National Hydrogen Mission: India’s Big Bet on Green Energy

India wishes to be a global leader in clean energy transition, and its most ambitious move towards realizing this dream is the National Hydrogen Mission (NHM). Initiated by the Government of India in 2021, the mission desires to position India as a world leader in the production, use, and export of green hydrogen.

When pollution levels were on the rise, the demand for energy was growing, and the worldwide efforts to curtail carbon emissions, hydrogen became the fuel of the future. Hydrogen can energize industries, vehicles, and even domestic setups - all while assisting India in achieving its 2070 goal of Net Zero emissions.

In this blog, we’ll simplify the National Hydrogen Mission, explain its goals, highlight the benefits, and discuss how it could shape India’s green energy future.

What is the National Hydrogen Mission?

The National Hydrogen Mission is India’s plan to accelerate the production and adoption of green hydrogen - hydrogen produced using renewable energy like solar and wind instead of fossil fuels.

Hydrogen is a green source of energy as, during its use, it only gives out water vapor and not lethal greenhouse gases. It is, therefore, a game-changer for steel, transport, power, and chemicals industries, which are presently reliant on coal, oil, and natural gas.

The government has brought out many policies, subsidies, and incentives to make the green hydrogen economically viable and affordable.

Key Objectives of the Mission

The four key objectives of the National Hydrogen Mission are:

1. Promote Green Hydrogen Production

o Employ renewable resources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to produce hydrogen in a green way.

2. Mitigate Carbon Footprints

o Substitute fossil fuels with hydrogen in industries, transports, and power stations.

3. Establish India as a Global Leader

o Establish India as a hydrogen production and export hub, competing with nations such as Australia, Japan, and Germany.

4. Create Jobs & Boost the Economy

o Create manufacturing, R&D, and infrastructure employment.

Types of Hydrogen Explained

There are numerous ways of hydrogen production, and every one of them has a "color code":

• Green Hydrogen - It is produced via renewable energy (clean and sustainable).

• Grey Hydrogen - It is produced via fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas (dirty).

• Blue Hydrogen - Produced by fossil fuels but with carbon capture technology to minimize emissions.

Green hydrogen is primarily aimed at by the mission to cater to India's mission of sustainability.

Why Hydrogen is Important to India

India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world, and most of the energy comes from coal and oil. However, as the nation is growing, it is being confronted with issues such as air pollution, energy security, and increased carbon emissions.

Hydrogen fixes all of these issues:

• Clean Energy: No toxic emissions, just water vapor.

• Energy Security: Removes reliance on imported oil and gas.

• Industrial Growth: Propels heavy industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals.

• Transport Revolution: Facilitates clean fuel for buses, trucks, trains, and ships.

Key Features of the Mission

A few key features of India's National Hydrogen Mission are as follows:

• Targeting 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030.

• Spending heavily on solar and wind power to generate hydrogen.

• Encouraging public-private collaborations towards technology development.

• Establishing hydrogen hubs throughout India for manufacturing, storage, and transportation.

• Providing financial incentives to firms utilizing hydrogen-based technology.

How India Is Going to Utilize Hydrogen?

Hydrogen can be substituted with fossil fuel in many sectors:

1. Transport Industry

o Fuel cell vehicles (trucks, buses, trains, and even ships) can be powered by hydrogen.

o Hydrogen fueled cars produce zero emissions and greater mileage than electric vehicles.

2. Industrial Sector

o Steel, cement, and fertilizer industries can transition to hydrogen to minimize carbon footprints.

3. Power Generation

o Power plants can utilize hydrogen for clean electricity generation.

4.Export Opportunities

o India will export green hydrogen to clean energy investment-making countries.

Challenges India Faces

Although the mission is big, there are a few challenges:

• High Costs: Green hydrogen production is high in terms of costs vis-a-vis fossil fuels.

• Infrastructure Gaps: Pipelines, fueling stations, and storage facilities must be set up in India.

• Technology Development: New technologies must be evolved for large-scale hydrogen production.

• International Competition: Nations such as Japan, Germany, and Australia are already investing big time in hydrogen.

But with government incentives and private investment, India is rapidly overcoming these barriers.

Government Measures

The government of India has introduced various policies for making hydrogen production economically viable and efficient:

• Green Hydrogen Policy (2022):

Offers tax relief, easy land availability, and incentives to hydrogen projects.

• PLI Scheme for Electrolyzers:

Facilitates hydrogen generation equipment manufacturers with funding.

• National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap:

Holistic plan to upgrade hydrogen infrastructure nationwide.

• Global Partnerships:

Partnerships with the world, like Germany, Japan, and the UAE, to accelerate hydrogen innovation.

The Road Ahead

With green hydrogen in the focus, India is:

• Texting its fossil fuel dependence.

• Supporting a system of clean energy.

• Opening up new business opportunities.

• Reaching closer to its Net Zero by 2070 target.

This journey has the potential to make India a world leader in clean energy and create a thousand jobs, expanding the economy.

Conclusion

The National Hydrogen Mission is not merely a mission for green energy - it's a mission to redraw India's destiny. By embracing hydrogen as a primary energy source, India is able to manage pollution, achieve energy security, and emerge as a role model in sustainable development.

Done properly, this mission can make India a world leader in green energy - greening, cleaning, and making the world healthier.