KU and IPPAN ink agreement to cooperate in the field of hydropower and hydrogen

KATHMANDU: An agreement has been signed between Kathmandu University and Independent Power Producers Association (IPPAN) to cooperate in the field of hydropower and hydrogen.

In the presence of President Vidya Devi Bhandari, an agreement was reached between KU and IPPAN to cooperate in the field of hydropower and hydrogen. The agreement has been signed by Dr. Manish Pokhrel, Dean of School of Engineering and Krishna Acharya, Chairman of IPPAN on behalf of Kathmandu School on the occasion of the third edition of Himalayan Hydro Expo 2022.

The agreement stipulates the reduction of carbon emissions from green hydrogen and the establishment of a center for the design and maintenance of electromechanical components in the country.

Dr. Shailesh Chitrakar, Faculty In-Charge of Turbine Testing, Dr. Ram Lama, Academic Industrial Coordinator and Engineer Laxman Lama were present on behalf of KU at the signing ceremony.

The agreement will be a cornerstone for hydrogen extraction, said Dr. Biraj Singh Thapa, Professor in charge of KU’s Green Hydrogen Lab. Dr. Thapa said that this agreement is very important. He said that the agreement reached with the power generating company would mean a lot.

‘Hydrogen production requires electricity. The agreement with the private sector, which produces electricity, encourages further study, research and production of hydrogen. The government will make laws, policies and rules. It is the private sector that produces and sells. That is why this agreement will play a very important role in the production and distribution of hydrogen. Dr. Thapa said.

Dr. Shailesh Chitrakar, Faculty In-Charge of KU’s Turbine Testing, said that the agreement would further help in resolving the problem of turbines of hydropower projects in Nepal.

Due to the sand, the turbines of Nepal’s old hydropower projects are being eroded ahead of time. Due to which repairs have to be done in a timely manner. But if we regularly check the machines used in these projects, the problem will be less. Doing so also reduces the cost burden on the project. The main objective of the agreement is to prevent rust by installing new technology in the old power houses, ‘said Chitrakar.

Dr. Ram Lama, Academic Industrial Coordinator of KU, stressed on the need to become self-sufficient in energy by strengthening the country’s economy through industrialization by producing hydropower and green hydrogen.