Indian Oil’s Mathura refinery to host India’s first green hydrogen plant
With this project, Indian Oil will introduce green hydrogen in the Indian oil and gas sector to replace carbon-emitting fuels used in refineries.
The country’s largest fuel retailer, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), announced the construction of the country’s first green hydrogen plant at its Mathura refinery. The project will introduce Green Hydrogen into the Indian Oil & Gas sector. The firm has been involved in the study of multiple pathways of producing Hydrogen.
With the rising need for energy, Hydrogen is the latest focus area around the globe. It is a clean source of energy that can meet the world’s increasing demands. By electrolyzing water using renewable energy such as solar or wind, green hydrogen can be produced. The production of hydrogen from biomass is also considered green.
The IOC Chairman, S M Vaidya informed that Mathura was chosen because of its proximity to the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ). The company plans to use the power from its wind power plant in Rajasthan to produce green hydrogen through electrolysis at its Mathura refinery.
This green hydrogen will replace carbon-emitting fuels used in refineries to process crude oil into value-added products such as petrol and diesel.
In addition, several expansion plans have been approved by IOC in which the company will not build a captive power plant but instead utilise power from the grid, preferably green power, in order to help reduce carbon emissions from manufacturing.
According to Vaidya, over the next ten years the company has chalked out a strategic growth path that focuses on its core businesses of refining and marketing fuel, while strengthening its presence in petrochemicals, hydrogen, and electric mobility.
Vaidya however pointed out that petroleum refining, marketing, and petrochemical integration will remain IndianOil’s key focus areas. The company has a goal to add 25 million tonnes of refining capacity by the year 2023-24.
According to him, Indian fuel demand is expected to grow to 400-450 million tonnes by 2040, up from 250 million tonnes now. This surge in demand allows for the coexistence of various forms of energy.
IOC Chairman says, “Even as IndianOil explores multiple avenues for energy, environmental concerns will remain a top priority. The organization is pushing ahead with the development of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies.”
Coal gasification produces brown hydrogen and natural gas reforming produces grey hydrogen. However, a significant amount of carbon dioxide is produced in these production pathways. This can be overcome by utilizing appropriate carbon capture and utilization technologies that will result in producing Blue hydrogen.
