The Mobile Renewable Energy Demonstration Van (MREDU) is a milestone in GEDA's endeavours to popularise non-conventional energy alternatives. On the move since 1985, MREDU has had a tremendous impact in taking the message to the "unreached"- the rural and tribal populace living in state's interior regions. The Mobile Van is a specially designed vehicle ( length, 32', and height, 12 ft) built on an Ashok Leyland Chassis. MREDU is equipped with working models of various renewable energy devices, (mounted on an open chassis), audiovisual educational facilities and the sound knowledge of a well-informed programme officer. This open-to-sky mobile demonstration unit offers people an opportunity to see and question drives the renewable energy talk shows acros the state the validity of the technology and ascertain the reliability of the hardware (particularly its "all weather" durability.) This was fundamental and crucial to the popularisation of a nascent technology, as no amount of telling or propagating can convince as effectively as actually seeing and experiencing can.

Whether child or adult, literate or non-literate, the viewer needs no persuasion that the technology works. The sun's energy can be used to cook food, heat water, generate electricity or power a radio without any fuel or firewood. They see the radio - its back open, working without conventional battery cells or electrical connections and easily observe that when the Photovoltaic cells are covered with a cloth, obstructing the sun's rays, the radio immediately stops. Simple reading material is distributed, and audiovisual programmes and films are screened to complement the demonstration.

To request for of MREDU Demonstrations in your Region

GEDA has reached several towns and villages in Gujarat with MREDU in the past 20 years. In order to have a wide impact and sustained reach, demonstrations are conducted in co-ordination with government non-government agencies, educational institutions, and community and local bodies operating in the region. GEDA networks with them to provide local support to organize a four to five days demonstration programme. If you are keen to organise a Renewable Energy Demonstration Programme in your region you are requested to intimate the village wise schedule for demonstration. Please communicate atleast 15- 20 days in advance to GEDA. To ensure an effective programme the co-ordinating agency must activate interest in their region by adequately publising the programme. to ensure an Demonstration sites must be organised considering the need for open space and the size of the MREDU. It can be in government offices, local schools colleges, polytechnic's and ITI's, institutional campuses and other open public forums viz. Melas, Club meetings and Science Fairs.

Design and Fabrication of Mobile Demonstration Units for other States

GEDA was a pioneer in the development of a Mobile Demonstration Unit and has catered to request from other states to design and fabricate their Mobile Demonstration Units. Undertaking these assignments on a turn-key basis GEDA has designed and fabricated eleven large and four small MREDUs for Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Manipur, Haryana and Kerala under the programme of Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES).

A small MREDU suitable for hilly terrain and narrow roads has also been developed for J & K , Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Pondicherry. A special feature of design was the demonstration of Passive Heating features.