About the Bureau of Energy Efficiency(BEE)
It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India established under provisions of the Energy Conservation Act 2001, to promote efficient use of energy and its conservation
Mission
The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy.
Role of BEE
BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies and other organizations and recognizes, identifies and utilizes the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the Energy Conservation Act. The Energy Conservation Act provides for regulatory and promotional functions
Major Functions
The Major Functions of BEE include:
- The Bureau shall, effectively coordinate with designated consumers, designated agencies and other agencies, recognise and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it by or under Energy Conservation Act.
- Create awareness and disseminate information on energy efficiency and conservation
- Arrange and organize training of personnel and specialists in the techniques for efficient use of energy and its conservation
- Recommend to the Central Government the norms for processes and energy consumption standards required to be notified under clause (a) of section14 of Energy Conservation Act
- recommend to the Central Government for issuing of the energy savings certificate under section 14A
- Strengthen consultancy services in the field of energy conservation
- Promote research and development
- Develop testing and certification procedures and promote testing facilities
- Formulate and facilitate implementation of pilot projects and demonstration projects
- Promote use of energy efficient processes, equipment, devices and systems
- Take steps to encourage preferential treatment for use of energy efficient equipment or appliances
- Promote innovative financing of energy efficiency projects
- Give financial assistance to institutions for promoting efficient use of energy and its conservation
- Prepare educational curriculum on efficient use of energy and its conservation
- Implement international co-operation programmes relating to efficient use of energy and its conservation
Various initiatives of BEE
- BEE launched the voluntary star labelling program for fixed-speed room air conditioners (RACs) in 2006, and this program became mandatory on 12th January 2009.
- Thereafter, in 2015, a voluntary star labelling program for inverter room air conditioners was launched and which was made mandatory with effect from 1st January 2018.
- The BEE star labelling program for Room Air Conditioners now covers both fixed and inverter RAC up to a cooling capacity of 10,465 watts (2.97 TR). Continual enhancement in performance levels has resulted in substantial energy efficiency improvement of about 43% in the minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for split units, which are the most popular RACs sold in the market.
- ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy efficiency ratio) is the energy performance index used for Room Air Conditioners (RACs) and its assessment is based on the bin hours defined in ISO 16358.
