India - Energy from the lava in Indian Himalayas (Agneyodgara Urja)

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North Western Indian Himalayas is a promising area for geothermal utilization with more than 400 thermal springs and many high heat flow provinces. The region is characterized by warm summers and cold winters. This climate is ideal for using Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) and Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) applications. Development of geothermal resources in the North Western Indian Himalayas will increase the energy supply through renewable resources and contribute in more efficient energy u tilization. It will help to meet present and future demand of renewable (geothermal) energy. This has the potential to enhance social development in the mountainous region of India. Utilization of geothermal energy will be demonstrated by a pilot project study including ground investigations and test drilling. Geological and geophysical site investigations will be performed to optimize the underground energy system. In addition, the energy demand (heating and cooling) for the project studies will be eval uated. Pilot boreholes will be drilled. Temperature and borehole logging will give 3D geological information. System simulation model will be developed based on the simulation programs TRNSYS (Transient Energy System Simulation Tool) Comsol Multiphysics and EED (Earth Energy Design) and a conceptual model of the optimized energy systems will be developed. A pilot project will be etablished. The energy consumption, groundwater temperature and groundwater level will be continuously monitored. The geother mal system will be economically evaluated by cost-benefit analysis and life cycle assessment. The environmetal impact will be assessed by systematic mapping of air, water and ground conditions before, under and after the establishment of pilot projects.