New Delhi: Taking the lead in the development of unparalleled instruments to replace fossil fuels, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has introduced the nation’s first environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered bus, which emits nothing but water. The IOC will utilize electricity generated from renewable sources to split water and produce approximately 75 kg of hydrogen. This hydrogen will power two buses that will undergo test runs in the national capital region.
The R&D Centre of the IOC at Faridabad boasts an innovative initiative:
- A pilot project producing green hydrogen. This eco-friendly fuel source can power buses for up to 350 km on four cylinders with a capacity of 30 kg each.
- The four tanks can be filled in just 10-12 minutes, making it a efficient and sustainable solution for transportation.
- Through this project, the R&D Centre is setting a standard for sustainable energy and innovation.
- Hydrogen, when burned, emits only water vapour as a by-product.
- With three times the energy density and the absence of harmful emissions, hydrogen shines as a cleaner, more efficient choice to meet the energy requirement.
- As many as 50 units of renewable electricity and 9 kg of de-ionized water are needed to produce one kilo of green hydrogen.
While flagging off the buses, the Oil Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, stated, ‘Hydrogen will be India’s transition fuel for moving away from fossil fuels.’
By the end of 2023, the IOC will scale up the number of buses to 15. IOC will conduct operational tests with 15 green hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses on the designated routes in Delhi, Haryana, and UP, he added.
Further adding, Puri said, ‘The administration of the nation has ambitious goals for green and clean energy. Through the use of novel fuels like hydrogen and biofuels, India has made significant progress towards low-carbon development and will increase its share of the world’s energy consumption by 25% over the next two decades.’
Following the introduction of the two buses, a total distance of over 3 lakh kilometers will be covered to assess the performance and long-term feasibility of the new technology. With the goal of achieving ‘One Nation, One Grid, One Frequency,’ India boasts one of the largest synchronized networks worldwide, capable of effectively managing intermittent renewable energy sources.
India will lead the world in hydrogen production and exports owing to low-cost solar energy, a synchronous grid, high demand, and engineering, and it is expected to become a centre for green hydrogen. In addition to this, he will be closely monitoring the project, expecting that this green hydrogen-powered bus is going to transform the face of city transport in the country, he mentioned.
