ElectricityGovernance #ECC #ConsumerRights #TANGEDCO

The inaugural session of the Energy Club at The Nazareth Academy, CBSE school, Avadi was held on the 21st of April, 2023. The Club is the initiative of  Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) in partnership with the school administration.  The Energy Club, an activity based club, is intended to function as a resource by the students and for the students. The club aims to inculcate mindful energy usage and conservation practices among children.

The session began with a welcome speech given by Ms Serita Christina, Principal. She introduced the CAG team to the assembled students and teachers.  This was followed by an introduction to the energy club by Prabhuram S, Researcher - Electricity Governance Team, CAG. The presentation gave students an exciting overview of what they could expect from participation in the club - its  objectives, structure, activities and sessions.

Ms Serita Christina, during the welcome address

Objectives of the club:

• To educate students on renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy conservation practices, etc.
• To encourage students, schools, and families to take an active role in energy saving practices.
• To motivate students to use their learning to promote change in their schools and the larger community.
• To initiate a collective approach to bringing about behavioral change with respect to energy usage.

Mr. Prabhuram, explaining about the energy club and future actions

Session 1 - ‘Responsible energy consumption’:

Vanathi B, Researcher - Electricity Governance Team, CAG elucidated energy conservation and its importance. The significance of undertaking energy saving measures as part of our habit/ lifestyle practices was emphasized using cartoons and interactions. The ways in which energy saving habits can be adopted individually and collectively were discussed through interactive activities.

Mr Prabhuram subsequently explained about energy efficiency, energy efficient devices and BEE star rating. He also elaborated on energy conservation tips for common household appliances like lights, TV, fan, fridge, AC etc.

The team then  interacted with the kids, talking  about energy labels and the identification of energy efficient appliances. As energy labels help in making informed purchasing decisions, the need to look at the information conveyed in those while purchasing electrical appliances was discussed with the audience.

Children were explained how to count and compare the stars in BEE star labels, shown above

The session concluded with the children’s feedback about the session, the insights gained and their assurances about undertaking an energy conscious lifestyle.

Ms. Vanathi, talking about energy conservation and habitual changes

The event  was a fun filled  experience for participants (students  and speakers likewise). Children were interactive throughout the session, responding to the questions put forth, and clarifying their doubts. The school’s energy club will contribute to energy conservation, effective climate actions from now on. We are excited to embark on this worthwhile journey.

Even small and seemingly insignificant choices can help you save energy and cut down on your electricity bills. Here is one of those small choices that will go a long way.

#Electricity #EnergyEffiency #TANGEDCO

Even small and seemingly insignificant choices can help you save energy and cut down on your electricity bills. Here is one of those small choices that will go a long way.

#Electricity #EnergyEffiency #TANGEDCO

Even small and seemingly insignificant choices can help you save energy and cut down on your electricity bills. Here is one of those small choices that will go a long way.

#Electricity #EnergyEffiency #TANGEDCO

Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) in association with Vijayanta Higher Secondary School, Avadi has initiated an Energy Club to be run at their school, starting in  February 2023. The inaugural session  (also the first session of the club) was held on 17th February 2023.

Image 1: Energy Club inauguration and welcome address

Elango P, Post Graduate Teacher (PGT), Vijayanta Higher Secondary School welcomed the CAG team and introduced them to the audience and the topics (energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy) that they would be covering.

Background information and  presentation:

Bharath Ram, Researcher - Electricity Governance Team, CAG spoke about the energy club’s objectives, structure, activities and sessions.  

Broadly, the objective of the club is to improve young people's understanding of household energy consumption and create awareness around energy conservation and energy efficiency. The club sessions aim to:

1. promote a better understanding of the subject of electricity, and the importance of conserving electricity
2. nudge young people to initiate behavioral changes in the way energy is consumed in their household/school and
3. further promote sustainable energy goals and exposure to renewable sources of energy.

Bharath explained how the students as members along with the coordinators of the energy club can learn and participate in energy saving activities.

