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Green Hydrogen
What is Green Hydrogen?
- Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity.
Types of Hydrogen:
Hydrogen is an invisible gas. So, there is no visible difference between the different types of hydrogen.
India’s Energy Transition and Economic Growth:
- In India, demand for green hydrogen is growing beyond traditional sectors like refineries, ammonia, and methanol production.
- India has taken firm and steady actions for energy transition, including:
- Leading the announcement of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Climate Deal.
- Expanding renewable capacity.
- Easing climate financing.
- Announcing the goal of achieving net-zero emissions.
- India has set its sight on becoming energy independent by 2047.
- Country’s demand for Green Hydrogen is expected to grow more than fourfold by 2050. To meet this demand Steps have been taken by the government.
Challenges for Green Hydrogen:
- High cost of green hydrogen production.
- It is hard to storage and transported requiring specialised cylinders and infrastructure
- Hydrogen is extremely flammable, necessitating robust handling and safety standards to ensure safe use.
- Advancements in battery technology could challenge the viability of hydrogen-powered vehicles.
India’s Initiatives toward Green Hydrogen:
- National Green Hydrogen Policy, 2022:
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- Aim: Achieve 5 million metric tonnes of annual green hydrogen production and reduce fossil fuel imports by over ₹1 trillion.
- Prevent 50 million metric tonnes of annual greenhouse gas emissions.
- Green Hydrogen Mission:
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- Launched in January 2023, with an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crores up to FY 2029-30.
- Aim: Contribute to India’s Atma Nirbhar (self-reliant) through clean energy.
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- Components of the Mission:
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- Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT), Incentives for manufacturing electrolysers and production of green hydrogen.
- Development of Green Hydrogen Hubs.
- Establishing a robust framework of regulations and standards.
- Expected Outcomes by 2030:
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- Production Capacity: 5 MMT per annum of Green Hydrogen.
- Economic Impact: Reduction of ₹1 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel imports.
- Environmental Impact: Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions expected to be averted.
Conclusion:
- Green Hydrogen is poised to play a crucial role in India’s energy transition, especially in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.
- The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to develop a Green Hydrogen ecosystem, fostering innovation, investments, job creation, and economic growth.
- Government interventions will catalyse this process, unlocking market potential across various sectors through cost reduction and economies of scale.