First Indigenous Fuel Cell System

News:President of India has unveiled the first Indigenous High Temperature Fuel Cell System on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day.

Facts:

About the Indigenous fuel system:

• The system has been developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) in partnership with Indian industries.
• It has been developed under India’s flagship program named New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI).

Working of the system:

• The 5.0 kW fuel cell system generates power in a green manner using methanol / bio-methane with heat and water as bi-products for further use.
• The system provides greater than 70% efficiency which otherwise may not be possible by other energy sources.
• The Fuel Cells developed under this system are based on High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane(HTPEM) Technology.

Applications of the system:

• This development would replace Diesel Generating (DG) sets and help reduce India’s dependence on crude oil.
• This system will also meet the requirement of efficient, clean and reliable backup power generators that are demanded by telecom towers, remote locations, and strategic applications.

Additional information:

About HTPEM:

• High Temperature Proton exchange membrane(HTPEM) is the core of the fuel cells running above 150 °C.
• HTPEM offer several advantages such as (a)high proton conductivity, (b)low permeability to fuel (c)good chemical/thermal stability (d)good mechanical properties and (e)low cost.
• They are considered to be a promising technology for efficient power generation in the 21st century.

About NMITLI:

• New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative(NMITLI) is the largest Public-Private partnership effort within the R&D domain in the country.
• The responsibility of conceptualising, evolving and implementing the programme has been assigned to the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research(CSIR).
• The programme seeks to catalyze innovation centred scientific and technological developments as a vehicle to attain for Indian industry a global leadership position, in selected niche areas.

About CSIR:

• CSIR was established by the Government of India in 1942 as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• It has emerged as the largest research and development organisation in India.