Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) has invited bids to set up a green hydrogen plant and refueling station at the 100% solar-powered Cochin International Airport (CIAL) in Kochi, Kerala.

The last date to submit bids is March 1, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The proposed facility, to be used to refuel hydrogen buses, will have the capacity to produce 100 normal cubic meters per hour (Nm3/hr) of green hydrogen using a 500-kW electrolyzer system. It must also have the provision to expand up to 200 Nm3 /h.

The facility will include an electrolyzer system, oxygen and hydrogen separators, synthesis towers, purification systems, compressors, storage cascades, dispensing units, and other auxiliary systems.

Renewable energy and raw water connection will be provided at the site.

The tender invites bids for the procurement of the electrolyzer system with a balance of stack and accessories for hydrogen generation capacity at 30 bar pressure. The minimum purity of hydrogen produced should be 99.998%.

The electrolyzer system will be a containerized plug-and-play system. It will include rectifiers, transformers, piping, valves, instruments, analyzers, electrical systems, and automation using a programmable logic controller.

The contractor must provide two years’ worth of spares and operate and maintain the system for five years after commissioning. The delivery period is six months from issuing the letter of acceptance.

The design, engineering, and project management consulting for the project will be executed by Tractebel Engineering.

Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) launched pilot projects aimed at using green hydrogen to decarbonize the transport, steel, and shipping industries.

MNRE also outlined a framework to incentivize the production of 200,000 MT of green hydrogen annually.

Last year, Oil India invited bids to establish a 1 MW green hydrogen project in Himachal Pradesh, with a 17 Kg/hr generation capacity.