Electricity Consumer Cell (ECC), Tiruvannamalai, organised a capacity building programme on “Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and passive building concepts” at Vasavi Thirumana Mandapam, Kilpennathur, Tiruvannamalai District on February 13, 2019. Electricians, masons, and consumers from the domestic, commercial, and agricultural sector were the targeted audience for the event.

Mr. V. R. Anandan, ECC Advisor, welcomed all the participants. Mr. Rama Perumal, Director, Sadayanodai Ilaignar Narpani Mandram (SINAM) explained the objectives and functioning of ECC. He spoke about the relationship of ECC with TANGEDCO and consumers in resolving consumer issues related to electricity.

Mr. Bharath Ram G N, Researcher, CAG, gave a talk on the need for consumer-awareness related to electricity including topics such as electricity bills, monitoring of electricity meter, how to file a complaint with TANGEDCO.

Mr. Jeya Kumar R, Researcher, CAG, gave a detailed presentation on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and passive building concepts. He began with the importance of electricity in our day-to-day life and how rapidly it is becoming a necessity for our nation’s development. He then presented on the current status of electricity generation in India, which is majorly from thermal power plants, which requires fossil fuels for generation. He explained the depletion of fossil fuel resources due to increasing electricity needs and their impacts on the environment. Then he gave an overview of renewable energy resources such as solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, hydropower energy, biomass energy, and geothermal energy. Further, he highlighted the advantages and feasibilities of solar energy over other renewable energy resources with respect to capital cost, small scale level adaptation and suitability in all places.

Further, he spoke about passive building concepts, including natural lighting and ventilation; provision of space around structures; provision of green covers and selection of construction materials. In addition, he explained the importance of star labelling for appliances, standards for electrical materials, and how to use appliances efficiently. He also gave an overview of the Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) agricultural pumpsets.

Mr. N. Sridhar, a private solar manufacturer, gave a presentation on rooftop solar connections and net metering. He also presented about on-grid and off-grid solar power systems.

This was followed by an interactive session between the participants and speakers. The speakers responded to the participants' queries. The discussions revolved around a) standby power; b) installing solar agricultural pump sets with self-financing; c) availing government subsidy for solar agriculture pumpsets; d) passive building concepts to be considered by masons during construction; e) electricity tariffs; f) importance of monitoring the date of meter reading taken by the utility; g) selection of electrical hardware by electricians and its importance.      

Mr D. Ashok Kumar, Coordinator, ECC, concluded the session with a vote of thanks.

Electricity Consumer Cell (ECC), Tirunelveli, organised a capacity building programme on “Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and passive building concepts” at Sri Yoga Saibaba Kovil Campus, Ismail Nagar, Tirunelveli, on February 18, 2019. The purpose of the event was to impart knowledge and create awareness on the above topics to consumers. Consumers from the domestic and commercial categories participated in the event.

Mr. Venkatachalam, President, Tirunelveli Maavata Nugarvor Urimai Paadhukaapu Sangam (TMNUPS) welcomed all the participants. He explained the features of ECC and how it is functioning as a bridge between Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TANGEDCO) and consumers.

Mrs. S. Ratna Veni, Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO spoke about TANGEDCO’s provisions for redressing consumer grievances. Mr. S.Shanmugam, Advisor ECC, explained about consumers’ responsibilities in conserving energy, power theft and the need to follow the rules.

Mr. Jeya Kumar R, Researcher, CAG, gave a detailed presentation on energy efficiency, renewable energy and passive building concepts. He explained concepts of energy conservation and energy efficiency at the household level, which included standards for electrical materials and other supportive modules, and star labelling for electronic appliances. He described passive building concepts such as natural lighting and ventilation, green coverage, and selection of construction materials which should be considered during the planning and construction of buildings. Further, he provided recommendations for the installation of appliances and advised the participants on how to use them efficiently. He also explained about renewable energy such as solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, tidal energy, geothermal energy and biomass energy and spoke about the advantages of solar energy.

Mr. I. Anto Jeyarajan, an official from a private solar firm, gave a presentation on rooftop solar connections and net metering. He also presented details about various buildings which installed rooftop solar in and around Tirunelveli.

Mr. S. Muthusamy, the coordinator, concluded the session with a vote of thanks.

Electricity Consumer Cell (ECC), Cuddalore, organised a capacity building programme on “Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and passive building concepts” at Tirupathiripuliyur, Cuddalore, on March 26, 2019. The consumers who participated were from domestic, commercial, and agricultural sectors.

