Billions of dollars are being sanctioned by various governments each year for the production of green hydrogen to curb the problem of pollution and preserve the depletion of natural resources. Each year more and more stakeholders join in to get enlisted in the global effort of having an eco-friendly and sustainable method of generating power. One of the goals that governments throughout the world have set for 2050 is to decarbonize the earth.
“What we see today is a much wanted collective initiative by various countries, where India will have a very crucial role to play”, said YS Chowdary, also known as Sujana Chowdary, Member of Rajya Sabha while talking about India’s input for green hydrogen.
‘Green’ hydrogen is made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen with renewable energy. The traditional method of producing hydrogen, on the other hand, relies on fossil fuels. Key players in the industry have started investing in it.
“Till now, we have been focusing on renewable energy sources for clean electricity, but for industries and the transportation sector to transition to net-zero emissions, we need clean fuel; green hydrogen can play a critical role in this,” Amit Kumar, a former senior director of social transformation at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
The government of India has also been vocal about the benefits of using green hydrogen and has been promoting industries to innovate and take active participation. “Ample availability of renewable energy power gives India an inherent advantage, it can be a global hub of green hydrogen.” said the Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi during this year’s post-budget webinar. “Hydrogen ecosystem is interconnected with fertilisers, refineries, and the transport sector. It is a field that the private sector must innovate in to fully utilise India’s potential. I promise the private sector that the government is with you in your efforts,” he added. YS Chowdary believes that this is a good opportunity for the local players as the industry is still unexplored and the government has green hydrogen on its priority.
This year Oil India Limited (OIL), a Government of India enterprise, commissioned India’s first pure green hydrogen pilot plant. The plant has an installed capacity of 10 kilograms per day. The facility manufactures green hydrogen using a 100 kW Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolyser array, a technology that is being employed for the first time in India, using power generated by an existing 500 kW solar plant.
“India’s transition towards Green Hydrogen and other clean sources of energy should be gradual. A sudden boycott of the traditional forms of energy production will cause disruption to the economy. People and the concerned industries should be given the time to invest their time and resources into green hydrogen” says Sujana Chowdary.
The cost of green hydrogen can be reduced in India by using low-cost renewable generating plants and cost-curtailment experience accumulated through solar and wind reverse auctions. Green hydrogen is the most competitive kind of hydrogen in the coming decades. I believe that India can lead this competition as it has the advantage of generating low-cost renewable energy and world-class clean-power execution capabilities
With the young demography and growing economy, the government will gain a long-term benefit while advancing hydrogen-based technologies. As a fuel, green hydrogen can help decarbonize sectors such as shipping and transportation, while also constituting a key raw material for steel and chemicals. India will also be able to avoid carbon border taxes with green hydrogen steel. In countries throughout the world, for example in the European Union, the carbon footprint is being taxed, so our steel industry will be hit if it doesn’t plan for decarbonization.
According to YS Chowdary today India has the perfect opportunity to invest its resources into green hydrogen and thus become one of the prominent players in the future. Currently, we have a young, ambitious and innovative population. In the coming years, the country should engage itself in dialogues and discussions that will help the population to be more aware of the benefits of green energy.
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