Green Hydrogen Plant Initiatives in India

GREEN HYDROGEN PLANT

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Context

GAIL (India) Ltd., a state-run company, has taken significant strides in aligning with India's National Green Hydrogen Mission by inaugurating its first 10 MW Green Hydrogen Plant.
This move is part of the broader initiative to promote the adoption of clean energy and reduce carbon emissions, thereby contributing to India's commitment to sustainable development.

Inauguration of Green Hydrogen Plant:

Location: The plant is situated in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh.
Capacity: It has a production capacity of 10 MW, capable of generating 4.3 Tonnes Per Day (TPD) of hydrogen.
Technology: The hydrogen is produced using electrolyzer units that perform electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy sources.
Hydrogen Purity: The hydrogen produced at this facility will have a purity of 99.99% and will be delivered at a pressure of 30 Kg/cm².

Usage Plan:

Initial Phase: During the initial phase, the hydrogen generated will be utilized as a fuel source, combined with natural gas, for various processes and equipment within GAIL's Vijaipur plant.
Future Distribution: Post initial phase, GAIL plans to distribute the hydrogen to retail customers in the surrounding areas through high-pressure cascades, expanding the use of green hydrogen beyond captive purposes.

Renewable Power Initiatives:

Solar Power Installation: To ensure a sustainable supply of renewable energy for hydrogen production, GAIL is establishing 20 MW solar power plants at the Vijaipur site.
Additional Sourcing: The company also aims to procure additional renewable power through open access to meet the energy demands of the electrolyzer units, reinforcing its commitment to green energy.

READ ALL ABOUT GREEN HYDROGEN

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Status of Green Hydrogen in India

The adoption of Green Hydrogen in India is currently in its nascent stages, marked by several pioneering projects. GAIL Limited has launched India's first project to blend hydrogen into the City Gas Distribution grid, with 2% hydrogen by volume mixed into the CNG network and 5% into the PNG network in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. NTPC Limited has begun blending up to 8% green hydrogen in the PNG network at NTPC Kawas Township in Surat, Gujarat since January 2023. Additionally, NTPC has deployed hydrogen-based Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) buses in Leh and Greater Noida, while Oil India Limited has developed a 60 kW capacity hydrogen fuel cell bus, combining electric drive with fuel cell technology. Indian Oil is demonstrating pilot plants for green hydrogen production via water electrolysis using solar power, biomass oxy steam gasification, and CBG reforming to refuel 15 hydrogen fuel cell buses. Several entities are also planning to establish green hydrogen and green ammonia production facilities across the country. Although the impact on job creation, oil dependence, and exports has been modest due to the early stage of green hydrogen adoption, significant outcomes are anticipated by 2030 under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. India's green hydrogen production capacity is expected to reach 5 MMT annually, potentially reducing fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore and attracting investments over ₹8 lakh crore while creating over 6 lakh jobs. The Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) scheme has issued a Request for Selection to set up production facilities for 450,000 tons of green hydrogen in India.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Examine the significance of green hydrogen in India's energy strategy, its potential benefits, the challenges in its widespread adoption, and the way ahead for its integration.