Green Hydrogen: Why green hydrogen presents both major opportunities, significant challenges

Source: The post Green Hydrogen has been created, based on the article “Why green hydrogen presents both major opportunities, significant challenges” published in “Indian Express” on 6th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-economy- infrastructure- renewable energy

News: The article discusses India’s efforts to use green hydrogen, a cleaner fuel, for transportation. It talks about government funding for pilot projects, development by vehicle manufacturers, and challenges like cost, infrastructure, and technology for hydrogen fuel compared to traditional and electric vehicles.

For details information on green hydrogen read Article 1, Article 2, Article 3

What is the New Scheme by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)?

MNRE’s New Scheme: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in India has announced a key scheme with several components:

Funding Allocation: Rs 496 crore allocated, extending until 2025-26.

Pilot Project Support: Focus on pilot projects to test green hydrogen as a vehicle fuel.

Infrastructure Focus: Development of hydrogen refuelling stations.

Role of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways: Collaboration in selecting and executing projects.

Project Execution Agency: The selected company or consortium will act as the executing agency.

Viability Gap Funding (VGF): MNRE, based on the Project Appraisal Committee’s recommendation, will approve VGF for each project, considering their specific needs, merits, and feasibility.

Timeframe: The executive agency must complete the pilot project within two years.

How is Green Hydrogen Produced?

Green hydrogen is produced using a process called electrolysis, where water is split into hydrogen and oxygen. This process is powered by renewable energy sources, making it environmentally friendly and virtually emission-free.

Unlike grey hydrogen, which is created from natural gas and emits a lot of carbon, green hydrogen uses water as its feedstock and doesn’t release any carbon upon consumption.

This method positions green hydrogen as an end-to-end sustainable energy solution.

What are the benefits of green Hydrogen Fuel?

Emission Reduction: Green hydrogen, being virtually emission-free in production and usage, significantly reduces greenhouse gases.

Environmental Impact: It aids in combating global warming and climate change by offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels.

Energy Independence: India could reduce its dependence on costly fossil fuel imports, contributing to energy security.

Economic Opportunity: There’s potential for India to become a global hub in the production and export of green hydrogen, fostering new business opportunities.

Sustainable Transportation: It’s a promising solution for the transportation sector, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles like trucks and buses, where it can replace diesel, reducing pollution.

Technological Advancement: Green hydrogen production advances renewable energy technologies and supports the shift towards sustainable energy practices.

What challenges does Green Hydrogen face?

Cost Challenges:

High production costs make green hydrogen currently more expensive than other fuels.

Storage demands stronger carbon fibre for high-pressure cylinders, adding to the expense.

Developing infrastructure like refueling stations incurs significant costs.

Technical and Supply Issues:

Storing and transporting hydrogen is complex due to high pressure requirements.

Supply complications, as observed with Shell’s hydrogen refueling stations in California.

Safety and Standards:

Hydrogen’s flammability necessitates stringent safety protocols and handling standards.

Competition and Market Readiness:

Electric vehicles (EVs), particularly with advancements in battery technology, pose a competitive challenge.

Green hydrogen-powered vehicles are yet to gain widespread acceptance as an alternative to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for personal transportation.

What are Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles?

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) use hydrogen to generate electricity through a fuel cell, powering the vehicle. They store hydrogen in high-pressure tanks and convert it into electricity, with water being the only byproduct.

These vehicles are lighter than battery electric vehicles (BEVs) because hydrogen is a light element and fuel cell stacks weigh less than EV batteries. FCEVs are seen as a viable option, especially for heavy-duty trucks, due to their increased payload capacity.

Questions for practice:

Examine the key challenges hindering the widespread adoption of green hydrogen as a fuel for transportation in India, particularly in comparison to traditional and electric vehicles.