PM Oli inaugurates green hydrogen production and re-fueling center

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the green hydrogen production and refueling center set up at the Kathmandu University (KU) in Dhulikhel today.

He also unveiled a green hydrogen-fueled car with registration number plate Ba 1 Jha 1111 on the occasion of the 29th Convocation Ceremony of KU. The Prime Minister rode on the same car to the Convocation venue.

On the occasion, PM Oli described construction of the green hydrogen production and refueling station operated by KU as an exemplary work. "Not only in KU such type of innovative works should be carried out in other places as well," said PM Oli, who is also the Chancellor of KU.

He recalled that he had initiated discussions and study for the production of green hydrogen and wind power when he was the Prime Minister before this. "Good work has started now and it should be expanded to other places. Particularly, the first priority should be given to vehicles," he added.

Chief of KU's Nepal Hydrogen Initiatives, Associate Professor Biraj Singh Thapa said the green hydrogen has been produced by processing electricity with water.

KU, which had been carrying out study and research on the production and use of green hydrogen fuel since the last two years, produced green hydrogen for the first time on April 2, 2023. Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) had provided financial assistance to KU for the production of green hydrogen fuel and for operating hydrogen-fueled cars.

A car manufactured by Hyundai Company was brought from South Korea last November with the support of NOC. The hydrogen refueling center has been installed at the university campus with the assistance of technicians of a Korean green hydrogen production company.

The NOC had provided Rs 50 million to KU for this. From this amount, the university remodeled the car at an investment of 33 thousand USD and built the refueling center at a cost of Rs 13 million.

Associate Professor Thapa said hydrogen is produced through electrolysis of water, which is then converted into dry hydrogen, purified and stored in a low-pressure tank. The hydrogen in the low-pressure tank is filled in the car fuel tank through the high-pressure tank.

KU stated that on an average two kg of hydrogen is produced daily at the hydrogen refill center for study and research (test) purposes. Ten liters of water and 40-45 units of electricity is required for producing one kg hydrogen. Six kg hydrogen can be filled in the car brought at the university. The car can travel 650 kilometers when the hydrogen fuel is filled at full capacity.

KU also has the goal of preparing a pilot project for setting up a hydrogen refueling center with a capacity to refuel 30 to 35 hydrogen-fuelled cars.

It is said that this is the first initiative in the country at producing hydrogen for operating transport.