The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has recently made a landmark decision by defining a clear Green Hydrogen Standard, a move that places India at the forefront of sustainable energy solutions. This effort is significant as it establishes emission thresholds for ‘green’ hydrogen production.
Understanding Green Hydrogen and its Emission Threshold
Green Hydrogen is defined as the hydrogen produced using renewable energy — this may include, but is not limited to, technologies like electrolysis or the conversion of biomass. Renewable energy in this context also pertains to electricity drawn from renewable sources that have been stored in an energy system or banked with the grid in compliance with the applicable regulations.
The MNRE has stipulated a particular emission threshold for Green Hydrogen. This well-to-gate emission should not exceed 2 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per kg of Hydrogen (H2), as an average calculated over the last year. This emission value covers processes like water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, hydrogen drying, and compression.
The Methodology and Monitoring Approach
The Department plans to introduce a detailed and specific methodology to measure, report, monitor, verify on-site, and certify green hydrogen and its derivatives. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, will act as the Nodal Authority that accredits agencies responsible for overseeing the monitoring, verification, and certification of green hydrogen production projects.
India’s Initiatives for Promoting Green Hydrogen
To facilitate the production of green hydrogen, India launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission aimed at churning out 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by the year 2030. The program is compatible with an approximate target of 125 gigawatts of related renewable energy capacity. Furthermore, the mission offers financial incentives to stimulate local production of electrolysers and green hydrogen. The goal of these incentives is to expedite the technology’s scale-up, encourage development, and cut costs.
Green Hydrogen Consumption Obligations
The MNRE has proposed introducing green hydrogen consumption obligations for industries such as fertilizers and petroleum refining, akin to the renewable purchase obligations for electricity distribution companies. These mandatory obligations will demand the specified industries to incorporate a certain percentage of green hydrogen into their total hydrogen consumption.
The Role of Green Hydrogen in Heavy Industries
Green hydrogen is projected to be instrumental in decarbonizing heavy industries such as fertilizer plants, oil refineries, and steel plants. As one of the cleanest energy sources, green hydrogen has near-zero emissions and can be utilized in fuel cells for cars or in energy-intensive industries like fertilizers and steel production. It can also enable the desulfurization of crude oil without releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, thereby offering a clean, onsite green hydrogen supply that will eventually decarbonize the refining process and mitigate emissions.
Applications of Green Hydrogen
In terms of practical usage, green hydrogen harbors immense potential. It can be used as a fuel for internal combustion, blended with natural gas for heat or power generation purposes, or employed in a hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
These recent initiatives and corresponding developments mark a crucial milestone in India’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions. With the clear definition and support for green hydrogen production, the country is well-positioned to lead global efforts in battling climate change and reducing carbon emissions.