ZZZ PCRA: Working Towards Conserving Precious Energy Resource

PCRA: Working Towards Conserving Precious Energy Resource


The origination
Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) was set up by the Government of India in 1978 as a  response to the oil crisis of the seventies, with the aim to rein in the ever-increasing reckless fuel consumption. The association is a registered society under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and is entrusted with an enormous task of making oil conservation a national movement. As part of its mandate, PCRA  works towards creating awareness amongst the masses about the importance, methods and benefits of conserving petroleum products and reducing emissions.

Cross-sectoral approach
Through its set of multidirectional   approach, PCRA covers a large spectrum of socio-economic activities leading to awareness and oil conservation. It has fine-tuned its approach to different issues and has improved its reach and penetration amongst the target groups of oil and gas users through extensive networking in all the sectors of the economy. PCRA has not left the energy sector unattended. It plays a very important role in advancing energy efficiency. As part of its objectives, PCRA promotes R&D of new technologies, equipment, appliances, additives, devices, etc., including inter-fuel substitution and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. As a result various steps have been taken to promote conservation of petroleum products in the industry, transport, agriculture, and domestic sectors of the economy.  This even includes the upstream oil sector industries.

For the industrialists and entrepreneurs,  PCRA’s promotional schemes are  energy auditors’ empanelment, energy audit subsidy, soft loan on purchase of energy audit equipment, and soft loan for replacement of inefficient boilers. Alongwith these, PCRA undertakes  energy audits, fuel oil diagnostic studies, organises technical meets, consumer meets and seminars. It also helps organise action group meeting and exhibitions.

In the transport?? sector, which is the biggest oil guzzling sector in the country, PCRA’s training and awareness programmes and promotional schemes prove to be exceedingly efficacious in boosting conservation of petrol, diesel, lubricants and creating a multiplier effect. PCRA’s promotional schemes in the sector include soft loans on purchase of fuel-efficient engines, and purchase of instrument and equipment to upgrade garage installations. Dtp, mdp??

Although agriculture accounts for a mere one per cent of the oil consumption, the sector presents a considerable saving potential, especially when we take in consideration the electricity consumption the need and potential for energy conservation turns out to be large. Studies indicate that about 25 per cent to 30 per cent of the energy consumed in lift irrigation pumpsets can be saved through proper pump rectification measures which are extremely cost effective, the pay back period being 1 to 1.5 years. PCRA extends assistance in achieving higher levels of energy efficiency through need-based rectification schemes, demonstration centres other  promotional schemes And also through kisan melas.

For promoting oil conservation in the domestic sector, PCRA organises “Save LPG/Kerosene Clinics” to educate housewives on better cooking and driving habits. It also holds youth programmes to enlighten the young generation about the importance of fuel conservation. MORE

R&D initiatives
Apart from formulating strategies and promoting measured towards accelerating conservation of petroleum products leading to environment protection, energy security and sustainable development, PCRA also promotes R&D efforts in the area of energy conservation in a big way. The association sponsors R&D projects primarily aimed at petroleum conservation and environmental protection in different sectors of economy viz. industrial, transport, agriculture and domestic. Further, on successful completion of R&D projects, PCRA helps commercialize the technologies, processes, equipment's, appliances etc. through technology transfer to interested entrepreneurs. The R&D activities range from evaluation of fuel saving devices and additives; to development of improved combustion equipment; to development of fuel-efficient appliances, devices and equipment.  

Key strengths
PCRA has a highly competent and experienced workforce of over 50 engineering professionals from various disciplines viz. Chemical, mechanical, electrical petroleum and exploration. Apart from these, the association can draw manpower expertise from the various organisations in the oil sector.

PCRA’s major strength is in the area of conducting accurate energy audit, which give insightful information about the energy use patterns within an organisation. In fact, energy audits ate a vital link in the energy management chain. The steps involved in the exercise may be tiny, but cost savings are indeed substantial. It may, at times, mean the difference between profit and loss in a business unit. Energy audit helps in energy cost optimization, pollution control, and safety aspects and suggest methods to improve the operating & maintenance practices of the system. It is instrumental in coping with the situation of variation in energy cost availability, reliability of energy supply, decision on appropriate energy mix, decision on using improved energy conservation equipment's, instrumentation's and technology.

PCRA has got more than 25 years of experience and capability for handling energy audits in all types of industries such as processing, textiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals, glass, steel re-rolling and petrochemicals. One the one hand, PCRA manpower is cost effective, while on the other hand, it has an experience in the upstream as well as downstream areas of the oil sector.

PCRA engineers also provide analytical solutions to complex problems in the field of energy saving and energy management. PCRA is well equipped with the state-of-the-art instruments and equipment, which are extensively used to carry out thorough energy audits. In all, the association has carried out over 6,000 energy audits in various fields and has helped the industries in a saving of more than 800 thousand tonnes of oil equivalent amounting to about Rs 550 crores. PCRA also provides liason services to equipment manufacturers, financial institutions, and government/semi-government agencies. PCRA also undertakes turnkey jobs in carrying out audits and other studies.    