Mr. Selvaraj, Chairman, Federation of Consumer Organisations Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (FEDCOT) welcomed all the participants and explained the purpose of the event. 

Mr. Bharath Ram G N, Researcher, CAG, gave an introduction about the objectives and functions of ECC. He explained ECC’s relationship with Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TANGEDCO) officials in resolving consumer problems.

Mr. Jeya Kumar R, Researcher, CAG, gave a detailed presentation on energy efficiency, renewable energy, and passive building concepts. The whole session was very interactive. Participants raised queries on several topics and received appropriate responses from him. The major points discussed were a) advantages of LED bulbs over incandescent and CFL bulbs, b) advantages of LED TV over the conventional one, c) points to be considered during purchase and installation of appliances, d) how to plan a house to conserve energy by adopting passive building concepts, e) how to choose wiring materials, f) the importance of electricity meter,  g)awareness on stand by mode in appliances such as TV, laptop, air-conditioner, etc., h) benefits of solar energy, i) solar agricultural pumpsets and government schemes available, j) rooftop solar installation and net metering.

Mr. Selvaraj, Chairman, Federation of Consumer Organisation Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry (FEDCOT) concluded the session with a vote of thanks.

Electricity Consumer Cell (ECC), Salem, organised a capacity building programme on “Energy efficiency, renewable energy, and passive building concepts” at Balamurugan Mandapam, Ammapet, Salem, on February 11, 2019. The purpose of the event was to impart knowledge and create awareness on the above topics to consumers. The target audience comprised of masons, electricians, domestic, commercial, and small scale industrial consumers. Mr J.M. Bhoopathy, President, Consumer Voice Foundation, welcomed the participants and explained ECC’s relationship with Tamilnadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd. (TANGEDCO) officials in resolving consumer problems.

Mr G.N. Bharath Ram, Researcher, CAG, explained the objectives and functions of the ECC. He explained about responsibilities of consumers in the electricity sector e.g. making payments well in advance to avoid long queues, not to waste or misuse electricity.

Mr. Saravanan, Assistant Engineer, TANGEDCO, spoke about various grievance redressal mechanisms available with the utility e.g. Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF). He also stated that all consumers complaints will have to be given and accepted by the appropriate official., i.e., the Assistant Engineer.

Mr. Jeya Kumar R, Researcher, CAG Chennai, gave a presentation on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and passive building concepts. He started with the flow of electricity from energy resources to endpoint usage, i.e., various resources, generation, transmission, distribution, and end user. He spoke about the current generation processes in India (i.e., thermal energy), depletion of resources, and their impact on the environment. Then he explained the need for alternative energy resources and listed renewable energy resources such as solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, tidal energy, biomass energy, and geothermal energy. He highlighted the importance and feasibility of solar energy over other renewable sources. He elaborated the energy efficiency techniques that can be followed by households, commercial, and small scale industries, which include star labelling for appliances, standards for electrical hardware and equipment; and their maintenance. Further, he gave an overview of passive building concepts which includes natural lighting, ventilation, provision of green covers, and selection of construction materials and methods.  

Mr Siva Kumar from a private solar skills training institute,  gave a presentation on rooftop solar connections which includes calculation of required solar capacity, capital cost, payback period and net metering. He also gave a demonstration on solar power generation.

Further, there was an interactive session between the speakers and the participants. The key points discussed were a) importance of maintenance of wiring and machinery in small scale industries b) how to provide green coverage in an existing building c) availability of solar technicians in the locality d) energy loss due to the air conditioner running below 24-degree celsius  e) procedure to avail the solar net meter.

Mr. Jayaraman, retired TANGEDCO official, shared his experience about resolving complaints, with reference to different types of cases that have been resolved by TANGEDCO. He also listed the consumer side mistakes like illegal power connections, creating an obstacle for the functioning of grid e.g. constructing houses directly under grid lines.

Mr. Prabhakaran, ECC Coordinator concluded the session with a vote of thanks.

A study to assess the human rights impacts of businesses, to understand the health impacts of plastics on people living and working around the Kodungaiyur dump yard using a symptoms diary and in-depth interviews.

A study to assess the human rights impacts of business practices by analysing data from health service providers, with the goal of pushing for tighter regulations and liability laws around producer accountability.