny of the future is in our hands!!!!


Even the most enthusiastic climate optimist would have been disappointed with the outcome of the recent climate change conference. To have expected something like a new, detailed legal treaty would have been naïve; the Conference was always about long term signals and overall market sentiment and not about short term signals affecting carbon prices. A relatively new and excited media has a lot to do with this, especially in countries such as ours where (coverage of) climate change seems to only have been discovered in the last six months.

Three steps forward, two steps backThe fact that Heads of State are talking about the climate and willing to commit their countries to mitigation is a notable step forward. Never before in the history of negotiations has this happened. With over 90 heads of state in attendance on 18 December, it seemed like the Bella Center had become the epicenter of the free world.

The second important step is that major emission contributors are lining up as the key negotiators for the future. This kind of interaction served to mark the beginnings of recognition from both sides, developed and developing countries alike, that there is no other way to engage but commit to individually appropriate mitigation.

Third, the United States, having long become a climate laggard, is beginning to resurface. From a delegation size in the tens, often booed at meetings, COP 15 drew a team of close to five hundred.

But the conference back pedaled too. First, the disappearance from the text, of quantified emission limits is serious. It draws into question the likelihood of creating aggressive demand for emission reductions in the future, although studies suggest that the 2° stabilization ambition it sets for itself translates to 17Gt reduction in emissions. Now, whether emission reduction pledges will manage to achieve cuts of that magnitude is a different matter.

The conference also backtracked into the notion of national mitigation pledges, which, even with international monitoring, raises the issue of comparability.

Second, the Accord provides no clarity on the means of reduction. Even a simple paragraph saying that carbon

markets and offsets would remain post 2012 could have gone a long way to giving investors some assurance of a continued market, and stem the unnecessary speculation going on today. Nevertheless, considering economic, political and commercial arguments for project based offsets, we take the view that carbon markets and mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) will indeed remain a significant component means of mitigation in the 2012 regime. Whether the CDM will stay as is or morph into something similar is yet unclear. It is still important to note that Copenhagen did not create any imbalance to an already committed European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, set to achieve a 20% cut in emissions by 2020.

Post Copenhagen – A Focus on 2010by Emergent Ventures India

UN CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE 2009

What the Copenhagen Accord does and does not do The Accord calls for long-term cooperation on climate change and for the first time, recognizes the need to provide help to poor countries for adaptation. It finds some way to reach agreement on the very sensitive issue of monitoring developing countries’ reductions. For the first time in climate agreements, the text speaks of monetary commitments: the Accord promises short-term funding of $30 billion for projects in developing countries between 2010 and 2012 and aspires to provide $100 B / yr form mitigation and adaptation to 2020. Exactly where and how this money will flow is yet.

On the flip side, the Accord requires nothing specifically for developing and developed countries, except for what each country has decided to place as their “offer”, giving no certainty or signs of commensurate effort. And finally, the Accord is not legally binding, leaving open the option for countries to renege on commitments in the future, or worse, opt out. The United States having led the charge, at least visibly, can only be considered a good sign. But if firms were expecting to predict price signals from such a process, it would only show them to be inexperienced.

When the Accord was announced by various heads of states at various press conferences, many believed that it would be accompanied with a legally binding treaty by the next year. But as the same leaders disappeared thereafter and the paper entered into the negotiating rooms, opposition from a small group of vehement opponents led to the weakening of its legal status. Nevertheless, the leaders that showed up in Copenhagen seemed to have managed to make a difference by navigating their way to a suboptimal deal rather than no deal at all.

2010: Where the real focus should beThe hard work has only just begun. Copenhagen’s achievements are not trivial given the complexity of the issue and the differences in opinion between rich and poor countries. In order to deliver on his promises to reduce America’s greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and provide a chunk of that $100 billion, Mr. Obama must persuade the Senate to approve a cap-and-trade bill. This is no small task, although now that the health bill has been cleared, full attention can be given to the climate change bill. Meanwhile, there can be no let up by the world’s negotiators, no matter how tired they may be after Copenhagen. Countries have agreed to submit their national pledges and mitigation plans by the 30th of January. The Copenhagen Accord is an “in principle” kind of agreement, leaving open the question: how much of this can be made operational without detailed agreements? The UNFCCC together with Mexico’s leadership has the difficult task of coordinating the development of this detail, and one can only hope that countries stick to their individual promises and cooperate in the establishment of the rules. It is these rules that will have a significant effect on business – in terms of timelines, processes, modalities, and so on.

