Gandhinagar: Assembly hall of Swaminarayan Mandir in Dholera town has become India’s first air conditioned hall powered by geothermal energy, said Gujarat government here.

Dholera is one of places in Gujarat that has natural hot water spring. Thanks to research by Gandhinagar based Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University’s Center for Excellence for Geothermal Energy, Swaminarayan Mandir at Dholera now utilizes geothermal energy for cooking and air conditioning needs. 50 degree Celsius hot water sourced from the ground is also used for bath.

Specialty of this research based plant in Dholera is that, it is ground source heat pump oriented, through which heating and cooling effects both are achieved. Through this system, 40% energy is saved without using any chemicals. Hot water gained through this system can be used for power generation, desalination of salty water, irrigation and home-purposes.

Center of Excellence for Geothermal Energy had early this year drilled two geothermal bore well that are called ‘Paataaliyaa’ in local language. Without any external energy supply, per second 7-8 litre water flow is achieved at 45-50 degree Celsius temperature. The system can trigger heating and cooling both simultaneously.

Education minister and local leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama inaugurated this system yesterday in presence of ONGC Energy Centre – New Delhi, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy – Government of India, Green Indian Building System and Services and Saket Engineering officials.

DeshGujarat