New Delhi, India

Most buildings supporting the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi are over 40 years old; however, through green initiatives, the Embassy has reduced its energy consumption and CO₂ emissions by 2,490 metric tons annually—the equivalent of over 500 cars.

Post’s Green Team—the Resource Conservation Unit (RCU)—is a group of committed local staff dedicated to accomplishing green goals. The RCU consolidates their efforts for easier measurement and best practice sharing, and providing a one-stop-shop for expert advice and analysis. In its first year, the RCU saved Post over $175,000.

The Embassy has taken a step-by-step approach to achieving green goals:

1. Auditing: National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and OBO conducted a thorough audit of the primary buildings supporting the Mission, and Post has used the report as a roadmap for future upgrades.
2. Metering: Post implemented extensive metering to improve energy use tracking. Custom metering enables Post’s staff to quickly identify energy ‘flashpoints,’ or spikes, that need correction.
3. Short-term actions: Post immediately implemented low-cost actions with quick paybacks, such as replacing site lighting with LEDs, which reduced energy use by 40%, and produced a two year return on investment (ROI).
4. Long-term actions: Post is working with OBO to identify and implement capital-intensive recommendations identified in the audit, such as replacing standard electric motors with variable frequency drive (VFD) motors.
5. Education: Post uses the Community Liaison Office newsletter, the local information magazine from the Public Diplomacy section, and State Magazine to educate and engage staff. Post residents receive a monthly energy-use report with a ranking to encourage conservation.

VFDs at Mission New Delhi

Image Source: U.S. Embassy New Delhi