Introduction
The 20th century has witnessed some truly amazing developments, discoveries and technologies that have revolutionized our lifestyles and business environment. But, man in his quest for power, progress and money has also waged wars, rapidly depleted natural resources, wasted precious energy and degraded the environment. It is necessary to engage in introspection and critique our individual and collective role to the cause of oil conservation and environment protection.
We at PCRA in pursuit of sustainable development and improvement in the quality of life understand the oil conservation issues and its importance. Pending development of new energy resources and technologies, oil conservation can bridge the time gap and the oil so saved can meet the demand for developmental and economic activities.

PCRA - A success saga
PCRA plays the role of a catalyzing agency for achieving oil conservation in the four major sectors of the Indian economy viz. Industrial, Domestic, Transport and Agriculture. Initially, PCRA started with of a limited educational, training and mass awareness efforts about from a few number of studies on applications of petroleum products. However now it covers multi-faceted activities on a large spectrum of Socio-economic activities wherein petroleum products are used. it has also improved upon and fine tuned its approach to different issues of oil conservation and increased remarkably the extent as well as penetration of the message of oil conservation.

PCRA wishes to become a centre of excellence for conservation of hydrocarbons and environment protection for sustainable development.

The mantra "Conserve" is spread through multimedia campaigns, targeting major petroleum consumer groups. PCRA shows the way through improved technologies, products and services. PCRA's activities go beyond R&D to the development of prototype and commercialization. Training is also imparted to drivers and mechanics to improve the vehicle KMPL (Kilometer per litre) performance. The other mass awareness activities encompass workshops at highway dhabas, LPG clinics, kissan melas, consumer meets, demonstration centres etc. PCRA also promotes the use of alternate sources of energy and conservation of electrical energy through demand side management.

PCRA's consistent efforts in all the sectors have helped in bringing about a recurring savings of over 1.8 million tonnes of oil during 1998-99. This is approximately one third of the annual refining capacity of a medium sized Indian refinery in terms of money this is worth 1049 crores. However this is just the up of the iceberg when compared to the vast conservation potential of 18 million tonnes i.e. about 20% of the 90 million tonnes of oil likely to be consumed in India during 1999-2000. Various activities initiated in different sectors have already shown good results. PCRA's conservation drive has been directed mainly towards countering the increasing demand through efficient and effective utilization of petroleum products and by minimizing wasteful practices within the following PCRA's objectives:

To formulate strategies and promote measures for accelerating conservation of petroleum products leading to environment protection, energy security and sustainable development.

To create awareness among masses about the importance benefit and methods of conserving petroleum products and clean environment by enhancing information and capacity building.

To promote research development, and deployment efforts aimed at petroleum conservation and environment protection. Support and facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum products with alternate fuels and renewables.

To establish synergistic institutional linkages at the national and international levels in the areas of petroleum conservation and environment protection.

To provide training and advisory services, designed to achieve economy and efficiency in the use of petroleum products for cleaner environment.

To function as "Think Tank" to the Government of India for proposing policies and strategies on petroleum conservation and environment protection aimed at reducing excessive dependence on oil.

PCRA giant strides in new millennium
PCRA is convinced the goal of oil conservation can be achieved by adopting the path of sustainable development. This will ensure economic security, improved energy availability and a healthy environment. But, sustainability depends entirely on how we deal with our present limited reserves and resources. Moreover, the road to sustainability also depends on political will combined with the national action.

PCRA has drawn plans for several innovative activities in the new millennium. The action plans and activities are directly connected with the end result, which is " oil conservation through efficient utilization " and is targeted to specific consumer groups using various petroleum products.

To have an extension wing called " Consultancy Group". This group will assist and facilitate the consumers of petroleum products in the preparation of feasibility report. The feasibility report will give details of specification of various equipment, their parts that a customer might require at the time of replacement. It also gives the place from where it can be procured along with the techno-economic cost benefit. It will therefore be a ready reckoner for the customer who would be greatly benefited by the additional service from PCRA. This in turn would lead to faster implementation on energy audit recommendation.
World over there is a new initiative and trend to form "Energy Services Company (ESCO)". Based on the recommendation of the feasibility report the energy audit report, this company shall take initiative for business investment. At times it so happens that the industrial consumers of petroleum products do not have required funds or do not have the confidence to take business risk connected with investments related to conservation of energy that lead to reduction in the annual operating costs of total energy. The Energy Services Company takes such business risk on behalf of the client based on an agreement for sharing the savings realized on a monthly basis.

Some other thrust areas for the new millennium include:
Development and deployment of improved combustion and lighting systems such as fuel efficient industrial furnaces and burners in industrial sector, fuel efficient lighting and cooking appliances in the domestic sector, fuel efficient diesel pump set and tractors in the agriculture sector and fuel efficient engines and devices in the transport sector.

Development of oil conservation norms for continuous monitoring and evaluation of efficiency improvement, comparison with international standards and realistic appreciation of efficiency gain.

Devlopment of a comprehensive data base with regard to the specific energy consumption of data of various sectors and sub sectors.
Development of information management and communication with emphasis on grass root level communication in respect of oil conservation.
Human resource development with focus on training and retraining of energy managers, supervisors, technicians, drivers and operators of oil consuming equipment devices and vehicles.

