Analysis of technical and economic electricity saving potential in the urban Indian households

The aim of this investigation is to quantify the electricity saving potential in the existing Indian urban household's appliances stock by analysing the data obtained through a questionnaire survey. Since, the implementation of energy efficiency standards in India came into existence only after the year 2006, the residential sector is seen as important, wherein the largest un-captured productivity improvement opportunity lies. Household attributes and characteristics of existing appliances stock, such as, appliance type, capacity, wattage, energy star rating, etc. were assessed from the questionnaire survey. Suitable retrofit alternatives for the most energy inefficient appliances as observed in the survey have been analysed. For the retrofit alternatives, efficiency standards were taken from the schedules developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, a subsidiary to Ministry of Power, Government of India. Further, life cycle cost analysis was performed for 6 categories of appliances (air conditioner, refrigerator, light, fan and television). Cost effectiveness of the retrofitted energy efficient solution was estimated based on the cost of conserved electricity. The technical and economic analysis reveals that by retrofitting these appliances, 8 GW h electricity per annum can be saved that can result in a consequential reduction of 6.6 megaton of CO2 per annum.