Air pollution a significant environmental risk, and the World Health Organization estimates that outdoor air pollution causes about 3 million premature deaths a year worldwide. Energy efficiency measures targeting outdoor and indoor air quality can have major positive impacts on global health; yet there are very few examples of air quality policies in the Asia region that rely on energy efficiency to deliver pollutant reductions. Presenters in this session will discuss what drives governments to take action, and will describe methodologies for measuring and communicating the multiple benefits of efficiency.
Session Chair: Aiming Zhou, Senior Energy Specialist, Energy Division, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Presenters
Thusitha Sugathapala, Senior Lecturer, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Impacts of Energy Efficiency of Cookstoves on Indoor Air Quality: A Case Study in the Estate Sector Households of Sri Lanka
This presentation will review a study on the effects of use of biomass stoves for cooking and space heating in estate sector households in Sri Lanka, in relation to energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ). IAQ levels were measured in 70 houses with different house configurations, kitchen locations, cookstove types, and levels of ventilation. The results show that the use of improved cookstoves results in a very high reduction of CO concentrations and also significant reduction in PM2.5 concentrations, highlighting the important role of introducing cleaner cooking fuels and technologies for both biomass saving and IAQ improvements.
Ishrat Shabnam, Country Manager, Practical Action Consulting
Luminous Rickshaw: A Traditional Vehicle Turns into an Energy Efficient One
Although being a cultural heritage, rickshaws do not have any safety precautions such as, indicator lights. This causes a lack of visibility at night, and fatal accidents do occur. Practical Action has introduced Bijli-the Luminous rickshaw, that ensures road safety. It has been designed based on the concept of converting generated kinetic energy into power. The improvised rickshaw has head and tail lights, indicators and gears to climb ramps/uphill and go downhill easily, all operated by the kinetic energy. This presentation will review the Luminous Rickshaw pilot program.
Sanjay Dube, Vice-President, South Asia, International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC)
Reducing Air Pollution in India’s Industrial Clusters Through Smart Energy Management
UN Environment and IIEC have designed an Air Quality-Smart Energy Management Pilot to demonstrate the potential for energy efficiency—combined with renewables and load management—to significantly reduce air pollution in two Indian states. This presentation will describe how the project partners will work with local utilities and industrial facilities to implement smart energy management measures, supported largely through private financing for bundled clean energy solutions. This project will encourage the adoption of EE as a solution to air pollution in Asian cities by providing a demonstrated link between smart energy management and air quality improvements. This presentation will include a case study of how highly polluted cities can attract bundled private finance for clean energy solutions.
Ambrosio Ferris S. Tangco III, Engineering Project Manager, Energy Conservation, Upgrading, Innovations, Environmental Health and Safety Robinsons Land Corporation
Corporate Drivers for Energy Efficiency and Air Quality in Buildings
As a major corporation in the Philippines, Robinsons Land Corporation is aiming to reduce its carbon footprint through energy efficiency improvements and, is increasing its focus on renewables. The company is making energy efficiency improvements in its properties as part of a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, in line with international commitments made by the Philippines, in particular the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Accord. This presentation will describe the corporation’s energy-efficiency upgrades (in new design, as well as retrofits in existing construction), and how it takes an integrated approach to ensure customer health and comfort through tightening the building envelope, installing efficient chillers and cooling systems, installing air filters and ensuring proper air flow. Important indicators of indoor comfort and health during field monitoring of buildings include temperature, heat load, humidity, CO2 levels and overall indoor quality.