Indian public sector oil refineries have announced plans to establish 137 kilo tonnes per annum (ktpa) of green hydrogen facilities by 2030, according to Dr. S. S. V. Ramakumar, Director of R&D at Indian Oil Corporation. Speaking at the India Energy Week in Bengaluru, Ramakumar explained that Indian Oil would initially install a 7 ktpa electrolysis plant at its Panipat refinery. He also noted that the company had partnered with ReNew Power and L&T to develop green hydrogen plants for not only Indian Oil but also other refiners.
Ramakumar discussed the various electrolysis pathways for producing green hydrogen, highlighting the maturity of alkaline and PEM technologies, but also noted the uncertainties in identifying the best approach. He emphasized the importance of AEM, a new technology that addresses the drawbacks of mature technologies and utilizes transition elements instead of platinum group metals. AEM is also more affordable and solves several problems, including a more dilute electrolyte. Despite AEM’s potential, the technology is still at a low level of readiness (TRL 2 or 3). Ramakumar urged research institutions to concentrate on AEM technology if India wants to adopt the electrolysis technology pathway