Ans– Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the world. it is light, storable, dense in energy, and does not generate direct admission of pollutants are greenhouse gases on burning. with the assistance of innovation, hydrogen can be isolated on a variety of code-grey hydrogen, blue hydrogen, turquoise hydrogen, and green hydrogen.
Green hydrogen is a clean fuel that permits sustainable power to be produced using electrolysis of hydrogen-rich compounds, generally using water, wind, or sun-oriented energy.
As per International Energy Agency (IEA), the global energy demand will expand by 30% toward the finish of 2040. Showing dependency on oil and coal will excavate more greenhouse gases and Impact the Global decarbonizing of the planet target by 2050 around.
In this situation, green hydrogen will turn into a unique advantage in the field of energy. many countries like Germany, Japan, South Korea, UAE, etc. They have already raised their mission for green hydrogen.
According to the reports of India energy Outlook 2021, there will be a 25% rise in energy demand in countries within the next two decades and by 2030 India’s Total energy demand will surpass the European Union’s demand.
Keeping the rising demand in the energy sector, the government of India is continuously putting in its efforts. right now, India depends upon 4 as the major source of energy production and other fossil fuels. on the other hand, the Government of India is also committed to the Paris agreement’s goals of achieving energy through Renewable Sources. the target of 175 Gw through enable sources by 2020 has been set.
Which government of India proposed a budget of Rupees 1500 crore in the financial year 2021-22. Out of which rupees 25 crores will be spent on the research and development of the national hydrogen mission for the utilization of hydrogen as an energy source.
On 15 August 2021, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced the national hydrogen mission roadmap for enabling us to enable the domestic hydrogen economy and emerged India as a global leader in the production of green hydrogen.
Similarly, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan earlier minister of petroleum and natural gas stressed for blending of green and blue hydrogen with CNG.
Significance of national hydrogen mission–
- Green hydrogen is a renewable energy source, available in abundance in nature.
- Emits nearly zero carbon emission, so helped India in its Paris agreement targets of minimizing its carbon footprint.
- Reduces India’s current account deficit as India imports 85% of oil and 55% of gas and CNG for their needs.
- Implementing the National hydrogen mission will save up to 12 lakh crores of the economic drain.
- Hydrogen fuel-based cells are superior to electric vehicles with lithium batteries.
- India to improve in its energy transition index ranging from 87th in 2021.
Challenges to National hydrogen mission–
- Hydrogen is much flammable in comparison to gasoline.
- Hydrogen density is very less than compared to gasoline so it is difficult to transport.
- It needs – 253 degrees or 700 times atmospheric pressure for storage. so huge maintenance and transportation costs.
- The cost of producing green hydrogen is very high approx. 350 rupees per kg in India.
- New technologies like carbon capture and storage (CSS), Nitrogen fuel cell-based technology are at a nascent stage.
Despite these challenges, India is showing faith in becoming a global leader in green hydrogen production in upcoming years.
Achievements in the National hydrogen mission–
- NTPC set up hydrogen to methanol plant at Vindhyachal.
- Delhi government-initiated hydrogen compressed natural gas (HCNG) in government buses.
- Reliance announced the production of 100 Gw renewable energy through green hydrogen.
Way Forward–
- More expenditure on research and development and capacity building.
- Institutional collaboration.
- International collaborations with free countries like Japan, South Korea, Germany, etc.
- Production linked incentive for the production of made in India– electrolyzers.
- Firm legislation, political will, Visionary mindset are the key.
- Collaboration with Gulf cooperation Councils.
Thus, the National hydrogen mission is a futuristic reason that can help the country not only to cut down its carbon emission but also diversify its energy basket and reduce external reliance. Recently India has proved to become a bold second most suitable place for manufacturing hub. So, India will achieve the target of the national hydrogen mission at the same pace. a day will come when India becomes “Atmanirbhar” in energy production.
