Urban heat island effect driving up power demand: Study
The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, which raises city temperatures between two and 10 degrees Celsius above surrounding areas, is one of the key reasons behind the rise in power demand in the country, according to a new analysis.
It states that while industrial power demand has remained relatively stable in several regions, residential demand has surged sharply because cities are becoming significantly hotter, especially during evenings and nights.
This forces households to rely more heavily on cooling appliances such as air-conditioners (ACs), coolers, and fans, according to the analysis, released by Climate Trends, a Delhi-based climate research organisation, on Tuesday.
“Rising temperatures alone do not explain why cities and towns are becoming increasingly unlivable during summers. Rapid urbanisation is significantly amplifying heat stress, turning Indian cities into giant heat traps and driving a sharp rise in electricity demand,” said the analysis.
The power demand in India has been skyrocketing in recent days. It touched 257.3 GW on May 18, 260.4 GW on May 19, 265 GW on May 20, and ultimately reached a record 270.8 GW on May 21. The main factor driving UHI is rapid urbanisation, which leads to more concrete, roads, bricks and metal in the area. These objects absorb heat during the day and radiate it at night when the Sun is absent.
The situation is exacerbated by the use of ACs, which emit hot air outside and contribute significantly to UHI.
“Demand from cooling — both commercial and residential — which starts from noon and does not come down till the early morning hours, has put grid planning in a knot,” said the analysis.
To mitigate UHI, there is a need to promote light-colored roofing materials with high reflectivity, which can significantly reduce heat absorption, potentially lowering roof temperatures by up to 25 degrees Celsius compared to darker materials.
Creating a network of natural and semi-natural elements, such as wetlands, parks, green roofs and water bodies, can also help regulate city temperatures, said the analysis.
