Accelera & GAIL Partner for Green Hydrogen Expansion
Accelera™ by Cummins, the zero-emissions business segment of Cummins Inc., and GAIL (India) Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and India’s leading natural gas company, have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate green hydrogen production, transportation, and storage in India. This collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signifies a major step towards advancing India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and promoting the adoption of zero-emission energy solutions across multiple industries.
Strategic Collaboration to Advance Green Hydrogen in India
The partnership between Accelera and GAIL aims to leverage their respective expertise to expand the hydrogen economy in India. Accelera brings its world-class hydrogen generation technology, particularly its advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer systems, while GAIL contributes its extensive natural gas infrastructure and expertise in energy transportation. By combining their strengths, the two companies seek to create innovative solutions for hydrogen production, blending, transportation, and storage, while also supporting the broader adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source.
Key Objectives of the Partnership
- Hydrogen Production – The collaboration will focus on increasing India’s green hydrogen production capacity by deploying large-scale electrolysis technology. By utilizing renewable energy sources, Accelera and GAIL aim to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen production, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
- Hydrogen Blending – One of the key areas of exploration will be blending hydrogen with natural gas to create a cleaner and more sustainable fuel alternative. This initiative aligns with India’s goal of integrating hydrogen into its existing energy infrastructure while gradually transitioning towards fully renewable energy sources.
- Hydrogen Transportation and Storage – Given GAIL’s extensive pipeline network and energy storage capabilities, the partnership will evaluate efficient methods for transporting and storing hydrogen at scale. These efforts will support industries such as transportation, power generation, and steel manufacturing, which are actively seeking decarbonization solutions.
- Sectoral Applications – The partnership will assess opportunities for green hydrogen utilization across multiple industries. The transportation sector, in particular, is expected to benefit from hydrogen-powered fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles, while the power and steel industries can integrate hydrogen into their production processes to reduce emissions.
Accelera’s Role in Advancing Green Hydrogen Technologies
Accelera, as a leader in clean energy solutions, has been at the forefront of hydrogen innovation. Its PEM electrolyzers are designed to efficiently convert renewable electricity into green hydrogen, supporting the global transition to a sustainable energy future. The company has already deployed over 600 electrolyzer units worldwide, with notable installations including a 20-megawatt (MW) facility in Quebec, Canada, and a 25MW system in Florida, U.S.
Alex Savelli, Global Commercial Leader – Electrolyzers for Accelera, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating, “Accelera’s partnership with GAIL underscores the immense potential of green hydrogen and the capability of large-scale electrolysis for diverse applications. By integrating our advanced electrolyzer technology with GAIL’s established energy infrastructure and market leadership, we are in a strong position to accelerate green hydrogen adoption across India.”
GAIL’s Commitment to Green Hydrogen Expansion
GAIL has been actively involved in India’s green hydrogen initiatives, playing a key role in supporting the country’s clean energy transition. The company successfully commissioned its green hydrogen plant in Vijaipur, Madhya Pradesh, in December 2024, marking a major milestone in its sustainability journey. Accelera played a pivotal role in this project by supplying a 10MW PEM electrolyzer system, consisting of two HyLYZER®-1000 electrolyzer units capable of producing 4.3 tons of green hydrogen per day. The hydrogen generated from this plant is blended with natural gas to power GAIL’s on-site operations, demonstrating a practical and scalable approach to integrating hydrogen into India’s energy mix.
Rajeev Kumar Singhal, Director of Business Development at GAIL, highlighted the importance of this new collaboration: “Building upon the success of our Vijaipur project, our partnership with Accelera further strengthens our commitment to India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. Together, we will work towards developing a robust hydrogen value chain that supports the ambitious goal of producing 5 million tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.”
Knowledge Sharing and Industry Standards
Beyond the immediate deployment of hydrogen projects, the partnership also aims to contribute to the broader hydrogen economy through knowledge sharing and the development of industry standards. This includes:
- Technical Expertise Exchange: Both companies will collaborate on optimizing hydrogen blending techniques and improving the efficiency of electrolyzer operations.
- Industry Standards Development: Establishing guidelines for hydrogen transportation, storage, and safety will be a key focus, ensuring seamless integration with existing energy infrastructure.
- Research and Development: Joint R&D initiatives will explore advancements in hydrogen applications, including next-generation fuel cell technology and hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
The Role of Green Hydrogen in India’s Clean Energy Transition
Green hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a critical component of the global clean energy transition. By producing hydrogen through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, countries can significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and curb carbon emissions. In India, the government has taken proactive steps to promote green hydrogen, launching the National Green Hydrogen Mission with a vision to make the country a global hub for hydrogen production, consumption, and export.
The partnership between Accelera and GAIL aligns with these national objectives, offering scalable solutions to enhance the green hydrogen ecosystem. Some key advantages of green hydrogen include:
- Decarbonization of Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals can replace fossil fuels with hydrogen to cut emissions.
- Energy Storage and Grid Balancing: Hydrogen can serve as an energy storage medium, helping to stabilize grids that rely on intermittent renewable energy sources.
- Clean Mobility: Hydrogen fuel cells offer a viable alternative to traditional batteries for heavy-duty and long-haul transportation, reducing the carbon footprint of logistics and public transport systems.
Global Implications and Future Prospects
As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, partnerships like the one between Accelera and GAIL are instrumental in driving innovation and scalability. India’s green hydrogen ambitions are not just about domestic energy needs but also about positioning the country as a key player in the global hydrogen economy. By investing in cutting-edge technology and fostering strategic collaborations, India has the potential to become a major exporter of green hydrogen in the coming years.
The success of this initiative will likely pave the way for further public-private partnerships, policy support, and infrastructure development. With global investments in hydrogen technology increasing, India’s proactive approach will ensure that it remains at the forefront of the clean energy revolution.
