Innovative Green Hydrogen Production via Geothermal and Solar Integration
Key Ideas
- A pilot project at the Geothermal Park in Unai, Navsari successfully demonstrated the production of green hydrogen through a novel integration of geothermal and solar resources.
- The project utilized an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) to efficiently generate electricity 24x7 while also producing hydrogen at a rate of 2,100 ml per minute.
- The initiative was highly praised at the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024 for its commercial potential and marked a significant advancement in renewable energy systems.
A team from the Centre of Excellence for Geothermal Energy at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) in Unai, Navsari, successfully implemented a pilot project to produce green hydrogen by integrating geothermal and solar resources. Prof Anirbid Sircar, head of the center, highlighted the use of an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) to harness thermal energy efficiently, enabling continuous power generation and hydrogen production. The ORC's unique organic fluid properties allowed for operation at lower pressures and slower turbine speeds, reducing wear on components. This innovative system was able to generate about 150KW of electricity, with a portion allocated to an electrolyser for hydrogen production. The project's success in producing green hydrogen at a consistent rate of 2,100 ml per minute was recognized at the FICCI Bharat R&D Summit 2024, emphasizing its potential for commercialization. Overall, this initiative signifies a major breakthrough in renewable energy systems by combining geothermal and solar resources to achieve sustainable electricity generation and hydrogen production.