According to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), hydrogen is predicted to constitute 12% of the energy mix by 2050. Interestingly, about 66% of this hydrogen should ideally be derived from water instead of natural gas. IRENA has recently released the ‘World Energy Transitions Outlook’ Report, providing an in-depth analysis of hydrogen’s role in the evolving energy landscape.
Types and Applications of Hydrogen
Hydrogen, one of the most abundant elements on earth, is considered a promising alternative fuel option. The distinct types of hydrogen—green, brown, grey, and blue—are categorized based on their production methods. For instance, green hydrogen is obtained via electrolysis of water powered by renewable energy and leaves water or water vapor as by-products, making it a cleaner option with a lower carbon footprint.
Hydrogen serves as an energy carrier and can store a substantial amount of energy. It is primarily used in petroleum refining and fertilizer production, but its use in transportation and utilities is gaining momentum. Due to its high efficiency and zero-or near zero-emissions operation, hydrogen and fuel cells can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across various applications.
Global and Indian Scenario
Despite hydrogen’s potential, less than 1% of worldwide production is green hydrogen. To meet future demand, manufacturing and deployment of electrolysers must surge from the present capacity of 0.3 gigawatts to nearly 5,000 gigawatts by 2050.
In India, around six million tonnes of hydrogen are consumed annually for industrial purposes, a figure that could increase to around 28 million tonnes by 2050. This surge would largely be due to expanding industry demands, transport, and power sectors. By 2030, it is anticipated that green hydrogen’s cost will rival conventional hydrocarbon fuels and decrease further subsequently. Moreover, India’s hydrogen demand could quintuple by 2050, with green hydrogen making up 80% of the total.
Benefits and Potential of Green Hydrogen for India
Harnessing green hydrogen can accelerate India’s transition to clean energy and aid in combating climate change. With its abundant sunlight and favorable geographical location, India shows great potential for producing green hydrogen. Green hydrogen technologies can be especially valuable in sectors where direct electrification isn’t possible, such as heavy-duty or long-range transport and some industrial sectors. The creation of regional hubs exporting high-value green products can be facilitated at this early stage of industry development.
Economic Challenges and Future Steps
Despite the potential, the economic viability of green hydrogen remains a significant challenge. For it to compete with traditional fuels as transportation fuel, the production cost needs to be competitive on a per-mile basis. In addition, high costs and lack of infrastructure for fuel cells, necessary for converting hydrogen fuel into usable energy for cars, remain significant hurdles.
To address these challenges, the Union Budget for 2021-22 has announced a National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) to establish a roadmap for using hydrogen as an energy source. Initiatives like Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), International Solar Alliance, and PM-KUSUM are designed to promote renewable energy in India. Moreover, policymakers must facilitate investments for early-stage piloting and the research needed to advance technology use in India. An exciting future awaits as India sets sights on becoming a net exporter of green hydrogen by 2030 due to its cheap renewable energy tariffs.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024