Green Hydrogen : Clean Fuel of Future

Green hydrogen is produced from using renewable sources of energy such solar and wind. So production of hydrogen this way is most environmentally sustainable, and helps mitigate climate change as production of green hydrogen does not amount to carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

Green Hydrogen is the fuel of the future as it is a source of clean energy. It is produced through electrolysis (which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity) by using renewable (sources of) energy such solar, wind and hydro power.

Why is it named Green Hydrogen?

It is termed 'Green Hydrogen' as it is produced by using non-fossil fuels sources. That means the producing [green] hydrogen this way does not emit greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is the simplest, lightest and most abundant element on the planet. It is a rich source of energy as it has almost three times energy density as compared to diesel.

Hydrogen is an essential industrial fuel which can be used to produce ammonia (a main constituent of fertilizer), to make steel and cement and can power fuel cells which run the cars and buses. If ammonia be produced by using green hydrogen, it would be green ammonia.

Production of hydrogen emits CO2. So decarbonization requires the production of elements like hydrogen to be stopped, giving rise to green hydrogen.

In multiple ways, the hydrogen is produced and a color spectrum is used to make it simple.

Blue and Grey Hydrogen

Hydrogen can be 'grey' and 'brown/black' too. Grey hydrogen is produced through methane and brown/black is produced from coal (brown or black). Production of these hydrogen emits CO2 into the atmosphere. Producing 1 kg of grey hydrogen ends up in producing 9 kg of CO2.

Blue hydrogen is produced using electricity generated by using fossil fuels but carbon released in this process is prevented from entering the atmosphere with the technologies.

Advantages of Green Hydrogen

Contributes To Grid Stability

The intermittent nature of renewable sources of energy leads to grid instability. Green Hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time and the stored hydrogen can be used to generate electricity using fuel cells. 

Fuel cells are more energy efficient in comparison to traditional combustion engines.

Hydrogen gas reacts with oxygen in a fuel cell, an electrochemical device that converts energy of a chemical into electricity and water vapor. Hydrogen therefore serves as a means of energy storage and contributes to grid stability. 

Help To Mitigate Climate Change

Green hydrogen can be stored for long-term, therefore it improves long-term energy storage capabilities of renewable energy, as a result of that it will help India to fight climate change.

Easy To Store and Transport

It can be used where it is produced and elsewhere as it can be stored in large amounts and transported as well.

Reliable Source of Energy

It is becoming a reliable source of energy for industries as it can be produced and stored on-site, thus reducing dependence on grid electricity. It can also be transported as well in a large amount.

Particular advantage of green hydrogen is that it can be produced wherever there is water and electricity (solar panel) to produce more electricity or heat.

Create Employments

Production of green hydrogen will create a number of new industries and jobs, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

Opportunity for India To Develop Green Hydrogen

Rich countries around the world which are on the path of energy transition with net zero emission targets need green hydrogen.

Development of green hydrogen around the world is in its nascent stage and many technologies are currently being tested. 

Given that India has already started a number of pilot projects in this area, it has the opportunity to take the lead and become a hub of green hydrogen.

India has already expressed its desire to be the largest producer of green hydrogen to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, particularly imported ones. India's 75% of energy demand is met by fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.

When compared to hydrogen sourced from fossil fuels, the production and supply of green hydrogen has the potential to reduce 830 million tons of CO2 emissions per year in India, making it the most promising solution to the decarbonization challenge in the country.

Recent success of electric vehicles and renewable energy projects have shown that technology innovation along with policies of the government have potential to establish global clean energy industries.

Why does India need to produce green hydrogen?

It stands as pivotal for India’s energy transition and decarbonization.

Green hydrogen helps to meet India’s energy needs while reducing emissions as it is produced using renewable energy.

Main motivation of producing green hydrogen is to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses thus mitigate climate change. Using fossil-fuels for power generation and and in transportation is making the largest contribution to global emissions.

