M.A.W

What is Green hydrogen ? a zero-carbon fuel made by electrolysis using renewable power from wind and solar to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. can be utilized for the generation of power from wind or solar systems and it will be a major step in achieving the target of ‘net zero’ emission.

Currently, India consumes around 5.5 million tones of hydrogen, mostly produced from imported fossil fuels. Currently India produces grey or blue hydrogen which use fossil fuels for it production. According to the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), green hydrogen demand could be up to 1 million tones in India by 2030.

ADVANTAGES OF GREEN HYDROGEN :

1. HIGH FUEL EFFICIENCY

2. LESS AIR POLLUTION

3. OFFSET HIGH POWER DEMAND

4. ROUND THE CLOCK RENEWABLE POWER SUPPLY

5. ZERO EMMISSION

6. UTILIZATION OF IDLE LANDBEDS.

CHALLENGES IN UTLIZATION OF GREEN HYDROGEN IN INDIA :

1. TRAINING OF WORKFORCE : India need to train workers, who are well versed in maintaining and handling the new technology.

2. R&D INVESTMENT : It requires investment in R&D of such technology and infrastructure for production, storage, transportation and demand creation for hydrogen.

3. HIGH MAINTENANCE COST : Maintenance costs for fuel cells post-completion of a plant can be high.

4. CHALLENGE IN LOGISTIC : to compress or liquefy the Liquid hydrogen, it needs to be kept at stable -253° C entailing its ‘prior to use exorbitant cost’.

5. CHALLENGE IN TECHNOLOGY : manufacturing front end hydrogen fuel cell technology, converting hydrogen from wind or solar sources.

India has been focusing on enhancing Hydrogen production with the support of various initiatives such as National Hydrogen Energy Mission which aims to produce Hydrogen from green energy sources. The Indian Railways have announced the country’s first experiment of a hydrogen-fuel cell technology-based train by retrofitting an existing diesel engine. Further Indian corporates too {Reliance etc.} are looking to tap into the perceived opportunities.