World Hydrogen 2024 Summit | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• Hydrogen is viewed as the fuel of the future, finding applications in transportation, industry, and energy production. It holds potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Despite facing challenges such as production costs and infrastructure development, ongoing research aims at establishing hydrogen as a significant future fuel source.
• The World Hydrogen Summit 2024, the largest global hydrogen event, recently took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Green Hydrogen

• Green Hydrogen, produced using renewable sources like solar and wind energy, results in water and water vapor by-products.
• Produced through water electrolysis, large-scale hydrogen production requires water, a substantial electrolyzer, and ample electricity supply, preferably from renewables like wind, solar, or hydro sources.

Significance of Green Hydrogen

• Green hydrogen is critical for India's achievement of its Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets, ensuring energy security at regional and national levels.
• Its role in energy storage is crucial for managing renewable energy intermittencies in the future.
• In terms of mobility, green hydrogen can power long-distance transportation modes such as railways, large ships, buses, and trucks.

Applications of Green Hydrogen

• Green Chemicals like ammonia and methanol have direct applications in various sectors including fertilizers, mobility, power, chemicals, and shipping.
• Blending green hydrogen up to 10% in CGD networks can facilitate widespread acceptance.

Benefits

• As a clean-burning molecule, green hydrogen can decarbonize sectors like iron and steel, chemicals, and transportation.
• Unused renewable energy can be converted into hydrogen, enabling its storage and utilization.

Policy Challenges

• The economic viability of extracting green or blue hydrogen poses a significant challenge for commercial use.
• Technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and hydrogen fuel cells are costly and still in early stages, impacting hydrogen production costs.
• Maintenance costs for fuel cells post-plant completion can be substantial.
• Substantial investments are required in R&D for technology and infrastructure related to hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and demand creation.

Measures needed

• India can leverage increasing investments in R&D, capacity building, and compatible legislation to establish itself as a key player in the hydrogen economy.
• Collaboration between industry and government is vital for developing a hydrogen supply chain in India, potentially fostering domestic manufacturing.
• Prioritizing national hydrogen projects can drive innovations to reduce hydrogen production costs locally.
• A robust policy framework similar to the one that catalyzed the country's solar growth could boost hydrogen production and demand.

Conclusion

• Long-term goals identification and strategic steps are crucial for wider acceptance, reduced risks, increased investments, and lower costs in hydrogen technologies.
• Government actions should focus on creating a conducive policy environment to attract private investments, stimulate market demand, and support R&D.
• Green hydrogen stands out as a promising solution to cut carbon emissions and ensure energy security at various levels.