The recent seminar on Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia production in the Process Industry has generated a buzz in energy sectors. Given India’s substantial reliance on imported oil and gas – accounting for 85% and 53% of the country’s requirements respectively – the development of clean, green fuels is a game-changer for national energy security. This article delves deeper into the topic, unpacking the production methods, uses, significant features, and policies surrounding Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia.
Understanding Green Hydrogen
India is considering making it mandatory for fertilizer plants and oil refineries to purchase Green Hydrogen, a promising clean fuel. It is produced by using an electrolyzer to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, powered by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Green Hydrogen plays a key role in various industries. It is used in the chemical industry to manufacture ammonia and fertilizers, while in the petrochemical industry, it facilitates the production of petroleum products. Recently, it has also started gaining traction in the steel industry, known for its significant pollution effects.
This clean energy source is vital for India to fulfill its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Targets and ensure regional and national energy security. Moreover, Green Hydrogen can act as an energy storage option, crucial for tackling renewable energy intermittencies. In terms of mobility, it can fuel railways, large ships, buses, or trucks for long-distance freight movement within cities and states.
The Scope of Green Ammonia
Ammonia, primarily used in manufacturing nitrogenous fertilizers, can also run engines when produced in a green, carbon-free manner. The production process involves using hydrogen from water electrolysis and nitrogen separated from the air, then combining them in the Haber process (Also known as Haber-Bosch). The entire process is powered by sustainable electricity with the help of renewable energy sources such as hydro-electric, solar power, or wind turbines.
Green Ammonia is an ideal chemical store for renewable energy; it can be stored in bulk as a liquid at modest pressures or refrigerated to -33°C. Moreover, it can be burnt in an engine or used in a fuel cell to produce electricity, making it a perfect zero-carbon fuel. Its only by-products are water and nitrogen. The maritime industry is expected to be an early adopter, replacing fuel oil with Green Ammonia in marine engines.
Green ammonia is anticipated to play a significant role in producing carbon-neutral fertilizer products, decarbonizing the food value chain, and acting as a climate-neutral shipping fuel. It presents potential solutions to the challenges of providing adequate, carbon-free energy and feeding a growing global population.
Policy Overview of Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia
The government’s green policies involve offering to set up manufacturing zones for production, assuring connectivity to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) on a priority basis, and promising free transmission for 25 years if the production facility is commissioned before June 2025. This policy means that a green hydrogen producer can establish a solar power plant in one state to supply renewable energy to a green hydrogen plant in another without incurring any inter-state transmission charges.
Moreover, producers can set up storage bunkers for green ammonia near ports for export purposes. The production target has been increased fivefold from 1 million tonnes to 5 million tonnes by 2030. The policy also permits manufacturers of Green Hydrogen and Ammonia to purchase renewable power or establish Renewable Energy (RE) capacity by themselves or through other developers, wherever they choose. To streamline the process, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) intends to set up a single portal for carrying out all activities, including statutory clearances in a time-bound manner.
India’s pursuit of clean energy is a promising step towards an environmentally sustainable future. With the adoption of Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia, the country moves closer to energy security and environmental responsibility, setting an example for other nations to follow.