Assessing and promoting sustainability on AIT campus | |
| Author | Anand, Ravi |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.ET-18-13 |
| Subject(s) | Sustainability--Thailand--Asian Institute of Technology Sustainable development--Thailand--Asian Institute of Technology Renewable energy sources--Analysis |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Energy |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. ET-18-13 |
| Abstract | Nowadays almost all of the organizations, businesses and institutes are in the race to call themselves as developing in a sustainable manner. They present their resource utilization and waste generation, community member’s health and living standards and various other indicators. Those indicators depend on the company’s business. Similarly, if AIT needs to display its campus with sustainability at its core, it has to develop those indicators and measure its operational data. This study was conducted with an aim to develop indicators relevant to AIT’s structure and its operation. As AIT is an educational cum residential center, its indicators are slightly different from other educational institutes. The quantitative data was collected from various sources whereas a survey was conducted to collect the qualitative data. AIT’s per capita energy consumption was very high at 4458 kWh, but the per unit area consumption was very low at 16.6 kWh which indicates that land use is in excess but energy is not consumed wisely or wasted. Similarly, per capita water consumption was at 196.4 m3, whereas the Asian average is only 75.1 m3. These project big scope in reduction by conservation, equipment efficiency improvement and behavioral change. This was also seen in the survey response where only about 50% respondents said they strictly follow conservation measures. On the qualitative side, most of the respondents said living in AIT campus is safe and gives them freedom and comfort. However, there are issues of proper street lighting, cafeteria food quality, bicycle parking spaces, etc. that reduces the comfort level of residents. According to teachings on sustainable approach, all development projects and improvement measures should consider reducing the resource consumption and waste generation, and providing a better living environment to all. Energy and Water consumption at campus can be noticeably reduced by measures identified in the report. Some activities were identified that look after more than one aspect of sustainability, and implemented during the study period. During the study period, solar lamp installation was done at the community farmland to promote involvement and improving the farm produce. Water dispenser was installed at Energy building to ensure quality water is available to all members and personal water tumblers were distributed at as a promotional measure, so that all members carry their own personal water bottle and help in reducing the sale of plastic bottles at convenience stores. Both the projects saw appreciation and increased involvement of members. |
| Year | 2018 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. ET-18-13 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Technology (ET) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kumar, Sivanappan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Mohanty, Brahmanand;Visvanathan, Chettiyappan; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2018 |