Low Carbon Energy Tracking

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has established comprehensive systems to measure and track low carbon energy usage across its campuses, positioning itself as one of India’s first universities to implement real-time carbon footprint monitoring and advanced renewable energy tracking.

Low carbon energy tracking – Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham

Real-Time Energy Monitoring Systems

SREE Campus Dashboard

The university’s SREE Campus (Sustainability and Resilience Monitoring Dashboard) provides live tracking of energy consumption and carbon emissions across all campus buildings. This advanced IoT-powered system enables continuous monitoring of key environmental metrics including energy efficiency, climate conditions, and carbon emissions, facilitating data-driven decision-making for resource optimization.

Building Energy Management

Every building on campus features real-time carbon footprint dashboards that allow students and faculty to visualize the environmental impact of their daily activities. The building energy monitoring system provides insights into consumption patterns, historical trends, and calculates key performance indicators such as Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE).

https://www.amrita.edu/energy-efficiency-standards-for-renovations-and-new-builds
https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/energy-wastage-identification

Quantitative Low Carbon Energy Measurements (2024)

Renewable Energy Generation

• Total Renewable Capacity: 4 MW across all campuses
• Rooftop Solar PV: 306 kWp on academic buildings generating 567,228 kWh annually
• Clean Energy Surplus: 5.24% excess generation above total campus energy demand
• Annual Energy Savings: 379,200 kWh through building monitoring systems

Carbon Impact Measurements

• Annual CO₂ Reduction: 3,394 metric tons total
  • 311 metric tons from solar installations and water heating systems
  • 2,222 metric tons from carpooling and electric/CNG vehicle initiatives
  • 550 metric tons from shared workspace construction
  • 300 tons from waste recycling programs

Energy Efficiency Metrics

• LED Lighting Coverage: 90% of campus with sensor-based automation
• Smart Workspaces: 70% of campus areas with automated energy management
• Energy Efficiency Rating: 90% in latest energy audit
• Grid Dependency Target: Reduced to 30% by 2025
• BEE Standards Compliance: 100% across all buildings

https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/plan-to-reduce-energy

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Low Carbon Energy Measurements 2024

Advanced Tracking Technologies

Carbon Monitoring System

The real-time CO₂ monitoring system provides comprehensive oversight of campus carbon footprint associated with energy consumption. It displays real-time data on emissions from electricity, heating, and cooling systems, analyzes historical trends, and generates detailed reports for environmental compliance.

Smart Infrastructure Integration

• Sensor-Based Automation: Motion sensors and timers optimize energy usage in common areas
• Temperature Control: Indoor temperatures maintained at 24°C following Bureau of Energy Efficiency recommendations
• Heat Recovery Systems: Air conditioning heat is repurposed for water heating

Research and Innovation in Low Carbon Technology

Living Algae Solar Cells

Amrita scientists pioneered breakthrough bio-photovoltaic technology using living freshwater algae to generate electricity. The device achieved a photocurrent of 1.25 mA and photovoltage of 0.5 V under UV light exposure, demonstrating potential for sustainable energy solutions.

https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/plan-to-reduce-energy

International Collaborations

The university hosts collaborations with Swedish and German solar energy experts for advanced PV-thermal module development and joint research initiatives.

2024 Documentation and Evidence

Official Reports and Links

• Low Carbon Energy Tracking Dashboard
• Carbon Reduction and Emission Management Plan
• Energy Efficiency Plan
• Building Energy Efficiency Standards

Visual Documentation (2024)

• Campus solar installations documented in June 2024 Energy Swaraj program
• Real-time dashboard displays showing building-level energy consumption
• SREE Campus monitoring interface accessible to students and faculty

Future Targets and Commitments

Amrita has pledged to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2035, with plans to install rooftop solar panels meeting up to 50% of energy needs within the next decade. The university aims to serve as a model for other institutions to replicate these renewable energy solutions.

https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/renewable-energy-pledge

The comprehensive measurement system demonstrates Amrita’s leadership in quantifying low carbon energy usage, with transparent reporting, real-time monitoring, and ambitious targets that position the university as a pioneer in sustainable campus operations across India.

1. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg13/low-carbon-energy-tracking/
2. https://www.amrita.edu/energy-efficiency-standards-for-renovations-and-new-builds/
3. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/energy-wastage-identification/
4. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/carbon-reduction-and-emission/
5. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/plan-to-reduce-energy/
6. https://www.amrita.edu/news/amrita-vishwa-vidyapeetham-scientists-pioneer-living-algae-powered-solar-cell-technology/ 
7. https://www.amrita.edu/news/solar-energy-experts-from-sweden-and-germany-visit-amrita/ 
8. https://www.instagram.com/p/C8J7AOitFeX/ 
9. https://www.instagram.com/amritapuricampus/p/C8J7AOitFeX/?hl=ar 
10. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/renewable-energy-pledge/ 
11. https://www.amrita.edu/school/sustainable-futures/afforadable-and-clean-energy/ 
12. https://www.amrita.edu/research/project/amrita-sphuranam-solar-power-rural-electrification/ 
13. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg-25/sdg7/upgrade-buildings/ 
14. https://www.facebook.com/AmritaUniversity/posts/solar-panels-developed-at-amrita-are-being-used-to-power-stalls-during-amritavar/10153244692833719/ 
15. https://www.amrita.edu/center/amrita-wind-energy-center/ 
16. https://www.amrita.edu/unsdg/sdg7/plan-to-reduce-energy-consumption/ 
17. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBjkidHu0BA/ 
18. https://www.amrita.edu/publication/impact-of-building-orientation-and-renewable-energy-in-operational-energy-of-a-building-in-micro-climate/ 
19. https://www.amrita.edu/research/projects/ 
20. https://amritatec.in/images/TEC_Activities/7_Jul24_Mar25_TECActivities.pdf 
21. https://www.facebook.com/amritapuricampus/posts/the-solar-panels-from-the-nano-solar-lab-are-being-used-now-all-the-stalls-are-g/971548256250373/