Exploring the Viability of Green Hydrogen as a Transportation Fuel
GS-3 Mains : Energy
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Question : Evaluate the potential of green hydrogen as a viable transportation fuel in India, considering its zero-emission properties, energy storage capabilities, and versatile applications.
Context
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is supporting pilot projects to test green hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles.
Pilot Project Scheme
- Aims to develop technologies for:
- Green hydrogen use in buses, trucks, and cars (fuel cell/internal combustion engines).
- Hydrogen refueling station infrastructure.
- Other innovative uses of hydrogen to reduce transport emissions (e.g., blending hydrogen with methanol/ethanol in fuels).
What is Hydrogen?
- Hydrogen (H) is the lightest and most abundant element.
- It’s a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible gas.
Hydrogen Extraction
- Hydrogen exists in compounds and needs extraction for fuel use.
- Green Hydrogen:Produced using renewable sources (wind, solar, hydropower) through electrolysis (splitting water with electricity).
- Grey Hydrogen:Extracted from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR), releasing CO2 emissions.
- Blue Hydrogen:Captures and stores CO2 emissions from natural gas-based hydrogen production.
Significance of Green Hydrogen
- Zero Emissions:Unlike conventional methods, green hydrogen production has minimal environmental impact.
- Energy Storage:Stores excess renewable energy for later use, balancing the grid and enhancing energy security.
- Versatile Applications:Green hydrogen can be used as fuel in transportation, industry, and heating.
- Economic Opportunities:Creates jobs, attracts investment in infrastructure, and promotes electrolyzer and fuel cell technology.
- Climate Mitigation:Reduces carbon emissions and helps combat climate change.
Challenges
- Transportation Risks:Gaseous hydrogen is highly flammable and requires safety considerations during transportation.
- Higher Cost:Green hydrogen production is currently expensive due to high costs of renewable energy and electrolysis technology.
- Limited Infrastructure:India lacks hydrogen refueling stations compared to developed countries.
Way Forward
- Expanding renewable energy use is crucial for India’s energy transition.
- Green hydrogen offers the potential to decarbonize sectors like transportation.
- Hydrogen is expected to be widely used in future vehicles, creating a large market.
- Large-scale adoption of green hydrogen fuel can significantly benefit India.
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