Coimbatore wind energy potential study
A wind energy feasibility study was conducted for the Coimbatore corporation area to assess the wind harnessing potential of Coimbatore. This study was undertaken by an external consultant using WaSP technology. The primary objectives of this feasibility study were to document the quality and suitability of the Coimbatore Municipal area as a site for installation and long-term operation of a commercially viable utility-scale wind power project; and, develop a comprehensive and finance-able business plan for wind power project in Coimbatore Municipal area.
Borewell energy audit recommendations implemented
There are approximately 700 CMC-owned tube wells around the city. These tube wells have high operation and maintenance costs. Therefore, a pilot study of the tube wells was undertaken as a part of the UCP. The study covered a detailed audit of 19 tube wells spread over two wards of the city. The study, conducted by an external watergy expert, presented an overview of the energy consumption scenario for each of the 19 tube wells, and outlined measures for improvement, such as through the upgrading of machinery.
In 2011, based on the results of the pilot energy audit, the CMC with support from the UCP Team implemented the recommendations made in the pilot audit report. These recommendations were implemented in 2011 and supported through the installation of a computer management system, to enable remote operation of the bore wells.
In 2011, based on the results of the pilot energy audit, the CMC with support from the UCP Team implemented the recommendations made in the pilot audit report. These recommendations were implemented in 2011 and supported through the installation of a computer management system, to enable remote operation of the bore wells.
Wind-Solar PV Hyrbid System at Coimbatore's New Bus Stand
The CMC had requested that the UCP team to suggest a feasible Renewable Energy project for reducing the load on conventional energy systems at the new Mettupalayam bus stand. Based on a feasibility report and project design submitted by ICLEI-SA, the CMC completed installation of a 3.5 kWp capacity wind-solar hybrid RE system at Coimbatore’s new Mettupalayam Road bus terminal in June 2010. This system will act as the primary power back up for the bus terminal during times of power shortage. The wind-solar hybrid system was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in June 2010 who heralded the system as a good investment by the CMC. The System has been running for over two months now and the CMC has already received a number of enquiries from surrounding municipalities about the pilot project.
The PV Wind Hybrid system is designed to meet the demand of electrical energy for lighting, office loads and air conditioning. There can be four hours of battery backup in case of interruption. The pilot phase was implemented with the help of UCP funds available to ICLEI SA and CMC funds. In this phase, one 3kW wind generator and 0.5kW PV power plant has been installed. This system will supply power to the lighting and fan loads primarily during load shedding hours.
The PV Wind Hybrid system is designed to meet the demand of electrical energy for lighting, office loads and air conditioning. There can be four hours of battery backup in case of interruption. The pilot phase was implemented with the help of UCP funds available to ICLEI SA and CMC funds. In this phase, one 3kW wind generator and 0.5kW PV power plant has been installed. This system will supply power to the lighting and fan loads primarily during load shedding hours.
Energy Efficient Lighting at Coimbatore's New Bus Stand
Construction of the new bus stand at Mettupalayam was completed in May and it was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamilnadu during the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010. The Energy Efficiency proposal prepared by ICLEI-SA and submitted to the CMC was approved and implemented by the CMC at their own cost using available funding from state and national governments.
With a capacity of 25 bus bays, and other facilities such as a restaurant and cloak rooms, the original lighting and cooling design for the bus station included 40 watt (W) fluorescent tube lights and 80 W ceiling fans, with a total energy load estimated at 79 kilo watts (kW). Based on a proposal by ICLEI South Asia, the CMC decided in 2010 to rework the lighting and cooling plan to incorporate energy efficient fittings. The redesign proposed the usage of 36 W CFLs and 25 W tube lights in place of the original 40 W fluorescent lights. The number of ceiling fans was also reduced by over a hundred in the new design. These energy efficient light fittings are expected to save around 136,000 kilo-watt hours (kWh) per year. The fittings resulted in a reduced energy demand of the bus station of 55 kW: a reduction of 24 kW.
With a capacity of 25 bus bays, and other facilities such as a restaurant and cloak rooms, the original lighting and cooling design for the bus station included 40 watt (W) fluorescent tube lights and 80 W ceiling fans, with a total energy load estimated at 79 kilo watts (kW). Based on a proposal by ICLEI South Asia, the CMC decided in 2010 to rework the lighting and cooling plan to incorporate energy efficient fittings. The redesign proposed the usage of 36 W CFLs and 25 W tube lights in place of the original 40 W fluorescent lights. The number of ceiling fans was also reduced by over a hundred in the new design. These energy efficient light fittings are expected to save around 136,000 kilo-watt hours (kWh) per year. The fittings resulted in a reduced energy demand of the bus station of 55 kW: a reduction of 24 kW.
