Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) has invited bids to establish a solar-powered green hydrogen plant and fuel cell-based microgrid system at the 400/220 kV Neemrana substation, Rajasthan.

The last date to submit the bids is December 28, 2024. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The developer must also oversee the plant and microgrid system’s operation and maintenance for ten years.

Bidders must furnish a bid document fee of ₹25,000 (~$295.9). They must also furnish bank security of 110% of the advance amount received within 28 days of the award.

The entire microgrid project, including the 1,500 kW solar project, green hydrogen production and storage facilities, fuel cell, and its integration with the auxiliary load, must be completed within 12 months.

The estimated average daily auxiliary load requirements of the Neemrana substation are about 2,000 kWh, out of which about 40% of the load (800 kWh) is required to be catered during solar hours and the balance 60% (1,200 kWh) during non-solar hours.

The project envisages setting up the solar project, the green hydrogen production plant using electrolysis of water, the hydrogen storage facility, and a fuel cell for the generation of electricity to meet both day and night load demands of the substation. The day load must be met through solar energy, and the night load must be met by the electricity produced through the fuel cell system.

The fuel cell should be able to operate for a minimum of 12-14 hours per day and meet peak load demand of 200 kW per hour of the auxiliary systems of the substation.

Bidders will be responsible for design, engineering, manufacturing, fabrication, packing, supply, transport, freight and insurance, handling, unloading, construction, erection, installation, integration, commissioning, testing, mandatory spares, obtaining statutory approvals, and preparation of drawings and documents.

The project should be equipped to set up a hydrogen refueling station for future expansion. The space utilization, the plant layout, and the associated balance of plant should be designed accordingly.

Only mono crystalline half-cut solar modules of a minimum 545 Wp must be used in the project. The modules must be from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers) notified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

In April, the Solar Energy Corporation of India invited proposals to identify an executing agency to set up green hydrogen hubs under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

In 2023, Uneecops Technologies, a Delhi-based green hydrogen and solar developer, won the engineering, procurement, and construction contract to set up a green hydrogen-based fuel cell microgrid of 25 kW capacity at Alchi in Leh, Ladakh.