Green Hydrogen: Production Methodology, Applications and Challenges in Nepal

Abstract

As of 2020, more than 1,250 MW of renewable energy has already been integrated into the Integrated Nepal Power System (INPS). With another 3,150 MW of hydropower projects under construction, the domestic electricity demand is forecasted to be much lower than its production within a few years. As this added capacity is on the horizon, the Nepalese government needs to prioritize domestic utilization of generated power over exporting the excess generation to the international market. One of the means for this is introducing hydrogen technology in the Nepalese market. This paper discusses suitable hydrogen production methodology, particularly green hydrogen via electrolysis and further encompasses the areas of hydrogen where it could play a pivotal role in case of Nepal. Cost analysis of hydrogen production is also conducted for 50kW to 500kW system. However, as hydrogen technology is still in its infancy, a well-informed selection of technology should be emphasized for the production of hydrogen in the context of Nepal. Attributes such as high energy density and transportability make hydrogen a suitable energy carrier. Further, better energy management can be achieved with the use of fuel cells.