Energy Audit For Tubewells In Coimbatore
An energy audit for 18 borewells in 2 wards of Coimbatore Muncicipal Corporation has been completed. Based on these results, the Corporation has indicated its intention to initiate an audit for the remaining tubewells in the city.
Details of the Action
Mr. Ramesh Juvekar, an expert on watergy applications, visited the CMC twice during the October to December timeframe and carried out detailed site visits and analysis.
At present, 85 MLD of treated drinking water from the existing Siruvani Water Supply Scheme is being supplied to the CMC with head works (Siruvani Reservoir) at Attapady Valley in Palghat District of Kerala State at a distance of 40km from Coimbatore. Pillur Reservoir, situated at the foothills of Nilgiris in Western ghats, supplies 65.97 MLD of water. The total drinking water supply to Coimbatore city from these schemes is 150.97 MLD.
In order to reduce the gap between demand and supply of drinking water and to avoid the usage of the costly drinking water for non-revenue, but essential purposes, like: (a) washing and cleaning at parks, zoo and other public places; (b) maintenance of public toilets and; (c) supply of water for washing and cleaning at slums & LIG colonies, CMC resorts to pumping ground water through the 700+ borewells across the Coimbatore city and neighborhoods.
CMC is concerned about the expenses incurred on operation and maintenance of these tubewells. While other means of making the city water supply cost effective are also being looked at by CMC, it is a common feeling that the tubewells operation can provide opportunities for improvement in energy efficiency without sacrificing effectiveness . Therefore, CMC requested ICLEI - South Asia to carry out a Pilot Study of Energy Efficiency through Energy Audit of the Corporation’s tubewells in two wards of CMC, namely wards 27 & 28.
The report and recommendations of the study of the tubewells was been submitted to the CMC in January, 2010. As the corporation team found the recommendations very useful they are keen on expanding the project to all tubewells city wide. It has been estimated the emissions of approximately 1 to 5 tonnes CO2e can be reduced at each tubewell annually by saving energy.
Details of the Action
Mr. Ramesh Juvekar, an expert on watergy applications, visited the CMC twice during the October to December timeframe and carried out detailed site visits and analysis.
At present, 85 MLD of treated drinking water from the existing Siruvani Water Supply Scheme is being supplied to the CMC with head works (Siruvani Reservoir) at Attapady Valley in Palghat District of Kerala State at a distance of 40km from Coimbatore. Pillur Reservoir, situated at the foothills of Nilgiris in Western ghats, supplies 65.97 MLD of water. The total drinking water supply to Coimbatore city from these schemes is 150.97 MLD.
In order to reduce the gap between demand and supply of drinking water and to avoid the usage of the costly drinking water for non-revenue, but essential purposes, like: (a) washing and cleaning at parks, zoo and other public places; (b) maintenance of public toilets and; (c) supply of water for washing and cleaning at slums & LIG colonies, CMC resorts to pumping ground water through the 700+ borewells across the Coimbatore city and neighborhoods.
CMC is concerned about the expenses incurred on operation and maintenance of these tubewells. While other means of making the city water supply cost effective are also being looked at by CMC, it is a common feeling that the tubewells operation can provide opportunities for improvement in energy efficiency without sacrificing effectiveness . Therefore, CMC requested ICLEI - South Asia to carry out a Pilot Study of Energy Efficiency through Energy Audit of the Corporation’s tubewells in two wards of CMC, namely wards 27 & 28.
The report and recommendations of the study of the tubewells was been submitted to the CMC in January, 2010. As the corporation team found the recommendations very useful they are keen on expanding the project to all tubewells city wide. It has been estimated the emissions of approximately 1 to 5 tonnes CO2e can be reduced at each tubewell annually by saving energy.
Proposed Initiatives for Coimbatore
Based on the progress of related infrastructure development, the following energy efficiency related interventions are proposed under UCP.
A proposal report to install energy efficient lighting was submitted to the corporation, however, since maintenance work is under process in the main office the proposal will be taken up for implementation after completing the maintenance work. There are in total 1,098 lights in the entire building and those lights include: FTLs, SVLs, Copper Choke, Fans, and Halogen Lamps. The total connected lighting load at present is 65.319 KW and it generates an electricity bill of Rs. 9,96,000 / year. The measured power factor is about 0.6 to 0.7.
