Dahej industrial park pilots hydrogen-based long-duration storage
Payal Industrial Park (PIP) in Dahej, Gujarat, has partnered with Bay Area-based energy startup Fourier to deploy a hydrogen-powered long-duration energy storage system designed to support industrial operations during extended grid outages.
According to the announcement, the system is capable of providing backup power for durations ranging from 12 hours to one week without reliance on the electricity grid.
The partnership is aimed at addressing long-duration energy storage requirements as India expands renewable energy capacity. While battery energy storage systems are commercially viable for shorter outages of up to four hours, the project focuses on providing resilience for extended disruptions using hydrogen-based storage.
Hydrogen storage model
Fourier’s system combines battery-based rapid response capability with on-site hydrogen storage. The company stated that its approach is based on producing hydrogen at the point of use, reducing the need for transportation and external storage logistics associated with hydrogen supply chains.
The hydrogen production units are designed in a modular format similar to server racks and use replaceable electrolyser “blades” to support redundancy, uptime, and maintenance. The system also incorporates software algorithms to manage power supply and demand in real time.
Dahej pilot project
Dahej is a major industrial and chemical manufacturing hub with high and continuous electricity demand, where power disruptions can directly affect industrial production.
According to the companies, the pilot project aligns with the Government of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which is promoting demonstration projects for grid-scale hydrogen storage applications.
The companies stated that the Dahej deployment could serve as a model for replication across other industrial corridors in India if the pilot is successful. PIP has previously collaborated with industrial companies including Hindalco, Silox Group, and Gharda Chemicals.
The pilot project is intended to demonstrate the use of hydrogen-based systems for improving energy reliability, reducing exposure to fuel price volatility, and supporting decarbonisation of industrial backup power systems.
Company statements
Siraj, Director of Arete Group, which operates PIP, stated that the partnership is intended to support integration of sustainable technologies within industrial operations while maintaining competitiveness.
Siva Yellamraju, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fourier, stated that the company’s modular on-site systems are designed to simplify hydrogen adoption by producing hydrogen close to the point of consumption and reducing dependence on diesel-based backup systems.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
