Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Division

Renewable energy especially solar, wind and biomass was recognized as the future energy source for India during the late 1960s and 1970s. CPRI installed water pumping windmills as early as 1976. The CPRI began the work in energy effi ciency in 1979 recognizing its importance to the power sector. The work began with product development for energy effi ciency and renewable energy and branched out into consultancy services for energy audits and power plant engineering. The developments is traced from 1976 till present and the salient achievements are the development of PRIYAGNI (PRI-Power Research Institute) wood burning stove, one of the fi rst designs of compact fl uorescent lantern, biomass gasifi er and Stirling Engine. On the consultancy side the salient achievement is the energy audit of thermal and hydro power stations across the country. The Division has contributed in its capacity to the making of the Energy Conservation Act 2001, Electricity Act 2003, National Electricity Policy 2005 and all other major energy related legislation.