India’s First Pure Green Hydrogen Plant Commissioned in Jorhat, Assam

Exploration and production company ‘Oil India Limited (OIL)’ has set up “India’s first 99.999% pure” green hydrogen plant in Jorhat Pump Station, Assam with a capacity of generating 10 kg of hydrogen per day. In the future, this capacity may increase to 30 kg per day. Green Hydrogen Plant in India by OIL was commissioned within three months and was also the first in India to use the Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) technology.

It is recognized as a replacement for fossil fuels as hydrogen gas is produced from renewable energy (wind, solar power) that does not entail greenhouse gas emissions. In the plant, the green hydrogen is being produced from the electricity generated by a 500-kW solar plant using a 100-kW AEM electrolyzer array.

In partnership with IIT-Guwahati, the exploration company (OIL) had a study on blending green hydrogen with natural gas for commercial applications of the blended fuel.

It is called green hydrogen gas, as it does not emit carbon dioxide when burned and it can be used as a fuel in the following applications - transportation, power generation, and industrial activities. The process is, that the fuel cell in the plant converts the chemical energy into electricity, and hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapor.

   Important points for the exam:

• The country’s first pure green hydrogen plant was established in Jorhat Pump Station, Assam by the Oil India Corporation (OIL) - second largest National Exploration & Production company.
• The capacity of the plant is 10 kg of hydrogen gas production per day. And it can be increased to 30 kg/day in future.
• The hydrogen gas is named ‘green’ as it is produced from renewable energy and it does not produce any greenhouse gases when it burns.
• The fuel cell in the plant converts the chemical energy into electricity, hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour.

   Facts to know:

• Chief Minister of Assam: Mr.Himanta Biswa Sarma.
• Governor of Assam: Mr.Jagdish Mukhi.
• UNESCO heritage sites in Assam: Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.