My Luminous

Luminous is now one of the Global Superbrands

2012-01-17T00:04:00.000-08:00

Luminous Power Technologies, the leading power back-up solution provider in India, has been honoured with the citation of one of the ‘Global Superbands’ at the 4th edition of Consumer Superbrands for the year 2011-12.

Chosen by a select council formed exclusively for the 4^th Edition of Consumer Superbrands comprising of eminent professionals from India’s corporate sector; the award recognizes the brand custodians’ persevering efforts to build brands strong on consumer perceptions which make them more resilient to fluctuating economic conditions.

Forming a very exclusive group of winners selected first by the consumer and then by the independent Superbrands Council, Luminous makes the cut which provides evidence of the brands’ exceptional status for existing and potential customers in India and overseas, dealers, the media, suppliers, joint venture partners, investors, financial institutions, members on the board, shareholders and even present and future employees.

This result has been the outcome of an extensive research done by the Superbrands enterprise conducted on pan India basis. Luminous aggregated an impressive total of 7.11 out of a possible 10, a rating designed to reflect the overall excellence of the brand. In the initial stages of the evaluation, Superbrands invited audiences from across the country to grade brands. 23,929 respondents gave away nearly one million scores. Those brands that survived this highly critical consumer scrutiny were then subjected to professional evaluation by an independent body of business leaders. Luminous has been ranked amongst the top 10% of all brands across all segments and all categories. In a market comprising several highly regarded competitors this is an outstanding achievement.

Mr. Manish Pant, MD, Luminous Power Technologies said, “It is a great honour for Luminous Invertors and Batteries to be a part of the exclusive group of Superbrands in the country. The honour goes on to show the company’s dedication towards consumer satisfaction and showcases the exemplary achievements that the brand has garnered over the years in the power products category. Changing the perspective of the power sector in the country, Luminous Invertors and Batteries has always strived to be a market game changer and deliver to the society the best possible means to self-emancipation. The Superbrands recognition is a tribute to our long standing commitment to bring together collate of stronger brand perception and thus bring to the end consumer a long standing faith in the brand.”

Everyday Household Practices To Conserve Energy

2011-10-04T22:32:00.001-07:00

Use Efficient Lighting

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These use four times less energy. And they last eight times longer. So you not only cut your electricity bills dramatically, you also save a lot of money buying bulbs.

Use Energy Efficient Electric Appliances

They use two to 10 times less electricity for the same functionality, and are mostly higher quality products that last longer than the less efficient ones. In short, efficient appliances save you lots of energy and money. In India, appliances like refrigerators and ACs have efficiency rating labels ranging from 1 to 5 stars, the higher number being more efficient.

Use Energy Efficient Computer

Buy a laptop instead of a desktop. It consumes five times less electricity. If you buy a desktop, get an LCD screen. Enable the power management function on your computer; the screensaver does not save energy. Check if your computer supports the more advanced power management. Switching off a computer extends its lifetime, contrary to some misconceptions. Minimize printing. Print on both sides of the paper. Laser printers use more electricity than inkjet printers.

Drive Less

Walk, bike, carpool or take public transport. You'll save 1.5 kg of carbon dioxide for every 5km you don't drive. Use cars that run on cleaner fuels such as CNG and LPG. Switch off your car if you want to stop for more than two minutes.

Check Your Tyres

Keeping your tyres inflated properly can improve the fuel efficiency of your car. Every litre of petrol saved keeps 2.5 kg of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Using radial tyres will help you save 3 to 7 % of fuel.

Use Water Carefully

Don't waste water. Use a mug of water when brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hands and face. Instead of a shower or tub bath, use a bucket. Try to harvest rain water in your locality. It takes a lot of energy to heat water- use less hot water and use efficient heating appliances.

Say No To Plastic

Take a cloth bag with you when shopping. Use recycled paper. Avoid products with a lot of packaging.

Use Renewable Energy

Sunlight can be used in many different ways to save energy. Use a solar water heater instead of an electric geyser. A 100 litre solar water heater can save around 1500 units of electricity every year. For lighting, use batteries that can be charged with sunlight. A solar cooker cooks rice and vegetables without losing their essential nutrients. Just leave the solar cooker outside in the sun to cook your food. If you live in a village, you can use biogas from cow-dung to save energy.

Plant More Trees

A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

Turn Off Electronic Devices

Simply turning off your television, stereo, computer, fans, lights when you are not using them will save you thousands of kilograms of carbon dioxide a year.

Reuse & Recycle

Recycling and re-using products like paper and bottles will help protect the environment. Use recycled paper. Recycle your office and household waste.

Don't Leave Things Turned On

Don't leave lights on when no one is in the room. If you are going to be out of the room for more than five minutes, turn off the light.

If you know of a light that everyone forgets to turn off, make a sticker or a sign to hang next to the switch that says "Lights Out!" or "Don't Forget!" Where possible, use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Those funny-looking bulbs produce the same amount of light by using 1/4 of the electricity. Plus, they last for years and years without burning out.

Turn off the TV when no one is watching it. The same goes for computers, radios and stereos - if no one using it, turn it off. Turn off all the appliances at the surge protector/control strip - that four- or six-plug extension chord that you plug all your computer things into. Some devices, like modems or other networking boxes are drawing small amounts of power all the time. Check with your folks first, but the best thing to do is turn them ALL off at the surge protector.

Don't leave on your computer, TVs, radios or games that use electricity when you're not using them. Before going to sleep check if any appliance is running unnecessarily.

Water = Electricity

Wasting water wastes electricity. Why? Because the biggest use of electricity in most cities is supplying water and cleaning it up after it's been used! About 75 percent of the water we use in our homes is used in the bathroom. Unless you have a low flush toilet, for example, you use about five gallons to seven gallons of water with every flush! A leaky toilet can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water a year.

Drippy faucets are bad, too. A faucet that leaks enough water to fill a soda bottle every 30 minutes will waste 2,192 gallons of water a year. Another simple way to save water AND energy is to take shorter showers. You'll use less hot water - and water heaters account for nearly 1/4 of your home's energy use. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean off the driveway, patio or deck - this will save hundreds of gallons of water each year.

