Green hydrogen micro grid project

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated18/12/2021

State-run NTPC Ltd has recently awarded India’s first green hydrogen microgrid project at the Simhadri plant of NTPC in Andhra Pradesh.
NTPC will work towards “Standalone Fuel-cell based Microgrid along with hydrogen production using electrolyzer” project at NTPC Simhadri.
India has also planned to bid to build 4 gigawatt (GW) of electrolyzer capacity under its energy security strategy.

This project would be a precursor to large-scale hydrogen energy storage projects.
It strives to support India’s vision to become carbon neutral by 2070.
Production of hydrogen would be done using the advanced 240 kW Solid Oxide Electrolyser by taking input power from the nearby Floating Solar project.
NTPC had before commissioned the development of India’s biggest floating solar plant in Telangana’s Ramagundam.
Hydrogen produced would be stored at high pressure and would be electrified using a 50 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell which is an electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel.

Green hydrogen is produced by separating water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolyzer, powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar.

Would open doors for decarbonising the far-off regions of the country like Ladakh, J&K etc., dependent on diesel generators.
Decarbonizing - removing or reducing the amount of gaseous carbon compounds released in the environment.
NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL) has also inked a pact with the Union territory of Ladakh for a green hydrogen mobility project.
Can be a game-changer for the energy security of India, which imports 85% of its oil and 53% of gas requirements.

Infrastructural issues:
Fewer than 500 operational hydrogen stations in the world , mostly in Europe, followed by Japan and South Korea.
Energy-intensive process of Hydrogen generation:
Energy required to produce green hydrogen is relatively higher.
As the technology to split water or Methane is in nascent stage, it is costly at present.
Intensive R&D
New technology demands higher research input for making the process cheap and scalable.
Multiple regulations:
Result in red tapism due to the involvement of multiple ministries and the lack of coordination between them.
Transportation of hydrogen:
Hydrogen in gaseous form is highly inflammable and difficult to transport.
Difficulty in Detection :
Lacks smell, which makes any leak detection almost impossible thus increasing the potential dangers.

A central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Power.
It aims to provide reliable power and related solutions in an economical, efficient and environment-friendly manner, driven by innovation and agility.
It became a Maharatna company in May 2010.
It is located in New Delhi.