Stepping up of R&D activities to achieve quantum jump in oil conservation through technological breakthroughs. In addition to utilizing the laboratory and institutional facilities available in the country, PCRA is planning to set up its own Research & Development Centre dedicated to the oil conservation and environment protection projects / activities.

In the new millennium PCRA shall achieve yet another milestone by having its own Corporate building " Sanrakshan Bhawan" at Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi. The building is not just aesthetically pleasing but is designed specially as an intelligent office, incorporating the latest technologies for maximum energy conservation. Moreover this will not only give a boost to PCRA’s identity, but also reaffirm Government’s commitment to curb wastage of oil and gas.
The Internet accessibility provided in the regions has helped in generation of new and creative ideas. PCRA has initiated action to upgrade the existing set up of hardware and software with an intention to make a move towards paperless office with the installation of LAN and WAN. A comprehensive database on all facets of PCRA activities shall be made available to the users. This facility when commissioned will enable generation of valuable and instant data. This is a beginning for a total ERP solution in due course. Just before the onset of new millennium PCRA is also launching its own website for mass usage of both domestic as well as international clients.

This will provide a powerful platform to PCRA for its mass awareness campaigns and also a tool for obtaining feedback for gauging its performance and further improvements.

To gain advantage from the rich experience and expertise of our educated, knowledgeable people having requisite background. PCRA has also initiated a new scheme" serve the Nation and earn a living comprehensive scheme for mass awareness by the external agencies education, training and envisage disseminion of conservation messages all over the country. These tailor made mass awareness programmes on oil conservation cover all sectors of the economy.
Keeping in view the era of liberalization, globalization and privatization, a mechanism was put in place to build future plans from the present strengths explicitly aimed at fostering innovation and creativity. This culture has prompted PCRA to participate in NPMP award on "Excellence in fostering innovative culture in organisation instituted by National Petroleum Management Programme (NPMP) to identify, recognize and encourage excellence among the enterprises in the petroleum sector.

International linkages
PCRA is equally concerned from the excessive Green House Gases by inefficient combustion and with the use of old technologies. The emission generated as a result of Hydro Carbon usage created by the domestic, commercial and rural sectors besides industries and vehicles in India is quite excessive. World over, it has been established Co2 a major constituent of GHGs accumulation during the last 100 years has for exceeded the Co2 accumulated historically by the mankind. This therefore, needs to be checked both by the developed and developing countries as it has become an area of Global concern. PCRA has taken initiatives to facilitate transfer of technology particularly for small and medium scale industries and thus to overcome the barriers that include shortage of funds, required technical backup etc. So whether we talk of energy conservation or reduction in Co2 finally the end result is improvement in end use efficiency by technology upgradation.

As a catalysing agent PCRA had initiated a proposal to undertake a feasibility study under GEF (Global Environment Facility) in the steel re-rolling mills to control green house gases emissions and energy conservation through technology upgradation t PCRA'S participation in the International Conference at Vancouver has resulted in another similar feasibility study for the forging industry.The world reached a common global understanding, of fundamental threats to the Earth's ecological balance .GEF is made use as a catalyst for universal participation and innovative programme to increase awareness with a sense of urgency to develop and pursue a sustainable development path. PCRA, a proactive proponent of efficient energy utilization and environment protection established a working relation with International Energy Authority (IEA) for exchange of information and publications on issues of energy conservation. To foster environment friendly fuels and related technologies, PCRA also participated in the conference on "Gas to Liquids: Clean fuel strategy" at London. The useful information collected has been of immense use to oil companies to foster GTL fuels like DME in the Indian market.

Conclusion
Oil conserved through efficient utilization can be looked upon as a quicker, efficient and economic source of new energy. Any reduction in energy demand due to efficient utilization would allow the flow of this scarce resource to other pressing needs. The task of implementing oil conservation is now more daunting than ever before in view of the increased quantities of petrol is imported to maintain the rate of economic growth. The prices of crude, which had shown a downward trend over last few years and touched $ 10 per barrel in 98-99 are also on the increase and has crossed $ 25 per barrel, affecting the foreign exchange outgo and balance of payment.

Thus, there is an urgent need to establish a systematic framework and approach to realize the overall conservation potential. Opportunities abound today for improving the efficiency by adopting more efficient technologies around the world and also by using market drive approaches, which have a powerful impact. However, the existence of market imperfections limits their effectiveness. This calls for a regulatory approach, which includes minimum standards and labeling for all type of efficient equipments and appliances. The financial incentives in the form of oil concessional taxes, duties etc. along with national and sectoral energy saving awards provide an effective tool to make conservation programme a success.

To give added momentum to oil conservation, there is an urgent need for an integrated energy policy. This policy would include legislation on energy conservation, which makes energy audit mandatory for industries, energy labeling of equipment necessary and BIS standards compulsory. This would set minimum energy efficiency standards for specified energy using production and provide description on the responsibilities of dealers of these products. The old engines equipments and processes that do not meet environmental standards must be scrapped under this policy. Energy labeling shall enable consumer to compare products and make choices that will save both money and energy. In this way, the consumer can encourage sale and availability of energy efficient products.
The nation is gearing itself for the new millennium and PCRA is fast approaching its silver jubilee. It is necessary to engage in introspection and critique our individual and collective role and contribution to the cause of oil conservation. We solicit the continued encouragement and support of all concerned in this social and national cause.

Together- We can do it.