Green Hydrogen

In News: India is moving faster than any other country towards a green transition, Petroleum Minister says at Davos

• Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that India will emerge as the leader of green hydrogen

Hydrogen

• Hydrogen is one of the most abundant elements on earth for a cleaner alternative fuel option.

Type of hydrogen depends up on the process of its formation:

• Green Hydrogen
• Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable energy (like Solar, Wind) and has a lower carbon footprint.
• Electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• By Products: Water, Water Vapor.
• Brown hydrogen is produced using coal where the emissions are released to the air.
• Grey hydrogen is produced from natural gas where the associated emissions are released to the air.
• Blue hydrogen is produced from natural gas, where the emissions are captured using carbon capture and storage.

Uses:

• Hydrogen is an energy carrier, not an energy source and can deliver or store a tremendous amount of energy.
• It can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity, or power and heat
• Due to their high efficiency and zero-or near zero-emissions operation, hydrogen and fuel cells have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emission in many applications.

Green Hydrogen Policy (GHP)

• Recently, the Ministry of Power (MoP) announced a Green Hydrogen Policy (GHP).
• The policy has set a target of 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen production by 2030, more than 80% of the current hydrogen demand in the country.
• Under the policy, the government is offering to set up manufacturing zones for production, connectivity to the ISTS (Inter-State Transmission System) on priority basis, and free transmission for 25 years if the production facility is commissioned before June 2025.
• Producers will be allowed to set up bunkers near ports for storage of green ammonia for export by shipping.
• Manufacturers of Green hydrogen and ammonia are allowed to purchase renewable power from the power exchange or set up Renewable Energy (RE) capacity themselves or through any other developer, anywhere.

Significance of the Policy

• India’s largest oil refiner, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) estimates that GHP measures will reduce the cost of green hydrogen production by 40-50%.
• Fuels like Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia are vital for any nation’s environmentally sustainable energy security.
• India has already committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, and green hydrogen will play a significant role as a disruptive feedstock in India’s transition from oil and coal.
• The GHP lays a solid foundation for developing a competitive green hydrogen sector in India.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q.1) Which of the following best describes/describe the aim of ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of India? (2016)

1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing the ‘green accounting’
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance agricultural output so as to ensure food security to one and all in the future
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Source: The Hindu