In the Kitchen

According to researchers who are paid to study such things, a load of dishes cleaned in a dishwasher uses 37 percent less water than washing dishes by hand! However, if you fill up one side of the sink with soapy water and the other side with rinse water - and if you don't let the faucet run - you'll use half as much water as a dishwasher does. Doing the dishes this way can save enough water for a five-minute shower!

If you need to warm up or defrost small amounts of food, use a microwave instead of the stove to save energy. Microwave ovens use around 50 percent less energy than conventional ovens do. For large meals, however, the stove is usually more efficient. In the summer, using a microwave causes less heat in the kitchen, which saves money on air conditioning.

Don't keep the refrigerator door open any longer than you need to. Close it to keep the cold air inside! Also, make sure the door closes securely. There is a rubber-like seal around the door that you can test. Just close the door on a tissue paper, and then see how easy it is to pull out. If the tissue slides out easily, the door is probably leaking cold air from inside.

Is there an old refrigerator sitting in the garage or someplace else at home? Old refrigerators are real energy hogs! An old refrigerator could be costing your family a fortune. Also keep in mind that one large refrigerator is cheaper to run than two smaller ones. It is also beneficial to adjust the cooling according to the climate.

Precautions to be taken regarding batteries

Batteries that are thrown away produce most of the heavy metals - dangerous substances like lead, arsenic, zinc, cadmium, copper, and mercury - that are found in household trash. These metals are toxic. They can be harmful to humans and wildlife. When discarded batteries from our trash wind up in landfills, these dangerous metals seep into the ground water and eventually into the food chain. So, instead of throwing batteries in the trash, we should all take them to a toxic waste disposal area, if at all possible.

Turn off the toys and games that use batteries when you are not playing with them. This makes the batteries last longer and you won't need as many of them.

Forty percent of all battery sales are made during the holiday season. Ask for holiday gifts that do not require batteries.

Buy rechargeable batteries and a recharger.

Outside the House

If you only have a small lawn, consider getting a manual push mower. It doesn't use any energy except your own. Pushing the mower spins the rotating wheels, which spins the cutter. Consider it good exercise! Don't use an electric or gasoline leaf blower. Instead, use a rake.

If you need to leave a security light on over night, change the incandescent bulb to a compact fluorescent. It will last months and maybe years and save you energy and money. Some compact fluorescent bulbs even come in yellow so they won't attract bugs.

Think About What Your Family Buys

If you buy things that can be used over and over instead of buying disposable items that are used once and then thrown away, you will save precious natural resources. You'll also save energy used to make them, and you'll reduce the amount of landfill space we need when they are thrown away. Those same savings happen you buy things that will last instead of breaking right away. Well-made items may cost a little more to begin with, but they are usually worth the money because they last for a long time, and you don't have to replace them.

When your family goes shopping, think about taking bags with you. Only about 700 paper bags can be made from one 15-year-old tree. A large grocery store can use that many bags before lunch! Plastic bags start out as either oil or natural gas. Oil and natural gas are non-renewable resources. This means they can't be reused, and when they are all gone, they are gone forever. And throw-away bags add a lot of pollution to the environment. If plastic and paper bags are used once and go to landfills, they stay there for hundreds of years. Some stores offer discounts for people who use their own bags. For every bag reused, they give money back - usually about five cents for each bag.

With your parents, pick a spot in your house to store bags that you get from the grocery store. These bags can be used to carry things to friends' houses or for trash linings. After bags wear out, recycle them.

Other Recycling Tips

Make a scrap-paper pad. Gather pieces of used paper the same size with the blank side up. Find a piece of cardboard the same size as the paper and put it at the back. Staple the whole thing together, and use it as a place to write down grocery lists or things to do. If everyone recycled his or her newspaper just one day a week, we would be able to save millions trees every year. You can save a tree for every four feet of paper you recycle. It takes half as much energy to make recycled newspaper as it takes to make fresh newsprint from trees.

Recycle your newspapers. Anything that comes with the newspaper can also be recycled (except magazines, which must be recycled separately). Recycle your old notebook paper. It is considered "white paper," and makes better recycled paper. "White paper" is writing paper, notebook paper, white envelopes, typing paper, index cards, computer paper, and white stationary.

Cereal boxes, egg cartons, wrapping paper are called "mixed paper." All these things can be recycled. Mixed paper can be made into paperboard, the paper that is used on roofs.

In Your School

The energy-saving ideas you used at home can also be used in school. Consider creating a weekly "energy monitor" - someone whose job it is to make sure lights are out when there's no one in a room. He or she can also make sure that machines are turned off when not being used.

How to save Electricity in offices?

2011-10-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Air Conditioning Optimization

The most obvious cost cutting can happen by using ceiling fans instead of air conditioners whenever possible. The differential in operating cost is approximately 30 paise per hour for fans as opposed to Rs. 10 for air conditioning. Replacing the metal blades of a fan with fiber blades can save 20% energy overall. However, if air conditioning is all that you have, each degree set above 22° Celsius will use 3-5% less energy. The recommended temperature to set is 25° Celsius, which is both comfortable and cost efficient.

Further, going for multi-coated glazing windows helps in restraining cool air escape. It is also advisable to install weather-strips under doors, windows, and ducts to avoid air leakage. Getting multiple coated glazes on glass windows also reduces air conditioning energy usage by about 40 percent. It also helps to install green meshes on west facing windows and doors, so that it blocks direct sunlight heat and reduces the load on the air conditioners. This can be uninstalled in winters to let sunlight come in and reduce the need of heaters. Many businesses also have a large number of plants with drip irrigation, which helps to reduce the heat as it increases moisture in the air.

Backup Equipment Basics

The rule of the thumb is to install high efficiency products and that too from reputed manufacturers. This depends on what the utilization of the product is going to be. One should map and synchronize the products efficiency to manage the load.

For a new setup, there are three basic assessments when it comes to buying power backup solutions. First, it should be a reliable solution, which means that it should not disturb critical continuity. Second, it should have scalability, so that the solution is future proof and can be incorporated without making legacy equipment defunct. Third is that one should not look just at the capital expenses. The payback time should be quantifiable in terms of productivity or in finances.

