Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has collaborated with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to scale up Alkaline Electrolyser technology for Green Hydrogen production.

Key Points
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is a ‘Maharatna’ and a Fortune Global 500 Company.
• India is the world’s third biggest greenhouse gas emitter. The country aims to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and wants to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix to 50 per cent by 2030 from the current 38 per cent.

As part of the India’s effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, BPCL and BARC have collaborated to scale up alkaline electrolyser technology for green hydrogen production.

At presently, Electrolyser Plants are imported. This 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-sulfurization to make petrol, diesel and other chemicals. Currently, hydrogen is made at the refinery via. steam reforming of natural gas, but this results in high CO2 emission. Therefore, refiners are setting up large scale electrolysers to produce green hydrogen from water and thereby decarbonize hydrogen production.

“We have been extensively leveraging technology in all our activities,” said Arun Kumar Singh, C&MD – Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

Today, through collaboration with BARC, we intend to scale up Indigenous Alkaline Electrolyser Technology and look forward to commercializing 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.”

Bharat Petroleum has plans to expand its portfolio of renewable energy with solar, wind and biofuels thereby reaffirming its commitment towards sustainability and reduction of carbon footprint. Furthermore, the company intends to meet power requirement for new projects in its Refineries, primarily from renewable sources.