Developing Pondicherry University Silver Jubilee Campus as “Solar Campus”

Abstract

Pondicherry University. located at R.V. Nagar, Kalapet, Pondicherry, is a Central University established in 1985 by the Government of India. This is the fastest growing university in India. It is a collegiate university with a jurisdiction spread over the Union Territories of Pondicherry, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It has successfully completed its 25th year of existence. The Silver Jubilee campus of Pondicherry University is a new campus of 110 acres in its 800 acres of campus. This area would soon house 12 buildings and 2,500 students. Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh formally inaugurated the Silver Jubilee Campus of Pondicherry University on 30 June 2012. The Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences and the Madanjeet School of Green Energy Technology of the University jointly have taken the initiative to develop the silver jubilee campus as “Solar Campus” which will be the first of its kind in India. The University is receiving financial assistance from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. of India for preparing a master plan and detailed project reports for this purpose. The objective of preparing a master plan for the “Solar Campus” is to understand and assess the carbon footprint of the campus and prepare an action plan to implement energy efficiency, substitution/conservation measures and implementation of renewable energy projects to achieve a targeted goal of reducing conventional energy consumption and thereby cutting down GHG emission in the campus. This chapter will discusses the detailed master plan for the “Solar Campus” which includes assessment of the carbon footprint from energy consumption, transportation, water use and waste generated in the campus, proposed measures for energy efficiency and energy conservation, renewable energy resource assessment, proposed renewable energy projects and an action plan to achieve the set goal for the “Solar Campus”.