PCRA's experience in conducting energy audit and fuel optimization studies indicate that about 10 to 15 per cent fuel saving is just possible by maintaining simple good housekeeping habits like optimization of combustion efficiencies of boilers / thermopac and furnaces, regular monitoring of traps / insulation quality etc. Majority of these savings can be attributed towards Good Management practices'. By installing energy efficient system itself does not suffice the need but managing at its optimum condition is more essential. It needs in house development of conservation practices like regulation / monitoring / maintaining proper data. Analysis and quick energy conservation measures by each industry should be encouraged.

Outreach efforts
To take the message to the people, PCRA uses all possible and affective media for mass communication. These include electronic and press media e.g. TV, radio, electronic displays; press (at the national and state level); printed literature for specific target groups; outdoor publicity through hoardings, bus panels, kiosks, balloons, banners transliders, etc. The focus of all the messages is easy to implement and practical conservation tips for the industrial, transport, agriculture and domestic sectors. For effective communication to the target groups in semi-urban and rural areas, messages are made in regional languages. Field interactive programs like seminars, technical meets, consumer meets, workshops, clinics, van-publicity, exhibitions, kisan-melas are conducted for dissemination of conservation messages and demonstration of conservation techniques. To give impetus to the oil conservation movement, PCRA utilizes various opportunities and platforms such as the World Environment Day, World Energy Day, various festivals, etc. On such occasions, creative press campaigns are brought out.

Over the years, PCRA has developed a number of films, TV spots and radio jingles in various languages for promoting oil conservation. PCRA also publishes quarterly a journal and a newsletter. Active Conservation Techniques (ACT),is a journal containing articles on technology by energy experts. It also brings out successful case studies leading to conservation of energy. The conservation news is an in-house newsletter highlighting the major activities carried out by PCRA in the core sectors. The training programmes hosted by the association covers all the four sectors – industry, transportation, agriculture and domestic.

For the benefit of various target groups of petroleum products, PCRA has developed literature containing simple ready to implement conservation tips and techniques. Special low cost green leaflets have also been developed to educate the masses on the ill effects of pollution caused due to incomplete combustion and its impact on health. The guiding light being "Where conservation fails pollution starts".

Towards fulfilling its vision
PCRA has a network spread throughout the country. It is headquartered at New Delhi, with regional offices at Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai.  It further has sub-regional offices at another twenty-one locations. Factors such widespread network, efficient manpower, rich experience, and enormous dedication has have led to the success of the association.  In all, the PCRA’s vision says it all. It reads: “To become a center of excellence for conservation of hydrocarbons & environment protection for sustainable development on our inherent strength.” Though the statement is quite ambitious in nature, PCRA is well equipped and seems all set to move ahead towards satisfying its vision.

Partnership opportunities
As an organisation, PCRA offers tremendous partnership opportunities. Corporates, industries, and business houses can utilise its expertise in the energy audits and R&D. The expertise is drawn from 26 years of experience in the sector and rich project exposure abroad. Coupled this with low manpower charges, PCRA can be the most cost-effective and efficient consultant in the energy audit area. In the area of R&D, the association has played an important role in the development of nutan stove, burners, etc. PCRA has the most sophisticated instruments and and equipment for both the jobs. Besides, PCRA can help develop energy audit software. This expertise and experience gained in the country also be leveraged for carrying out such studies overseas.

In the mass awareness area, PCRA has developed a slew of films depicting energy conservation tips in various segments of the industry. Thee can be used by various corporates in educating their own set of customers. In addition, the association’s expertise in attracting youth for radio and television campaigns can be leveraged for spreading the conservation messages and reaching out to the youth via various broadcasting media. The association is also quite adept at networking with the NGOs and nurturing them, promoting them and developing them. Through its “training-the-trainers” initiative, PCRA can help educate a set of trainers so that they can further spread the conservation mantra across the country.

In all, PCRA is a pool of brains constantly working in the oil sector. It is in fact the biggest think-tank in this sector. With its inherent strength, coupled with three decades of experience, PCRA can certainly be acclaimed as one of the top international agencies dealing in energy conservation area. It is a premier government agency and a fit spokesperson for the government’s efforts in the area.

It invites all the stakeholders in the oil sector, exploration agencies, equipment suppliers, corporates, and industry, NGOs to avail of its expertise and services and gain from its experience in the sector.

Strengths and business opportunites
Strengths
26 years of expertise in energy audits
highly competent manpower
low cost resources
vast experience in creating mass awareness through electronic/print media
successful R&D efforts and expertise in developing products
expertise in developing energy audit software
experience in working with NGOs and other grass-root level agencies

Business opportunities
conducting training programmes in industrial/transport/agriculture/ domestic sectors
conducting energy audits in the most comprehensive way
training-the-trainers under DTP, youth programmes
running other mass awareness campaigns
turnkey contracting in the area of energy conservation 
coordination for the emission trading activities
exploring funding opportunities in the energy conservation area 
can become the official spokesperson of the country in energy conservation area