Kavrepalanchok, Aug 30: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated the green hydrogen production and refueling centre set up at the Kathmandu University (KU) at local Dhulikhel today. He also unveiled a green hydrogen-fuelled 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.
The hydrogen refueling centre has been installed at the university campus with the assistance of technician 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 centre 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 low-pressure tank. The hydrogen in the low-pressure tank is filled in car fuel tank through the high-pressure tank. KU stated that on an average two kilogrammes of hydrogen is produced daily at the hydrogen refill centre for study and research (test) purposes. Ten litres water and 40-45 units electricity is required for producing one kilogramme hydrogen. Six kilogrammes hydrogen can be filled in the car brought at the university. The car can travel 650 kilometres 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 centre with a capacity to refueling 30 to 35 hydrogen-fuelled cars. It is said that this is the first initiative in the country at producing hydrogen for operating transport. —
