India's First Green Hydrogen Pilot Project Goes Live at Nathpa Jhakri

India has taken a significant step towards sustainable energy with the inauguration of its first multi-purpose green hydrogen pilot project at the 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) in Himachal Pradesh's Jhakri. The project, spearheaded by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), marks a pivotal moment in the nation's journey towards adopting clean energy sources.

Representative image

SJVN Chairman and Managing Director, Geeta Kapur, led the inauguration ceremony, unveiling a 20Nm3/hr electrolyzer alongside a 25kW fuel cell capacity-based green hydrogen pilot project. This initiative is distinguished as the country's inaugural multi-purpose combined heat and power green hydrogen generation plant. It boasts the capability to support the high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating facility of NJHPS, fulfilling its combustion fuel needs while also generating electricity through a 25kW capacity fuel cell.

The innovative project will produce hydrogen gas by separating hydrogen and oxygen from water using an alkaline electrolyzer of 20Nm3/hr capacity. This process will be powered by renewable energy sourced from SJVN's 1.31 MW solar power plant located in Wadhal, Himachal Pradesh. The facility is designed to produce 14 Kg of green hydrogen daily over eight hours of operation, storing the output in six storage tanks.

This green hydrogen will serve dual purposes: it will be utilized for HVOF coating of turbine underwater parts and for generating electricity through its 25kW capacity fuel cell. This initiative aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Government of India, aiming to establish green hydrogen as a viable clean energy source across the power sector.

In addition to the green hydrogen project, Kapur also inaugurated the centralized operation of the 1,500 MW NJHPS and the 412 MW Rampur Hydro Power Station (RHPS). This was achieved by remotely operating Unit-2 of RHPS from the NJHPS control room at Jhakri, showcasing SJVN's commitment to innovation and efficiency in power generation and distribution.

The launch of this green hydrogen pilot project not only underscores India's dedication to enhancing its renewable energy infrastructure but also sets a precedent for future developments in sustainable power generation. As the nation continues to explore and invest in alternative energy sources, projects like these play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.