As it is, the pledges now on the table, from both rich and poor countries, are nowhere near enough to keep atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide from rising above dangerous levels. All of this will take time. After all, the Kyoto Protocol wasn’t born overnight, it took over three years to draft, and its “how to manual”, the Marrakech Accords, took another three years of concerted effort. And, things were still far from ready even after both were ratified and adopted.

So, national pledges are the starting point. The rest is the “how to legal detail that one can only hope will emerge in the coming months, and with the level of seriousness that is required to limit emissions to rising above dangerous levels. 2010 therefore remains a crucial year in the international climate process.

About Emergent VenturesEmergent Ventures is a leading firm in the area of climate change mitigation & sustainable development. EVI’s core areas of expertise include Carbon Advisory, Climate Change & Sustainability Advisory, Carbon Finance and Technology Solutions. EVI works with corporate, government organizations, technology players and financial funds to develop and execute business models that help mitigate climate change and promote sustainable development. EVI has experience of 250+ client engagements in over 10 countries and has sourced more than 100 million USD in various vehicles to invest in renewable energy & clean technology projects. EVI was established in 2004 and has a team of 100+ professionals working from several locations across the globe.

About the author - Mahua AcharyaMahua is the Chief Strategy Officer at Emergent Ventures. Prior to joining EVI, Mahua established the carbon investment business for Arcelormittal in London. Mahua has worked in leading roles at the World Bank, she also led and managed the development of the GHG Protocol with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Mahua has a Master’s degree from Yale University.


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Increased property value Certified Green is an innovative company with international experience in sustainable building design and energy-efficiency. The company supports the project design team in enhancing the energy-efficient design without interfering with the architecture architectural character and unique elevation of the building. The expertise of the company is to achieve great energy-savings with minimal incremental cost of construction. Certified Green is specialized in Green Homes (residential projects) as well as Green Factories. The great potential of energy-savings and increased indoor environmental quality for buildings like apartments, bungalows and factories has picked up momentum in India. Since Homes and Factories have very individual needs; Certified Green helps to integrate the whole project team in the energy-optimization and green design process. The Certified Green team works with knowledge, experience and passion for your energy & water-savings resulting in higher value of your property.

Services Feasibility study Green building strategies Energy & Daylight simulations Energy Optimization strategies Green product/systems sourcing Documentation and Facilitation to achieve LEED/IGBC Certification of projects

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Certified Green is an innovative company with international experience in sustainable building design and energy-efficiency. The company

supports the project design team in enhancing the energy-efficient design without interfering with the architecture architectural character

and unique elevation of the building. The expertise of the company is to achieve great energy-savings with minimal incremental cost

of construction. Certified Green is specialized in Green Homes (residential projects) as well as Green Factories. The great potential

of energy-savings and increased indoor environmental quality for buildings like apartments, bungalows and factories has picked up

momentum in India. Since Homes and Factories have very individual needs; Certified Green helps to integrate the whole project team in the

energy-optimization and green design process. The Certified Green team works with knowledge, experience and passion for your energy

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Innovative Products & Ideas

Shipping Containers Reused as Student Homes

High Efficient Insulation

Generate Power from Speed Bump

Wind-Powered Light

The project was developed for a contest promoted by an administrator of student assistance in France. The contest challenged architects to explore creative designs for student housing complexes that utilize shipping containers, with the aim of creating the first such structure in the country.

Olggas design comprises 2,900 square meters and would cost around 4.5 million euros. Each container is a room for one student, complete with a study area, bathroom, and living room. For more amazing shipping container abodes, check out Flavorwire’s assortment at www.flavorwire.com

TAK’s wind-powered light uses the moving air from cars zipping by on the highway to generate energy that can be used to power roadside lighting. It’s a controversial idea to use wind from passing cars for providing power for street-lights.

Aerogel as high efficient insulation: These blankets (Aspen Aerogel) have two to four times the insulating value per inch compared to fiberglass or foam. It's also relatively easy to work with, allows water vapor to pass through, and is fire resistant--a common demonstration of aerogels is to have a person fire a Bunsen burner below the aerogel while putting a hand on the top side. For more information please visit www.aerogel.com

KinerBumps are an above-ground product designed to replace existing speedbumps and for use in areas where traffic normally has to slow down to a stop, for example at a parking lot ticket gate. KinerBumps harvest the energy from existing traffic so that it can be used to run, among other things, nearby electrical signage or street lights.

A KinerBump with a height of 3.5 inches or and a travel length of 13 feet the bump produces 77 kWh of electricity per day when 10,000 cars go over it (ca. 1500kg), what is enough to light 300 CFL lights for 24 hours or power 5-10 households for one day. For information: www.kinergypower.com

Inspired to Be Green Journal: January 2010

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