How Brahmakumaris established a revolution in the sector of “Renewable Energy”

Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future

The current environment crisis is a clear call to transform our awareness and lifestyle.  Therefore there is an urgent need for a new paradigm that integrates clean technologies into our day to day life.
In order to give a strong impulse towards the development of clean technologies and a sustainable society the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University have been actively involved for 25 years in the research and demonstration of alternative renewable energy concepts.

Since the mid 90’s, Brahma Kumaris has become one of the key developers and promoters of renewable energies in India. With Indian and German government support it has carried out various research and development projects. In order to strengthen its approach Brahma Kumaris works in close liaison with its sister organisation, the World Renewal Spiritual Trust (WRST), a registered charity in India. In 2011 Brahma Kumaris and WRST were recognised as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology.

In 2014 an “Awareness & Training Centre” was set up by Brahma Kumaris & WRST with financial support from the United Nations Development Program, Global Environment Facility and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Govt. of India). Brahma Kumaris has developed and installed 6 large solar systems which produce steam for various process applications such as cooking, laundry and sterilisation. In addition it has installed and operates around 350 photovoltaic battery systems (off grid) all over India with a total capacity of more than 1200 KW peak. In 2017 “India One”, a 1 MW solar thermal power plant near the Brahma Kumaris Shantivan campus in Abu Road was commissioned. Brahma Kumaris & WRST are currently conducting research and training in the following technologies:

• Solar steam cooking systems
• Solar thermal power generation and thermal storage
• Photo voltaic stand alone systems
• Solar hot water plants

Video: India One Solar Thermal Power Project – Glimpses – Brahma Kumaris

Renewable Energy at BK centers in India

Since the mid 1990’s, Brahma Kumaris and WRST have built / installed a variety of solar energy systems.

1995 – two experimental eco-buildings were constructed at Brahma Kumaris’ Gyan Sarovar, Mt. Abu using soil blocks. Electricity powered by a R&D PV/Wind hybrid system sponsored by German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation (GIZ).
1996 – a modular solar steam cooking system of 24 parabolic Scheffler dishes (7.5m² each), capable of generating steam for 2,000 meals per day was installed at Gyan Sarovar, Mt. Abu.
1997 – a 50,000 Ltrs/Day Solar Hot water System was installed at Gyan Sarovar, Mt. Abu.
1999 – a solar-steam cooking system, based on 84 Scheffler dishes (9,5 m²) for 35,000 meals a day, was installed at   the Brahma Kumaris’ Shantivan Campus, Abu Road.
1999 – 60 BK centers throughout India were equipped with a 5 KW solar PV system, funded by World Bank.
2000 – 3 x 50 KW solar PV power plants with battery backup were installed at Pandav Bhawan, Mt. Abu.
2002 – a 50 KW solar steam cooking system was installed at Brahma Kumaris, Yellapur, Karnataka.
2002 – a solar steam cooking system with an output of 800 kg of steam daily (5000 meals per day) was installed at Mt. Abu headquarters.
2003 – a solar steam generation system (1000 kg steam per day) for cooking, laundry and sterilization was installed at Global Hospital and Research Centre at Mt. Abu, funded by MNRE.
2006 – a 200 KW  stand alone solar power plant was installed in the Brahma Kumaris’ Om Shanti Complex near Delhi.
2007 – a 16 m² prototype dish was successfully designed and tested at Shantivan with funding from MNRE.
2011 – a 200 KW PV power plant with battery backup was installed at Om Shanti Retreat Centre, Gurgaon, Harayana.
2011 – the construction of India One solar thermal power plant (1 MW) with storage, started at Shantivan, Abu Road.
2012 – a 200 KW stand alone solar power plant was installed in the Brahma Kumaris’ Om Shanti Complex near Delhi.
2014 – 300 x PV stand alone system (1-6 KW) with batteries were installed at various Brahma Kumaris centers in India.
2017 – Completion of “India-One” Solar Thermal Power Plant at Abu Road, Rajasthan.

In addition more than 20,000 solar lanterns, 500 home light systems and 400 solar cooking boxes have been distributed so far. Over the years the Brahma Kumaris has organised various conferences, workshops and trainings on awareness, environment and solar technologies.

India-One Solar Thermal Power Plant

In spring 2017 the Brahma Kumaris and WRST completed the design, development and installation of “India One“, a 1 MW solar thermal power plant in Abu Road, Rajasthan. This research project uses the in-house developed 60 m² parabolic dish and features an innovative thermal storage for night operation. The 60 m² dish is a new development based upon 20 years of experience with parabolic concentrators. “India One” will generate heat and power for a campus of 25,000 people.

Key features of “India One”:

• 770 nos. of 60 m² parabolic dishes & 1 MW peak electrical output
• Co-generation, efficient use of thermal energy & modular design
• Thermal storage for night operation & direct steam generation
• Networked enabled automated dual axis tracking and controls
• Motionless cavity receiver & efficient use of land

For “India One”, Brahma Kumaris & WRST have secured funds from:

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE, Govt. of India) under its research & development scheme.
• The German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) via its bilateral “ComSolar” initiative through GIZ (German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation) to demonstrate and promote this technology.

Team and Consultancy

Brahma Kumaris & WRST have created a local team of engineers and experts to execute the project smoothly. A dedicated staff of more than 40 people is coordinating the activities on site. The team is in close liaison with various Indian R&D institutes and manufacturers.

In addition, the project enjoys the support and consultancy of:

• The Fraunhofer Institute (ISE) of Freiburg, Germany which will simulate the plant, design the monitoring system and evaluate the performance.
• IndiaCare of Berlin, a long standing partner of WRST in renewable energy projects, supports the project as well as coordinates activities with German R&D institutes and companies.

Information and Photos – http://www.brahmakumaris.org