Construction work for the new bus stand work (funded under the JNNURM) is under progress and it will take 2 to 3 months to complete. The Energy Efficiency proposal was submitted for the same and has been approved by the CMC team; and will be implemented shortly.
The existing proposal suggests a total of 933 lights that include: FTLs, SVLs, Copper Choke, FANs. The anticipated connected lighting load is 79.065 KW. Projected electricity bill will be around Rs. 11,28,000.00 / year with a power factor about 0.6 to 0.7. The following has been proposed.
A Power Saver 1030 system has been recommended for the JNNURM Building. It is based on critical power factor management coupled with matching of impedance and constantly monitoring the load. The optimizing function can regulate the electrical supply to precisely match with the required load, which results in substantial savings in power consumption.
The CMC is implementing a citywide energy efficiency project on an ESCO basis along with SALZER pvt. Ltd., which is a Coimbatore based private firm. ICLEI – SA team has been asked to review the work being carried out by Salzer to technically support the CMC.
- Energy efficient lighting in the CMC head office building.
A proposal report to install energy efficient lighting was submitted to the corporation, however, since maintenance work is under process in the main office the proposal will be taken up for implementation after completing the maintenance work. There are in total 1,098 lights in the entire building and those lights include: FTLs, SVLs, Copper Choke, Fans, and Halogen Lamps. The total connected lighting load at present is 65.319 KW and it generates an electricity bill of Rs. 9,96,000 / year. The measured power factor is about 0.6 to 0.7.
- Energy saving proposal in the new bus stand lighting
Construction work for the new bus stand work (funded under the JNNURM) is under progress and it will take 2 to 3 months to complete. The Energy Efficiency proposal was submitted for the same and has been approved by the CMC team; and will be implemented shortly.
The existing proposal suggests a total of 933 lights that include: FTLs, SVLs, Copper Choke, FANs. The anticipated connected lighting load is 79.065 KW. Projected electricity bill will be around Rs. 11,28,000.00 / year with a power factor about 0.6 to 0.7. The following has been proposed.
- Energy efficient system for Corporation JNNURM building having a total load of 45 KVA
A Power Saver 1030 system has been recommended for the JNNURM Building. It is based on critical power factor management coupled with matching of impedance and constantly monitoring the load. The optimizing function can regulate the electrical supply to precisely match with the required load, which results in substantial savings in power consumption.
- Review of the Citywide street lighting energy efficiency project
The CMC is implementing a citywide energy efficiency project on an ESCO basis along with SALZER pvt. Ltd., which is a Coimbatore based private firm. ICLEI – SA team has been asked to review the work being carried out by Salzer to technically support the CMC.
Water Supply Related Interventions outlined for Coimbatore
Professor Srinivas Chary and Soumya Chaturvedula of the UCP team met with the commissioner and engineers of CMC on the October 07, 2009 to discuss the implementation of water supply related projects. The following two projects have been short listed for implementation.
- Water Supply – Proposed Planning and Implementation of 24 X 7 Water Supply Pilot Project in Coimbatore in the 34th Ward – Bharathi Park.
The steps to be taken initially, under the UCP, will be:
- A water audit in the area
- Installation of bulk meter at the water inlet to the area
- Piloting a spot billing practice
- Household surveying, profiling and mapping
- Information and Education campaign and ascertaining felt need for 24 X 7 water supply
- Preparing a step wise implementation plan for implementing 24 X 7 Water supply to this area
This area is ideal for piloting the implementation of 24 X 7 for the following reasons
- Well defined area with a unique and single water supply inlet point
- Information regarding water supply connections – types of connections and number of connections available
- All connections are metered and volume of supply and tariff per connection are all computerized and records are available for analysis.
Currently information regarding the number and type of connections and records of metered usage and tariff paid are being collected and will be analyzed and a detailed plan for implementation is being prepared by the UCP expert team.
- An Energy Audit for 16 borewells in 2 wards in Coimbatore is being carried out. Based on these results, the Corporation would like to initiate an audit for the remaining borewells in the city.
The activities being carried out include:
- Preliminary Visit (last week - October): A preliminary visit was conducted in the last week of October when relevant information was collected and the possibilities and scope for testing were ascertained. The preliminary findings report is under preparation.
- A second study visit to carry out actual field testing will be conducted in the second week of December.
- Based on the analysis of the data collected in first and second visits & actual tests and measurements performed in the second visit a Draft Energy Audit Report will be submitted to the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation after the second visit for subsequent action by the Corporation.
