The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), under the project ‘Manuals for Energy Efficient Retrofit of Existing Buildings in Different Climatic Zones of India’ sponsored by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) successfully conducted ‘State-Level Training Programme on Energy Efficient Retrofits’ in the cities of Kolkata, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Puducherry, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Daman , Gurugram, Raipur, Guwahati , Patna, Vijayawada, Bhopal, Aizawl, Panaji ,Shimla, Dehradun , Ranchi, Shillong, Leh, Jammu, Cochin, Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, covering 23 states and 6 union territories (UTs) across India. This training, part of a broader nationwide initiative to promote energy efficiency and effective implementation and realization of the national goal to achieve 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 over 2005 levels.

The programme featured sessions on passive, active retrofit solutions, renewable energy integration in existing buildings and real-world examples of successful energy efficient buildings, a dynamic Q&A session and valuable networking opportunities. These trainings were expertly led by trainers with more than 15+ years of experience in the field of energy efficiency, currently engaged over 1500 participants, including officials from various, the state development authority, college, urban local bodies (ULBs), residents' welfare associations (RWAs), faculties and researchers of architecture and engineering colleges, commercial building owners, operators and engineers, and professionals.

Looking ahead, TERI will continue this momentum with the ‘State-Level Training Programme on Energy Efficient Retrofits’ in upcoming training programmes, where further advancements in energy efficient building practices will be explored.

On 18 August 2024, TERI participated in an insightful day-long workshop organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi. The workshop focused on ‘Standardization for Environment and Ecology’, addressing critical environmental and ecological challenges.

A key highlight was the proposal to establish a dedicated Division Council on Environment and Ecology. This council aims to create a comprehensive action plan to meet ecological needs, emphasizing long-term sustainability and resilience.

Participants were organized into groups to provide valuable insights on several critical areas, including:

• Air quality management
• Water quality management
• Waste management
• Biodiversity and ecosystems
• Circular economy
• Sustainable manufacturing
• Environmental services
• Environmental monitoring, measurement, and management
• Sustainable habitat
• Sustainable agriculture

Discussions centred on identifying threats, the necessity for new standards, prioritizing standard development, recognizing stakeholders, and aligning efforts with existing government missions and programmes.

The workshop proved to be a productive brainstorming session, bringing together experts from various fields, with TERI contributing meaningful insights throughout the discussions.

How Cities Can Beat the Heat with Passive Design
By Mr Sanjay Seth and Ms Sheen Pandita

The article emphasizes the importance of passive design in homes, focusing on sustainable solutions like insulation, shading, and natural ventilation. These strategies help reduce energy consumption, enhance thermal comfort, and lower dependency on air conditioning, contributing to more eco-friendly and cost-effective living while also tackling the urban heat island effect.

The Mahindra–TERI Centre of Excellence (MTCoE) recently hosted two significant events focused on enhancing daylight simulation tools for sustainable building design.

1. MTCoE Daylight Plugin Workshop
On 6 September 2024, MTCoE conducted an in-person training workshop titled ‘MTCoE Daylight Plugin – Understanding the Concepts of Daylight for Achieving Visual Comfort’. Participants gained hands-on experience with the innovative MTCoE Daylight Plugin, which enhances daylight simulations using real sky data from the North Indian region. The workshop included interactive sessions, case studies, and a guided tour of the MTCoE, equipping attendees with valuable insights to improve daylight analysis in their projects.

2. Demonstration of MTCoE Daylight Plugin
Prior to the workshop, a webinar on the ‘Demonstration of MTCoE Daylight Plugin’ was held on 26 July 2024. Over 100 participants, including architects, building professionals, students, and sustainability enthusiasts, attended to learn about this cutting-edge tool for daylighting simulation. The plugin allows users to perform precise annual daylight simulations based on real sky conditions unique to the New Delhi – NCR region, using data collected from a sky scanner validated at the MTCoE facility in Gurugram, Haryana. The session was delivered by the Global Evolutionary Energy Design (GEED) team, emphasizing MTCoE's role in promoting energy efficient practices and advanced tools for enhancing building performance in India.

Plugin tool: https://www.food4rhino.com/en/app/mtcoe-annual-daylight-plug
Plugin tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEOmvAJ8JZ8&t=788s&ab_channel=TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) organized the Inception Meeting for the India Solar Shading Alliance (ISSA) on Wednesday, 10 July 2024, at India Habitat Centre. The ISSA aims to promote and mainstream the adoption of solar-shading technologies in India’s built environment and marking a significant step towards sustainable building practices in India.

The session included addresses by dignitaries on the importance of partnerships, the findings of the SOMFY -TERI study. The findings emphasized the benefits of adaptive/dynamic solar shading in reducing glare and heat ingress in buildings, especially in India's tropical climate and the role of dynamic shading in energy efficient buildings. This session brought together stakeholders, including building owners, architects, engineers, product manufacturers, regulators, and researchers, to facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and advocacy.

Various dignitaries along with their teams visited the Mahindra TERI Centre of Excellence (MTCoE) Lab to understand the on-going testing of opaque and transparent construction materials utilizing cutting-edge tools and technology. TERI team provided a walkthrough tour of the CoE along with a demonstration that made visitors acquainted with the various sustainability principles and design strategies espoused by the CoE building