Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: This research work is conducted in small scale industries to highlight energy efficiency gap that has often been neglected from the analysis in manufacturing cluster. The study is done to evaluate - Intensity of Barrier (IOB), Easiness of Barrier Removal (EOB) and Impact of Barrier Removal (IBREE) on Energy Efficiency for the top four barrier-groups by using mathematical model based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Methods/Statistical Analysis: The data for AHP matrix is collected through an online questionnaire sent to 180 respondents from the list of 330 industries selected randomly. The four barrier groups are selected based on various studies conducted on Barriers to energy efficiency in India and abroad. The total cluster population consists of 330 Small Scale Manufacturing units in Mohali district of Punjab. Considering the reliability of respondents, the confidence interval 0.20 and confidence level 95% is chosen respectively. The calculated sample size using these parameters is 22. Findings: The Results highlighted many important findings that inhibit the energy efficiency benefits is these cluster and affect degree of implementation. Policy and Regulatory Barrier followed by Personal & Informational Barrier having score value 0.36 and 0.24 respectively are found to be high-intensity Barriers that act as impediments to energy efficiency policies in manufacturing cluster. The Personal & Informational Barrier is easiest to remove whereas Policy and Regulatory Barrier is most difficult to remove barrier group according to AHP results. Application/Improvements: The analysis pointed out that if Policy and Regulatory Barrier is removed would result in significant chances of achieving energy efficiency in these clusters. An initiative from state government bodies in collaboration with field specific experts is necessary to formulate effective policies to address this barrier group. The Personal & Informational Barrier can be addressed through regular interactions with experts, training programs and behavior modification techniques.

Keywords: AHP, Barriers, Criteria-Alternatives, Energy-Efficiency, Manufacturing Cluster