Tannuka Juneja
Taking a major step toward India’s green hydrogen economy, Oil India Limited (OIL) launched India’s first 99.999% pure green hydrogen pilot plant with an installed capacity of 10 kg per day at the Jorhat pumping station in Assam. The factory was commissioned in a record time of 3 months.
The plant is also the first in India to use the Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology. The plant produces green hydrogen from electricity generated by existing 500 kW solar power plants using a 100 kW AEM electrolyser array.
Speaking on the occasion, Sushil Chandra Mishra, OIL’s Chairman and Managing Director said that the organization has taken an important step towards our Prime Minister’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat. The plant is expected to increase its green hydrogen production from 10 kg to 30 kg per day in the future.
The company, in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, has launched a detailed study on the blending of green hydrogen with natural gas and its impact on OIL’s existing infrastructure. The company also plans to explore the use of blended fuels in commercial applications. OIL officials said hydrogen gas, does not emit carbon dioxide when burned and can be used as a fuel in transportation, power generation, and industrial activities.
On March 16, 2022, Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari launched a green hydrogen-based advanced FCEV project in India. The aim of the project is to bring hydrogen-powered vehicles to the country.
Mr Gadkari had earlier this month launched India’s first hydrogen-based advanced “Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)” – Toyota Mirai. He had also shared a video of how green hydrogen can power a car. At the launch, he said that green hydrogen was “an efficient, eco-friendly and sustainable energy pathway to make India energy self-reliant”.
