In a first in India, state-owned power giant NTPC is all set to begin trial run of intracity Hydrogen Buses in Leh. With the goal of making Ladakh Carbon-Neutral, NTPC (formerly National Thermal Power Corporation) is setting up Hydrogen Fuelling Station, Solar Plant and providing five Fuel Cell buses for operation on intracity routes of Leh.
The first hydrogen bus reached Leh on 17th August, 2023 as part of a 3-month-long process of field trials, roadworthiness tests and other statutory procedures. This will be India’s first ever deployment of hydrogen buses on public roads.
Green Hydrogen Mobility Project
The first-of-its-kind Green Hydrogen Mobility Project at 11,562 ft is co-located with dedicated Solar plant of 1.7 MW for providing renewable power. A unique feature of this project is that the fuel cell buses are designed for operation in sub-zero temperatures in rarefied atmosphere, which is typical for high altitude locations.
NTPC is committed to achieve 60 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by 2032 and be a major player in Green Hydrogen Technology and Energy Storage domain. The PSU is taking up several initiatives towards decarbonisation such as Hydrogen blending, Carbon Capture, EV buses and Smart NTPC Townships.
Green Hydrogen definition by MNRE
In a significant move for the progress of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Government of India has recently notified the Green Hydrogen Standard for India. The standard issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) earlier this month, outlines the emission thresholds that must be met in order for hydrogen produced to be classified as ‘Green’, i.e., from renewable sources. The definition encompasses both electrolysis-based and biomass-based hydrogen production methods.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy defines Green Hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emission (i.e., including water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, drying and compression of hydrogen) of not more than 2 kg CO2 equivalent / kg H2.
The notification specifies that a detailed methodology for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its derivatives shall be specified by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. The notification also specifies that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power shall be the Nodal Authority for accreditation of agencies for the monitoring, verification and certification for Green Hydrogen production projects.
The notification of the Green Hydrogen Standard has brought a much-awaited clarity to the Green Hydrogen community in India. With this notification, India becomes one of the first few countries in the world to announce a definition of Green Hydrogen.
