GAIL (India) Ltd has inaugurated its first green hydrogen plant in Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant step for the nation's largest natural gas transmission and the distribution company's venture into new and alternative energy. The 10-megawatt proton exchange membrane electrolyser, imported from Canada, is located at the Vijaipur complex. This plant is projected to produce approximately 4.3 tonnes of green hydrogen daily, boasting a purity of around 99.999% by volume. It utilizes electricity generated from renewable sources, such as solar energy, to split water and produce green hydrogen.

Aligned with the National Green Hydrogen mission's objective of achieving 5 million tons of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, this initiative underscores India's growing emphasis on hydrogen as an alternative fuel to reduce carbon emissions while meeting increasing energy demands. Initially, the hydrogen generated from this facility will be utilized alongside natural gas for internal use across various processes and equipment within the existing Vijaipur plant. Additionally, plans are in place to distribute this hydrogen to retail customers in nearby areas, facilitated by high-pressure cascades.

In tandem with sourcing renewable power through open access, GAIL is also establishing approximately 20 MW solar power plants, including ground-mounted and floating setups, at Vijaipur to fulfill the green power requirement for the 10 MW PEM Electrolyzer. Furthermore, GAIL is piloting hydrogen blending with natural gas on an experimental basis in Indore within its city gas distribution network to assess its viability. The company aims to scale up blending ratios post requisite approvals based on test outcomes, with current regulations permitting only up to 5%hydrogen blending with natural gas. Collaborative studies with Engineers India Limited and IIT Kanpur are underway to explore further hydrogen blending possibilities. (Source: ET)