Renewable Energy Archives

Renewable Energies For The Future

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

Introduction

Mt. Abu in the state of Rajasthan, India, possesses favourable sources of potential renewable energy. Mt. Abu’s altitude of 1,200m above sea level provides almost continuously clear skies. The wind speed and the solar radiation in Mt. Abu are among the best in the state of Rajasthan.

The Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University and the World Renewal Spiritual Trust are presently administering three large complexes at Mt. Abu & Abu Road. Pandav Bhawan, the International Headquarters; the Academy for a Better World, Gyan Sarovar, near Mt. Abu; and the Shantivan Complex at Abu Road. The institution can accommodate nearly 20,000 people at a time.

The Brahma Kumaris is mainly administered by women and teaches spiritual and moral values in India as well as in more than 80 other countries. The institution is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) of the United Nations, affiliated to the Department of Public Information (DPI). It has general consultative status on the roster of the UN Economic & Social Council and UNICEF. The organization has participated in several UN peace projects, as well as the Earth Summit in Rio, 1994 and Habitat 2 in Istanbul, 1996. The Brahma Kumaris received six UN Peace Messenger Awards.

The Engineers Wing of the Rajyoga Education and Research Foundation, a sister organization of the Brahma Kumaris, presents environmental campaigns on a regular basis within the Indian subcontinent. The Brahma Kumaris also supports medical institutions such as Global Hospital & Research Center, Mt. Abu. The World Renewal Spiritual Trust is involved in a multitude of charitable activities in India and also promotes non-conventional energy sources.

The Academy for a Better World uses a holistic approach to finding solutions to many of our present day problems. The Academy provides accommodation and meeting facilities for 1,500 persons on its 23 acres of land. People from all over the world come to learn, experience and understand each other better.

History

The location of the Academy is ideal for the research and development of Integrated Renewable Energy Systems. A Department for Renewable Energy was established there in 1992, and a Solar Energy House was constructed. Since then, the solar radiation and wind speed have been continuously monitored on a computerized data logger. In 1994, a research and development project on solar and wind energy and solar cooking, sponsored by the German Government (GTZ), was implemented successfully.

In 1995, small wind generators, sponsored by Ministry of Non - Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) were tested and certified. At this time approximately 40,000 litres per day of solar hot water are being generated at the Academy.

In 1996 a 10kw hybrid system (wind/solar), sponsored by the Australian Government, and a solar steam cooking system for 1000 people were installed. The cooking system was sponsored by GTZ and designed by Wolfgang Scheffler / Brahma Kumaris/ Eco Centre, Valsad, and HTT, one of the leading German companies in heat transfer technology. The parabolic concentrators of the cooking system are made in India and have a total surface area of 190m.sq. With an output of 650 kg steam per day, the cooker is a fine example of the successful use of solar thermal energy on large scale.

During 1997–98, the Brahma Kumaris installed 100 solar pumping systems at Mt. Abu and Abu Road under a World Bank soft loan.

In January 1998, a solar steam cooking system for a maximum of 35,000 meals per day was constructed in Shantivan Complex, Abu Road. This system consists of 84 concentrators and generates the steam directly into the receivers. The system generates around 3500 Kg steam per day. The plant was successfully commissioned and tested and has been running excellently for the last two years. A second steam cooking system for 600 people was set up in Yellpur (Hubli), and an additional system for 2000 people is under construction at Om Shanti Retreat Centre near New Delhi.

In 2003 one more solar steam cooking system with financial assistance of MNES with an increased dish size of 12,6 sqm and new improved layout to provide steam for the canteen, sterilizers and laundry has been completed for the Global Hospital and Research Centre in Mt. Abu .

A smaller system with 7 dishes and latest receiver/ Tracking / Steam tank design has recently being completed at the Headquarter of Brahma Kumaris in Mt. Abu.

The solar steam cooking systems developed by the Brahma Kumaris are meanwhile recognized by the ministry of Non Conventional energy sources and are legible for 50 % grant of the total costs.

In 1999 the near by village of Salgaoun (Mt. Abu) has been equipped with assistance of Brahma Kumaris and funds from MNES with solar street light systems / solar lanterns and solar cooking boxes under rural demonstration scheme.

In 2000, 3 x 50 kW solar PV power plants with Sunpower inverters have been installed at Mt. Abu headquarters.

Meanwhile the institution has also distributed nearly 15,000 solar lanterns and recently opened a solar Aditya shop with the help of the Ministry of Non - Conventional Energy Sources to market further solar products solar cooking box and solar home light system.

So far 15000 solar lanterns / 500 Home light systems and 400 solar cooking

In 1999, 60 centres of the Brahma Kumaris/WRST throughout India have been equipped with a 5 kW solar PV system. This project was funded by the World Bank and the systems have been designed and leased through Asian Electronics Ltd.,Thane, Mumbay.

A 200 kw power plant and further 1 kw solar home power systems are in the planning stage. The peace park of Brahma Kumaris in Mt.Abu as recently received grant to set up a Solar demonstration area with hot water systems / solar home light system / cooking box etc. for greater public awareness.

The Department of Renewable Energy of Brahma Kumaris/WRST is conducting research on the following technologies: