India’s push towards clean energy got a major boost recently with the launch of its first hydrogen-powered train, which introduced green hydrogen technology. This major event is part of a global effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve net zero emissions by 2070. Along with electric vehicles and renewable energy, green hydrogen is emerging as one of India’s most promising energy transitions.Around the world, countries are investing heavily in hydrogen as the fuel of the future in sectors that are hard to pollute, such as heavy industry, long-distance transportation, shipping and aviation. India, too, has set up a National Green Hydrogen Mission to position itself as a hub for the production, use and export of green hydrogen.In this article, let’s understand the meaning of green hydrogen, how it is produced, how hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity without combustion, and why the technology is considered so important for India’s energy future.
Concept in simple words
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, but it is not found perfectly on Earth. They usually exist as part of substances such as water (H2O) or hydrocarbons such as gas. Therefore, hydrogen must be extracted first before it can be used as fuel.Hydrogen is often described as an energy carrier, not a source of energy. Like electricity, it stores and transports energy generated elsewhere.Depending on how it is formed, hydrogen is divided into different groups:• Gray hydrogen it is produced from natural gas through steam methane conversion. At the moment it is the most used form but it produces a lot of carbon dioxide.• Blue hydrogen it is also produced from natural gas, but the carbon dioxide produced during production is captured and stored using Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies.• Green hydrogen it is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. Since no fossil fuels are used and almost no greenhouse gases are emitted during production, it is considered the cleanest form of hydrogen.Because green hydrogen can be stored, transported and used in multiple sectors, it is expected to play an important role in meeting global climate goals.
How is green hydrogen produced?
The most common way to produce green hydrogen is electrolysis.In this process, electricity is passed through the water using a device called an electrolyser. The electric current breaks the water molecules into hydrogen gas and oxygen.When electricity comes entirely from renewable sources such as solar, wind or hydropower, because hydrogen is known as green hydrogen.The air produced during electrolysis can also be captured for industrial or medical use, improving the flow of energy.Although electrolysis has been known for many years, falling costs of renewable energy and improvements in electric power technology have made green hydrogen as efficient as many clean fuels.
How they generate electricity without burning
Unlike gasoline, diesel or coal, hydrogen does not need to be burned to produce electricity.Most hydrogen-powered cars and trains use hydrogen fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy of hydrogen directly into electrical energy through an electric current.Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen is supplied to the anode while oxygen from the surrounding air enters the cathode. The catalyst splits the hydrogen into protons and electrons. Electrons move around an external circuit, creating electricity to drive a car, while protons combine with oxygen to form water.The only things that are directly released from this process are water and heat, which make the fuel cells non-aerobic.Compared to conventional batteries, hydrogen fuel cells can be recharged quickly and often offer a longer operating range, making them more suitable for heavy-duty vehicles, long-distance trains, buses and freighters.
Green hydrogen projects
Green hydrogen is expected to revolutionize sectors where direct electrification remains difficult.In terms of transportation, it can operate trains, buses, cars, ships and airplanes that may be available. In industry, they can replace coal and natural gas in steel production, oil refining, fertilizer production and oil industries, significantly reducing carbon emissions.The power sector can also use hydrogen for long-term energy storage, helping to balance electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind.In addition, hydrogen is seen as a commodity of the future, with countries with renewable energy seeking to become major exporters of energy.
India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission
Recognizing the importance of hydrogen technology, the Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2023, with an initial investment of Rs 19,744 crore.The project aims to make India a global hub for the production, use and export of green hydrogen and its by-products.Its main objectives are:• Production: Build a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) per year.• Energy: Add about 125 Gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to the country.• Investment: Attract $8 lakh crore ($100 billion USD) in investment.• Jobs: Create more than 6 lakh (600,000) powerful jobs.• Emissions: Reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 50 MMT.• Savings: Save over Rs 1 lakh crore on fuel purchases.The project is being carried out by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) using strategies such as Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Program, supporting testing, research and development, technology development and the creation of hydrogen hubs.
Why is green hydrogen important in India?
India is the world’s third largest energy consumer and exports a large portion of its crude oil and natural gas requirements. This dependence exposes the economy to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions.Green hydrogen offers an opportunity to improve energy security and support India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. It can help decarbonise sectors that cannot easily move to battery power technology, especially metals, fertilizers, refineries and transport.This technology is also expected to create new opportunities for manufacturing electrolysers, fuel cells and renewable energy devices, strengthening India’s role in the emerging global economy.However, there are several problems. Green hydrogen is still more expensive than conventional hydrogen, the capacity of the electrolyser needs to be increased, transporting and storing hydrogen safely requires special equipment, and renewable electricity and water are required to produce it.Even so, experts believe that technological advancements and economic growth will reduce costs in the coming years.
Prelims Fact Box
Advanced Practice Question
“Green hydrogen expected to play a key role in India’s clean energy transition.” Discuss its design, mission, challenges and importance of National Green Hydrogen Mission in achieving India’s energy security goals.Five important words to remember• Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by splitting water using renewable electricity.• Electrolysis: A process that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and gas.• Hydrogen fuel cell: A device that converts hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction without combustion.• National Green Hydrogen Mission: The government aims to make India a green hydrogen production and export hub.• Power Carrier: A substance, such as hydrogen, that stores and transports energy produced from other substances.
MCQs and Answers
1. Green hydrogen is produced using:(a) Coal gas(b) Electrolysis powered by renewable energy(c) Oil purification(d) Nuclear explosionAnswer: (b)2. Which ministry is responsible for the National Green Hydrogen Mission?(a) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas(b) Ministry of Energy(c) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(d) Ministry of Heavy IndustriesAnswer: (c)3. The primary source of electricity in a hydrogen fuel cell is:(a) Bad breath(b) Sulfur dioxide(c) Water(d) MeasureAnswer: (c)4. What type of hydrogen affects the activity of carbon in production?(a) Green hydrogen(b) Hydrogen blue(c) White halogen(d) Halogen yellowAnswer: (b)5. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to produce green hydrogen annually by 2030?(a) 2 MMT(b) 3 MMT(c) 5 MMT(d) 10 MMTAnswer: (c)
FAQs
Q1. Why is hydrogen called an energy carrier and not an energy source?Hydrogen is not freely available in abundance and must first be produced using another energy source. It stores and supplies energy instead of generating it naturally.Q2. Is green hydrogen completely pollution free?Green hydrogen production itself is carbon neutral when renewable energy sources are used. However, its overall environmental impact also depends on factors such as water use, transportation and infrastructure.Q3. Why can’t batteries replace hydrogen in every sector?Batteries work well for passenger cars and short-haul transportation, but heavy industry, freight, aircraft carriers, and long-haul flights often require high-energy fuel and high-speed acceleration, making hydrogen a viable option.Q4. What is the biggest challenge in adopting green hydrogen?High production costs and the need for dedicated storage, transportation and fuel systems remain major obstacles.Q5. Why green hydrogen is important for UPSC?The topic is related to GS Paper III (Science & Technology, Environment, Energy Security and Economy) and often covers current events due to India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and global energy initiatives.