Page 23 - JCERDC Status Report

Principal Investigators

Ashok Gadgil
N.K. Bansal Lawrence Berkeley CBERD
CEPT University National Laboratory
Ahmedabad, INDIA Berkeley, USA

Background

India’s economic growth in recent years has
demonstrated that the building sector needs
urgent attention of policy makers to reduce its
negative impact on environmental conditions.
Commercial building and high-density
residential construction industry is experiencing
an explosive growth. India is expected to add
about 700-900 million M of built floor space
2
each year (McKinsey, 2010). The United States
is one of the largest energy consumers in the
world. Buildings account for over 70% of total
electricity consumed in the US.

The potential for building energy savings in
both nations is enormous. Number of research
studies have demonstrated that building
envelop and energy systems-level integration
through innovative design and technologies can
reduce energy consumption by at least 60% in
new construction in India, and at least 10-30%
in retrofits in the U.S. relative to local norms
and practices. By drawing on the research and
technological capabilities of the U.S. and India,
substantial energy savings can be achieved.

Status Report 2015 23