Burla, Aug 13: As scorching summer temperatures continue to affect Odisha, a professor from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, has developed an innovative low-cost cooling system that could offer relief to families unable to afford conventional air conditioners.

Mechanical Engineering professor Dr Pandab Patra, along with B.Tech students, has developed ‘TerraCold’, an earth-based cooling system reportedly built at a cost of just ₹2,000.

The system uses the natural temperature stability of soil. A blower draws hot outdoor air and pushes it through nearly 10 feet of GI pipe installed around three feet underground. As the hot air passes through the buried pipes, heat is absorbed by the surrounding soil. The cooled air is then circulated into the room through an air diffuser.

The system was successfully tested in May when Burla's temperature crossed 40°C. Following the operation of TerraCold, the indoor temperature reportedly dropped to around 30°C.

What makes the innovation particularly notable is its low-cost design. Several discarded materials have been reused, including old exhaust fans for the blower and plastic components from discarded refrigerators for the air diffuser.

Dr Patra is now studying ways to improve the system's efficiency through computer simulations. According to him, installing the pipes at greater depths could further enhance cooling performance.

Interestingly, TerraCold can also potentially be used during winter. Since underground temperatures can remain warmer than surface temperatures during cold weather, the system could help circulate relatively warm air indoors.

The technology could prove especially useful for rural and low-income households that cannot afford conventional cooling systems. Dr Patra has sought support from government and private organisations to further develop and refine the innovation.

From a ₹2,000 prototype to a potential affordable cooling solution, TerraCold could offer Odisha's heat-hit households a homegrown alternative to expensive air-conditioning systems.