In 2019, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) partnered with CMS to WP to develop a digital platform, Urja Dakshata Information Tool (UDIT), to facilitate a database on energy efficiency and spread awareness about the ongoing initiatives and its impact in the Indian energy sector.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was established in 2002 under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of BEE is to assist in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy.
BEE faced a unique set of challenges due to the diversity of the energy sector and the target audience. The first challenge was to design a platform that would be easy to understand and use for both well-versed researchers/policymakers and laymen. The second impediment was to collect data from multiple sources, each sector being under the purview of different ministries and departments.
CMSTOWP, along with the World Resource Institute, tackled the task of data collection first. A joint meeting of sector department heads was convened where the data and gaps were discussed in detail. Data was gathered from various sources, including BEE schemes data, KPMG report, Unnati website, etc. As data from different sources was structured differently, collected data had to be mined, structured to be usable by data visualization tools to create various analyses.
The platform highlights the data insights in the form of data visualizations. The Home Page showcases the country's macro snapshot of energy efficiency along with giving visual insights into the central schemes under BEE. The main menu features BEE's capacity building initiative in the distribution and transmission sector and a Data Explorer for additional analysis for advanced users.
The platform was designed to be user-friendly, convenient to analyze the information, and re-useable by various stakeholders. The data visualizations and information elements of the site were dynamic and engaging, making this platform a one-stop solution for energy data queries and analysis.
Feedback from the client was positive, with BEE praising CMSTOWP for their expertise and ability to deliver a high-quality solution. The platform was designed to be scalable and maintainable, with templates defined and shared with the BEE team to gather data in the future.
The development of Urja Dakshata Information Tool (UDIT) was a successful project that showcased CMS to WP's expertise in developing digital platforms for energy efficiency. The platform has the potential to save around 2.8 Billion Units by FY 2030, which is equivalent to Green House Gas (GHG) reduction of 2.4-million-ton Carbon Dioxide. The projected efficiency improvement is between 42% to 65%.
