A dedicated cell for energy conservation has been launched at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras , under the name of “Industrial Energy Assessment Cell” (IEAC). The institute claims the objective of the cell is to provide help to the manufacturing industries in conserving energy. Sources state that the institute will provide the service completely free of cost while the assessment is being undertaken by undergraduate, postgraduate and researchers from the institute.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has already launched the IEAC and have undertaken different projects for the conservation of energy. Sources state that the students, under the supervision of the faculty from the institute, have been able to complete a total of seven detailed assessments and twenty-four Walk-Through assessments in 6 months, i.e. Jan- July 2019.
The Institute has been working towards providing the industries with technological solutions that will help them save anywhere between ₹50 Lakhs to ₹1 crore in energy consumption. Sources added that some of the industries have already enforced the solutions and have claimed to have saved ₹20 lakhs. Among the manufacturing industries that have been part of the assessment, includes elevator, textile and biscuit manufacturers.
The Institute has been planning to implement the cell in other institutes of national importance like IITs and NITs in India , in order to provide help to the industries in the region. Prof Mahesh Panchagnula, the Dean of International and Alumni Relations at the institute stated that one of the ways development occurs is when the industries are able to save on energy consumption. The savings will help in the overall improvement of the industries. Sources state that the effort will be provided in collaboration with the economics and engineering department at the institute.
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The Prof Panchagnula further informed that with more assessments being undertaken by the students, researchers, and faculty, they will be able to further implement data science and AI applications to improve the functioning of small and medium industries. Sources state that an assessment in the area especially in industries will help in improving the overall performance of the industry in manufacturing products.
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The implementation of the initiative will not only help the industries save tonnes in energy consumption and money but it is also designed to provide, undergraduate and postgraduate students with work experience in the industry. It will also be helpful in devising various policy-making processes and understand the true requirements of the industry.