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The third phase of ECO Program which is built on the earlier phases, aims to develop the framework for institutionalizing energy efficiency at the state level through energy conservation action plan development and implementation, assist implementation of energy conservation building code, enhance energy efficiency initiatives in buildings, municipalities, and in SMEs, promote institutional capacity development, and coordinate energy efficiency projects and activities between India and the United States.
 
The Focus Areas of the on-going ECO-III Program are given below and for more information related to these areas can be gathered from 'Download Section':
 
1. Development of State Level Energy Conservation Action Plan: Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency have been planning and designing energy efficiency programs at the national levels. However there has been a need to undertake strong and vigorous decentralized programs at the State levels under EC Act 2001. Keeping this in view, the focus of ECO-III Project since early 2007 has been to develop and implement strategies related to the Act in Gujarat and Punjab. Considering 19 identified deliverables expected by BEE from State Designated Agencies under the EC Act, the Project enhanced the institutional capacity of Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) and Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) to initiate and deliver energy efficiency program and raise the profile of EC activities in the two respective states. The Project has provided technical assistance to GEDA and PEDA in developing Energy Conservation Action Plan (ECAP) for Gujarat and Punjab respectively, and formulated strategy and roadmap for ECAP implementation.
   
2. Implementation of Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC): BEE, with support from USAID, developed a draft Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in India under the USAID ECO-II project. Ministry of Power launched ECBC in May 2007 for its voluntary adoption in the country. ECO-III Project has been assisting BEE in the implementation of ECBC, and has carried out a number of activities. These include ECBC Awareness and Training Programs, and development of ECBC Tip Sheets on Building Envelope, Lighting, HVAC, and Energy Simulation, etc., for capacity building and speedy dissemination of information and knowledge related to ECBC amongst practicing architects, building designers, energy auditors/consultants, State Designated Agencies and Municipalities.
   
3. Promoting Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings and Municipalities: Energy use in buildings is one of the fastest growing components of energy demand in India. A few studies on building energy use suggest that 20-40% energy could be saved through cost-effective energy-efficient interventions in the existing buildings. Similar energy saving potential exists in street lighting and water pumping facilities of municipalities/urban local bodies. ECO-III Project has been providing technical assistance to the concerned authorities in Gujarat and Punjab to initiate several activities to enhance energy efficiency in existing buildings and municipalities. The Project has developed ‘Energy Assessment Guide for Commercial Buildings’, and is currently developing framework of energy benchmarks of commercial buildings in India in association with BEE.
   
4. Promoting Energy Efficiency in Small and Medium Enterprises: Implementation and replication of energy efficiency measures in SMEs has remained a big challenge despite substantive efforts in the past 20 years. Recently Bureau of Energy efficiency has taken a nationwide energy efficiency program covering 25 SME clusters. ECO-III selected two textile clusters (at Ludhiana and Ahmedabad), one steel re-rolling mill cluster (at Mandi Govindgarh) and a ‘Cross-cutting technologies’ Component (at Ahmedabad). The Project has carried out pre-investigative studies, pre-feasibility studies and investment grade audits in the clusters to facilitate energy efficiency projects implementation, besides developing a business model in partnership with Vatva Industry Association, equipment suppliers and GEDA to propagate cross cutting technologies in SMEs clusters in Ahmedabad.
   
5. Development of Energy Efficiency Industry Association: High-energy costs are driving the demand for energy auditing and development of Energy Efficiency Services, though these are still very weak in terms of the delivery of verifiable energy savings. At present there are a few Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in India. ESCO projects are mostly being carried out under guaranteed energy savings scheme, with investment financed by the facility owner or project host. There is growing demand for energy efficiency services and performance contracting in the government buildings and municipalities. ECO-III has been providing technical assistance to Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) in improving energy efficiency through ESCO model in street lighting and water pumping facilities in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of Gujarat.
   
6. Promoting DSM and EC Program: Developing a Utility/Electricity Regulatory driven Demand Side Management (DSM) and Energy Conservation (EC) Program is a cost effective and commercially viable practice through which Electric Utilities can effectively reduce energy losses in the power distribution systems and enhance end-use energy efficiency, thereby reducing the power demand at the generation/supply side. DSM practices are normally facilitated through regulatory mandates or incentives. ECO-III is developing a roadmap for a Utility driven Program with focus two DSM measures such as replacement of inefficient lamps and air conditioning systems with efficient ones in domestic/commercial sectors. In addition, ECO-III is planning to develop DSM/EC Program in Maharashtra and Delhi in association with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories.
   
7. Establishment of Regional Energy Efficiency Centers: A few energy end-use sectors in India are gradually adopting newer technologies and management techniques to improve energy efficiency. However penetration of these in at the national/sectoral level has remained slow. Keeping this in view, ECO-III, has taken initiative to establish Regional Energy Efficiency Centers (REECs) mainly to equip them to provide public education and awareness, facilitate demonstrations (showcasing products), promote technology development (incubation), and catalyze energy efficiency amongst the energy end-users and general public at large. With support from Asia-Pacific Partnership, ECO-III is supporting three REECs focusing on Domestic Appliances, Buildings and Industrial Furnaces of SMEs. Initial funds for starting up the centres are being provided by APP under the Project. However, REECs in an effort to become self sustainable in the longer run, plan to diversify their funding from multiple sources through public-private partnership.
   
8. Enhancement of Education Curriculum: Energy Efficiency in Buildings has been a priority area for BEE, considering the substantial growth that is taking place in the Indian Services sector. BEE has been working with stakeholders to promote energy efficiency in existing buildings and voluntary adoption of ECBC in new buildings. However as a long term strategy, ECO-III project with support from BEE and Asia-Pacific Partnership, is empowering the faculty members of architecture and engineering institutions (through ‘training of trainer’ programs) as well as the students by providing access to world class reference materials and preparing them as next-generation professionals to face energy efficiency challenges in the building design and the construction sector.
   
9. Outreach and Awareness Activities: The US and India have a long-established working relationship in energy efficiency and conservation through USAID programs, and several US institutions. ECO-III provides administrative, logistical and technical support to joint energy efficiency initiatives between the India and the US Government, and facilitates conduct of workshops, conferences, study tours, etc. It also functions as a conduit between Indian energy efficiency organizations and institutions and the US organizations to promote new ideas and facilitate transfer of knowledge and lessons learned in energy efficiency.
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ECO- III Strives to Make Energy-Efficiency a Sustainable Way of Life
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