The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has a new program for conducting feasibility tests free of cost on 100 existing buildings, which will help them develop a framework to transform into Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB).

As per the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, any building whose Energy Performance Index (EPI) is less than 15kWh/square meter/year is termed as the nZEB building.

Environmental Design Solutions (EDS) has been selected as the designated agency to carry out the feasibility tests on the 100 existing buildings and come up with their findings.

The main aim behind carrying out the feasibility test is to develop a framework for conventional buildings to achieve nZEB requirements.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has invited expression of interest (EoI) from building owners and developers who want to be a part of this exercise.

According to the selection criteria, the buildings should have a maximum built-up area of 5,000 square meters, and the minimum connected load should be higher than 100 kW. The contract demand should be greater than 120 kVA or as specified by the state or union territory.

The buildings that will be covered for the feasibility test include educational institutions, healthcare institutions, shopping complexes, hospitality, airports, and railway or metro stations.

The building owners should have the building plans and inventory details of all installed equipment. They should also have the building envelope specifications and a minimum of 12 months of energy consumption data.

Once the study is done, the EDS will come out with the full report, and energy conservation measures will be discussed with the building owners for further action. The building owners are not bound to follow these measures before taking into consideration the full and final implication of such a move.

Previously, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) signed a memorandum of understanding kickstarting their cooperation to promote energy efficiency in buildings. The MoU will remain in force for five years unless rescinded by either party. According to the MoU, BEE, and CPWD will cooperate on promoting designs and construction of Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) compliant new buildings, star rating of CPWD managed buildings across the country with no registration or renewal fee, awareness on energy efficiency in building sector and support for capacity building of CPWD officials in ECBC.

A recently released report by the International Finance Corporation notes that by 2030, in emerging markets alone, green buildings will offer a $24.7 trillion investment opportunity. This, in turn, will spur economic growth and accelerate sustainable development. The report highlights the financial benefits that the investors, banks, developers, and owners, including governments, can expect when entering the green building market.

Earlier this year, the Maharashtra State housing department entered into a memorandum of understanding with the IFC to promote green housing. The agreement aims to provide design support, green certification, identification of sustainable and scalable building materials and technologies, and development of pilot projects.