Interactive Session on Center of Excellence (COE) in Hydrogen Economy

No. PR -238 March 14, 2022 New Delhi

Interactive Session on Center of Excellence (COE) in Hydrogen Economy

The Environment Committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organised an Interactive Session on Center of Excellence (COE) in Hydrogen Economy on 11th of March 2022 in Hybrid mode with Eminent Speakers Dr. Karen Landmark, Chair of the Board, Greenstat AS, Norway, Dr. Charly Berthod, Project Manager, Greenstat Energy AS, Dr. Chitra Rajagopal, Director, CoE Process Safety, Risk management & Green hydrogen, IITD, H. E. Mr. Akhilesh Mishra, Ambassador, Embassy of India, Ireland and Mr. Umesh Bhide, Business Head – Consulting, Gexcon India

Mr. Saket Dalmia, Sr. Vice President, PHDCCI in his welcome address talked about setting up of Centre of Excellences in Hydrogen in select universities across India which would be instrumental in creating the requisite critical mass for holistic development of Hydrogen economy in the country focusing largely on Hydrogen production technologies, storage systems, transport and applications and Hydrogen Safety in production, storage, transportation and dispensing.

Dr. J P Gupta, Chair, Environment Committee, PHDCCI while giving the theme introduction talked about the mounting need for process safety in hydrogen by saying that setting up of Centre of Excellences will play a major role in creating awareness around the ‘safety case’ for hydrogen. Lastly, he said that hydrogen is not only the fuel for future but is for today as well and process safety is an important aspect in its usage and has to be introduced from day one itself.

Dr. Charly Berthod, Project Manager, Greenstat Energy AS through his presentation talked about cooperating on relevant projects with the Centre of Excellences with an aim of developing a complete hydrogen value chain. He also said that collaboration throughout the value chain will accelerate the introduction of hydrogen as an energy carrier across different sectors. Further, he also said that by 2050 majority of renewable hydrogen (RH) will be produced by dedicated off-grid solar and wind parks.

Prof (Dr) Chitra Rajagopal, Director, CoE Process Safety, Risk management & Green hydrogen, IITD and Former DS and DG (R&M), DRDO through her presentation talked about the Initiatives to develop higher education and research for prevention of accidents being Joint effort by Academia, Research Organizations, Government and industry and Centres of Excellence (CoE) set up in Universities. Through CoE in Process Safety & Risk management for a Hydrogen Economy there will be development of human capital through education & training in Process Safety and Risk management using advanced tools CFD tools and VR; R&D in Process Safety and in the entire value chain of Green Hydrogen – production, storage, transportation and its application will be conducted and lastly consultancy and advisory to industries, Govt and Public Sector units of GoI can be provided, said Dr. Chitra.

E. Mr. Akhilesh Mishra, Ambassador, Embassy of India, Irelandwhile delivering his address talked about the impact of Hydrogen on the Economy which will greatly increase our renewable energy by almost 30%. He also mentioned about the need to implement a comprehensive integrated program and the need for a sustainable ecosystem which will help in broadening the green hydrogen mission.

Dr. Karen Landmark, Chair of the Board, Greenstat AS, Norway while delivering her address talked about the Indo-Norwegian Global Competence Centre for Green Hydrogen which will enhance collaboration between Indian, Norwegian and international green hydrogen leaders. She also said that CoE-H partner ups with the best foreign R&D centres will facilitate bilateral cooperation on hydrogen related fields and will allow exchange of personnel and capacity building.

Mr. Umesh Bhide, Business Head – Consulting, Gexcon India gave an insightful presentation on Hydrogen Safety in India. He talked about the importance of looking into the safety aspect for the new molecule Hydrogen and its recommended safe practices being provisions of Codes and Standards in design, fabrication, installation, operation of facilities, systems, equipment and components for production, storage and final use; Basic safety evaluations during installation, commissioning and normal operations; Advanced safety assessments such as 3D Consequence Analysis; Developing Virtual Reality tools for training and to tackle emergencies and Developing Virtual Reality tools for training and to tackle emergencies. Lastly, he talked about Gexcon’s Expertise in Hydrogen Safety and how it can provide safety assessment and analysis.

Mr. Mahendra Rustagi, Co-chair, Environment Committee, PHDCCI while delivering the concluding remarks talked about the importance of setting up of COEs in Hydrogen so that value chain in Hydrogen is established. Further, he thanked all the panellists and participants for attending the Interactive session.

The Session was moderated by Mr. Naveen Seth, Assistant Secretary General, PHDCCI. The webinar was attended by 200+ members and Industry Stakeholders from India and abroad in hybrid mode.

The Event was sponsored by PHDCCI’s Annual Sponsors – Multani Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Star Wire; PG Industry; Uflex Ltd; DLF Ltd; Continental Carriers Pvt Ltd; Belair Travel & Cargo Pvt Ltd; Radico Khaitan Ltd; Jindal Steel & Power; MMG Group; Paramount Communications; Superior Industries Limited; JK Tyre & Industries Ltd; SMC Investments and Advisors Ltd; Crystal Crop Protection Ltd; Sagar Group of Industries; Samsung India Electronics; Comtech Interio; R E Rogers; AYUSH Herbs Private Ltd; Apeejay Stya Group; DCM Shriram; EaseMyTrip; Blossom Kochhar Beauty Products Pvt Ltd; Oswal Greentech; Trident Group; MV Cotspin Ltd; Synergy Environics Ltd; Ajit Industries Pvt Ltd; P S BEDI & Co.; Indian Farmer &Fertilizers Corporation Ltd; Jindal Steel; Hindware Sanitary; Modern Automobiles; Livit Ltd; Axa Parenterals; Bhagwati Plastic and Pipes Industries; J K Insurance Brokers Ltd; DD Pharmaceutical Ltd.

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Warm Regards,

Media Division

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry