Green Hydrogen

• Green hydrogenis a type of hydrogen that is produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power.
• The electrolysis process splits water into hydrogen and oxygen,and the hydrogen produced can be used as a clean and renewable fuel.
• Uses:
  • Chemical industry:Manufacturing ammonia and fertilisers.
  • Petrochemical industry: Production of petroleum products.
  • Furthermore, it is starting to be used in the steel industry,a sector which is under considerable pressure in Europe because of its polluting effect.

Significance of Green Hydrogen

• Achieving Emission Target:Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Targets and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability.
  • Under the Paris Climate Agreement,India pledged to reduce the emission intensity of its economy by 33-35% from 2005 levels by 2030. Green hydrogen can drive India’s transition to clean energy, combat climate change.
• Energy Storage and Mobility: Green Hydrogencan act as an energy storage option, which would be essential to meet intermittencies (of renewable energy) in the future.
  • In terms of mobility, forlong distance mobilizations for either urban freight movement within cities and states or for passengers, Green Hydrogen can be used in railways, large ships, buses or trucks,
• Reducing Import Dependence:It will reduce India’s import dependency on fossil fuels. The localisation of electrolyser production and the development of green hydrogen projects can create a new green technologies market in India worth USD 18-20 billion and thousands of jobs.

Challenges Related to Green Hydrogen

• High Production Costs:Currently, the production of green hydrogen is more expensive than hydrogen produced from fossil fuels.
  • This is because the process of electrolysis,which is used to produce green hydrogen, requires a large amount of electricity, and the cost of renewable electricity is still relatively high in India.
• Lack of Infrastructure:There is currently a lack of infrastructure in India for the production, storage, and distribution of green hydrogen.
  • This includes a lack of hydrogen refuelling stations and pipelines for transporting 
• Limited Adoption:Despite the potential benefits of green hydrogen, there is currently limited adoption of this technology in India.
  • This is due to alack of awareness and understanding of green hydrogen among the general public, as well as a lack of incentives for businesses to switch to this technology.
• Economic Sustainability: Extraction of green hydrogenis one of the biggest challenges facing the industry for using hydrogen commercially.
  • For transportation fuel cells, hydrogen must be cost-competitivewith conventional fuels and technologies on a per-mile basis.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

The Mission states that India will develop green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million tonnes (MT) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 gigawatts (GW) in the country by 2030. This will entail over Rs 8 lakh crore of total investments and is expected to generate six lakh jobs. It will also lead to a cumulative reduction in fossil fuel imports by over Rs 1 lakh crore and an abatement of nearly 50 MT of annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Looking ahead

• Increase the Capacity to Generate Renewable Electricity:In order to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production, it is necessary to increase the capacity to generate renewable electricity in India.
  • This can be done through the expansion of renewable energy sourcessuch as solar and wind power.
• Developing Hydrogen Infrastructure: There is a need to develop infrastructure for the production, storage, and distribution of green hydrogento make this technology more accessible. This includes building hydrogen refuelling stations and pipelines for transporting hydrogen.
• Implement Regulatory Incentives:The government can play a key role in promoting the adoption of green hydrogen by implementing regulatory incentives, such as tax credits and subsidies, to encourage the production and use of this technology.
• Raise Awareness and Understanding of Green Hydrogen:It is important to educate the public about the benefits of green hydrogen and the role it can play in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • This can be done through public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives.

Read More - https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/indias-green-hydrogen-push-national-green-hydrogen-mission-8361850/