IOC launches hydrogen-CNG dispensing station

The global oil prices are rising day by day and need of oil is also increasing, so to cater for the need to import crude oil is also increasing. To reduce India's growing dependence on crude oil imports, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) launched a hydrogen-CNG dispensing station in Faridabad.
This station is first of its type in India. Petroleum Minister Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar inaugurated the gas station.

The petroleum minister in this occasion said that at present, India is importing around 2/3 of its crude oil requirement and the demand is likely to rise to within the next 20 years.
“So its time to use some alternate fuels to overcoming shortage in oil and gas in the country, specially when the international crude oil prices have risen to $ 62 per barrel from $ 28 just a few years ago," he said.

The commercial use of hydrogen-blended CNG fuel has been a pilot project of IOC since last year when it announced its plans to use hydrogen-CNG fuel in commercial buses.
Currently hydrogen isexpensive to produce but if successfully exploited, it can reduce dependence on hydrocarbon fuels, as it is the most abundant element in the universe.

An MoU was also signed between a village panchayat in Haryana and the UK firm D1 for the production of bio-diesel from the jatropha plant. The village panchayat will grow jatropha on 1,000 acre of land and send the seeds to D1 for production of non-edible oil which would be mixed with diesel.
"IOC and other oil companies will purchase bio-diesel from D1 at Rs 25 per litre for mixing it with diesel,” said Mr Aiyar.

Officials of the company said that at first, 5 % hydrogen will be mixed with CNG for use in four vehicles and the percentage would be gradually increased to reach the optimum level.
In this occasion chairman of IOC Mr Sarthak Behuria said that the company would rise its disbursement on research and development to Rs 1,136 crore in the 11th Plan period from Rs 700 crore during the 10th Plan.