Hydrogen is a clean fuel and an essential component of the energy transition. It can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity or burned as a fuel with water as the only byproduct.
Hydrogen is not found freely in nature and must be produced from compounds like water (H2O) or Hydrocarbons (like CH4).
The main methods for Hydrogen production includes Steam Methane reforming, Electrolysis of Water, Coal Gasification, Biomass Gasification.
Types of Hydrogen based on sources includes Black Hydrogen (Coal/Lignite); Grey Hydrogen (Natural gas); Blue Hydrogen (Natural Gas+ Carbon Capture); Green Hydrogen (Electrolysis+ Renewable Energy); Yellow Hydrogen (Electrolysis+ Grid Electricity); Pink Hydrogen (Electrolysis using nuclear energy).
Green Hydrogen is the most sustainable and in focus for India’s clean energy goals.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: Launched in 2023 by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It aims to produce 5 MMT of green hydrogen annually by 2030 and add 125 GW of renewable energy capacity.
Hydrogen is used in fuel cells in backup power, in fuel cell electric vehicles; steel, cement and chemical industries for decarbonization; as clean fuel or ammonia derivative.
Challenges:
1.High cost of green hydrogen
2.Need for large renewable energy capacity
3.Hydrogen storage and transport infrastructure
4.Safety issues.
