Shri.Asthana heads an energy management organization which includes a team of 35 experts working in the area of Energy Audit, Energy Consumption and demonstration of resource efficient projects in large, medium and small scale industrial clusters.This nomination refers to his contribution in the Clean Technology Initiative for the glass bangle industries in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Through this project a low cost locally developed technology was developed for small enterprises. The technology uses locally developed machinery that can be built in-house and maintained locally. It also reduces substantially the costs of running the bangle making machinery.The technology developed uses natural gas instead of coal that is conventionally used. Natural gas is not only environment friendly but also more effective in heating and the improvised technology has improved the quality of products produced by these industries.

There are totally 200 manufacturing units in Firozabad. The project has the potential to benefit 50,000 employees in the bangle manufacturing process in this city itself. It can also be replicated in other manufacturing towns across the country and also in other countries. The scope for expansion is therefore extremely vast.

Individuals have benefited through a cleaner and better working environment.Society has benefited because this change in technology will reduce pollution around the TajMahal and protect it. This should also have a positive impact on the tourism industry.The economy has benefited because of lower energy costs and the improvement in quality of bangles produced. Profits of enterprises that have adopted these technologies have also increased.

Project partners include USAID, UP Glass Manufacturers Syndicate and Central Pollution Control Board. The project works with these organisations to further disseminate this innovative technology. The project has developed a technology that is extremely low cost and can also be maintained by local manpower. This is a new and locally feasible method that can be replicated easily by NGOs. For companies too the new technology creates for small-scale local entrepreneurs to produce and supply parts required.These factors make it easier for the technology to be replicated and thus help strengthen the mainstreaming of clean energy.

Individuals in the project area have benefited through improved working environment; Once disseminated widely, the environment can benefit through this technology as emissions will be vastly reduced. The use of wood based gas fire will be reduced and consequently depletion of natural resources will also not take place.The technology has several additional benefits. It has benefited the economy by adding value to the production process in bangle making as well as the textile industry. The technology is affordable. Units cost between Rs.20,000/- to Rs.70,000 amounts that can easily be afforded by small scale units. Running costs have been drastically reduced. Though initiated in 2006, 9 units in Firozadabad have already switched to the new technology. In 6 months a total saving of Rs.15,00,000 has been estimated for each enterprise.

The project is highly sustainable because of its use of low cost, locally developed and locally managed technology. It has also increased the profits of enterprises. Capital costs of conversion are being recovered in as little as 1 ½ months.

The project has leveraged this innovative technology through replication in other areas such as Sanganer, Rajasthan, Ludhiana. It has created a demonstration effect that will facilitate widespread adoption of the technology. The nominee has facilitated leverage by developing locally appropriate technology and by taking up pilot projects in other states.