India’s first Multi-purpose Green Hydrogen Pilot Project was inaugurated at the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station (NJHPS) in Jhakri, Himachal Pradesh, by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), marking a momentous occasion. The inauguration ceremony, held on April 24. 2024, was graced by Geeta Kapur, Chairman & Managing Director of SJVN, who inaugurated the 20Nm3/hr Electrolyzer and 25kW Fuel Cell Capacity-based state-of-the-art Green Hydrogen Pilot Project.
This innovative project is the first Multi-purpose Green Hydrogen Generation Plant in India. It has the special capacity to supply NJHPS's High-Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) Coating Facility with the fuel it needs for combustion, in addition to producing electricity with a 25kW Fuel Cell.
The core mechanism of the project involves the production of hydrogen gas by electrolyzing water, utilizing an alkaline electrolyzer with a capacity of 20Nm3/hr. Crucially, this process is powered by renewable energy harnessed from the 1.31 MW Solar Power Plant situated in Wadhal, Himachal Pradesh, thereby ensuring a sustainable and eco-friendly approach.
During its operational hours of 8 hours per day, the Pilot Project is projected to produce 14 kilograms of Green Hydrogen daily. This output will be stored in 6 storage tanks, collectively boasting a storage capacity of 12 m3 at 30 bar pressure. The Green Hydrogen produced will be primarily utilized for the HVOF Coating of turbine underwater parts, supplementing electricity generation through the 25kW capacity Fuel Cell.
Geeta Kapur highlighted the alignment of SJVN's Green Hydrogen Pilot Project with the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Government of India. She underscored the essential role of this initiative in accelerating the development of green hydrogen production infrastructure within the power sector, positioning green hydrogen as a crucial clean energy source for the nation's energy portfolio.
In addition to inaugurating the Green Hydrogen Pilot Project, Geeta Kapur also oversaw the inauguration of the Centralized Operation of the 1500 MW NJHPS and the 412 MW Rampur Hydro Power Station (Rampur HPS). Notably, she remotely operated Unit-2 of RHPS from the NJHPS Control Room, situated in Jhakri, Himachal Pradesh. The successful tandem operation of Rampur HPS with NJHPS represents a significant operational milestone for SJVN.
Kapur lauded the dedicated efforts of the teams involved in the successful execution of these projects, including NJHPS, Rampur HPS, and the Electrical Design Team at the Corporate Headquarters. She urged all employees to maintain their diligence towards the goal of fully operating the entire Power Station from NJHPS at the earliest.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of key figures including Manoj Kumar, Head of Project (NJHPS), Vikas Marwah, Head of Project (Rampur HPS), Harish Kumar Sharma, Head of Department (Electrical Design), alongside senior officials from NJHPS, Rampur HPS, and Corporate Headquarters.
