Introduction Global awareness of the need for coordinated action to limit the negative effects of global warming has increased over the past few years.In order to support this cause, the majority of large economies, including India, have pledged to achieve targets of net zero carbon emissions.India, the third-largest carbon dioxide (CO2) emitter in the world, has taken numerous steps to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve net zero emissions by 2070.In order to decarbonize industries like ammonia, refineries, iron and steel, methanol, and heavy-duty trucking, the government is prioritizing the use of green hydrogen.
In recent years, India has emerged as one of the world's leading climate change combatants, and its adoption of green hydrogen is expected to lead this trend.The National Hydrogen Mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during India's 75th Independence Day celebrations in August 2021. This was the nation's first significant step toward adopting green hydrogen.He stated his intention to transform India into a global canter for the production and export of green hydrogen and laid out the 25-year plan for the country's hydrogen development.
How does green hydrogen work?
The lightest and most abundant element in nature is hydrogen, the first element on the periodic table.Hydrogen is a form of energy that, like electricity, must be produced from another substance.Hydrogen can be produced from biomass, fossil fuels, or water, which can then be separated and utilized as a fuel or energy source.
Electrolysis, in which hydrogen and oxygen in water are separated with an electrical current, is one method of producing hydrogen.If renewable sources (such as hydro, solar, and wind)are used to generate electricity for this process. Because there are no carbon emissions throughout the production process, the hydrogen that is produced is regarded as "green." This makes green hydrogen one of the cleanest fuels that are currently available.
The world's annual demand for hydrogen is currently 70 million metric tons, with natural gas accounting for 76%, coal for 23%, and water electrolysis accounting for the remaining 2%.The point is to increment hydrogen creation by the electrolysis strategy and decrease creation by means of the other two techniques.It is possible to achieve cost parity between green hydrogen and hydrogen derived from natural gas by 2030, if not sooner.
Initiatives by the government:
The government is aware that producing hydrogen requires a lot of energy and that producing green hydrogen from renewable sources is necessary to guarantee the nation's sustainable energy security.In addition, expanding the production of hydrogen encourages the expansion of renewable energy capacity.The need to import crude oil and reliance on fossil fuels will be lessened as a result of this.By 2030, the government intends to produce five million tonnes of green hydrogen.It has taken a number of steps to reach this goal:
Mission for National Hydrogen:The mission was launched with the intention of assisting India in meeting its climate goals and making it a green hydrogen hub.The following are some important aspects of the policy:Renewable power can be purchased from outside sources or built in-house by manufacturers, any excess renewable energy can be stored with the distribution company for a maximum of 30 days, after which it can be retrieved as needed by a manufacturer of green hydrogen, priority access to the grid will be granted to the renewable energy plant and producers of green hydrogen in order to avoid any delays in the process.Manufacturers of hydrogen will be eligible for an incentive known as a Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO).The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy would establish a single platform for quickly completing all tasks, including statutory approvals, to make doing business easier.For the next 25 years, there won't be any fees for transmission between states.
Potential Plan for India's Green Hydrogen Adoption is the primary Global Environment Highest point was gathered in New Delhi. The PHD Office of Business and Industry coordinated the culmination, with Advancement Norway being the nation accomplice.The summit was very successful, and the Indian government accepted many of the main ideas for introducing green hydrogen throughout the country.
Trains for hydrogen fuel:The 700-horsepower diesel-hydraulic locomotives that are currently operating on the Himachal Pradesh narrow-gauge stretch between Kalka and Shimla have been the subject of a request for proposals from the Indian Railways Organization for Alternate Fuels (IROAF) for the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-based hybrid power train.
Buses on hydrogen fuel:A global request for expressions of interest to supply 10 hydrogen fuel cell-based electric buses and 10 hydrogen fuel cell-based electric vehicles in Leh and Delhi has been issued by NTPC Ltd, India's largest power producer and a central PSU under the Ministry of Power.
Project for Green Hydrogen Mobility:Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, laid the groundwork for the Kawas Green Hydrogen Blending with Natural Gas project in Gujarat and the Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh on July 30, 2022.The first is a test project in which five buses with fuel cells will travel around Leh. The second is India's first green hydrogen blending project with the goal of cutting down on natural gas use.
Future Prospects India has a significant advantage in the production of green hydrogen due to its advantageous geographical location and abundance of natural resources.India also benefits from rapidly falling electrolyte costs and inexpensive renewable energy.In India, adding the necessary capacity for the generation, storage, and transmission of renewable power can make green hydrogen production more cost-effective.India's self-sufficiency will gradually rise as a result of this, as will energy security.
Green hydrogen has the potential to cut India's CO2 emissions by 3.6 gigatonnes between now and 2050.The nation could involve this as a critical device to additional it’s as of late revealed environment desires and accomplish its 2070 net zero carbon target.These emissions will be reduced with the use of green hydrogen.
In the event that India's hydrogen reception plan proceeds according to plan, it is assessed that ventures of US$ 1 billion can be anticipated in hydrogen innovative work to permit game-changing advancements for the whole world. With the support of proactive collaboration between innovators, entrepreneurs, and the government, green hydrogen can significantly assist India in combating climate change. It has the potential to make India one of the first major economies in the world to industrialize without "carbonizing" in addition to assisting the nation in exporting high-value green products.
