Bharat Petroleum, Bhabha Atomic to Jointly Produce Green H2

Hydrogen Project HyNCREASE in Germany Qualifies for European Grant

OMC Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) have collaborated to scale up alkaline electrolyser technology for the production of green hydrogen.

To produce green hydrogen, water electrolysers split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. Multiple water electrolyser technologies exist today. While green hydrogen is currently recognised as a viable solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the hydrogen supply chain is riddled with several barriers such as high production cost and infrastructural deficiencies, including inadequate availability of electrolysers, which many companies are seeking to address.

At present, electrolyser plants are imported. The collaboration between Bharat Petroleum and Bhabha Atomic is a first of its kind initiative to support the country’s commitment to achieve renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Refineries use large quantities of hydrogen for de-sulphurisation to make petrol, diesel and other chemicals. Presently, hydrogen is made at the refinery via steam reforming of natural gas, but this results in high CO2 emission. Consequently, refiners are setting up large scale electrolysers to produce green hydrogen from water and thereby decarbonise hydrogen production.

“We have been extensively leveraging technology in all our activities,” BPCL Chairman and Managing Director Arun Kumar Singh said.

BPCL Floats Tender For 15 MW of Open Access Renewable Power

Also Read

“Today, through collaboration with BARC, we intend to scale up ‘Indigenous Alkaline Electrolyser Technology’ and look forward to commercialising it for large use especially in refineries. This will be another step towards ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in our journey for achieving net zero emissions by 2040.”

IOC, BPCL, HPCL Target 22,000 EV Charging Stations In 5 Years

Also Read

Bharat Petroleum has plans to expand its portfolio of renewable energy with solar, wind and biofuels. The company plans to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2040. Further, the company intends to meet power requirements for new projects in its Refineries, primarily from renewable sources.

BPCL has refineries in Mumbai, Kochi and the subsidiary Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd., at Bina, Madhya Pradesh with a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, energy stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors.