Innovative Business Opportunities

In
Clean & Green Energy Sector

Offered by:

LCG Energy Consultants Pvt. Ltd.

[A Company by the good for the good of our Planet]
C-8, Chanakyapuri, Chunabhatti, Kolar Road,Bhopal-462016
Introduction
The domestic and commercial sectors are the largest group of energy and resources
consuming sectors both in terms of numbers as well as quantity. Both sectors are growing at
a very alarming rate with increased electrification, use of personal transport, better living
standards, urbanization and economic activities.

While the growth is necessary and welcome for the economy, the fact remains that both
sectors happen to be a bit in-efficient as far as the use of energy and resources is
concerned.. Despite media campaigns by various agencies to create awareness about
measures to be adopted for efficiency and conservation, people are not really aware how to
implement such measures in their homes and work places. Questions like- what exactly is
needed to be done, what gadget is to be bought, what are the makes available and how
much they cost and how much savings will be realized remain unanswered. Hence, there is
a basic need to take awareness level to implementation stage in every household and
commercial establishment.

Further, there are people who would like to invest in switching over to energy efficient
gadgets/appliances but due to lack of time at their disposal and unavailability of trained
manpower they are not able to do so. Like supply chains which exists and works in an
organised manner to ensure almost uninterrupted supplies of any commodity, an ‘energy
efficiency and conservation chain’ needs to be created for Demand Side Management.

In addition to the several products already in the market there is an acute need for
introduction of innovative measures to promote ‘Sustainable’ living. In the following
paragraphs we bring to you 12 innovative ideas which have the potential for conversion into
huge business opportunities.

About LCG Energy Consultants

LCG Energy Consultants Private Limited, newly formed company, is promoted by a multi-
disciplinary group of highly experienced energy experts, engineering professionals and
entrepreneurs with the noble intentions to make our planet cleaner and greener. The
promoters believe that it is possible to do so by creating a culture of being Lean (consuming
modestly), Clean (being efficient in use of energy and resources) and Green (using
renewable energy). That is how the name of the company was decided with the first three
letters of the name i.e. L, C and G standing for being Lean, Clean and Green respectively.

Idea-1: Commercial Car Pool Service (CDM Project)

Not public transport but shared car pooling done on a strictly commercial basis could be the
answer to avoid traffic jams and save our national energy bill. Nobody needs to do rocket
science to know that in India it is the lack of effective mass transport system that has given
rise to millions of private vehicles on the road. Energy consumed per passenger kilometer by
a car can be as high as six times that of a bus.

The rapid increase in fuel cost is increasing our petroleum import bill. In such a scenario
public transport seems to be the answer but this is not a very cost effective for the nation.
Instead, we should attempt to utilise the personal vehicles to increase the low occupancy
rate and reduce energy intensity in these vehicles. It is possible to create a system by which
personal cars could be put to better use with the introduction of ‘Commercial Car Pool
Service’.

Almost all of us have tried car pooling with colleagues. But such car pooling has its own well-
known limitations due to which it has not found favour with most of us.

We often travel alone, which is not only expensive but also unsafe. Many a times, we are
travelling to distant places all on our own. Ideally, we would have preferred known company
who could also share the petrol expenses! Almost at the same time another person is also
travelling alone in the same direction. But both are unaware about each other’s programme.
Similarly, within the city we are all travelling everyday in the same direction without a chance
to share our vehicles.
The lack of information forces us to use our own vehicle which not only increases personal
expenses on petrol but also increases vehicular traffic on the road leading to pollution and
traffic jams and increase in travel time.

How it can be done?

Thanks to IT revolution and mobile telephone services, it is now possible to start a
“Commercial Car Pool Service”. It will operate like this:

Initial awareness will be created about the service and tariff for the services will be fixed.
Those who are interested to avail the service — to give and take lift — will be asked to
submit their normal travel routes and travel destinations. The members shall give an
undertaking that at least for 4 Days in week they will take lift and 1 day they will give lift.
Other 2 days will be optional. The service provider will thoroughly check the credentials of
the members before admitting them.

Pick-up points (like bus stops) will be identified. With due approval from the authorities,
Kiosks will be set up at various locations. The Service provider will guarantee the lift within 5-
10 minutes of reporting to the Kiosk.

The most interesting spin-off is that people initially unknown to each other will have a chance
to meet for personal and business alliances! Other benefit to members includes reduced fuel
bill, reduced maintenance cost of the vehicle, reduced stress, ready help in case of
breakdown/flat tyre and so on.

The biggest benefit is to the country with reduction in fuel import bill, increased employment
potential and reduced road congestion and pollution.

Idea-2: Local Environment Protection Agency (CDM Project)

The environment of our cities is rapidly deteriorating. The ever-increasing human and
vehicular population is making life tougher in cities day by day. Of all the environmental
problems which affect the residents, the problems connected with the management of solid
and liquid wastes are of very serious nature. These persist despite the serious efforts made
by the authorities concerned. Local bodies and NGOs both have not been successful in
providing the best solution for these problems.

A close look at the functioning of the municipal corporations and the NGOs will reveal that
the shortage & mismanagement of funds are the main reasons for the non-performance of
these bodies.

The municipal corporations spend most of their money in distributing salaries to the staff and
for the upkeep of vehicles and buildings. The NGOs are also required to pay salaries to their
staff and the workers.

