The Green Hydrogen Challenge

Abstract

This piece explores the obstacles India faces in achieving energy independence and decarbonization through green hydrogen. The article emphasizes the benefits of green hydrogen and highlights challenges such as high production costs, lack of infrastructure, and limited adoption. Proposed solutions include increasing renewable electricity capacity, developing hydrogen infrastructure, promoting adoption through incentives, and raising awareness. Overcoming challenges in electrolyzer capacity, critical mineral procurement, and end-use applications is crucial. The article concludes with the need for India to address these hurdles to produce affordable green hydrogen by 2030, fostering coordination among institutions.

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Various challenges are present in the pathway to realising the vision of making India energy independent and decarbonizing major sectors of the economy, and the role of green hydrogen and the National Hydrogen Mission is crucial in achieving this vision.

The most important aspect of the hydrogen ecosystem is generation. Hydrogen can be produced in a variety of ways, including grey (from fossil fuels with CO2 released into the air), blue, and green (from fossil materials with CO2 let out into the air). The emphasis on clean hydrogen is critical for fuel technology to truly be a game changer. Because it addresses our most pressing national concerns.

The Green Hydrogen Mission is expected to add renewable energy capacity, invest $100 billion, create 6 lakh jobs, save $12.5 billion, and reduce GHG emissions.

Green hydrogen has wide benefits, such as export opportunities, decarbonization, and the development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities.

Challenges associated with green hydrogen production. Green hydrogen production costs are higher than fossil fuels due to high electricity costs. Lack of infrastructure in India for green hydrogen production, storage, and distribution Limited adoption of green hydrogen in India due to a lack of awareness and incentives. To be commercially viable, hydrogen must be cost-competitive with conventional fuels and technologies. India needs 60–100 GW of electrolyzer capacity to meet its 2030 target; however, the availability of critical minerals like nickel, platinum-based metals, and uncommon metals is largely confined due to limited processing technology. Efficient electrolysis requires 39 kWh of electricity to produce 1 kg of hydrogen, but India has only reached 119 GW of the targeted 175 GW capacity. Green hydrogen's conversion efficiency will determine its applicability in end-use applications. Desalination has the potential to increase infrastructure's physical footprint, increase land use competition, have quite an effect on ecology, and create difficulties and constraints in the place of electrolysers.

The most important idea is to find a way to overcome roadblocks. Increase capacity to generate renewable electricity in India to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production. Developing hydrogen infrastructure to make green hydrogen more accessible The government can promote green hydrogen adoption through regulatory incentives such as tax credits and subsidies. Raise awareness and understanding of green hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This can be done through public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. The electrolyser challenge would require India to establish large-scale manufacturing, build expertise, and secure geopolitical partnerships for critical mineral procurement. It also requires ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing electrolyzers' overall technical proficiency and financial viability while still being able to compete with other international players. To address the energy source challenge, In the following seven years, India would have to add nearly 100 GW of cumulative energy production from renewable sources per year, in addition to providing shipment corridors and mechanisms. To meet the end-use challenge, which is to produce and store green hydrogen in various forms for later use, safety standards for storage and transportation must be established. Because hydrogen is a highly flammable and volatile element, its potential in other types, like ammonia or methanol, is just fractionally reduced. This, however, may raise the cost of hydrogen as a fuel. The proposed green hydrogen hubs would have to maintain a delicate equilibrium between renewable energy and abundant water resources due to the endogenous resource challenge. It will also be necessary to be near hydrogen demand (end-use) centres throughout for them to be financially feasible while minimising additional cost.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), by 2050, hydrogen and its derived products will contribute 12% of total global final consumption of energy (IEA estimate: 530 MMT), with green hydrogen accounting for two-thirds. The world produced approximately 90 MMT of hydrogen in 2020; currently, the worldwide levelized cost of generating hydrogen ranges around Rs 250–650/kg ($ 3–8/kg). India will have to address all of the hurdles listed above in order to generate green hydrogen at a price of Rs 100–150/kg ($ 1-2/kg) by 2030 while also coordinating across multiple public and private institutional bodies in record time.

Image Source: http://surl.li/hwgro

References

“A green promise: On the NationalGreen Hydrogen mission”.The Hindu. January 06, 2023. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-green-promise-the-hindu-editorial-on-the-national- green-hydrogen-mission/article66343492.ece (accessed March02, 2023).

Kumar, Swetha and Bakshi, Parul. “India’sgreen hydrogen challenge”. Indian Express. February 10, 2023. https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indias-green-hydrogen-challenge-8435339/ (accessed March 02, 2023).

Pandit, Ravi. “The Green Hydrogen Generation Challenge”. The Economic Times.February 10, 2023.https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/the-green-hydrogen-generation- challenge/97798402 (accessed March02, 2023).

*This article is authored by Priya Mishra & Apurva Pallav, Students from Symbiosis Law School, Noida and reviewed by Yavisth Makkar, Student from Symbiosis Law School, Noida.