This is the result of years of energy use and measures to harness renewable sources
Pondicherry Central University has saved around ₹1 crore in its annual energy bill by optimizing its energy use and using renewable sources.
Situated on a 780-acre green campus on the East Coast Road, the university has 15 schools, 50 departments and centres, a central equipment facility, a library, an administrative building, staff quarters and student dormitories.
demand is rising
The cost of electricity required to power the entire complex is estimated at ₹75 lakh per month. Officials said that with the ever-increasing demand for electricity, the university moved towards sustainable energy management with emphasis on tapping into renewable sources.
He said the benefits of lighter energy bills did not happen overnight, but were the culmination of a series of measures taken over the years.
It is reported that in early 2018, Vice-Chancellor Gurmeet Singh directed that overhead high-tension lines be replaced to reduce distribution losses and power failures due to bird hits and the attendant cost of fuel required for power Underground lines should be built. The generator complex simultaneously switched to energy efficient LED lighting. It is installing 139 multifunction meters and energy management software, which is expected to help in monitoring power quality and quantity from desktop computers.
Rooftop solar plants have been installed in 15 buildings to provide a total capacity of 1,223.5 kW. The solar panels installed in the campus generate 2.4 MW worth about ₹13 crore.
One of the most significant initiatives has been the roll-out of the 2.4-MW solar power project in March 2021. There is no financial commitment on the University for this. It is based on the RESCO model – recommended by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – whereby a company develops, installs, finances, operates and owns the project and supplies electricity to the customer.
The plant, which was formally commissioned by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu in September, is said to be the largest installation on any educational campus in the country. Assistant registrar and university spokesperson K. “We are now in a happy position where, apart from saving Rs 9 lakh on our monthly energy bill, the institute funnels about 1 lakh MW to the Puducherry power grid every month,” Mahesh said. He said the contribution to the grid would increase over the summer.
The University has also installed a 500 KVA diesel generator, a dedicated HT feeder and fire protection/fire fighting equipment at a cost of ₹7.14 crore. All traditional light-fittings are being replaced in phases with energy-saving LED light-fittings.
It is estimated that a third of the campus’s electricity requirement is being met through non-conventional energy generated for captive consumption, and has the potential to cut carbon emissions by 2,900 tonnes per year.
According to the spokesperson, measures are being taken to expand the rooftop solar installation to more buildings and gradually make the premises fully solar powered.