IT and Electronic Components Best Practices

Did you know that a computer that is on for 24 hours uses more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator? Near about 50% of power is hogged by the monitor alone. Setting up a company-wide policy to switch off the monitors of idling workstations can help you curb a lot of wastage. Approximately 40% of energy costs can be cut down if one were to put computers and peripherals like printers and copiers on sleep mode when not in use.

Electronic devices, such as battery chargers for laptops, phones, cameras, etc., keep drawing power if plugged in. Simply encourage unplugging these when not in use.

Coming back to IT, data centers get the meter running overtime. Best practices, from facility lighting to cooling system design, have proven useful in helping some companies slow or reverse the trend of rising data center energy consumption. Read through Emerson’s 10 commandments (see box) to eradicate wastage to quite an extent, and actually use power intelligently.

When buying servers, the IT department should not buy products judging by the nameplate rating of efficiency. Servers without virtualization invariably run at 45 percent efficiency. Brand A might boast of 95% efficiency at 100 percent load, and Brand X might have a rating of 90%. But when they are compared at 45% load, Brand A might turn out offering lesser efficiency. It is important to evaluate the rating in a bracket of 45-60 percent load, and not go by nameplate efficiency rating.

Efficient Lighting

A lot of electricity is wasted on this one, and there are many solutions to cut down on the same. The first to-do for this is installing compact fluorescent lamps (CFL). CFLs convert electricity to visible light up to five times more efficiently than ordinary bulbs, and thus consume 75 percent lesser energy as compared to incandescent light bulbs. A 15-watt CFL produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. There are many automatic devices that can help in saving energy used in lighting. Installing infrared sensors, motion sensors, automatic timers, dimmers, solar cells and such wherever applicable to switch on/off lighting circuits is a good idea. Motion sensors in areas such as washrooms, storerooms, etc. are highly recommended. If your budget permits, movement detectors should ideally be installed in washrooms and common areas. Also, using a time based lighting system, which can be programmed to suit office timing and requirement patterns, helps cut down on the electricity bill to quite an extent. One could also try installing mirror optic lighting systems, which will double the lighting while cutting down the number of light bulbs by half.

The best source of light - daylight, is the often-ignored resource for lighting solution. Installing full-length glass windows allowing natural light to come inside also helps in slowing down the electricity meter. Smart utilization of natural resources is not only eco- friendly but reduces the operating expenses to a significant level as well. We also need to take into perspective the carbon footprint that such abrupt use of electricity imparts on the environment.

Refrigeration Fine-tuning

One could begin by making sure that all refrigeration units are kept away from direct sunlight or other heat emitting appliances. A lot of energy is wasted if the cooling escapes through the sealing. Place a lit flashlight inside when it is dark outside to see if the light escapes; if it does, it is time for you to change the sealing. While it is important to not let the cooling inside escape, it is equally important to let the heat around refrigerators escape. Allow ample space for continuous airflow around it. Also keep in mind to not stuff the refrigerator so much that the air circulation inside is barely audible.

Printing Less Stuff = Using Less Paper

Paper makes up about 35% of our waste stream – even though it’s one of the easiest materials to re-use and recycle! You can help reduce this waste by using as little paper as possible, and being smart about the paper you do use. First of all, you don’t need to print every e-mail. Just organize your inbox to make e-mails easier to find and reference. You can encourage others not to print your e-mails as well. Make back-up copies of important files and e-mails and keep them on an external drive, instead of storing boxes of paper files. When you do need to print important documents, make sure you use a sustainable paper, and set your printer or copier to print on both sides of the page.

Pull That Plug

Turn off everything you possibly can before you leave the office each day. You can also set your monitor to turn off after a few minutes of inactivity. And never leave things like cell phone chargers plugged in when you’re not using them. They still draw energy, regardless of whether there’s anything plugged into them. Speaking of energy efficiency, make sure you stock your office with energy-saving appliances and compact florescent light bulbs.

Get Waste Wise

Recycling is never a chore when it’s easier than throwing something away. Place paper recycling bins in convenient locations all over the office, like right next to copiers and mail boxes. Keep clearly labeled bins in several central locations such as break rooms. Everywhere there is a trash can, there should be a recycling bin. If you have a cafeteria or break room in your office, consider adding a compost bin. An employee or neighbor with a garden wouldn’t mind the free plant food, and worm bins are compact with very little odor.

Work with Like-Minded Companies

Chances are, there are businesses in your area that are also going green or certified green. Network with them and use their services when you need them. Part of being a green business is making sure that you do your best to ensure that your supply chain is green, too. Seek out green vendors for your business needs such as printing business cards, hosting your web site, or cleaning your office building.

Educate Yourself

There is always more you can do to make your business more sustainable. And the only way to make progress is to know where you’re headed. Keep up with environmental news and green business trends to identify areas you can improve on. Make your own checklist of green business practices to implement and set deadlines for crossing them off your list and share green news and tips with your co-workers, employees and clients.

Tips for Energy Conservation

2011-09-26T05:07:00.000-07:00

Electricity Distribution System

• Optimise the tariff structure with utility supplier

• Schedule your operations to maintain a high load factor

• Shift loads to off-peak times if possible.

• Minimise maximum demand by tripping loads through a demand controller

• Stagger start-up times for equipment with large starting currents minimize load peaking.

• Use standby electric generation equipment for on-peak high load

• Correct power factor to at least 0.90 under rated load conditions.

• Relocate transformers close to main loads.

• Set transformer taps to optimum settings.

• Disconnect primary power to transformers that do not serve any active

• Consider on-site electric generation or cogeneration.

• Export power to grid if you have any surplus in your captive generation

• Check utility electric meter with your own meter.

• Shut off unnecessary computers, printers, and copiers at night.

Motors

• Use energy-efficient motors where economical.

• Use synchronous motors to improve power factor.

• Check alignment.

• Provide proper ventilation

(For every 10 ^oC increase in motor operating temperature over recommended peak, the motor life is estimated to be halved)

• Check for under-voltage and over-voltage conditions.

• Balance the three-phase power supply.

(An imbalanced voltage can reduce 3 - 5% in motor input power)

• Demand efficiency restoration after motor rewinding.

(If rewinding is not done properly, the efficiency can be reduced by 5 - 8%)

• Properly size to the load for optimum efficiency.

