Bloom Energy to power India’s first green hydrogen micro-grid – pv magazine India
State-owned NTPC Limited selected electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell technologies from California-headquartered Bloom Energy for the country’s first hydrogen-based green energy storage deployment.
Bloom Energy, headquartered in California, announced that NTPC Limited, India’s largest energy conglomerate under the Department of Energy, has selected its electrolyzer and hydrogen fuel cell technologies for the first storage deployment the country’s hydrogen-based green energy.
The project will serve as a test case to explore the potential of large-scale off-grid hydrogen energy storage and micro-grid projects at strategic locations across the country.
Bloom Energy will supply its high temperature solid oxide electrolyser to generate green hydrogen from renewable electricity produced by a nearby floating solar farm. The hydrogen will then be converted into non-combustion carbon neutral electricity using Bloom Energy’s hydrogen fuel cells to power NTPC’s Guest House, a local accommodation for NTPC employees and guests.
The project is scheduled to start in 2022 in Simhadri, Visakhapatnam, India.
The solar farm, coupled with Bloom Energy’s electrolyser and hydrogen fuel cells, is intended to operate 24 hours a day. On a large scale, the combination could enable long-lasting clean energy storage and resilient energy. for businesses, residential neighborhoods, dense urban areas and isolated and island communities.
Bloom Energy (India), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bloom Energy, was selected for its holistic, comprehensive and efficient technology ecosystem covering green hydrogen production and carbon-free energy. The initial collaboration between NTPC and Bloom Energy India is expected to serve as a basis for further expanded cooperation.
“Reducing carbon emissions is the number one priority in the fight against climate change, and green hydrogen will be essential to India’s decarbonization goals,” said Venkat Venkataraman, executive vice president and director of the technology, Bloom Energy.
“Bloom’s technology is well positioned to help India transition to a net zero hydrogen economy, and we are excited to work with NTPC to bring the country’s first green hydrogen micro-grid to life. The powerful combination of Bloom’s high efficiency electrolysers and fuel cells enables the highest possible round trip efficiency with green hydrogen for energy storage.
Bloom Energy’s high temperature electrolyser produces hydrogen more efficiently than low temperature PEM and alkaline electrolyzers. Because it operates at high temperatures, the Bloom electrolyzer requires less energy to break down water molecules and produce hydrogen. Electricity represents nearly 80% of the cost of hydrogen from electrolysis. By using less electricity, hydrogen production becomes more economical and will accelerate its adoption.
Bloom Energy Servers – solid oxide fuel cells that combine ambient air with a fuel source, such as natural gas, biogas, hydrogen, or a mixture of fuels – produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction without combustion, resulting in reduced carbon emissions, harmful air pollutants and water use compared to grid alternatives. When hydrogen is used as a fuel source, Bloom Energy servers emit zero carbon.
Bloom Energy has engaged with industry leaders to accelerate the global hydrogen economy, including projects related to low-cost green hydrogen production and the use of nuclear power for create clean hydrogen.
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