How inverter ACs catalysing the energy-efficient future

Subject :Environment

Section: Environment Legislation

Context:

Cost Efficiencies, growing climate awareness and rising purchasing power is triggering a discernible consumption shift in India, with energy-efficient inverter air conditioners gaining traction among consumers and manufacturers ramping up output.

Inverter ACs:

According to latest data from the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE),Ministry Of Power,inverter ACs accounted for less than 1 percent of the overall room AC (RAC) market of 4.7million units in the financial year 2015-16 (FY16).
As of FY23, the share has increased to 77 per cent, while the fixed speed RACs went down to 23 percent.
Inverter ACs are a preferable choice over the non-inverter ACs due to their:
- low operational costs,
- increased energy efficiency,
- noiseless operation and
- Maximum usage security.
A non-inverter ACs are fixed speed ACs where the compressor is turned on and off repeatedly.
An inverter AC, on the other hand, is a variable speed AC where the compressor runs continuously, but way more efficiently and does the cooling job better while consuming less power.

Manufacturing plants in India:

To meet the rising demand, the companies are stepping up with investments to set up manufacturing plants that produce higher end ACs in India.
At present, Daikin, the world’s largest AC manufacturer, builds around 15 lakh RAC units from its Neemrana facilities in Rajasthan, aiming for another 10-12 lakh units once the SriCity facility is set up by 2024.
- Most of the components for Daikin are imported from Thailand and Vietnam. Some components are already manufactured here in Neemrana, Rajasthan.

Mitsubishi Electric India will set up a new manufacturing unit in TamilNadu’s Tiruvallur district at an investment of about Rs 1,891 crore.
- The production was expected to begin in 2025, and the initial capacity RAC would be 3 lakh units and 6.50 lakh for compressors by December 2025.
- The combined cost of purchase and running of the inverter ACs is lower than that of the regular air conditioners regarding the upfront price versus the running cost trade-off.

Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) for inverter ACs:

Production-Linked Incentives(PLIs) have been introduced to encourage manufacturers to invest in component manufacturing in India.
These companies will manufacture copper tubing, compressors, control assemblies for indoor and outdoor units, heat exchangers and BrushLess DC motors, among other components.

BEE labeling:

The shift towards inverter ACs is a part of BEE’s India Cooling Action Plan, aimed to fulfil cooling demand,enhance energy efficiency and better technology options.
Due to BEE’s star-rating system, the electricity cost went down considerably, about 65-75 percent, leading to deeper penetration of ACs across India.
The table for star-rating gets revised every two years. What was a 5-star RAC is a 4-star or 3-star now.
As of now, no brand makes 5-star fixed RACs as it does not deliver energy efficiency.

Star rating system of BEE:

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has developed a star rating system for electrical appliances that will help recognise an energy-efficient appliance.
The appliance efficiency ratings are labelled in a range of 1 to 5 stars.
An energy star refers to the appliance’s energy efficiency, with 1 star being the least efficient and 5 stars being the most efficient.

India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP):

Launched by: Government of India in 2019.
India is the first country with a cooling action plan based on energy efficiency and thermal comfort.
The India Cooling Action seeks to:
- reduce cooling demand across sectors by 20% to 25% by 2037-38,
- reduce refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by 2037-38,
- Reduce cooling energy requirements by 25% to 40% by 2037-38,
- recognize “cooling and related areas” as a thrust area of research under national S&T Programme,
- training and certification of 100,000 servicing sector technicians by 2022-23, synergizing with Skill India Mission.
The following benefits would accrue to the society over and above the environmental benefits:
- Thermal comfort for all – provision for cooling for EWS and LIG housing,
- Sustainable cooling – low GHG emissions related to cooling,
- Doubling Farmers Income – better cold chain infrastructure – better value of produce to farmers, less wastage of produce,
- Robust R&D on alternative cooling technologies – to provide push to innovation in the cooling sector.

BEE:

It is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power created in March 2002 under the provisions of the nation’s 2001 Energy Conservation Act.
Five major provisions of EC Act relate to Designated Consumers, Standard and Labelling of Appliances, Energy Conservation Building Codes, Creation of Institutional Set up (BEE) and Establishment of Energy Conservation Fund.
The agency’s function is to develop programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India.
The government has proposed to make it mandatory for certain appliances in India to have ratings by the BEE starting in January 2010.
The primary objective would be to reduce energy intensity in the economy.
The mission is to “institutionalise” energy efficiency services, enable delivery mechanisms in the country and provide leadership to energy efficiency in all sectors of the country.
Mandatory Appliances-
- Frost Free (No-Frost) Refrigerator
- Tubular Fluorescent Lamps
- Room Air Conditioners (Cassette, Floor Standing Tower, Ceiling, Corner AC)
- Distribution Transformer
- Color TV
- CST AC
- Direct Cool Refrigrator
- Electric Geyse