The Business Bytes
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 21, 2024 (TBB BUREAU): Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has received several accolades at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Energy Efficiency Circle Competition 2024 for its energy-efficient practices at its alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha. The refinery was awarded first prize in the ‘Best Energy Efficient Designated Consumer (under BEE-PAT scheme)’ category and received special commendations in the ‘Best Energy Efficient Organization (Large Sector)’ and ‘Best Managed Electrical System for Energy Efficiency’ categories. These awards underscore Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to responsible business operations.
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The refinery, which produces high-quality alumina for further processing into aluminium at smelters in Jharsuguda, Odisha, and Korba, Chhattisgarh, is currently engaged in over 29 energy efficiency projects aimed at supporting Vedanta’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050.
Key projects include enhancements to the power distribution system, improvements to the ‘digestion’ process (where bauxite is mixed with caustic soda), and the use of biomass briquettes as a renewable fuel source for power generation. These initiatives have notably improved operational efficiency and reduced energy consumption, leading to a reduction of over 69,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions in FY 2024 alone.
Commenting on the recognition, Vedanta Aluminium CEO John Slaven said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we seek to establish new benchmarks in operational excellence based on sustainable business practices. We thank CII for acknowledging our efforts in this regard. These accolades are an encouraging reflection of our relentless commitment to achieving our Net Zero milestones and setting ever-higher standards in responsible operations.”
Additional energy efficiency measures at Vedanta Lanjigarh include the application of anti-frictional coatings on water cooling pumps, which have cut electrical energy consumption by 469 MWh per annum and resulted in GHG savings of 355 tonnes of CO2 annually. The upgrade of ball mills used for grinding bauxite has increased capacity utilization, reduced electrical energy consumption to 2,400 MWh per annum, and achieved GHG savings of 1,702 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Moreover, the complete digitization of the plant’s electrical distribution and maintenance system has enabled advanced monitoring and reporting of energy readings, minimizing errors and enhancing efficiency.
The CII National Energy Efficiency Circle Competition recognizes best practices in energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, and climate change mitigation across industries. This year’s theme, “Powering the Net Zero Goals,” saw participation from over 500 organizations nationwide. The competition also highlights efforts under the Government of India’s BEE-PAT scheme, a regulatory instrument aimed at reducing energy consumption in energy-intensive industries, overseen by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, which develops policies and strategies for managing energy consumption.
