In collaboration with GIZ India, the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO), Renewables Academy (RENAC), Enapter, h2e Power Systems Private Limited, SFC Energy AG, and FC TecNrgy, the Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI), Gandhinagar hosted a groundbreaking 5-day Train-the-Trainer program from 12 to 16 February 2024. Held under the banner of "Green Hydrogen PtX – Electrolyser and Fuel Cell Installation," this first-of-its kind hands-on-training brought together 21 participants from academia, government, and the private sector.

In his opening address, Dr. Akash Davda, Head, New Technology Management, GERMI, set the tone by providing an overview of GERMI’s work and outlining the program's objectives, thereby laying the groundwork for an enriching learning experience. Mr. Kuldeep Sharma, GIZ India, elucidated the pivotal role of energy efficiency and transition and emphasised the strong partnership with GERMI.

The trainers for the program were Dr. Rui Yuan Yong from SunGreenH2 and Mr. Philipp Endres from Enapter. Dr. Yong shared fundamental insights into green hydrogen technology and its intricate value chain, delving into fuel cell specifications and green hydrogen system operations. Meanwhile, Mr. Endres provided insights into safety considerations for hydrogen plant systems, alongside an in-depth exploration of various electrolyser types and their efficiency metrics.

The team members of GERMI shared invaluable insights on the global and Indian hydrogen scenario, India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, and the regulatory landscape governing green hydrogen. Mr. Himanshu Desai from GERMI elucidated the process of designing Solar PV systems to cater to electrolyser electricity demand. Ms. Heena Mandloi, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) shared the hydrogen schemes and guidelines issued by the Ministry with the participants, thereby underscoring the government's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for green hydrogen initiatives.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the training was the Green Hydrogen plant installation at the GERMI campus. This pioneering facility, integrating electrolysers, lithium-ion batteries, fuel cell stacks, and a solar PV system, represents a landmark achievement in Gujarat and India's capacity-building efforts in green hydrogen technology.

Technical specifications:

Electrolyser capacity: 2.4 kW each ( total 4 Electrolyser installed)

Fuel cell capacity: 2.5 kW, 48V output

Hydrogen production rate of each Electrolyser: 0.5 Nm3 per hour

Green hydrogen production rate per hour: 2 Nm3 (cumulative)

Solar installed capacity: 7kWp

A thorough assessment test was conducted to evaluate participants' understanding, and upon successful completion, all attendees were conferred with a trainer certification. Dr. Biswajit Roy, Director General, GERMI, personally interacted with the participants, commending their dedication, and distributed the certificates in recognition of their achievement. Subsequent to the Train-the-Trainers program, three additional 5-day sessions have been successfully conducted to expand the reach of knowledge dissemination and empower additional stakeholders in the field of green hydrogen and fuel cell technology at GERMI.