Extensive commercialisation of hydrogen vehicles is very much possible by the mid-21st century.
If India wants to retain the edge as one of the leading steel producers globally, the Government should provide incentives through policies for adoption of hydrogen.
According to Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, India produced 15,311 petajoules of energy in 2020 of which 81% was derived from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Hydrogen demand will increase rapidly as several sectors realise its applications.
Every year, India’s energy consumption from fossil fuels is worth approximately Rs 7 trillion.
Globally, as countries look for options to reduce emissions and achieve climate targets, hydrogen is emerging as the frontrunner for decarbonisation strategies.
Electrolysers used in the production of hydrogen from water are electrochemical energy-conversion devices.
India’s energy sector will face two key challenges in the future.
India has set ambitious medium- and long-term renewable energy targets to counteract the adverse effects of climate change, one of them being the commitment to increase the share of its renewable power capacity to 50% by 2030.
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, has announced that the country would have its first hydrogen-powered passenger train by December 2023.
In India, a functioning hydrogen economy is expected to bolster the energy portfolio in a sustainable way with the support of conducive policies (National Green Hydrogen Mission) from the Government.
With an increasing number of countries setting strong net-zero targets, there is a global push for the gradual discontinuation of fossil-fuel usage and the large-scale adoption of renewable energy (RE).
Over the past decade, digitalisation has been expedited across all industries.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission envisions India to be a leading manufacturer and a major hub for green hydrogen in the world.
The Indian Railways, one of the biggest train networks worldwide, transports over 24 million passengers and 3 MT of freight daily.
In 2021, Hanson — a subsidiary of Heidelberg Cement in the United Kingdom — substituted 100% of thermal energy with energy from alternative fuels in one of its cement kilns by using a mixture of hydrogen (39%), glycerine (49%), and meat and bone meal (MBM; 12%) instead of coal.
