FAQs

Acres of Ice is a pioneering organization that builds Automated Ice Reservoirs (AIRs) to address water scarcity in high-altitude regions. Founded by Dr. Suryanarayanan B., a glaciologist, and Basit Afzal, a micro-irrigation specialist, we combine indigenous knowledge with modern automation to create climate-resilient water solutions for mountain communities.

Mountain communities across the world—from Ladakh to the Andes—face severe water shortages during critical growing seasons. In Ladakh specifically:

• Less than 100mm of annual rainfall
• 90% of villages depend on glacial water
• Climate change is accelerating glacial retreat
• Water scarcity during spring sowing season threatens agriculture
• An estimated 10% of Ladakh’s villages may face abandonment by 2050

Acres of Ice was founded in March 2023 and has been operational for over two years. In this short time, we’ve grown from a team of two founders to 14 dedicated members and have successfully implemented projects across seven villages in Ladakh.

We’ve received several prestigious recognitions including:

• Mountain Future Award for innovative mountain water solutions
• HKH Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE) recognition
• Multiple research publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Featured coverage in international climate adaptation forums

AIRs are intelligent water storage systems that automatically capture winter meltwater and freeze it into ice structures. Unlike traditional ice reservoirs that require constant manual monitoring, our systems use:

• Smart sensors that monitor weather and pipeline conditions
• Wireless valve control with ranges up to 2 kilometers
• Solar-powered automation that operates independently
• Real-time decision making to optimize ice formation while preventing pipeline freezing

Traditional ice reservoirs (often called “artificial glaciers” locally) require intensive manual labor and frequently fail due to pipeline freezing. Our automated systems:

• Operate 24/7 without human intervention
• Prevent pipeline freezing through intelligent switching between spray and drain modes
• Achieve higher ice volumes (18-46 lakh litres vs. typical 10 lakh litres)
• Require minimal maintenance (monthly vs. daily/weekly)
• Can be monitored and controlled remotely via SMS

Our wireless valve control represents a breakthrough in remote water management:

• 2-kilometer range: Valves can be controlled from up to 2km away using wireless signals
• Valve Node PCBs: Each valve has its own microcontroller that receives commands
• Central coordination: The Sensor Conductor PCB acts as the master controller
• SMS integration: Systems can be controlled via SMS commands for remote management
• Real-time status: Valve positions and system status are continuously monitored

In our 2024-25 winter campaign across seven villages:

• Total ice volume: 184 lakh litres across six measured sites
• Largest reservoir: 46 lakh litres in Ursi village
• Cost efficiency: ₹0.23 per litre over three years (80 times cheaper than cement tanks)
• Community impact: 7 out of 8 households in Ursi reported increased agricultural income
• Pipeline reliability: Minimal freezing events compared to traditional systems

• Construction cost: ₹7.5 lakh per site (varies by pipeline length and accessibility)
• Annual maintenance: ₹1.5 lakh per site
• Optional measurement campaign: ₹4 lakh (includes drone surveys and detailed analysis)
• Three-year cost efficiency: ₹0.23 per litre of water stored

AIR systems can store significantly more water than traditional methods:

• Current range: 18-46 lakh litres per system (depending on conditions)
• Traditional comparison: Typical traditional ice reservoirs store around 10 lakh litres
• Best performing site: Ursi village achieved 46 lakh litres in 2024-25
• Water equivalent: 184 lakh litres of ice equals approximately 147 lakh litres of water
• Future potential: Next-generation systems target 4x larger volumes

We currently operate in seven villages across Ladakh:

• Igoo (260 households)
• Likir (300 households)
• Sakti (360 households)
• Ursi (16 households)
• Ayee (40 households)
• Tuna (5 households)
• Stakmo (40 households)

Our site selection process evaluates:

• Community consent from village leaders
• Water scarcity severity through household surveys
• Technical feasibility (mobile connectivity, road access, water source quality)
• Weather conditions (sustained sub-zero temperatures)
• Terrain suitability for installation and maintenance

Installation follows a systematic 2-3 day process:

• Day 1: Pipeline setup, terrain assessment, anchor point installation
• Day 2: Electronic component installation, valve positioning, solar panel setup
• Day 3: System testing, local team training, final calibration
• Variables: Weather conditions and site accessibility can affect timeline
• Preparation time: Site selection and planning can take several weeks prior to installation