NTPC awards India’s first Green Hydrogen Microgrid Project at Simahadri plant

New Delhi: In a major development for the energy sector, NTPC Limited has awarded India's first green hydrogen-based energy storage microgrid project, which is also one of the world's largest projects of its kind. "NTPC has awarded the project of 'Standalone Fuel-Cell based Micro-grid with hydrogen production using electrolyser' at NTPC Simhadri (Andhra Pradesh)," the Maharatna PSU said in an official statement. The project would be a precursor to large-scale hydrogen energy storage projects and would be useful for studying and deploying multiple microgrids in various off-grid and strategic locations of the country.

NTPC Green Hydrogen Microgrid Project

The hydrogen would be produced using the advanced 240 kW Solid Oxide Electrolyser by taking input power from the nearby floating solar project. The hydrogen produced during sunshine hours would be stored at high pressure and would be electrified using a 50 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The system would work in a standalone mode from 5 PM to 7 AM.

Project designed in-house by NTPC

This unique project configuration is designed in-house by NTPC, said the statement. "This unique project for India would open doors for decarbonising the far-off regions of the country, like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) etc., hitherto dependent on diesel generators. The project is in-line with the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming carbon neutral by 2070 and making Ladakh a carbon-neutral territory," the statement added.

NTPC Ltd's present installed capacity is 67,907.5 MW (including 13,425 MW through JVs/subsidiaries), comprising of 47 NTPC stations (23 coal-based stations, 7 gas-based stations, 1 hydro station, 1 small hydro, 14 solar PV and 1 wind-based station) and 26 joint venture stations (9 coal-based, 4 gas-based, 8 hydro, 1 small hydro 2 wind and 2 solar PV).

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