Ingenieur Vol 76 ingenieur 2018 October | Page 80

INGENIEUR Policy Options for Improving Energy End-use Efficiency By Prof. Ir. Dr K S Kannan Technical Advisor United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) A. Industrial sector The industrial sector consumes a large share of the total primary energy supply. It also has the greatest scope for significant improvement in end- use efficiency. To realize energy savings in the industrial sector, the Government needs to create various mechanisms to support the improvement of end- use energy efficiency. Institutional support could be provided for the industrial sector to build up technical capabilities and increase technological know-how among relevant personnel (at all levels) as well as make available information on state-of-the-art technologies. This can be achieved through the establishment of an energy training centre that would coordinate all efforts on energy efficiency including promotion, dissemination of information, support for demonstration projects and capacity- building for all stakeholders (e.g. decision-making, policy making, energy systems and users). In addition, energy-use benchmarking activities, such as collection of best practices, could be conducted to ensure the continuous improvement of energy management activities. Continuously conducting energy efficiency training and development programs would also be beneficial to the major players of the sector. Legislative support is needed in the establishment of an institution that would oversee 6 78 VOL 2018 VOL 76 55 OCTOBER-DECEMBER JUNE 2013 energy-efficiency activities. In addition, legislative backing is needed to set up and administer regulations, standards and programs to promote energy efficiency. Some of the activities requiring legislative support involve the establishment of equipment standards, the appointment of energy managers, the conduct of mandatory energy audits, the provision of financial and fiscal incentives, the participation of public and private entities, the signing of voluntary agreements, the settlement of targets, reporting and benchmarking, the conduct of research, development and promotional activities and the strengthening of integrated industrial energy- efficiency policies. B. Transport sector Transportation is an important component of the economy. Recent developments in engineering and technology and a phenomenal increase in the size of this sector have brought significant changes to society, not only economically but also environmentally. The increasing amount of pollution particularly in urban areas, is attributed to a heavy dependence on road transport and therefore fossil fuels. Thus, policies encouraging the development of other modes of transport with a goal of balanced transportation network and continued