The solution lies in recognizing the fact that today’s society is highly individualistic and self
interest is of prime concern in everybody’s mind. Commercialisation is the order of the day
and almost everything including health and education have been commercialised. Then why
not commercialise the activity of protection of the environment? If it becomes a business
opportunity, then there will be many persons who will be willing to invest money to take care
of the environmental problems. This concept can be popularized by promoting Local
Environment Protection Agencies (LEPAs) in some of the residential areas in each city and
bigger towns of the country.

The LEPA can also be involved with the activities of planting and protection of trees, green
belts and development of water bodies etc. Besides, they can be utilised for water harvesting
& recycling, backyard/rooftop vegetables gardening, cleaning of roads, garbage issues, and
such other activities. The agency can also provide services to promote recycling and reuse
of household gadgets and items of daily use.
The scope of the services can be extended to spheres of urban life that affect the socio-
political environment and the LEPA can act as a watchdog for untoward incidents and acts of
terrorism, etc.

Market potential
With the ever-increasing urbanisation and privatisation of the housing sector, everyday new
projects are announced by the builders and colonisers. Further, there are group housing
cooperative societies and other schemes coming up in every corner of our cities and towns,
Thus there is a huge potential for starting a Local Environment Protection Agency which can
offer complete services on a turnkey basis.

With proper marketing of the concept, local municipal corporations can be convinced about
the need to hire the services of LEPAs in order to optimize their resources. The concerned
local urban bodies can be approached with such proposals.

Idea-3: Green Malls/ Green Shops

Due to increased awareness about the need and benefits of sustainable ways of living the
demand for environment friendly products and services is increasing every day. However,
there is a huge supply gap to effectively meet the demand.

Thanks to the campaigns on the effects of Climate Change and its likely adverse effects,
more and more people and corporate business houses are getting interested in adopting
measures to mitigate the bad effects of the climate related problems.

Despite the massive awareness level, there are several issues yet to be sorted out about
successful adoption of green practices. The availability of genuine products and missing
marketing and after sales network for ‘Green Products’ are some of the issues which need to
be addressed.

In order to stream line the availability of all green products and services, we need to have a
regular supply chain of such products and services in place. Hence, there is an urgent need
of setting up of ‘Green Malls’/’Green Shops’ all over the world where all the eco-friendly
products, consumer items, etc could be made available at one place.

The ‘Green Malls’ will have facilities for exhibition/training/conference halls etc. for
demonstration, and awareness/education programmes. Needless to say that ‘Green
Malls’/’Green Shops’ would be constructed on the principles of ‘Sustainable Buildings’.

Idea-4: Green Ashrams

Today’s hectic and un-natural life style is full of stress and all of us wish to spend some time
with the nature and how to live in harmony with the nature. Many of us would even want to
spend rest of our life in an environment where we get peace of mind.

“Green Ashrams’ would be designed on the principle of sustainable development and would
help in ‘Eco –Tourism’ and the development of surrounding places.

“Green Ashrams’ would be planned in Villages and would also help the surrounding villages
in getting maximum benefits from Government Schemes. Thus, the Nature Lovers would not
only get to live with the nature but also get a chance to serve the under-privileged.

The ‘Green Ashrams’ would also have demonstration and training facilities for the public to
learn and replicate the green practices.

The concept would finally lead to development of sustainable habitat and help mitigate the
threats due to the climate changes.

Idea-5: Electricity Saving Incentive Scheme (CDM Project)

There are schemes to encourage small monetary savings by which we are able to collect
huge amount of money at low interest rates. These schemes not only encourage saving
habits but also provide employment opportunities. There is a Directorate of Small Savings in
each state which co-ordinates implementation of such schemes and gives cash prizes to
those who deposit their savings in these schemes. In line with cash saving schemes, there is
a need of incentive scheme to encourage electricity savings.

This scheme called “Electricity Saving Incentive Scheme” shall be operated as follows:
Step-1: Application form for participation in the prescribed format with proof of last 12
months electricity consumption, (photocopy of first and last months’ electricity bills) shall be
submitted by the participants.
Step-2: The Home Energy Audits by trained professional would be performed and ideas to
save energy will be explained to the participant. The nominal charges for the audit would be
borne by the participants.
Step-3: The participant will implement the recommendation with or without the help of
trained person.
Step-4: At the end of 1 year from the start date, average consumption will again be worked
out with proofs of bills. The savings achieved will be calculated and depending on the
savings achieved, suitable cash award will be recommended.

The savings realized could be verified by any one. The files containing supporting
documents like electricity bills, details of energy saving items installed etc will be maintained.
The Incentive amount shall be paid out of the money earned from sale proceeds from
implementation and CDM earnings.

(Idea Nos. 6 to 12 listed below shall be explained during presentation)

Other Ideas
Idea-6: Manufacturing of Manually Operated/ Natural Appliances
Idea-7: Manufacturing of Building Integrated Solar Heating Systems
Idea-8: Manufacturing of Instant Coolers
Idea-9: Manufacturing of New Design Refrigerators
Idea-10: Manufacturing of Domestic Waste Processors
Idea-11: Publication of Monthly Magazine on “Green Living”
Idea-12: “I-TV” Channel for “Intelligent” Living