Electric/H2 Vehicle with Renewable Energy Grid for Himalayan Region

Abstract

AbstractIndia is a big country having huge renewable energy potential of 2600 GW, sufficient for world power requirement of today. Most of the power potential comes under solar, wind and hydro energy. Himalayan region is full of hydro power and small currents have been estimated to generate 20 GW of renewable power along with large hydro of 145 GW. The hydro power remains cheapest of all renewable power even today. As per small hydro power policy of India, any corporate or individual person can put up a small hydro power plant up to 25 MW after identifying the potential of any current/river suitable for the project. If the small hydro power plant in Himalayan region is coupled with hydrogen energy storage and electric vehicle charging stations along the mountain roads, it will give very economic viability of the project. The power cost of hydroelectric comes to merely INR 1.0 (USD 1.3 cents) per unit. The cheap power can be utilized to charge electric vehicles and to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generated at the hydro power station will be quite cheap to replace the LPG cylinder for cooking and commercial purposes in the Himalayas. Additionally, the electric vehicle charging project will give another boost to clean transport in the region, reducing global warming effect in the area. The hybrid electric vehicles can also utilize Hydrogen for on the way recharging through hydrogen fuel cells. This will pave the way for 100% renewable economy in future.KeywordsRenewableEnergyGlobal warmingElectric vehicleHydrogenHydro powerEnergy storage