(High efficiency motors offer of 4 - 5% higher efficiency than standard motors)

Drives

• Use variable-speed drives for large variable loads.

• Use high-efficiency gear sets.

• Use precision alignment.

• Check belt tension regularly.

• Eliminate variable-pitch pulleys.

• Use flat belts as alternatives to v-belts.

• Use synthetic lubricants for large gearboxes.

• Eliminate eddy current couplings.

• Shut them off when not needed.

Fans

• Use smooth, well-rounded air inlet cones for fan air intakes.

• Avoid poor flow distribution at the fan inlet.

• Minimize fan inlet and outlet obstructions.

• Clean screens, filters, and fan blades regularly.

• Use aerofoil-shaped fan blades.

• Minimize fan speed.

• Use low-slip or flat belts.

• Check belt tension regularly.

• Eliminate variable pitch pulleys.

• Use variable speed drives for large variable fan loads.

• Use energy-efficient motors for continuous or near-continuous operation

• Eliminate leaks in ductwork.

• Minimise bends in ductwork

• Turn fans off when not needed.

Blowers

• Use smooth, well-rounded air inlet ducts or cones for air intakes.

• Minimize blower inlet and outlet obstructions.

• Clean screens and filters regularly.

• Minimize blower speed.

• Use low-slip or no-slip belts.

• Check belt tension regularly.

• Eliminate variable pitch pulleys.

• Use variable speed drives for large variable blower loads.

• Use energy-efficient motors for continuous or near-continuous operation.

• Eliminate ductwork leaks.

• Turn blowers off when they are not needed.

Lighting

• Reduce excessive illumination levels to standard levels using switching; delamping, etc. (Know the electrical effects before doing delamping.)

• Aggressively control lighting with clock timers, delay timers, photocells, and/or occupancy sensors.

• Install efficient alternatives to incandescent lighting, mercury vapor lighting, etc. Efficacy (lumens/watt) of various technologies range from best to worst approximately as follows: low pressure sodium, high pressure sodium, metal halide, fluorescent, mercury vapor, incandescent.

• Select ballasts and lamps carefully with high power factor and long-term efficiency in mind.

• Upgrade obsolete fluorescent systems to Compact fluorescents and electronic ballasts

• Consider day lighting, skylights, etc.

• Consider painting the walls a lighter color and using less lighting fixtures or lower wattages.

• Use task lighting and reduce background illumination.

• Re-evaluate exterior lighting strategy, type, and control. Control it aggressively.

• Change exit signs from incandescent to LED.

Refrigeration

• Use water-cooled condensers rather than air-cooled condensers.

• Challenge the need for refrigeration, particularly for old batch processes.

• Avoid over-sizing - match the connected load.

• Consider gas-powered refrigeration equipment to minimize electrical demand charges. Inspect the purge for air and water leaks.

• Use "free cooling" to allow chiller shutdown in cold weather.

• Use refrigerated water loads in series if possible.

• Convert firewater or other tanks to thermal storage.

• Don't assume that the old way is still the best -- particularly for energy-intensive low temperature systems.

• Correct inappropriate brine or glycol concentration that adversely affects heat transfer and/or pumping energy. If it sweats, insulate it, but if it is corroding, replace it first. Check for correct refrigerant charge level.

• Make adjustments to minimize hot gas bypass operation.

• Inspect moisture/liquid indicators.

• Consider change of refrigerant type if it will improve efficiency.

• Establish a refrigeration efficiency-maintenance program. Start with an energy audit and follow-up, then make a refrigeration efficiency-maintenance program a part of your continuous energy management program.

DG sets

• Optimise loading

• Use waste heat to generate steam/hot water /power an absorption chiller or preheat process or utility feeds.

• Use jacket and head cooling water for process needs

• Clean air filters regularly

• Insulate exhaust pipes to reduce DG set room temperatures

• Use cheaper heavy fuel oil for capacities more than 1MW

HVAC (Heating / Ventilation / Air Conditioning)

• Tune up the HVAC control system.

• Consider installing a building automation system (BAS) or energy management system (EMS) or restoring an out-of-service one.

• Balance the system to minimize flows and reduce blower/fan/pump power requirements.

• Eliminate or reduce reheat whenever possible.

• Use appropriate HVAC thermostat setback.

• Use morning pre-cooling in summer and pre-heating in winter (i.e. -- before electrical peak hours).

• Use building thermal lag to minimize HVAC equipment operating time.

Miscellaneous

• Meter any unmetered utilities. Know what normal efficient use is. Track down causes of deviations.

• Shut down spare, idling, or unneeded equipment.

• Make sure that all of the utilities to redundant areas are turned off -- including utilities like compressed air and cooling water.

• Install automatic control to efficiently coordinate multiple air compressors, chillers, cooling tower cells, boilers, etc.

• Renegotiate utilities contracts to reflect current loads and variations.

• Consider buying utilities from neighbors, particularly to handle peaks.

• Leased space often has low-bid inefficient equipment. Consider upgrades if your lease will continue for several more years.

• Adjust fluid temperatures within acceptable limits to minimize undesirable heat transfer in long pipelines.

• Minimize use of flow bypasses and minimize bypass flow rates.

• Provide restriction orifices in purges (nitrogen, steam, etc.).

• Eliminate unnecessary flow measurement orifices.

• Consider alternatives to high pressure drops across valves.

• Turn off winter heat tracing that is on in summer.

Going Green for Manufacturers – In a nut shell

2011-09-19T20:39:00.000-07:00

The rapid and unplanned pace of manufacturing in modern ages has been credited with the alarming pace of biological degradation and global warming. Lately, most of the big conglomerates have realized this fact and have molded there practices to be responsible towards the environment. Still a large no. of manufacturers does not give much preference to such practices and keep focusing on short term benefits, especially in budding economies. Given below is a brief introduction to green practices for every manufacturer to take a note of -

1) Do Your Homework. First and foremost, you will not know how much you can save, until you know where the money is being spent. An Energy Audit will help you better understand your energy usage and determine where your facility can go green and save money.

2) Rethink Your Lighting. By simply replacing your lighting with energy-efficient products and controls, you can reduce energy consumption up to 50 percent as well as eliminate the risk of mercury contaminants in a very short period of time. It is also advisable to get the most out of the day light to light up your premises, using smart building designs involving large glass panels, etc. This can curb the operating expenses to a great extent and cater to the carbon footprint reduction as well.

3) Evaluate Your Motors and Drives. Electric motors are responsible for almost 70 percent of all energy consumed in industrial applications. This 70 percent holds a considerable saving potential that is just waiting to be realized. So why not start now by replacing existing motors with energy-efficient motors? Or, save even more by adding variable frequency drive systems to the motors. In some cases, drives can contribute a 30 percent energy savings with a seven-month return on investment.

4) Control Heating and Cooling Costs. As much as 30 percent of the energy used in your facility comes from heating and cooling costs. Making smart decisions about your facility's heating, ventilating and air conditioning system can have a significant impact on your utility bills. Simply adding such drive and control systems can reduce costs by as much as 25 percent.

5) Monitor the Situation. By knowing and understanding their plants' electrical footprint and monitoring energy use, companies can track their progress toward efficiency goals as well as establish benchmarks for achievement. With an Intelligent Energy Monitoring system, you can keep track of energy usage across multiple locations from one central source to ensure maximum efficiency and control costs.

Industrial Practices To Conserve Energy

2011-09-16T05:06:00.000-07:00

Energy efficiency measures may be implemented by adopting practices where existing installations are improved through replacement with energy efficient components. Alternatively, energy efficiency investments can occur at the design and planning stage of new plants. At these stages the choice and installation of energy efficient technologies is an option for investors.

In order to promote energy conservation or efficient use of energy in industries, we may think of three different steps or levels:

...........Step 1: Active or efficient in-house management of energy efficiency through maintenance and housekeeping measures involves no or only very minimal investments.
...........Step 2: Replacement of selected equipment, which may require medium-size investments.
...........Step 3: Modification of entire manufacturing processes which may require large scale investments.

Active and efficient in-house energy management involves -

Establishment of in-house energy management groups
Designation of energy managers
Data collection and monitoring
Improved maintenance
Tackling safety issues
Review operational efficiency

Improvement of energy efficiency by replacement of selected equipment involving medium-size investment costs may be through -

Improved waste heat recovery
Combustion control of furnaces
Co-generation of electricity and process heat.
Improvement of heat exchanges

We need all round awareness for this cause to be more successful and even more widely accepted. From corporates to families, it is extremely essential for each and every body to fully understand and implement environmentally responsible practices in our daily conduct. Not only will it prove to be beneficial for the present generations but will go a long way in securing a bright future for the coming generations as well. It is the need of hour to stringently enforce rules and regulations to make it mandatory for everybody to follow and some strict ramifications for all those who don’t abide by them. At the same time to reward those who are implementing the same efficiently at their end.

Going Green

2011-09-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

An empowering and facilitating energy efficiency framework is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by policy makers in charge of the industry, especially those who deal in energy, environment and industrial sector development. This document presents selected information that may be useful for policy development and decision making process.

Like in other parts of the global economy, investors and industry developers in the Asian and Pacific region are increasingly aware of the growing need for environmental protection. At the same time, however, intensifying national and international competition also compels industrial sector managers to minimize production and capital costs. Studies have identified the many technical options for making manufacturing processes more energy or resource efficient. However, options for improving energy efficiency are often ignored, in particular in those situations in which considerable additional first costs have to be incurred. In the Asian and Pacific region, the recent unprecedented financial and economic crisis has particularly aggravated this situation. Energy efficiency investment options are often perceived as "non-essential" and are postponed or accorded "low priority" if no sufficient external support is provided.

Investments in energy efficiency often require higher first costs, but result in lower operational costs, lower energy costs and positive external environmental effects. However, without financial incentives many potential energy efficiency improvements remain unrealized. Hence, the development of an effective policy framework promoting investments in energy efficiency will likely remain a challenging task during the years ahead.

We have later on guided the end user to inculcate certain household practices as well that not only lead to conservation of energy and environment but also helps him save money as well in the process.

It’s the need of the hour to be environmentally responsible by corporate world and seriously take into consideration the amount of carbon footprint they are leaving behind for the coming generations to clean up. Not only does having a green label helps in building strong perception all around but it also reflects in the cash books of the company in a positive way, as it boosts the confidence of the end customer as well as shareholders. They feel that since the company is so responsible in its conduct, there is no chance it will roll out shoddy products or services and will always give the best return to the shareholders.

Sustainable Development

2011-09-07T03:14:00.000-07:00

Sustainability in business is about “ensuring long-term business success while contributing toward economic and social development, a healthy environment and a stable society.

As part of their core principles, companies that are committed to sustainable business adopt high standards in areas that can include environmental protection, gender equity, working conditions, employee benefits, capacity development, community development and a set of transparent relationships between a company’s management, its board, its shareholders and other stakeholders that fall under the term ‘corporate governance’.
Implementation of sustainable business practices in Cambodia has been limited to date.
According to recent World Bank research, barriers to implementing sustainable business practices include

1) Lack of awareness towards the concept of sustainable development

2) Production inefficiencies that are the result of implementing and adopting unplanned and irregular procedures and practices

3) Lack of financial and technical resources to implement such practices (particularly true for SMEs)

What are the benefits of Sustainability?

Companies that implement higher levels of environmental responsibility, employment and labor standards, community engagement and corporate governance help to create stronger and more vigorous economies and sustainable long term business prospects and employment. Benefits of sustainability are apparent across all business sectors and scales of activity (from SMEs to large companies) and include:

1. Better performance of the company
2. Enhanced brand value, reputation and competitiveness
3. Better access to finance and lower cost of capital
4. Better labor relation and increased productivity
5. Cost savings through more efficient resource use
6. Revenue growth and increased market access
7. Better risk management and enhanced “license to operate”
8. Promoting sustainable export earnings
9. Increasing Country’s competitive advantage

POWER SECTOR IN INDIA

2011-01-31T22:14:00.000-08:00

Does the erratic power cut made you think that India is lagging behind in the Power Technology Sector? Let’ get familiar with this Industry and find out what’s the reason for the same even though the statistics prove that India has the fifth largest generation capacity globally with an installation capacity of 152 GW.