Image 2: Mr. Bharat Ram, CAG speaking about Energy Club

Vanathi B, Researcher - Electricity Governance Team, CAG explained energy conservation and its importance, and also why energy saving measures should become part of our habit/ lifestyle practices. The ways in which students can begin energy saving habits and later share them with  their families and thereby create changes in our larger society was discussed with the children through fun filled interactive activities and videos.

Image 3: Ms. Vanathi B, CAG speaking about need for behavioral change

Prabhuram S, Researcher - Electricity Governance Team, CAG explained about energy efficiency, energy efficient devices and BEE star rating, using images. He also elaborated on energy conservation tips for common household appliances like lights, TV, fan, fridge, AC etc.

Image 4: Mr. Prabhuram S, CAG speaking about tips for energy conservation

Our team also explained how to identify energy efficient appliances using the  stars on energy labels, read the labels/covers and understand the information on it while purchasing electrical appliances. 

Audience Response:

Image 5: Group photo with Vijayanta Higher Secondary School staff and students

The students were curious to know about electricity, energy conservation and efficiency topics. Right from the start and throughout the entire session, they were interactive, responding to the questions put forth, and clarifying their doubts.  

To our surprise, the children already had a fair idea about renewable energy, especially solar, LEDs, star labels etc. However, they were not very clear as to  how all of these contribute to energy savings. Once these were explained to them, they enjoyed  learning about them in detail.

The students are a curious bunch who will be a pleasure to work with, and we are excited to join them and learn together with them  in the upcoming energy club sessions.

Have you got questions about #electricity related concerns? Service, supply, billing...maybe something else? Our chatbot can answer the most frequently asked questions. Check it out today. #ConsumerAwareness

Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG) along with the P.G. Department of Environmental law and Legal Order, Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University (TNDALU) organised a discussion on “Electricity Laws”, at the School of Excellence in Law Campus, Chennai on February 3, 2023.

The objectives of the discussion were:

•  to learn the basics of electricity laws in the country and the state of Tamil Nadu
• to discuss the concepts involved in electricity laws and their impact on consumers
• to create a study circle for the students to engage in more such activities.

Around 50 students from the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programs participated in the discussion. The meeting was inaugurated by Professor Prof. (DR). Kumudha Rathna Director, PG Programmes, School of Excellence in Law. She shared some of her personal experiences with electricity complaints and emphasised on the importance of electricity governance and the benefits for students by gaining knowledge and exploring this sector. DR. P. Sakthivel Director, LLB (Hons. Programme) delivered a brief introduction and explained the scope of the electricity sector.

Organising committee at TNDALU and Team CAG

Mr K. Vishnu Mohan Rao, Senior Researcher, CAG introduced   the importance of the electricity sector. He also explained in brief some of the activities taken up by CAG in the field of electricity governance. He clarified  the objective of conducting the discussion, and  gave an overview of the regulations of electricity, also discussing the  techno-economic, legal and technical aspects that overlap within this crucial sector. 

Ms. Akshaya, Researcher, CAG spoke about the global energy crisis and push for renewables. She also gave an overview of the importance of integrating renewable energy sources into electricity regulations. She explained that ‘electricity’ was in the  concurrent list, and therefore governed by both  Central and State regulations. She further elucidated the Electricity Act and the processes it seeks to regulate in the electricity system, namely, generation, transmission and distribution. The importance of open access, consumer protection and the right  to electricity were also discussed. In addition to this she gave a brief overview on the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 and the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. 

Team CAG discussing with the participants 

Mr. Bharath Ram, Researcher, CAG explored the role of the state in regulating this sector. He defined the composition and duties of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) and Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) in the state of Tamil Nadu. Bharath explained the process of determining if a meter is defective through a Meter Relay Test (MRT); and that this  test can be done by applying to the MRT wing - the meter testing facility of TANGEDCO. He also laid out the framework for grievance redressal for electricity consumers. Finally,  he provided a summary of the Tamil Nadu Electricity (TNE) Supply Code, TNE Distribution Code and TNE Distribution Standards of Performance. 

The session ended with a lively discussion, with questions raised by students and faculty members. The discussion covered various aspects of electricity including the process of claiming compensation, common issues faced by consumers, impact of competition, tariff rates and the right to electricity.