Ways to Innovate Solutions to Improve Energy Efficiency to achieve Target 7.3 of SDG 7

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, as set by the United Nations, is dedicated to ensuring access to sustainable, reliable, affordable and modern energy solutions for all by 2030. It recognizes that access to clean and affordable energy is vital for many areas of economic and social development. This includes poverty eradication, food production, clean water supply, and the ability to cope with climate change. It also acknowledges the role of sustainable energy in mitigating climate change, as 60% of total global greenhouse gas emissions are the contributions of the energy sector.

Target 7.3, a specific component of SDG 7, emphasises the need to “double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency by 2030.” This target underscores the importance of consuming less energy to perform the same tasks, thereby reducing energy waste, greenhouse gas emissions, and demand for energy imports while lowering household and economy-wide costs and enabling easier access.

The Indian Scenario

In India, human thermal comfort is a significant energy consumer, particularly in the form of cooling due to the country’s tropical climate. Although air conditioners (ACs) currently have low market penetration in India, their usage is expected to rise with the growing middle class and increasing spending power. ACs would pose a significant challenge for a country of billion-plus people in the next few decades. On the other hand, fans are a current problem; fans contribute significantly to domestic electricity demand, with over 400 million fans in India and about 40 million fans sold yearly.

Innovations in energy efficiency in these appliances have been taking place over the years. In the AC sector, global innovations have made their way to the Indian market to improve energy efficiency. In the fan sector, innovation began in India with the launch of India’s first super energy-efficient (SEE) ceiling fan by a Coimbatore-based company in 2012. These SEE fans use Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor technology instead of the AC induction motor used in regular fans, consuming less than half the electricity of traditional fans while delivering the same comfort.

Moreover, The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), an agency under the Ministry of Power, has implemented a star rating system for electrical appliances like ACs, refrigerators, and washing machines. This system, known as BEE Star labels, provides consumers with information about the energy efficiency of an appliance. In a recent significant development, fans were added to the BEE’s mandatory star labelling program on January 1, 2023. This inclusion is a testament to the ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency in the country and move closer to achieving Target 7.3 of SDG 7.

The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) is another key policy initiative by the Government of India that is driving innovation and improvement in energy efficiency in the country, particularly in the area of human thermal comfort. The ICAP outlines the path for India to reduce its cooling demand and refrigerant use, which directly ties into the goals of SDG 7, particularly Target 7.3. The ICAP’s emphasis on sustainable cooling, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving energy efficiency aligns with the innovations and policies discussed in this article.

The Way Forward in Achieving SDG 7

The scope for innovation in energy efficiency technology is vast. Beyond active technologies like energy-efficient appliances, passive technologies focus on the design aspects and the construction of buildings and spaces to reduce energy consumption naturally. This could include insulation, natural lighting, ventilation, and the use of materials that help maintain thermal comfort.

India has made significant strides in improving energy efficiency through policies and programs such as the BEE star rating system, the ICAP, and the promotion of energy-efficient appliances like 5-star rated ACs and SEE fans. However, there are still challenges to be addressed, including the need for further investment in implementing energy-efficient technologies that address local demographic and economic conditions, overcoming barriers to their adoption, addressing disparities in access to energy services, cultivating behavioural shifts in the use of active thermal comfort technologies and making passive thermal comfort technologies mandatory and standardised in architecture and city planning.

With a continued focus on overcoming these challenges, India should be well-positioned to make meaningful progress towards achieving Target 7.3 of SDG 7.

Views of the author are personal and do not necessarily represent the website’s views.

Dr. Mayur Sundararajan is an experienced Business Head with a demonstrated history of working in the electrical and electronic manufacturing industry. He is responsible for new developments with Superfan BLDC ceiling fans and for taking Superfan to greater heights. He regularly contributes to improving the test methods and finding new methods for the most energy-efficient appliances by interacting and involving himself in various projects and discussions.