The occasion of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Foundation Day was marked by an innovative announcement. The President of India introduced India’s inaugural high-temperature based Fuel Cell System developed internally. This development was made possible through the collaboration between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian industries under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This project falls under the ‘New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)’ program.
Specifications of the Fuel Cell System
The fuel cells that have been developed utilise High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) technology. It’s a 5.0 kW fuel cell system that generates power in an eco-friendly manner. When fed with methanol or bio-methane, it produces heat and water as bi-products, which can be used further. This system has shown an efficiency greater than 70%, a significant achievement compared to other energy sources.
About High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane (HTPEM) Technology
High-Temperature Proton-Exchange-Membrane (HTPEM) is the heart of these fuel cells and has the capability to operate above 150 °C. There are two operational modes, depending on the fuel source. The first mode involves the conversion of natural gas into Hydrogen via steam reforming, which caters to stationary power demands. The second mode revolves around the operation of Hydrogen with Oxygen derived from electrolysis, primarily used in space-related applications.
About the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Being an independent R&D body established by the Government of India on September 26, 1942, CSIR operates under the Ministry of Science and Technology. It encompasses a broad range of science and technology fields, including radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, and more.
New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI)
NMITLI is the country’s most extensive Public-Private-Partnership effort within the R&D domain. It aims to stimulate innovation-centered scientific and technological developments to help Indian industry achieve a global leadership position in selected areas.
| NMITLI Projects | Areas |
|---|---|
| 60 | Agriculture & Plant Biotechnology, General Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Materials, Information and Communication Technology, and Energy. |
Fuel Cell System Applications
This fuel system is most appropriate for distributed stationary power applications requirements such as small offices, commercial units, data centres, etc. It places well in India’s mission of substituting Diesel-based Generating (DG) sets with green and alternate fuels.
Development Impact
The fuel cell system is expected to reduce India’s dependence on crude oil. This development has also put India among developed nations possessing advanced fuel cell technology.
Way Forward
Fuel Cell distributed power generation systems are emerging as potential alternatives to grid power in the field of clean energy. The development of indigenous fuel cell technology carries immense national importance in terms of energy security.