POWER SECTOR COMPOSTION:

The control over this major sector rests upon the Ministry of Power India, the apex body earlier known as Ministry of Energy under its different departments for power, coal and non-conventional sources of energy. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) coordinates with the Ministry of power in all technical and economic aspects. The other subsidiary organizations along with the MOP are:

· National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)

· National Hydro Electric Corporation (NHEC)

· Power Finance Corporation of India (PFCI)

· Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited

· North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPC)

· Rural Electrification Corporation (REC)

· Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)

· Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB)

· Tehri Hydro Development Corporation (THDC)

· Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN)

· Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (Power Grid India)

· Power Trading Corporation (PTC)

· Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

INFRASTUCTURE:
The Funds and Finances are forwarded to the power sector by the following sources

1. Government

2. Public Issues

3. World Bank

4. New private players in the market

5. Other Global Funds

And a separate branch known as the Power Finance Corporation of India has been set up by the Power Ministry India to look after the financial department of the sector. This body is also responsible for installing new power projects in India and maintaining the existing ones.

UNITS OF POWER SUPPLY

There are various sources through which power is derived in India derived namely thermal power, hydropower or hydroelectricity, solar power, biogas energy, wind power etc. More than 50% of India's commercial energy demand is met through the country's vast coal reserves. And India is the largest cattle rearing country which gives it a good opportunity for the installation of the bio-gas plants. The state of Maharashtra is the largest producer of thermal power in the country. India’s coal demand is expected to grow 7% annually over the next decade. Much of this increased demand will come from power generation, which currently accounts for about 80% of total coal consumption. For a country that has relied heavily on domestic coal, the stresses of such a demand growth are already apparent. Over the last decade, coal imports have steadily risen at an annual rate of 12%12 Coal consumers, both in the power and industrial sectors; have increasingly begun to look for sourcing options from abroad.

Now let’s move on to the real picture the focus of the government towards this sector …

As we have seen the immense potential of this well organized sector but still more than half of India is devoid of the electricity connections?

Although the 11^th Five year plan strictly focuses on the power generation need but with a bleak picture. . The Ministry of Power plans to establish an integrated National Power Grid in the country by 2012 with close to 200,000 MW generation capacities and 37,700 MW of inter-regional power transfer capacity. The schemes made are numerous but they largely remained on papers its effect hasn’t been felt on ground yet.

CHALLENGES

· Lack of trained manpower

· Delays in Land acquisitions

· Law and order problems

· Stretched court cases

· Delays in technological procurement

· Unpaid workers

· Payment risks

· Implementation

· Distribution of power

· slow pace of rural electrification;

· Inefficient use of electricity by the end consumer.

· lack of grid discipline

The Indian power sector which was for a very long considered a symbol of the nation’s state led economic development has been plagued by bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference for decades. Vertically integrated state utilities (State Electricity Boards (SEB)) are practically

Insolvent with commercial losses estimated at INR 225 bn (US$ 5 bn) for FY 2004 alone. Transmission and distribution losses remain high – almost 40% – and power theft is endemic and tolerated.

OUR STRENGTH AND OPPORTUNITIES

1. India’s coal reserves are enough to last the next 200 years giving a good way to Thermal power.

2. India has vast hydroelectric potential up to (150,000 MW).

3. Large pool of highly skilled technical personnel.

4. Impressive power development in absolute terms (comparable in size to those of Germany and UK).

5. Expertise in integrated and coordinated planning

6. Emergence of strong and globally comparable Central utilities (NTPC, POWERGRID,).

7. Enabling framework and opportunities to the private investors.

INITIATIVES

This Analysis focuses on the electric power sector in India, which is projected to grow rapidly over the next two decades. In particular, it discusses policy developments in the sector, the sector-specific issues that still remain unresolved and its main prospects, stressing especially the opportunities for private sector participation, both domestic and foreign.

In order to ensure electrification of all villages in the country, the supply of electricity has now been accepted as a Basic Minimum Service and we have prepared an action plan for the provision of electricity to all villages by the end of the Tenth Plan and all households by the end of the Eleventh Plan.

Safety tips for Inverters

2011-01-24T22:43:00.000-08:00

Now that we have realized the importance of INVERTERS as discussed in the previous Blog ….We must show some care to these wonderful gizmo so that they deliver us an unmatched performance or can say a performance beyond excellence. Let’s discover some of the safety tips that you can use.

Safety begins right from the moment you purchase the Inverter …it’s better that you carefully go through the Inverter instruction booklet as the basic security tips and the Do’s and Don’ts involved are clearly stated in it that would help you understand your device in a better manner.

INSTALLATION OF THE INVERTER

Choosing an appropriate position for installing your inverter is really very important. Make sure the area you choose is well ventilated to keep proper cooling and is away from fire and water. The inverter should be placed a few inches off the ground and try to place your inverter as close to the battery as possible this will facilitate the voltage drop from battery into the converter of your choice. When it comes to installing the inverter you can always take the help of a professional electrician or if you are doing the setting by your own be careful regarding the appropriate wiring in the connection and polarity.

It is advisable to get an inverter that has an alarm attached as a safety measure. A shutoff feature that turns the inverter off when it runs low on power is also a good idea.
Do consider the load transfer switches even though they are a bit expensive.

OTHER HANDY TIPS:

· Do check the water level of your battery for every 3 months as this is very much essential to keep the battery in good condition.

· Keep your batteries rust-free, good lubricating oil or petrol can be beneficial to lubricate your battery terminals at least once every month.

· Geysers, Fridge, motors etc which add a high load must not be connected with an inverter. As it may lead to power overload.

· While wiring your Power inverter use Standard and insulated Wires, poor Wiring may lead to Short Circuit that may even lead to fire.

· Avoid Vibrations or shakes to the Components of your Power inverter as it may eventually malfunction due Component Brake down so keep your inverter in a stable position.

At the time of purchase of the inverter do some research with the dealer as well.

· Check that your inverter is earthed properly.

· When there’s no one at the residence keep your inverters at the power off mode to avoid any kind of risk attached.

· It’s a good idea that you keep a maintenance check of all your electrical equipment once every month.

· Keep a check on to the inverter’s fan, which is essential in keeping the whole thing cool. Keep it dust free and clean it every once in a while.

· Inspect the wires for fraying and replace these immediately with new ones.

· Most inverter batteries will be able to run smoothly for five years before needing to replace them.

· In case of any servicing required the best option is to contact is Customer Care office of the same brand.

You may add some other useful tips to make this blog more informative….Stay connected with us to know more about the luminous world.

Thank you

ELECTRICITY BACKUP SOLUTION

2010-12-15T02:51:00.000-08:00

Can we imagine our life without electricity? Think over it, where there will be no cell phones to make calls, no television, no air-conditioners and no computers etc as all these gadgets run on electricity. It’s highly impossible to imagine our lives without electricity especially in the present world where all aspects run on electricity. Electricity keeps our lives in order and ensures a proper functioning of our daily schedule. Without it our day could be spoiled and may result into a heavy loss. An abrupt power-cut may cause all the activities on hold and our lives at chaos.

To prevent any such disruption we require a constant power backup. And so the electricity backup has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Electricity backup is required almost everywhere –our homes, hospitals as well as businesses. By being prepared for power-outage situations we can avoid the wastage of time and money both. Incase if the power goes immediately the backup power takes its stand to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.

We do not have a 24x7 power supply in India. Load shedding/power cuts have become the norm of the hour, even the metros reel under the power cuts ranging from 2-4 hours. Although, we do not have an instant quick fix solution to this cumulating effect but the power backup solution provides relief up to a major extent. Power backup can be availed by either storing electricity or else generating electricity. It comprises mainly the devices like Inverters/ Long Back up UPS and generators. Solar power back-up devices are also becoming popular. But a major factor revolving around these devices are the cost-factors attached to them. Backup systems are generally more cost effective than the generating systems for the same load.

The most popular and affordable of these electricity backup devices are the ‘INVERTERS/Long Back up UPS’. It’s affordable as the invertors do not require any additional cost to run; they work on battery are don’t require maintenance frequently. Inverters do not cause any noise pollution and can easily support the small loads

Considering the present scenario as well as the affordability factors INVERTORS/Long Back up UPS are the most common, easy to install and use, clean and noise free and the most effective power backup solution.

Welcome to My Luminous official web blog.

2010-11-25T23:21:00.000-08:00

“Come in the evening, come in the morning, Come when expected, come without warning; Thousands of welcomes you'll find here before you, and the oftener you come, the more we'll adore you.’’

Let’s carry this first meeting further to an unending and joyous bond….My Luminous welcomes you towards the first step of this luminous journey - the official web blog.

About Us:

Luminous Power Technologies (P) Limited is a leading global company delivering high quality power products for home and commercial applications. The company’s group portfolio includes Power Backup, Power Storage, Distributed Power Generation, Renewable & Alternate Energy solutions like Solar, Wind & Hybrid solutions, Infrastructure Solutions for IT & Telecom, Engineering Design & Support Services, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Electricals, Water Purification and Mobile Phones & Accessories. Founded in 1988, the group has revenue exceeding US $ 250 million in FY 09-10 and projected to be US $ 500 million by FY 10-11.

Luminous apart from its dominating position in the domestic market has strong foothold in over 36 countries worldwide. Its Global Technology Centers located in India, United States & China deliver cutting edge technology that goes into making every Luminous product a class apart from its competitors. Luminous follows its proprietary UGC (Universal Grid Compatibility) process to ensure consistency & very high standards of reliability of its products across the globe. Luminous has been consistently winning awards & accolades for market leadership and excellent reliability of its products in domestic as well as international arena. Luminous is the proud recipient of Frost & Sullivan Industry Technological Leadership Award for market penetration in DC-AC Inverters in Non Renewable Energy markets in Asia Pacific.

INVERTER/LONG BACK UP UPS:

An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC); the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits. The electrical inverter is a high-power electronic oscillator. Luminous offers a world class range of inverters and long backup UPS which have seen the light of the day only after going through extensive research and development worth million of dollars.

Our undiluted focus on the dynamic power requirements of the customer has driven us to continuously innovate and come out with technologies which have become a benchmark for the whole industry and resulted in products offering great value to the consumer, no doubt we are the leaders in the domestic market and strive to be a prominent international player in the segment.

Inverters / Long Back up UPS are used in a wide range of applications, from household appliances to large electric utility high-voltage direct current applications that transport bulk power. Inverters / Long Back up UPS are commonly used to supply AC power from DC sources such as batteries.

BATTERIES:

Batteries have become an essential part of our daily life as they are the power source of the Inverters and Long Back up UPS that keep our appliances running. In a very short span of time, Luminous has grown manifold in its endeavor to produce world class batteries specially designed for inverters/long back up UPS systems. Luminous with its unmatched expertise in power electronics field combined with world class battery manufacturing technology has come up with batteries specially designed for long back up applications. These batteries are superior in quality delivering longer back up.

The conventional batteries pose a serious threat to the human body due to the dangerous chemicals that get discharged from them. That is why we at luminous spend millions of dollars on the research and development of innovative and green technological practices to come out with batteries that not only deliver optimum performance but are very healthy to be used in households and offices. Luminous batteries are specially designed to perform consistently, have a very long life and are highly reliable. These are perfect for a wide range of applications.

Luminous Batteries are separately (specially) designed for specific application in
(1) Inverters
(2) Solar Power and Renewable Energy
(3) UPS, Automotive, Telecom and Other Industrial Applications.

UPS SYSTEMS:

Luminous UPS systems consist of Offline, Line Interactive and Online designs. The capacity range covers all applications. The normal design is meant for good quality mains.

On-Line UPS Systems from Luminous are designed to save your sensitive equipments from main lines failure, voltage fluctuations, blackouts and other electrical disturbances. UPS not only provides data security but also saves your hardware from getting damaged, thus promising smooth working hours. The online UPS is ideal for an environment where electrical isolation is necessary or for equipment that is very sensitive to power fluctuation. The online UPS system is necessary when the power environment is “noisy” such as industrial settings; for larger equipment loads like data centers, or when operation from an extended run back up generator is necessary.

Luminous has the widest range of line interactive UPS systems. This highly compact power packed UPS systems offer the best and most reliable data security to small desk tops or personal computers.

