A research centre for the development of alternate energy systems with a national outlook would require infrastructure facilities like efficient telecommunication, a software base, access and contact with all parts of the country, in addition to the basic services such as water supply, drainage, electricity, sewage disposal, etc. One of the important subsidiary functions of the research centre would be dissemination of energy related information among the community and raising the general level of energy consciousness among the people. This is critical because lack of awareness is one of the most important reasons for the dearth of interest in energy saving and the adoption of cleaner, ‘greener’ technologies.
MAHARASHTRA - Energy concerns in growth and development
Maharashtra is one of the largest and most industrialised states in
India. It also boasts the highest rate of urbanisation in the country with
38.73% of its population living in urban areas. Mumbai is the largest city
in the country and also the commercial capital. The urban population is
poised for more growth with the development of new towns like Navi Mumbai
and also Pune. Greater commercial activity means increased
consumption of energy and further development can only add to this.
In spite of the presence of this large urban population, there exists
little awareness about the energy situation and ways and methods of energy
conservation. Information regarding energy and data required for energy
conscious design is not easily available even in the Metros. The Maharashtra
Energy Development Agency (MEDA), set up for the promotion of alternate
energy systems, is little known in the state and very limited in its activities.
Compare this with the Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), based in
Baroda which is a household name in the state with activities ranging from
encouragement of development of alternate energy systems, subsidies for
the setting up of such systems and the publication of energy related information
and the latest developments. This has led to greater awareness in Gujarat
about the use of alternate energy systems. An effort at this level is also
required in Maharashtra to increase public awareness and acceptance of
alternate energy systems. The popularisation of energy conscious design
of buildings is of great importance as they are major energy guzzlers,
accounting for almost 20% of the total consumption of energy.
In addition, Maharashtra lies in a zone with sufficient solar radiation
for the efficient collection of solar energy and the development of its
applications. The development of municipal level biogas and biomass plants
will be a boon to the state, turning garbage into gold; i.e. fuel.
18deg 32’ N, 73deg 51’ E
The urban population in Maharashtra is concentrated
around the Metro cities of Mumbai and Pune. Pune has the infrastructure
and facilities to support a project of this nature without the congestion
and space constraints of Mumbai. It is also a city known for its industrial
and institutional facilities. Although the research centre is envisaged
at the national level, its most immediate influence will be felt in the
vicinity itself. With Pune being seen as an alternative to Mumbai (the
new expressway will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Pune to just
3 hours), and the city continuously expanding in both population and industrial
activity, the scope for influencing the city’s future energy consumption
characteristics is enormous.
SITE REPORT
LOCATION
The site is located within the
Pune University campus situated along Aundh road. The campus contains a
number of educational as well as research facilities in green surroundings.
The site is situated opposite side of I.U.C.A.A. with a sports ground across
the road.
TOPOGRAPHY
The site is situated on flat
land measuring approximately 3 hectares. The site has a number of short
trees growing on it along with moderately thick ground cover. The Mutha
left canal flows through the site but it has now been reduced to a very
narrow flow only during the monsoons.
CLIMATE
Pune is situated on the banks
of the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers, at an altitude of over
1800 ft. above sea level.
CLIMATIC CHART
| Mean monthly max. C | Mean monthly min. C | Mean highest of month C | Mean lowest of month C | ||||||||||||
| J
30.3 |
M
37.1 |
A
27.6 |
N
30.1 |
J
1.7 |
M
22.4 |
A
21.4 |
N
14.7 |
J
32.8 |
M
40.9 |
A
30.3 |
N
32.7 |
J
8.2 |
M
19.1 |
A
19.4 |
N
9.9 |
| Relative Humidity (%) | MeanVapour pressure (m.b) | Mean monthly rainfall(mm) | |||||||||||||
| Morning | Evening | ||||||||||||||
| J
69 |
M
61 |
A
84 |
N
76 |
J
25 |
M
32 |
A
74 |
N
35 |
J
10.3 |
M
18.4 |
A
23.2 |
N
14.2 |
J
1.5 |
M
26.9 |
A
90.2 |
N
27.4 |
| Wind direction | Mean monthly wind speed(km/hr.) | ||||||||||
| Morning | Evening | ||||||||||
| J
C/S |
M
W/NW |
A
W/SW |
N
C/E |
J
C/W |
M
W/NW |
A
W/NW |
N
C/E |
J
5.95 |
M
14.64 |
A
14.32 |
N
5.95 |
| june | may-july | mar-sep | apr-aug | feb-oct | jan-nov | dec | ||||||||
| Az. | Alt. | Az. | Alt. | Az. | Alt. | Az. | Alt. | Az. | Alt. | Az. | Alt. | Az. | Alt. | |
| 5 p.m. | 288 | 21 | 286 | 22 | 278 | 20 | 268 | 15 | 257 | 8 | 248 | 5 | 243 | 5 |
| 4 p.m | 285 | 35 | 283 | 36 | 274 | 34 | 262 | 29 | 251 | 22 | 242 | 18 | 236 | 17 |
| 3 p.m | 284 | 48 | 280 | 50 | 270 | 48 | 256 | 43 | 244 | 35 | 234 | 30 | 228 | 29 |
| 2 p.m | 285 | 62 | 289 | 64 | 264 | 62 | 245 | 56 | 222 | 40 | 232 | 40 | 215 | 39 |
| 1 p.m | 292 | 76 | 286 | 77 | 251 | 76 | 225 | 68 | 214 | 57 | 206 | 49 | 198 | 45 |
| 12noon | 12 | 85 | 58 | 86 | 154 | 85 | 180 | 74 | 185 | 62 | 184 | 50 | 180 | 48 |
| 11 a.m | 69 | 74 | 76 | 73 | 102 | 72 | 134 | 68 | 154 | 60 | 160 | 51 | 158 | 45 |