The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully drilled the region’s first geothermal production well in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dirang which is situated in the West Kameng district.
Location: Dirang, West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh.
Significance:
- First geothermal production well in Northeast India.
- Aims to make Dirang the first fully geothermal-powered town in India.
Geothermal Energy:
- Heat derived from Earth’s interior due to radioactive decay of elements.
- Renewable, consistent, and available 24/7 (unlike solar/wind).
Geological Setting:
- Located between quartzite and schist formations near a major Himalayan fault zone.
- Reservoir temperature: ~115°C — ideal for direct-use geothermal applications.
Objectives:
- Reduce reliance on diesel and firewood.
- Enhance agricultural productivity and living standards in high-altitude rural areas.
- Support decentralized, clean energy systems in remote regions.
- Energy Potential:
- Contributes to tapping into India’s estimated 10,600 MW geothermal potential
- Offers stable, base-load renewable energy, unlike solar/wind which are intermittent.
Technology Used:
- Closed-loop Binary Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system:
- Uses geothermal heat to vaporize an organic working fluid in a separate loop.
- The vapor drives a turbine to generate electricity.
- No direct contact between geothermal fluid and turbine — reduces corrosion and scaling.
- Suitable for medium-temperature reservoirs (like Dirang’s 115°C).
India’s Resource Base:
- 381 thermally anomalous sites identified by the Geological Survey of India
- Potential capacity: ~10,600 MW — can power ~10 million homes.
Key Projects:
- 20 kW pilot plant at Manuguru, Telangana.
- 1 MW pilot project by ONGC in Puga Valley, Ladakh.
International Collaboration:
- Iceland (2007)– geothermal R&D partnership.
- Saudi Arabia (2019) – strategic cooperation in renewable energy.
- USA (2023)– under Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP), includes geothermal tech sharing.
