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.
