We were commissioned in 2010-13 to audit and implement energy conservation measures in small-scale tea factories in South India as part of a UNDP-TIDE project as a Technology Partner.

 

As part of the project, We audited more than 100 tea factories in South India and developed model Tea factories by implementing and demonstrating energy conservation projects on a Pilot-scale in tea factories.

 

This was a landmark project in RE / EE space, completed in 2013 in partnership with TIDE and the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, and funded by UNDP’s Global Environment Facility (GEF).

 

The objective was to create a positive environment for the introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency products and processes in tea factories in south India.The project worked in a consortium mode with various partners including:

 

• TEDA (Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency)

• The tea planters associations (NILMA and Bought leaf manufacturer’s association)

• Research institutions engaged in tea research (Tea Research Institute under United Planters Association South India, PSG College of Technology, Anna University)

• Technology providers (Planters Energy Network, Pandian Engineering, Teakrafts)

• Commercial Banks (State bank of India, Central Bank, Union Bank of India, Indian Bank)

 

The project succeeded in removing many barriers to acceptance of energy efficient technology by the tea factories, in both thermal and electrical energy areas.  

 

Energy audits were conducted and scorecards created along with recommendations for conservation.  Close to 80 factories have adopted at least one of the recommendations given to them resulting in huge energy conservation per Kg of tea produced, along with cost reduction

 

Through this project, about 55,800 MTs of CO2 is saved per annum directly.