What is it?
- Hydrogen, made by splitting water with an electrical process called electrolysis, can be used as a fuel.
- If the devices that do that, electrolyzers, are powered by renewable energy, the product is called green hydrogen.
- It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible gaseous substance.
Types
- Grey Hydrogen – Grey hydrogen is manufactured from fossil fuels like coal and gas, constituting around 95% of total production in South Asia.
- Blue Hydrogen – Blue hydrogen is generated utilizing electricity produced by combusting fossil fuels; however, it incorporates technologies to capture and prevent carbon emissions from being released into the atmosphere.
Advantages
- Green hydrogen can be stored for long periods of time. The stored hydrogen can be used to produce electricity using fuel cells.
- The mission will create export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
- It will decarbonize the industrial, transport, and energy sectors.
- It would reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock.
- It would strengthen indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
- Create multiple employment opportunities.
- It will also develop cutting-edge technologies.
- It will attract global investors and help India achieve its renewable energy targets.
Disadvantages
- Highly expensive for production.
- Hydrogen is very difficult to store.
- Difficult to replace existing infrastructure.
- Highly inflammable.
Indian Initiative – National Green Hydrogen Mission
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will formulate the scheme guidelines for implementation.
- The mission seeks to promote the development of green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonnes) per annum with an associated renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country by 2030.