Standalone Fuel-Cell based Micro-grid

In News 

• Recently, NTPC awarded a project of “Standalone Fuel-Cell based Micro-grid with hydrogen production using electrolyser in NTPC Guest House at Simhadri (near Visakhapatnam)”. 

About Project

• It is India’s first Green Hydrogen based Energy Storage Project. 
• It would be a precursor to large scale hydrogen energy storage projects and in various off-grid and strategic locations of the country. 
  • It would be useful for studying and deploying multiple microgrids
• It is a unique project for India and would open doors for decarbonising the far-off regions of the country like Ladakh, J&K etc., hitherto dependent on diesel generators. 
• The project is in-line with the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for becoming carbon neutral by 2070 and making Ladakh a carbon-neutral territory.
• Features: 
  • 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 standalone mode from 5 PM in the evening to 7 AM in the morning.

Source: PIB