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Development of technology to produce green hydrogen gas for cooking purposes has advanced in Badigad Rural Municipality of Baglung. After successful testing of hydrogen gas produced using electricity and water, the gas has now begun to be filled into cylinders and tested by lighting cooking stoves.

It has been reported that, after three years of study and research initiated as a pilot project proved successful, hydrogen gas production has moved toward commercial application. The gas produced under the project has been shown to be usable for cooking by burning it in stoves.

The project has been operated in collaboration with Tribhuvan University, universities from different countries, and various scientific and technical institutions. The project team stated that further studies will now focus on the safe distribution system and commercial expansion of hydrogen gas.

Hydrogen gas has been produced using electricity from the Giringdi Khola Micro Hydropower Project located in Badigad-2. Through three years of research conducted in cooperation with seven partner and technical institutions, green hydrogen gas has so far been filled into eight cylinders.

After initial testing proved successful, work on filling cylinders began. According to Mohandas Manandhar, president of the Nepal Energy Foundation, the technology separates oxygen from water and extracts only hydrogen for storage in cylinders. He said the gas can then be used in stoves as needed.

“This is only the beginning, opening countless avenues for future development in the green hydrogen energy sector. We extend our deepest gratitude to Innovate UK for funding this project through Energy Catalyst Program. A huge shout out to our dedicated team and all supporting partners whose hard work made this milestone possible,” said Manandhar.

The work is being carried out through collaboration among the Nepal Energy Foundation, Women’s Network for Energy and Environment Nepal, S&AO Company Limited UK, HSLU Switzerland, the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre Kathmandu, Badigad Rural Municipality, and the Giringdi Khola Micro Hydropower Project.

On Friday, Gandaki Province Minister for Economic Affairs Jeet Bahadur Sherchan inaugurated the project by lighting a stove using the produced hydrogen gas.

According to Dilli Ghimire, manager of the Nepal Energy Foundation, 18 months of study were devoted solely to safely filling the produced gas into cylinders.

He said one kilogram of gas could provide enough fuel for a small family to cook for about one week. Bel Bahadur Thapa, chairperson of the Giringdi Khola Micro Hydropower Cooperative, said that electricity which had previously gone to waste is now being used to produce cooking fuel. He added that future studies will focus on developing and expanding safe cylinders affordable to the public.

According to Ghimire, excluding research costs, nearly 10 million Nepali rupees have already been spent on the project, including reconstruction of the 75-kilowatt micro-hydropower plant, building and canal repairs, and gas production infrastructure.

“It marks a historic milestone with the inauguration ceremony of the HyHEG project. We have successfully produced green hydrogen using electricity generated from Giringdi Khola Micro-hydro power plant through a 5 kW AEM electrolyser integrated with a hydrogen storage facility. The generated hydrogen is supplied to specially designed hydrogen cookstoves. This facility will now operate as a demonstration kitchen powered by green hydrogen produced locally in Nepal,” said Ghimire.