India develops its first Geothermal Space Heating System to harness Geothermal Heat Energy

[Chanakya's_Chant]

SASE develops country's first geothermal space heating system​

India's Geothermal Map​

MANALI: In a first step towards harnessing geothermal heat energy, scientists at Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) have successfully developed and installed country's first geothermal space heating system at Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) here on Saturday evening.

Costing Rs 1.95 crore (research cost not included), the three-year project was demonstrated on Saturday. Presently, it is working with output load capacity of about 115 kW, which is 1/3rd of the actual design capacity. According to scientists, the system requires input power supply of only 35 kW and saves about 69 kW with no carbon emission. The system sucks heat from earth and supplies it to the required space (rooms). It can also be used to cool down the space in summer season, they said.

Joint director of SASE, Dr PK Satyawali, said that after successful demonstration of the geothermal space heating system, they will carry out multiple tests to check errors in the system to make improvements. "We had to prove the technology in our country and we have done it. We tested the system and it increased the room temperature up to 30-32 degrees Celsius on mountains here. The tested cooling temperature was 18-19 degrees Celsius," he said. When fully functional, the system can bring the temperature up to 50-55 degrees Celsius. With this unit in operation, the annual reduction in carbon emission will be 14.2 tonnes with a payback period of only five to six years, he said.

The first geothermal space heating unit at SASE is larger in size and a little costly for general public use. DRDO scientists will continue experimenting with it and try to make it compact and cost effective. "Our soldiers in Siachen, Ladakh and other hilly areas are dependent on heaters that use kerosene or other conventional fuels. This technology can bring a revolution. Not only for military use, it can be used for domestic purposes in future," Dr Satyawali said.

More than 80 countries, mostly developed countries, are harnessing geothermal energy for various uses. With demonstration of this heating system, India has also embarked on the same boat. "We have limited stock of conventional fuel. Developed countries have already started thinking about the future and are harnessing non-conventional energy sources like solar and geothermal energy. This is our first step towards using geothermal energy for heating or cooling purposes. In future, we need to think about how to fly airplanes and run vehicles with renewable energy sources," Dr Satyawali told TOI.

Under the project, a test borehole measuring 100m in depth was drilled in SASE campus and geological strata of the site was then identified. Later, 27 boreholes with a total running length of over 2,500m were drilled and a heat pump was installed. According to scientists, earth has a constant temperature of about 15-18 degrees Celsius at a depth of about 7-8m.

The system does not require any high temperature source like hot water spring and can efficiently work at moderate ground temperature of 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. Heat from the ground is transferred with the help of water which flows in pipes. The system at SASE has ground entry temperature of 13 to 19 degrees Celsius and output temperature capacity of about 54 to 57 degrees Celsius, they said.

Source:- SASE develops country's first geothermal space heating system - The Times of India

 

[RKO]

Well done!!!!