Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology made headlines when he launched India’s first Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) Bus. This event also marked the inauguration of the Bisphenol-A pilot plant in the CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory, a key feedstock for producing epoxy resins, polycarbonate, and other engineering plastics.
Understanding Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hydrogen fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert hydrogen into electrical energy. They function similarly to traditional batteries used in electric vehicles, but with a significant difference – they do not run out of charge and don’t require recharging with electricity. As long as there is a supply of hydrogen, these fuel cells will continue to generate electricity. One of the most successful fuel cell types leverages the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to form water.
Why Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Vehicles Are Advantaged
Vehicles powered by HFCs are gaining attention due to their environmental and operational advantages. These vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions and only emit water vapour and warm air. In terms of efficiency, they outperform vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Moreover, they have an edge over battery-powered EVs when it comes to refuelling times. Hydrogen can be refilled in an HFC vehicle in minutes, similar to how quickly fossil-fueled vehicles can be refueled.
Breakthrough: The Key Highlights of HFC Bus Innovation
India’s first HFC bus was developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and KPIT, an Indian multinational corporation. This innovative creation aligns with the National Hydrogen Energy Mission, using hydrogen and air to generate electricity. Its enviably eco-friendly aspect is the emission of only water as an effluent. This HFC bus promises a lower operational cost per kilometre than diesel-powered vehicles, holding the potential to revolutionize freight in India.
Unveiling the National Hydrogen Energy Mission
In the Union Budget 2021-22, the National Hydrogen Energy Mission was announced to devise strategies for utilizing hydrogen as an energy source. This mission focuses on harnessing one of Earth’s most abundant elements (Hydrogen) as a cleaner fuel alternative to transform transportation. This initiative, centred on generating hydrogen from green power resources, aims to connect India’s burgeoning renewable capacity with the hydrogen economy. This will aid India in achieving emission goals under the Paris Agreement and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.
The Significance of HFC Bus Launch
This groundbreaking innovation aligns with the Prime Minister’s Hydrogen Vision, promoting affordable and accessible clean energy, meeting climate change goals, and fostering entrepreneurship and job creation. Green hydrogen is a superior clean energy vector that enables deep decarbonisation, especially from heavy commercial transport sections. Fuel cell vehicles emit zero greenhouse gases, and their operational cost per kilometre is lower than diesel-powered vehicles. Through such innovations, India can progress from being a net importer of fossil energy to becoming a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy.
Defining Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using an electrolyser powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. This fuel type is seen as a game-changer for India’s energy security. In February 2022, the Ministry of Power notified the Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy for producing Green Hydrogen or Green Ammonia using renewable energy resources.
The Importance of Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen energy plays a vital role in India’s pursuit of its Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets and ensures regional and national energy security. It serves as an energy storage option, crucial to counter future intermittencies of renewable energy. Green hydrogen can be employed in railways, large ships, buses, trucks, etc., for long-distance mobilisations for urban freight movement within cities and states or for passengers.
Government Of India’s Efforts Towards Clean Fuel Transition
The Indian government is promoting clean fuel transition through several initiatives, including the NTPC’s project for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), FAME India Scheme, EV30@30 campaign, and by planning a roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025.
Past UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
In line with these developments, relevant questions have been featured in previous years’ UPSC Civil Services Examination, like the one about raw materials used for the production of biofuels according to India’s National Policy on Biofuels, and another about the by-products of ‘fuel cells’ when utilising hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen to generate electricity.