India’s first ‘Thermal Energy Storage’ incentive program

Tata Power announced the launch of India’s first ‘Thermal Energy Storage Incentive Programme’ based on ‘Thermal Energy Storage Technology’ under Demand Side Management (DSM) Initiative’. Under its “My Mumbai Green Mumbai” programme Tata Power has launched Refrigerator exchange program and re opened AC program  to allow consumers to exchange their inefficient electrical appliances for energy efficient appliances.

In the first phase of this initiative, Tata Power has enrolled a Thermal Storage capacity of over 15,000 TRH which has achieved load shift of more than 3.6 Million units of energy from peak to off peak hours. Through the ‘Thermal Energy Storage Incentive Programme’ Tata Power promotes energy efficiency by shifting load from peak hours to off-peak hours by using practical, financially viable and proven technologies. With the use of ‘Thermal Energy Storage Technology’ the central AC plants run in the night and converts water in the form of ice. During day-time, the AC plants are switched off and building is cooled by the energy stored in the form ice. Thus, air-conditioning is provided during the day-time without actually running the large AC plants.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Padmanabhan - Executive Director, Operations, Tata Power, said, “Today, with the increase in number of commercial buildings in Mumbai, there is already a huge difference between peak load and off peak load. Our ‘Thermal Energy Storage Incentive Programme’ will not only support our consumers to bring down the peak power requirements but will offer monetary benefit on each unit of electricity shifted from peak hour to off-peak hour as an incentive. This programmes will not only help the consumers with additional incentive but also help the overall power system to bring down the peak power requirements. We at Tata Power have always endeavored to provide world class services to our customers. We have received an overwhelming response for the programme and will continue to sensitise our consumers with the benefits of managing their demand.”

Tata Power consumers participating in the programme include Hotel Meluha, Supreme IT Park, GCC Club etc.  have effectively installed this technology at their premises and have optimized  their electricity bills on account of reduced Demand Charges, judicious use of Time-of-Day (ToD) tariff and improvement in load factor without any compromise on the comfort of air conditioning. Tata Power provides online metering system for the consumer’s chiller plants and preciously measures the load shift achieved by the consumer using Thermal Storage Technology.

Under its “My Mumbai Green Mumbai” programme Tata Power encourages consumers to be energy conscious and allows them to exchange their inefficient electrical appliances with energy efficient appliances. After successful implementation of ceiling fan exchange program, Tata Power has now opened AC and Refrigerator programs. The customers can now avail a brand new energy efficient refrigerator and split air-conditioner at a discounted price ranging up to 40% on MRP in exchange of their old product. 2000 ACs will be sold through this program on first come first serve basis. In less than three months, 1000 refrigerators have been booked for replacement.  The schemes are customer friendly. Interested consumers can put their request online to get the refrigerator and AC exchanges at their doorstep. The offer is available for both single and double door refrigerators. Also for 5 star energy efficient split AC, various models of 1 Ton and 1.5 Ton are made available. The products of reputed manufacturers are offered with long warrantees. The old inefficient appliances removed from customer premises, will not be resold but will be scrapped in an environment friendly manner. Tata Power has been proactively supporting its consumers in Mumbai to take these important steps towards energy efficiency.