Renewable Energy Projects

A Department for Renewable Energy was established by BK in 1992, at the Gyan Sarovar Academy for a better World 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 New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) were tested and certi.ed. At this time approximately 40,000 litres per day of solar hot water are 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 Schef.er / 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 190 sq meters. With an output of 650 kg steam per day, the cooker is a .ne 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 IREDA Scheme.

Solar Steam Cooking System, R&D sponsored by German Government (GTZ), build 1997, Gyan Sarovar Complex, Mt.Abu

In January 1998, a solar steam cooking system for a maximum of 35000 meals per day was designated and constructed in Shantivan Complex, Abu Road. This system consists of 84 concentrators and generates the steam directly in the receivers. The system

Solar Steam Cooking System, Shantivan Complex, Abu Road, performance data

The plant was successfully commissioned and tested and has been running excellently for the last nine years. Since than solar steam cooking systems developed by the Brahma Kumaris have been recognized by the ministry of Non Conventional energy sources and are eligible for ~ 50 % grant of the total costs.

A second steam cooking system for 600 people was set up in Yelapur (Hubli), and an additional system for 2000 people has been construction at Om Shanti Retreat Centre near Delhi. In 1999, the nearby village of Salgaon (Mt. Abu) was equipped with solar street light systems / solar lanterns and solar cooking boxes with the assistance of Brahma Kumaris and funds from MNRS under the rural demonstration scheme. In 1999, 60 branches of the Brahma Kumaris/ WRST throughout India were equipped with a 5 kW solar PV system (World Bank funded). In 2000, 3 x 50 kW solar photovoltaic power plants with Sunpower inverters were installed at the Brahma Kumaris Headquarters.

Location of 60 x 5kW PV in India
In 2003, one more solar steam cooking system with .nancial assistance of MNRE with an increased dish size of 12.6 sq m and new improved layout to provide steam for the canteen, sterilizers and laundry was completed at the Global Hospital and Research Centre in Mt. Abu. The Brahma Kumaris Peace Park in Mt. Abu received a grant in 2003 to set up a solar demonstration area with hot water systems / solar home light system and cooking box for greater public awareness.

50 kwp SPV power plant, Academy for better World, Mt. Abu

A smaller solar steam cooking system with 7 dishes and state of the art receiver/ tracking / steam tank design was completed in 2005 at the Headquarters of Brahma Kumaris in Mt. Abu. In 2006 a new 16 sq meter prototype dish was successfully designed and tested as an R&D together with the MNRE.

The organization has distributed 15000 solar lanterns, 500 home lighting systems and 400 solar cooking boxes and operates a solar Aditya shop with the help MNRE to market further solar lantern, solar cooking box and solar home light system.

Solar Aditya Shop, Shantivan Complex, Abu Road

In 2006 a 200 kW SPV stand-alone solar power plant was installed at the Om Shanti Complex of Brahma Kumaris near Delhi. This plant was partly funded by MNRE and caters for almost the entire load of the complex. Further PV & Thermal  power plants are being planned.