Interdisciplinary Projects
Interdisciplinary Projects
Star rating is a labelling system that indicates the energy efficiency of any electrical appliance
compared to the energy use of similar products. This rating system was developed by the Bureau of
Energy Efficiency in India in 2006. It uses a scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars representing the highest.
energy-efficient appliance. A higher star rating means the appliance uses less energy to operate,
potentially leading to lower electricity bills and a smaller environmental impact.
Star rating was introduced so that people can purchase higher-rated appliances, which would then,
in turn, save electricity and be environmentally friendly. It would be a win-win for the people and the
environment because it would lead to less energy consumption.
For almost two decades, star rating systems for electrical devices have been addressing the global
energy crisis by promoting energy efficiency, reducing demand, and lowering electricity bills. By
providing a clear guide to appliance efficiency, they empower consumers to make well-considered
choices, leading to a reduction in overall energy consumption and a smaller environmental footprint.
In conclusion, the star rating system has played a crucial role in encouraging energy-efficient choices
among consumers. As energy demands continue to rise, such systems will remain essential in
promoting sustainability, conserving resources, and building a greener future.
SS
In today’s world, energy demand is rapidly increasing due to growing populations, industrialization,
and urbanization. However, traditional energy sources such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas are
depleting and causing severe environmental damage. Social unrest, political instability, and economic
challenges have further worsened the global energy crisis. As a result, there is rising pressure on
countries to adopt non-conventional energy resources as sustainable alternatives.
Non-conventional energy resources refer to renewable and sustainable sources of energy such as:
• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Hydropower
These sources are clean, renewable, and have minimal environmental impact compared to
conventional fuels.
Several factors contribute to the pressure on non-conventional energy sources, reducing dependence
on conventional resources, including:
1. Social Crisis
• Population growth increases electricity demand. Urban migration strains city infrastructure and
energy supply, leading to energy shortages that can cause public protests and social unrest.
2. Political Crisis
• Wars and conflicts (especially in oil-rich regions) disrupt fossil fuel supply chains. Political instability
discourages foreign investment in conventional energy infrastructure.
3. Economic Crisis
• Oil price fluctuations cause economic stress in fuel-importing nations. Developing countries
struggle to afford expensive fossil fuels, leading to increased lack of energy in poorer regions and
greater inequality.
Renewable energy is in high demand for sustainability, reducing emissions, enhancing energy
security, creating jobs, attracting green investments, and offering long-term savings after initial setup
like solar panels.
Case Study: India’s Push for Solar Energy – The International Solar Alliance (ISA)
India has faced several challenges due to its reliance on coal and imported oil. To combat this, India
launched the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2015 with support from 121 countries. The aim is to
promote solar energy use globally.
• India has built massive solar parks like the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan.
• Solar energy helps rural villages obtain electricity through solar microgrids.
• The government provides subsidies and schemes like PM-KUSUM to promote solar pumps in
agriculture.
This shift not only reduces dependence on coal and oil but also provides clean and affordable energy
to millions.
The world’s crises show we can’t rely only on conventional energy. Using non-conventional sources
ensures sustainability, protects the environment, boosts economies, and enhances global quality of
life
English
Did you just leave your room without switching off the lights and the fan? You must have your
reasons, but imagine if no one had a second to stop by and switch them off. Have you ever thought
about a future where conflicts and wars arise over energy sources, simply because we wasted them?
This article will help you understand the importance of electricity.
Over the past two decades, global energy demand has surged due to wars, COVID-19, climate
change, industrialization, and population growth. This rising demand has strained fossil fuel supplies,
creating major challenges for economic growth, environmental sustainability, and energy security.
The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted Europe’s energy access, while the pandemic affected global trade
and supply chains. Climate change, with its extreme weather, continues to destabilize energy
systems. As pressure on resources grows, the need to shift to renewable and efficient energy sources
becomes increasingly urgent to ensure a stable, sustainable, and secure global energy future.
This situation may seem challenging, but it is quite easy to address. By exploring various methods of
energy conservation and their advantages and disadvantages, we can smoothly transition to
renewable energy sources.
Solar Energy: Converts sunlight into electricity via panels. Abundant in sunny areas but weather-
dependent, and needs space for large setups.
Wind Energy: Uses turbines to harness wind for electricity. Clean and cost-effective, ideal for windy
regions, but output varies.
Hydropower: Generates electricity from flowing water. Reliable and supports water management,
but large plants can harm ecosystems and depend on water availability.
Biomass Energy: Produced from organic waste and plants. Versatile and renewable, used for power,
fuel, and heat, but may pollute and require land.
Geothermal Energy: Uses Earth’s heat for electricity and heating. Steady and low-emission, but
costly, location-specific, and may release underground gases.
India is at a crucial point in its energy journey. With rising demands and environmental challenges,
transitioning to renewable energy is essential. However, this shift requires action from everyone. So
next time you leave a room, remember that every switch off counts towards empowering the future.
Maths
Along with the growing population and industrialisation, energy consumption is also increasing
according to people's needs.
Here is the data for 2014-2024 electricity consumption from reliable sources.
Year* Mid-year Net consumption % of Total
population (GW)
(Billions)[6][78] Domestic Commercial Industrial Traction Agricultur Misc
e
To Find
Mean- to find the mean of energy usage, we need to find the total energy used for the whole decade
and divide it by the number of years
107+ 114+……+176/10 = 1377/10 = 137.7 GW
Median- to find the median for energy use, we need to arrange the usage in ascending order and
take the value in the middle
107>114>121>129>136>140>147>147>160>176
136+140/2 = 138 GW
Mode- to find the mode, count how often each number appears, and the number that appears most
often is the mode.
147 appears twice, 147 GW is the mode
By finding the mean, median and mode, we now know that the energy consumption trend fluctuates
depending on the population and energy required for industrialization.
PAT
Use rainwater harvesting to store and reuse water for watering the ground.