WATER PURIFIER:

Luminous range of Water Purifiers provides better drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants. They remove lead from drinking water immediately prior to consumption, thus preventing this harmful substance from entering the body. These provide you with a source of clean and healthy water that costs much less than bottled water. They reduce the risk of rectal cancer, colon cancer, and bladder cancer by removing chlorine and chlorine byproducts from drinking water and selectively remove dangerous contaminants from drinking water while retaining healthy mineral deposits that balance the pH of drinking water. Drinking clean, filtered water protects the body from disease and leads to overall greater health.

Luminous range of water purifiers provide clean, healthy water for cooking, as well as drinking, at the convenience of tap water reducing the risk of gastrointestinal diseases. Drinking pure water is especially important for children. They provide the healthiest water for children’s developing immune systems thereby acting as the last line of defense between the body and the toxins that are present in the drinking water.

Luminous offers Bio Safe 6 stage, Bio Guard 9 stage and Bio Care 6 stage range of water purifier.

DIESEL GENSETS:

Luminous Power Technologies is in an aggressive expansion mode with the latest offering being DG Sets. These, state of the art, residential DG Sets will make sure that your family will enjoy life uninterrupted while at home or away.

Luminous DG Set advantages –

Pure power for sensitive electronic equipments
Better fuel efficiency
Powerful performance backed by an equally robust commitment to customer service
Low maintenance cost and faster response recycler
Low Noise, Low Emission
High durability, simple to operate and environment friendly
Dependable and durable
Superior performance and reliability
Ease of maintenance and wide distribution network
Higher power output and low fuel consumption
Economic Operation and minimized running costs
Manual / Auto Mains Failure Panel
High on innovativeness and quality
Feasible design and reliable operation
Rugged yet Clean and long-lasting
State of the Art Technology

MOBILE ACCESSORIES:

New offering from the esteemed Luminous stable, continuing the tradition of providing power back up, we have come up with the power solution for your mobile. Mobile batteries and chargers from Luminous are not only sleek in appearance and long lasting in performance but are manufactured using the most environment friendly technology. With the launch of mobile battery & charger, Luminous has further strengthened its stand to offer power solutions to all genres, from big industries to a small hand set. The latest Lithium Ion Technology form Luminous makes batteries super efficient and reliable and take less time than most to get charged.

Standards followed at Luminous regarding the content of polluting metals are as per the international norms. Our lithium-ion batteries contain no polluting metals, such as cadmium, mercury, etc. Luminous is dedicated to keep you connected to the world all the time!

Luminous Mobile Battery Features -

Designed to guarantee maximum protection and safety for your mobile phone
Battery efficiency guaranteed even without completing the charge-discharge cycle
Construction quality, use and disposal in accordance with international norms
Universal compatibility
High quality and stable performance
More powerful than the original battery
Offers over-discharge, over-charge, over-voltage, over-current and short-circuit protections
No harmful material used, eco-friendly product

ELECTRICALS:

SWITCHGEAR:

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) – Electrical distribution needs are continuously evolving in residential, commercial and industrial sectors. Improved operation safety, continuity of service, greater convenience and operating cost, have assumed a tremendous significance. Luminous MCBs have been designed to continuously adapt to these changing needs.

Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) – Luminous RCCB is a current operated device and is independent of line voltage conditions. This means that they provide protection even when there is voltage dip or the neutral conductor is interrupted. The device senses imbalance or residual currents I the system and disconnects supply system.

Simple and robust operating mechanism
Rotary with ON/OFF indication
Dual termination for bus bar & cable connection
Advance neutral
Test button for regular inspection
Positive contact indication

WIRES AND CABLES:

Domestic Application – Luminous Wires and cables are a result of diligent efforts into research and development and rigorous quality check to make sure only the best reaches your home. Each meter of Luminous wires and cables has to pass stringent quality tests and then only it qualifies to reach your home. These Luminous offerings comply with all national and international standards. They possess Electrolytic Grade Conductor which is 99.9% pure along with diameter gauge controller.

Industrial Application – Luminous provides the complete cable solution for Industries covering each and every application. Luminous believes that different people have different requirements; hence we offer diversified options in cable construction. One can choose from different variants and type of polymer for insulation, inner and outer sheath, different conductors, shielding and braiding etc. Besides construction material any special cable design can also be ordered for specific needs.

FANS:

Luminous has launched a wide range of Ceiling, Table and Wall fans. Empowered with the latest EET (Energy Efficient Technology) these products come loaded with the Luminous promise of reliability, consistency, longevity and a high sense of integrity. Besides the beautiful design they give you a power packed performance yet being easy on your pocket. The variants on offer are listed below –

Ceiling Fans – Tez, Techno, Techno Deluxe, Elegant, Elegant Deluxe, Signature, Gracious, Mystic

Table Fans – Tez, Sprinter, Cresent

Wall Fans – Tez, Sprinter

DISTRIBUTION BOARDS:

Luminous has introduced distribution boards recently. We present peerless quality electrical distribution boards that are manufactured from finest quality raw materials that make them highly durable. Easy to install and operate the power distribution boards available with us have been an instant hit with our customers located all over the world. These distribution boards are also available as per customized needs. We ensure easy availability of these electrical distribution boards at the most rock bottom prices.

LUMINOUS LPG INSTANT GEYSER:

Nothing makes you feel better than a warm bath on a chilly morning. But if you suffer from frequent power cuts even that becomes a luxury. To solve this problem Luminous offers LPG operated Instant Geyser. It boasts of 70% less running cost than that of electric geyser. It saves you from the threat of electric shock. It also comes with advanced safety features like –

20 minute in-built timer
Overheating safety device
Protection against flame failure
Auto Switch-off in the absence of running water
2-in-1 pressure release and drain valve

RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCTS:
Luminous Renewable Energy Solutions (P) Limited designs, manufactures, installs & maintains Off Grid & Grid Connected wind solar & wind solar diesel intelligent hybrid power plants. It is the Master Distributor of Southwest Wind power, USA, the largest manufacturer of small wind turbines globally.

We manufacture some of the Southwest Wind turbine models under their License. We also manufacture associated Power Electronics like wind controllers, solar controllers, Wind Solar Diesel Master Controllers & custom made change over switches. Tubular batteries used in our Power plants are manufactured in house.

Thank you