Upset by the energy crisis in Pakistan, MIT graduate Nida R. Farid has returned home to contribute. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: While switching off light bulbs, fans or air conditioners does save power, the secret to saving on electricity bills lies in energy efficient appliances.
As the government struggles to kick-start new power projects, the immediate solution to the problem, according to engineering consultant Nida R Farid, is energy conservation.
Old machines and cheaper devices consume much more electricity and need to be replaced. While in the market for appliances, the buyers must go through the “power stickers” to see, which devices consume lesser energy. These were some of the suggestions put forward by Farid while talking at the first “tea-seminar” held at her house.
Appalled at the energy crisis that has crippled her hometown, the MIT graduate has returned home to start a project titled “Karachi Energy Conservation Awareness - Small Tricks for Large Savings”. She plans to engage rich women, whom she believes can bring about a positive change in the power-starved country.
The wealthy households comprise about 25 percent of the population in Karachi and can play a pivotal role in energy conservation. These families not only have 10 to 15 electricity devices at home but are the largest consumers of electricity at their offices and factories, shared Farid.
A number of people, including her friends and relatives, had come to the seminar to hear what the aerospace engineer had to say. Farid also has a few years of experience working in the renewable energy sector.
“Karachi’s upper class is much closer to each other and can pass on the tips to energy conservation during their get-togethers,” she said. “We have to think over the issue seriously because factories are being closed, which will automatically give rise to poverty, illiteracy, crimes and other social issues.”
Power ‘load shedding’ is a routine even in winter and the issue has crippled the industry. Several organisations have even launched their own projects, where middle and lower classes are asked to adopt energy efficient plans. “If we can convince the upper class, we can resolve more than 70 percent of the prevailing crisis,” the consultant said. “The wealthy people use most of the energy but don’t really care about it because they can afford it.”
Talking about the consumption of gas, Farid believed that people in Pakistan did not pay high for gas but still advised the use of solar-powered water heaters to save more gas. She shared several other money-saving tips on electricity rates, purchasing home appliances and their usage, including bulbs, air conditioners, deep freezers and even washing machines.
“We don’t think much about these things usually when buying or using them,” said a participant, Ibtesam, vowing to share the informative tips with relatives and friends to convince them.
“Today I have come to know how to use air conditioners properly,” said another participant, Sana, who wasn’t even aware there were filters in air conditioner that need to be cleaned.
Farid believes most people, especially in Pakistan, have very little knowledge of energy conservation and need to be actively approached to raise awareness. “Many people believe energy conservation will take up time or reduce their comfort levels. We want to change this,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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@Nida: Really appreciate your response. Wish you all the best.
Parvez and Zaid Sahab, thank you for your comments.
Parvez Sahab, I tried to respond to your comment yesterday, but Express Tribune does not allow the same person to place more than one comment per 24 hours. In any case, the rich will adopt the changes we are trying to bring, because we are not asking them to conserve energy due to their own conscience. We are asking them to save energy by buying more efficient appliances, etc, so that they will save money without losing an iota of comfort. They will make these changes because we have shown them, in rupees, how much more they are paying for electricity every month without adding anything to their comfort. In reality, this is just money that was wasted and put into someone else's pocket (the electricity companies, the appliance producer's, etc) instead of our own.
Thanks Nida for bringing this into discussion. At least people have started to realize that we have to play our role. I understand that government is not fulfilling its duties but at least we should do, whatever we can do. For example, why we can't share our journeys with our fellow colleagues instead all driving their own vehicles thus putting more strain on our road networks and adding to our oil import bills. Why we can't walk for our short journeys. We we can't have mass transit and discourage private car owners LED is very good in terms of saving electricity As you have said, we need to have grading for all appliances and it should give us info that buying energy efficient will save us money in the long run. Use of Air-conditioner at moderate temperature not only lowers our bills but also uses less energy. Energy efficient buildings would be a major step to reduce our energy requirements. The house design are not built in a way that are energy efficient. The house/commercial buildings are hot during summer and very cold during winter and thus requires more energy consumption in both season. Pakistan has plenty of Sunlight which should be used effectively in domestic and commercial buildings to avoid using electricity during day time. We leave all appliances on stand-by which still uses energy whether little or more but all these things does make a difference. We need to learn and behave responsibility. There is no doubt that State has failed to fulfil its responsibility but we should be blamed equally not to play our role.
The concept is not new and it is understood to a certain degree. The difficult part is to inject a sense of responsibility into this 'upper class' so that the rest can benefit, and this will be a next to impossible task if voluntary participation from this upper class is expected. The first thinking block you would encounter is ' Why should the rest benefit at my expense, they have lived with nothing and are used to it. If you give them a little they will ask for more and it will never end. ' If you can devise a way to overcome this, you will most likely make progress.
Thank you, Sameer, for attending our first seminar, and for writing this article. Please also note the web link to our campaign.
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/230826/x/1174702
Our basic premise is simple. The richest 20% of society, in their homes and at work, influences 70% of the electricity decisions in the country. If we can raise their awareness about energy efficiency and conservation, we can reduce current and future energy demand, and reign in the energy crisis.