India's first green hydrogen microgrid project .. Why in New | Current Affairs ONLY

India's first green hydrogen microgrid project ..

Why in News

Recently, National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd has awarded the country’s first green hydrogen microgrid project at its Simhadri (near Visakhapatnam) plant in Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

About:
This unique project configuration is designed in-house by NTPC. It would be a precursor to large-scale hydrogen energy storage projects. It is in line with India’s vision to become carbon neutral by 2070.

The hydrogen would be produced using the advanced 240 kW Solid Oxide Electrolyser by taking input power from the nearby Floating Solar project.

Earlier, NTPC had commissioned the development of India’s biggest floating solar plant in Telangana’s Ramagundam.

The hydrogen produced during the day will then be stored at high pressure and would be electrified using a 50 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.

A solid oxide fuel cell (or SOFC) is an electrochemical conversion device that produces electricity directly from oxidizing a fuel.

Significance:

Helpful in Deploying Multiple Microgrids:

The project will be useful for further studying and deploying multiple microgrids in various off-grid and strategic locations of the country.

Clean energy development is an important weapon against climate change and limiting its devastating effects.

Open Prospects for Decarbonizing:

It will open prospects for decarbonizing the far-off regions of the country such as Ladakh, J&K, etc., which are dependent on diesel generators.

Decarbonizing means 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.

Energy Security:

Hydrogen fuel can be a game-changer for the energy security of India, which imports 85% of its oil and 53% of gas requirements.

To promote clean fuels, India is considering making it mandatory for fertilizer plants and oil refineries to purchase green hydrogen.

NTPC is also looking to leverage hydrogen for transportation by mixing the fuel with natural gas for the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.