This is Fairconditioning

The Faircondi-oning programme is a collabora-on between a Geneva (Switzerland) based NGO, Noé21, and a Pune based social enterprise, cBalance Solu/ons Hub. The programmes’ staff works to invert the current trend of very high-energy consump-on in India. A high-energy consump-on mostly caused by the quasi absence of green, energy efficient buildings. While installing a culture of energy efficient building design and highly efficient indoor cooling techniques, Faircondi-oning aims at easing the electrifica-on of rural India, reducing energy bills and mostly at protec-ng popula-ons who are the most vulnerable to climate change.

The Fairconditioning programme is a collabora-on between a Geneva (Switzerland) based NGO, Noé21, and a Pune based social enterprise, cBalance Solu/ons Hub. The programmes’ staff works to invert the current trend of very high-energy consump-on in India. A high-energy consump-on mostly caused by the quasi absence of green, energy efficient buildings. While installing a culture of energy efficient building design and highly efficient indoor cooling techniques, Faircondi-oning aims at easing the electrifica-on of rural India, reducing energy bills and mostly at protec-ng popula-ons who are the most vulnerable to climate change.

Energy efficiency’s integration in standard architecture and engineering practices depends on a well-trained workforce. Fairconditioning practices hands-on interventions in academia across India’s major urban areas. Here are the most recent developments:

Training of trainers (ToT) and workshops for engineering students

During the months from July to October 2016, Fairconditioning successfully conducted:

• Architecture Professor ToT Workshop in Jaipur at MNIT
• Architecture Professor ToT Workshop in Chennai at MARG Institute of Design and Architecture Swarnabhoomi (MIDAS).
• Engineering Student Certification Workshop in Pune, Sinhgad College of Engineering (SCoE)
• Engineering Student Certification Workshop in Mumbai at Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering (MPSTME), part of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies
• Engineering Student Certification Workshop in Chennai at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). See photo above.
  Upcoming trainings and workshops:

This coming November, we will be conducting:

• ToT workshop in Mumbai from 2nd to 4th
• Engineering Student Certification Workshop in Bangalore from 9th to 13th

More on these with details in our next newsletter!

We are also learning and not only teaching!

As the academic chapter of Fairconditioning (ACIP) is wrapping up this year’s set of workshops, we’re reflecting on what we can learn from the past workshops. We’re absorbing learnings from a variety of feedbacks from our participants, team, partners, and consultants.

We have already used these learnings in the process of planning the next set of 2017 workshops. On our desks too, we are compiling an elaborate report on our activities, to be shared with our funders and stakeholders. Finally, we’re calculating the carbon footprint of the 12 workshops conducted under ACIP so as to offset them with help from partner organisations.

2. Energy efficient cooling technology chapter of Fairconditioning

Workshop for architects held in Chennai

On 2nd-4th September, BEMAP staff held its ninth workshop of the ‘Thoughtful Cooling’ series.  The workshop on ‘Sustainable Cooling and Building Energy Modelling’ designed for architects aimed to equip them with knowledge in building physics, climate analysis, passive design for cooling and day lighting and sustainable active cooling systems. The workshop also provides basic training on energy modelling software to help participants understand impact of early-design decisions on building cooling loads and energy efficiency. All participants were provided with a free on-line course covering the above-mentioned topics. Technical theory sessions were conducted on the first day of the workshop followed by two days of hands-on training on a specifically selected software. Each participant received a 1-month free trial license for the software post the workshop. They are also offered a 50% discount on purchase of the modules used for modelling building geometry, day lighting, envelope, HVAC systems and natural ventilation.

A total of 18 participants were a part of the workshop. The participants were architects, professors, students and engineers representing 12 different firms and universities from Chennai, Auroville, Madurai and Pondicherry. The BEMAP team received largely positive feedback from the participants about the workshop. Majority of the participants were keen to implement sustainable cooling technologies in their projects. However, only 40% of the participants felt confident of using energy modelling software for design analysis. The reasons cited for this ranged from technical competency to pricing of modelling software. The BEMAP team aims to incorporate the feedback into content upgrade and programme development for future workshops.

Building Energy Modelling and Simulation Training Content Upgrade_v.2

The training for the building energy modelling and simulation will be conducted on Design Builder software for the next workshop. New training content is being developed for the same in collaboration with Mr P.C. Thomas (Director – Team Catalyst, Sydney) and Ms Deepa Parekh (Project Manager – Environmental Design Solutions, Mumbai). The new format will focus on training on processes, strategies and analysis that help integrate BEM in any building design.

Events in November

Three events are planned for BEMAP in November. We will be hosting the ‘Sustainable Cooling and Building Energy Modelling’ workshop for architects in Mumbai and Pune. In addition, the roundtable discussion on ‘Cooling Buildings Sustainably’ will be conducted in Mumbai. The roundtable discussion will be a reflection session for architects who have participated in past BEMAP training workshops. It will also include brainstorming sessions to identify opportunities for widespread adoption through policy changes, tool development and industry synergy.

MOOC 2.0

An upgrade of the current on-line course is proposed in the next phase. The on-line course will also include modules and resources on sustainable cooling technologies that are covered in our workshops. The aim is to enable better absorption of the concepts for workshop participants and to provide non-participants access to knowledge resources for these technologies in India.