BRIEF SUMMARY AND FINDINGS

The webinar was held to officially launch the webpage of Green Hydrogen Lab and to discuss about the technical steps involved in recovering Hydrogen from Biogas.  The webinar began with the introduction of Green Hydrogen lab among all the attendees from industrial and government sector. After the webpage was successfully launched, Ms. Anmol Parajuli, Intern RA at GHL presented on the topic entitled “Biogas Production in Nepal and its Pathway to Bio-hydrogen.” The speaker discussed about the history of biogas in Nepal, different biogas plants in Nepal, success stories of Biogas plants in Nepal, different plans and policies from Government sector after which the technical processes involved in recovering Hydrogen from biogas with series of steps involved were discussed. The key steps for Hydrogen production from biogas plants were discussed.

Industry, Institution and Government should work hand in hand to adopt new technologies. Institutions should engage researchers in exploring different areas for technical analysis for the upcoming events in Hydrogen technology. Biogas technology can be adopted to produce Hydrogen ensuring management of organic fraction of municipal waste, producing fertilizers, focusing on environmental sustainability. The biogas sector has progressed a lot with the aid of government, industries and technical experts. Biogas purification involve steps like PSA, water scrubbing, molecular sieve methods. The production of Hydrogen depends upon feeding parameters. Steam Methane reforming from bio-CNG from biogas plants can be adopted if rigorous planning and cost analysis is done for its large scale demonstration purpose. Series of steps in bio-Hydrogen production from Biogas has motivated researchers to develop process based Hydrogen production system.

MEETING NOTES

Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa welcomed all the guests and participants and discussed the purpose and agenda for the meeting. He addressed how the previous event of RECON and AEPC was the motivation for the Green Hydrogen lab. Dr. Bhola Thapa shared that GHL has set foundations for future gateway and adaptation towards Green Hydrogen and its associated technologies in Nepal. He expressed that Prime Minister requesting Bangladesh for import of fertilizers and farmers have triggered a sense of motivation to work in the direction. Dr. Biraj presented to introduce Green Hydrogen Lab to all the guests. He shared the mission and vision of the Lab and the expressed the visual representation outline of the logo. Significance that GHLab logo components hold. He shared the concept of GH-FIT for the context of Nepal for Sustainable development with F-Fertilizers, I-Industry, and T-Transport as the end use of Green Hydrogen. He presented the proposed research facility of the GHLab and the dream agenda carried by the lab to develop foundations for developing the Green Hydrogen Ecosystem in Nepal by 2040. He launched the GHLab webpage after taking approval from HoD Dr. Daniel Tuladhar and Dean Dr. Damber Bahadur Nepali. He presented important parts of the webpage to the guests. He thanked intern RAs for their contributions to the webpage and its contents. Anmol presented on the topic: “Biogas Production in Nepal and its Pathway to Bio-hydrogen.” She shared the background, history, and stories of biogas plants in Nepal. She explained the process of bio-gas to bio-hydrogen with its technical specifications. All the intern RAs presented themselves, explained their project, and the connection with Bio-Hydrogen research.

Mr. Gunaraj Dhakal  shared it is relevant to do research targeting 2040. He shared that pilot projects need to be done so as to fulfil the vision set. He thanked KU for the initiation of GHLab because if GHLab advocates for technical expertise in this field, it will be easier for Nepali businesses to run utilizing the local resources instead of depending upon foreigners for technical advice.He shared RECON will support GHLab for its development in any way possible.KG shared initiating GHLab is innovative and necessary for proceeding eith such technologies on time. He shared the four challenges of the Biogas sector:

1. Spare parts

2. Skilled Human Resources

3. Government Rules and Regulations

4. Market.

He shared Industry, Academia and Government need to be integrated for the sustainable development of any project. He shared there will be social and financial challenges to sustain the lab in inception time and extended his willingness to support in possible ways. Mr. Sushim Man Amatya congratulated the successful initiation of the Lab on time. He suggested aiming for commercialization with acceptable cost. He shared AEPC has the platform to support innovative ideas as such but it will have pre-requisites of a developer who is willing to take it. He suggested considering end-use and financial aspects while doing research. He shared the activity of Pulchowk campus starting Hydrogen Lab with a similar theme back in 2004 from USAID fund but the lab couldn’t succeed then. He shared that this is the right time to initiate it again. He extended his wishes for the Lab. He added Green Hydrogen energy could be a good topic to initiate projects with AEPC and World Bank.

Dr. Daniel thanked all the team members of GHLab for successful initiation. He added the department will always encourage new and relevant topics like Green Hydrogen. He suggested to best use the experimentation kit that is procured for the Lab and will be available soon. He shared there has not been much development in EV or fuel cell vehicles and there is the challenge but he suggested taking it as a motivation and lead forward. BPS shared University is the platform to initiate new relevant research and our University will support and encourage GHLab. He shared GHLab will develop intern RAs that are now in the lab as the expert after 10 years and they will carry out the legacy of the University and will lead the research of Green Hydrogen technologies. Dr. Sunil Pd. Lohani shared, now it may not be time for the commercial applications but it is quite a good time to carry out research in this field. He suggested considering the application and commercialization part during the research. Dr. Rijan Bhakta Kyastha shared he has seen the wide applications of Hydrogen Energy. He shared the event that happened inside KU where hydrogen gas was used for blowing up the balloons. He shared he will do advocacy of GHLab and will help develop the Lab with his connections. Dr. Biraj appreciated everyone’s concern and summed up with responses to some of the queries of participants and guests. Dr. Damber acknowledged all the participants. He expressed presentation by Anmol was of a good standard and he was happy with the progress of GHLab. He suggested GHLab to closely follow up the guests’ remarks and take the lead to achieve the mission and vision GHLab holds.

ATTENDEES