Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells are emerging as a promising solution towards sustainable energy. Recently, the significance of green hydrogen has been highlighted with India’s first Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus inaugurated by the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This initiative marks a revolutionary shift towards clean energy, particularly in the transport sector.
Understanding Green Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells provide a clean, reliable, quiet, and efficient source of high-quality electric power. They utilize Green Hydrogen, which is hydrogen produced through a process called electrolysis using renewable energy sources like wind or solar, to drive an electrochemical process that generates electricity. The only by-products of this process are water and heat, making this energy source eco-friendly.
Fuel cell, the core component of this system, is an electrochemical device that coverts hydrogen’s chemical energy into electrical energy. It consists of two electrodes, anode and cathode, separated by an electrolyte.
Generating Electricity with Green Hydrogen
The process of electricity generation begins with the supply of green hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell. Here, hydrogen molecules release electrons, becoming positively charged hydrogen ions, or protons. These electrons then flow from the anode to the cathode via an external circuit, thus generating an electric current. Oxygen, supplied to the cathode from air, combines with electrons and protons to produce water vapor, the harmless byproduct.
Advantages and Challenges of Green Hydrogen Fuel Cells
The uniqueness of green hydrogen fuel cells lies in its zero-emission characteristic as water is their only byproduct. Additionally, refueling time for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is comparable to conventional vehicles. However, there are challenges too. Presently, green hydrogen production can be expensive, but ongoing research targets cost reduction. Also, for widespread adoption, infrastructure development for production, storage, and distribution is essential.
Impact of India’s First Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus
The Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus, showcasing eco-friendly transportation, uses hydrogen and air to generate electricity, with water as its sole byproduct. With three times the energy density than conventional fuels and zero harmful emissions, hydrogen presents itself as a cleaner and more efficient choice for energy. IndianOil plans to expand this fleet with 15 more buses in Delhi NCR by the end of 2023 to assess efficiency and sustainability.
Green Hydrogen’s Role in Transforming India’s Energy Landscape
Hydrogen and biofuels are projected to account for 25% of global incremental energy demand growth over the next two decades. India intends to become a green hydrogen hub, boosting production and export. Successful implementation of the Green Hydrogen Mission can shift India’s position from a fossil energy importer to a clean hydrogen energy exporter, supporting its ambition to achieve Net-Zero emissions by 2070.
India’s Efforts to Promote Green Energy
In its commitment towards green energy, India has launched several initiatives like the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and National Green Hydrogen Mission.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Previous Year Questions
Three questions related to green hydrogen were asked in previous UPSC Civil Services Examination. One question highlighted the potential role of green hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy industries like fertilizer plants, oil refineries, and steel plants. Another question focused on the diverse use-cases of green hydrogen, such as fuel for internal combustion, blended with natural gas for heat or power generation, and in hydrogen fuel cells for running vehicles. The third question addressed the byproduct of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which is water (H2O).