Investment Pakistan | Oracle Power’s 400MW hydrogen production project.

[NasNY]

Oracle Power’s 400MW hydrogen production project in Pakistan to bring cost of green hydrogen below $2 per kilogramme​

By George Heyneson Feb 10, 2022

A 400MW hydrogen production project is set to be developed by Oracle Power and PowerChina International Group in Pakistan with the intention to generate hydrogen below $2 per kilogramme.
The project marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s hydrogen economy with it set to be located in Jhimpir, Gharo or Keti Bandar and hopes to provide a competitive fuel source for multiple sectors, including steel and fertiliser production, cars, long-range shipping, aviation and more.

Supporting the proposed plans, the Government of Pakistan is already revieing proposals from international investors and has set up a dedicated team to review options and strategy.

PowerChina is expected to receive further bilateral support from the Chinese Government.
The plant will additionally aim to target a hydrogen cost below $2 per kilogramme making it cost competitive with other zero-emission and fossil fuels across the globe.
This could significantly expand Pakistan’s hydrogen capabilities and bring the country to a new green revolution in its energy sector.
Naheed Memon, CEO of Oracle Power, said, “We are making good progress in a short time since signing the Co-Operation Agreement with PowerChina.


“Green hydrogen has been dubbed as the ‘fuel of the future’ and Oracle is in the exciting position to be a first mover in Pakistan and, at the competitive price that is being targeted, is set to be in a strong position in the international market as well.”
Dr Naveed Akhtar, Chief of Technology of Hydrogen at Oracle Power, said, “It is encouraging to see the potential for Oracle’s green hydrogen facility and I see that there is real possibility of producing green hydrogen at competitive prices for the market in China, South Asia and Europe.”

 

[Sohail Shuja]

Oracle Power’s 400MW hydrogen production project in Pakistan to bring cost of green hydrogen below $2 per kilogramme​

By George Heyneson Feb 10, 2022

A 400MW hydrogen production project is set to be developed by Oracle Power and PowerChina International Group in Pakistan with the intention to generate hydrogen below $2 per kilogramme.
The project marks a major milestone for Pakistan’s hydrogen economy with it set to be located in Jhimpir, Gharo or Keti Bandar and hopes to provide a competitive fuel source for multiple sectors, including steel and fertiliser production, cars, long-range shipping, aviation and more.

Supporting the proposed plans, the Government of Pakistan is already revieing proposals from international investors and has set up a dedicated team to review options and strategy.

PowerChina is expected to receive further bilateral support from the Chinese Government.
The plant will additionally aim to target a hydrogen cost below $2 per kilogramme making it cost competitive with other zero-emission and fossil fuels across the globe.
This could significantly expand Pakistan’s hydrogen capabilities and bring the country to a new green revolution in its energy sector.
Naheed Memon, CEO of Oracle Power, said, “We are making good progress in a short time since signing the Co-Operation Agreement with PowerChina.


“Green hydrogen has been dubbed as the ‘fuel of the future’ and Oracle is in the exciting position to be a first mover in Pakistan and, at the competitive price that is being targeted, is set to be in a strong position in the international market as well.”
Dr Naveed Akhtar, Chief of Technology of Hydrogen at Oracle Power, said, “It is encouraging to see the potential for Oracle’s green hydrogen facility and I see that there is real possibility of producing green hydrogen at competitive prices for the market in China, South Asia and Europe.”

But what remains unclear is that how would they produce hydrogen? is this 400MW is going to go into Electrolysis? is that so?

If they are still going to use the fossil fuel to generate this 400MW electricity for electrolysis, then I guess it will not be a feasible project w.r.t environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

However, if they have planned something like Joan Ogden did for the Hydrogen Pathways programme in China, then I am sure it is going to be something really beneficial.

Almost all the industry which uses Petrol or furnace oil for direct combustion can benefit from hydrogen fuel. Next thing in line can be the Hydrogen fuel cells. But, still, the main problem remains to provide energy/electricity to produce/generate Hydrogen.

 

[NasNY]

But what remains unclear is that how would they produce hydrogen? is this 400MW is going to go into Electrolysis? is that so?

If they are still going to use the fossil fuel to generate this 400MW electricity for electrolysis, then I guess it will not be a feasible project w.r.t environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

However, if they have planned something like Joan Ogden did for the Hydrogen Pathways programme in China, then I am sure it is going to be something really beneficial.

Almost all the industry which uses Petrol or furnace oil for direct combustion can benefit from hydrogen fuel. Next thing in line can be the Hydrogen fuel cells. But, still, the main problem remains to provide energy/electricity to produce/generate Hydrogen.

It remains to be seen, but my guess is they would use Coal, from what i understand from WIKIPEDIA

For the production of hydrogen from coal, coal gasification is used. The process of coal gasification uses steam and oxygen to break molecular bonds in coal and form a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.[23] Carbon dioxide and pollutants may be more easily removed from gas obtained from coal gasification versus coal combustion.[24][25] Another method for conversion is low temperature and high temperature coal carbonization.[26]

Coke oven gas made from pyrolysis (oxygen free heating) of coal has about 60% hydrogen, rest being CH4, CO,CO2, NH3, N2,and H2S. Hydrogen can be separated from other impurities by pressure swing adsorption process. Japanese steel companies have carried out production of hydrogen by this.

 

[Sohail Shuja]

It remains to be seen, but my guess is they would use Coal, from what i understand from WIKIPEDIA

For the production of hydrogen from coal, coal gasification is used. The process of coal gasification uses steam and oxygen to break molecular bonds in coal and form a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.[23] Carbon dioxide and pollutants may be more easily removed from gas obtained from coal gasification versus coal combustion.[24][25] Another method for conversion is low temperature and high temperature coal carbonization.[26]

Coke oven gas made from pyrolysis (oxygen free heating) of coal has about 60% hydrogen, rest being CH4, CO,CO2, NH3, N2,and H2S. Hydrogen can be separated from other impurities by pressure swing adsorption process. Japanese steel companies have carried out production of hydrogen by this.

Negative. If cost is their goal, then remember, coal gasification is an expensive process. It has been evaluated many times for Pakistan's Thar coal.

 

[miafridi]

All the best.

 

[Pakistan Space Agency]

Oracle Power has been such a disappointment so far.