Page 23 - GRIHA Manual Volume I - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 23
10 GRIHA Manual: Volume 1
1.4 Introducing TERI
TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), a dynamic and fl exible organization with a global vision
and a local focus, was established in 1974. Initially the focus was on documentation and information
dissemination. Research activities in the fi elds of energy, environment, and sustainable development
were initiated towards the end of 1982. All these activities were rooted in TERI’s fi rm conviction that
effi cient utilization of energy, sustainable use of natural resources, large-scale adoption of renewable
energy technologies, and reduction of all forms of waste would move the process of development
towards the goal of sustainability.
A unique developing-country institution, TERI is deeply committed to every aspect of sustainable
development. From providing environment-friendly solutions to rural energy requirements to
helping shape the development of the Indian oil and gas sector; from tackling global climate change
issues across continents to helping conserve forests; from advancing solutions to the growing urban
transport and air pollution, to promoting energy effi ciency in the Indian industry, the emphasis has
always been on fi nding innovative solutions to make the world a better place to live in. Although
TERI’s vision is global, its roots are fi rmly entrenched in the Indian soil. All activities in TERI move
from formulating local- and national-level strategies to shaping global solutions to critical energy
and environment-related issues. To this end, TERI has established regional centres in Bangalore,
Goa, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Mumbai. It has set up affi liate institutes: TERI– NA (The Energy and
Resources Institute, North America) in Washington, DC, USA and TERI–Europe, London, UK; and it
also has a presence in Japan, Malaysia and UAE.
TERI fulfi ls its mandate of sustainable development by advocating the concept of green
buildings, which register minimal impact on the environment. In practicing what it preaches, TERI
has constructed its buildings, in Gurgaon, Bangalore and Mukteshwar, along these lines. Resource-
and energy-effi cient, these habitats are exemplary constructs demonstrating the sustainable
implementation of green practices. TERI has also introduced GRIHA, a rating system to adjudge
the ‘greenness’ of buildings, which has now been adopted by the Ministry of New and Renewable
energy, Government of India as a national rating system. The TERI buildings include the following.
1.4.1 RETREAT
Resource Effi cient TERI Retreat for Environmental Awareness and Training, RETREAT, a residential
training facility for executives, is designed to be self-suffi cient, and independent of any external
power supply. It consists of living quarters with 24 single-occupancy rooms and 6 suites complete
with conference centre with a large hall, a dining room, a lounge, recreational facilities, and a library.
# The complex has harnessed both traditional and modern means of tapping renewable sources
of energy to off er modern amenities such as lighting, air conditioning, cooking, laundry, and so
on at substantially reduced costs.
# The complex saves 40%–50% of energy costs over conventionally designed buildings at an
additional investment of about 25%.
# Twenty-four solar water-heating panels provide up to 2000 litres of hot water every day.
# The building is powered by a hybrid system comprising of Solar photovoltaic system (with
battery back up) and a 100 kW biomass gasifi er.
Eff ective insulation, shade provided by trees, and a network of underground earth air tunnels
circulating cool subterranean air throughout the residential block ensure that the temperature in
the complex remains more or less even all year round at 20 °C in winter, 28 °C in the dry summer, and
1.4 Introducing TERI
TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), a dynamic and fl exible organization with a global vision
and a local focus, was established in 1974. Initially the focus was on documentation and information
dissemination. Research activities in the fi elds of energy, environment, and sustainable development
were initiated towards the end of 1982. All these activities were rooted in TERI’s fi rm conviction that
effi cient utilization of energy, sustainable use of natural resources, large-scale adoption of renewable
energy technologies, and reduction of all forms of waste would move the process of development
towards the goal of sustainability.
A unique developing-country institution, TERI is deeply committed to every aspect of sustainable
development. From providing environment-friendly solutions to rural energy requirements to
helping shape the development of the Indian oil and gas sector; from tackling global climate change
issues across continents to helping conserve forests; from advancing solutions to the growing urban
transport and air pollution, to promoting energy effi ciency in the Indian industry, the emphasis has
always been on fi nding innovative solutions to make the world a better place to live in. Although
TERI’s vision is global, its roots are fi rmly entrenched in the Indian soil. All activities in TERI move
from formulating local- and national-level strategies to shaping global solutions to critical energy
and environment-related issues. To this end, TERI has established regional centres in Bangalore,
Goa, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Mumbai. It has set up affi liate institutes: TERI– NA (The Energy and
Resources Institute, North America) in Washington, DC, USA and TERI–Europe, London, UK; and it
also has a presence in Japan, Malaysia and UAE.
TERI fulfi ls its mandate of sustainable development by advocating the concept of green
buildings, which register minimal impact on the environment. In practicing what it preaches, TERI
has constructed its buildings, in Gurgaon, Bangalore and Mukteshwar, along these lines. Resource-
and energy-effi cient, these habitats are exemplary constructs demonstrating the sustainable
implementation of green practices. TERI has also introduced GRIHA, a rating system to adjudge
the ‘greenness’ of buildings, which has now been adopted by the Ministry of New and Renewable
energy, Government of India as a national rating system. The TERI buildings include the following.
1.4.1 RETREAT
Resource Effi cient TERI Retreat for Environmental Awareness and Training, RETREAT, a residential
training facility for executives, is designed to be self-suffi cient, and independent of any external
power supply. It consists of living quarters with 24 single-occupancy rooms and 6 suites complete
with conference centre with a large hall, a dining room, a lounge, recreational facilities, and a library.
# The complex has harnessed both traditional and modern means of tapping renewable sources
of energy to off er modern amenities such as lighting, air conditioning, cooking, laundry, and so
on at substantially reduced costs.
# The complex saves 40%–50% of energy costs over conventionally designed buildings at an
additional investment of about 25%.
# Twenty-four solar water-heating panels provide up to 2000 litres of hot water every day.
# The building is powered by a hybrid system comprising of Solar photovoltaic system (with
battery back up) and a 100 kW biomass gasifi er.
Eff ective insulation, shade provided by trees, and a network of underground earth air tunnels
circulating cool subterranean air throughout the residential block ensure that the temperature in
the complex remains more or less even all year round at 20 °C in winter, 28 °C in the dry summer, and