India is committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 33-35% by 2030 under the Paris agreement, 2015. In Glasgow Climate Change Conference 2021, India reiterated its commitment and accordingly now will bring down emission intensity of its economy by 45% by 2030 which previously was 33-35% and will achieve the targets of net zero carbon emissions by 2070. 

India has also committed to meet its 50% energy requirements from renewable sources of energy.

Help to achieve 500 GW renewable energy target by 2030.

As of June 2024, India’s total renewable energy (RE) capacity (excluding hydropower dams bigger than 25 MW) stood at 148 GW. India has committed to install 500 GW of RE capacity by 2030 as a part of its NDCs under the Paris Agreement. To achieve this target, India has to rely on green hydrogen for adding an almost equivalent RE capacity (125 GW) by 2030.

In contrast to the 45 GW annually required to meet the 2030 plan, India installed just 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity in 2023.

To reduce dependency on imported fuels

India's average annual energy import bill is more than 100 billion dollars. India wants to move from the dependency of imported fossil fuels to an energy independent nation.

To become an energy independent country by 2047, the Indian government felt the need to introduce green Hydrogen as an alternative fuel.

The National Hydrogen Mission was launched on August 15, 2021 with a view to bring down carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable sources of energy.

National Hydrogen Mission (NHM)

The National Green Hydrogen (NGH) Mission is aimed to make India the global hub for the production of green hydrogen from renewable sources of energy.

This mission will help India to achieve its aim of becoming Aatmanirbhar through clean energy transition and also works as inspiration for the world towards clean energy.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE ) will be responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of the NHM.

Benefits of National Hydrogen Mission

There lots of benefits of green hydrogen including decarbonisation, green fertilizer and reducing Dependency on imported fossil fuels.

Decarbonization

The Mission will significantly decarbonize the economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports, and allow India to take technology and market leadership in Green Hydrogen.

Green Fertilizer 

It also envisaged production of green ammonia using green hydrogen and green ammonia produces green fertilizer further contributing to emission cuts.

Reduces dependency on imported fossil fuels 

The Union Government of India has approved Rs 19,744 crore for the National Green Hydrogen Mission to develop the green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) annually by 2030. This is a great step towards decarbonisation of industries such as cement, steel and mobility and power sectors as well as reducing dependency of imported fossil fuels.

Facilitate Export of Green Hydrogen

The NHM under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT) will facilitate demand creation and production, utilization and export of green hydrogen.

Incentivise Domestic Manufacturing

The mission also provides incentives for domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and production of green hydrogen. 

Under the mission Rs 13000 crore has been allocated for the SIGHT fund in order to provide direct support to consume green hydrogen. This will encourage industries to increase demand.

Green Hydrogen Hubs 

Under the mission, the regions will be identified as Green Hydrogen Hubs which are capable of producing and/or utilizing green hydrogen at large scale.

R&D 

The mission will facilitate a public-private partnership for R&D (Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership—SHIP).

First Green Hydrogen Plant

Oil India Limited (PSU) has set up India's 99.99% pure green hydrogen pilot plant in Duliajan in (eastern) Assam.

Overall, to generate power with 'net-zero' emission will be the best solution to achieve the target of keeping the temperature under 1.5 degree celsius (from pre-industrial level) as committed in the Paris Agreement, 2015.

Obstacles

High Production Cost

High cost of production of green hydrogen is a prime obstacle in the way of its becoming a source of power generation with net-zero emission. 

Since production of hydrogen needs electricity which is being generated mainly by burning of coal, a fossil fuel responsible for major carbon emissions and a costly substance especially for India which is importing it in large amounts. Electricity production from renewable energy sources will be less costly than fossils.

Expensive Transportation 

Transportation of Green hydrogen is also very expensive. In India, currently most renewable energy resources are situated far from the potential demand centers. So if Green hydrogen were to be transported it would put a huge cost on the economy.

Way Forward

The Key step to resolve the transportation problem is to produce green hydrogen in a decentralized manner with open access of renewable energy to an electrolyser.