FROM CONSUMPTION TO CONSERVATION: EVALUATING BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Abstract

In India, buildings account for approximately one-third of the total electricity consumption, with nearly two-thirds of this demand being met through thermal power sources. In Kerala, buildings with Low Tension (LT) and High Tension (HT) electricity connections represent a significant portion of the state's overall electricity usage. As part of climate change mitigation efforts, decarbonizing these buildings requires proactive energy performance benchmarking by Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. Encouragingly, benchmarking building energy consumption in Indian cities is feasible even with limited data. This article presents an innovative methodology for benchmarking energy use in office buildings in Thiruvananthapuram, aiming to assess data availability and identify the practical challenges that could emerge if such efforts were expanded. To support continuous improvements, it is crucial to develop tools and methods tailored for local-level benchmarking. Furthermore, the State Government can play a pivotal role by utilizing training institutions to build awareness among local bodies about the value of energy benchmarking. This would help them monitor building performance effectively and promote subsequent energy retrofit initiatives.