IOC plans hydrogen station near Games Village

State-run IndianOil Corporation plans to set up the country's second hydrogen fuel-dispensing station in the vicinity of the Commonwealth Games Village before 2010 for catering to more than 100 government vehicles to be used for demonstrating the usefulness of the fuel.     

"We have sent a proposal to (the) Delhi Government for land in the vicinity of (the) 'Commonwealth Games Village' for setting up a hydrogen fuel station. This would be used for dispensing fuel to more than 100 vehicles to be used for the mega event," Executive Director (Research and Development) IndianOil Corporation R K Malhotra told.     

Malhotra said the Delhi Government had asked IOC to identify land for setting up a hydrogen fuel-dispensing station. "We proposed to them to allocate land in the vicinity of the Commonwealth Games Village. We are awaiting their response," she said.      

"Since the Commonwealth Games will showcase India's ability to organise such mega events, the government also wants to use hydrogen fuel-compatible vehicles during the event for demonstrating its environment concerns. Therefore, such a station in the vicinity of the 'Games Village' would serve the purpose," he  said.     

The station will dispense a mix of hydrogen and CNG in the ratio of 20:80. In the initial phase, IndianOil is targeting CNG vehicle which can be run on hydrogen fuel mix with a little modification.
However a completely new engine is required for using 100 per cent pure hydrogen as fuel.       When asked whether CNG stations can be used for dispensing 100 pure hydrogen, Malhotra replied, "Those can be used. But before switching from a CNG filling station to pure hydrogen ones, we have to go a long way as nobody is sure about its commercial viability."