New Delhi, Sept 5 (KNN) To help companies reduce energy consumption, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched a 'Industrial Energy Assessment Cell' to assess and provide technological solutions to large and small scale industries in the manufacturing sector.

The unit has research scholars, postgraduate and undergraduate students and faculty members doing the assessment for companies free of cost, IIT-M said in a statement.

Dean (International and Alumni Relations) Mahesh V Panchagnula said, "India is a net importer of energy. It is important that we address the problem from both conservation and efficiency improvement perspectives. This is an important step in that direction."

The cell has already taken up an assessment for diverse companies since January this year, the institute said, adding that seven detailed assessments and 24 Walk-Through assessments have already been completed.

"The cell has provided technological solutions that will help each industry obtain project savings between Rs 50 lakh and Rs one crore, if implemented," it said.

The premier institute said the key focus of the project is to eliminate inefficiencies in the manufacturing sector with respect to energy utilization.