India drives on Hydrogen fuel

India drives on Hydrogen fuel

Hydrogen, being a clean and reliable energy alternative to mitigate climate change and curb the rise of atmospheric temperature globally, can certainly pip the expensive EV option.

The current energy crisis, environment degradation and the pressure of climate change has obligated the world economies to explore cleaner fuel options such as hydrogen, which is globally acknowledged as a cost-efficient and effective alternative and will be a solution to these issues.

The emergence of hydrogen as a clean and green alternative to conventional fossil fuels is promising, as it too offers high octane ratings, energy content and further a large base source for production. Generally refineries use hydrogen to reduce the sulphur content of motor fuels, use natural gas and naphtha to produce hydrogen. Countries like the US, Germany, Japan, South Korea and China have already deployed and are running a fleet of hydrogen-fuelled cars and buses in their respective countries. Further, the French government aims to use hydrogen in industrial processes and transportation and has a plan worth 7 billion euros to achieve the same with the objective to cut their CO2 output in 2030 by the equivalent of the annual emissions of Paris [1]. It will soon release tenders to create electrolyser factories and hydrogen hubs with a target of 6.5 gigawatts of installed capacity to be achieved by the year 2030, and will also subsidize the use of hydrogen and the cost of related equipment such as fuel cells.

More recently, leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus has revealed its new concept of zero emission commercial aircraft powered by hydrogen, which it plans to enter the market by 2035 [2]. Such a climate neutral zero-emission commercial aircraft would rely on hydrogen as the fuel as its combustion produces only water vapour. This makes it a clean fuel option for other commercial heavy transportation vehicles like trucks, trains and planes in the near future [3].

With a briskly growing population and economic development in India, the country is facing significant environmental concerns. This has made the government eager about cleaner mobility over the last few years. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been supporting various hydrogen projects in academic institutions, research organisations and the industry for its research and development such as internal combustion engines running on hydrogen and establishment of two hydrogen refuelling stations at Indian Oil R&D centre, Faridabad, and National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram [4].

Similarly, an expression of interest has been recently issued by NTPC Vidyut Vvyapar Nigam Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC, to provide ten hydrogen fuel cell based buses and cars in Leh and Delhi and will also undertake to develop its storage and dispensation facilities as a part of its pilot projects while slowly treading in this arena [5]. Further, Indian Oil has floated a tender to purchase fifteen hydrogen fuel cell fitted buses that produce their own electricity [6].

While other clean energy alternatives such as battery-supported electric vehicles have their own challenges such as inadequate charging facilities, expensive battery technology, scarcity of battery raw materials in the country. Comparatively, for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, raw materials can be easily sourced, and the total cost of hydrogen propelled vehicles would be the same as diesel-powered vehicles. Further, hydrogen fuel cell mobility is more efficient than battery supported electric vehicles considering electricity is used for the charging those vehicles [7].

Recently, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 2020 wherein it has issued standards for safety evaluation of the vehicles propelled by hydrogen fuel cells. The suppliers and manufacturers of such hydrogen fuel cells vehicles now have standards available to test the vehicles, which are at par with the international standards. MoRTH has also issued specifications for Hydrogen Enriched Compressed Natural Gas (H-CNG) for use of 18 per cent mix of hydrogen for automotive purposes as per the Bureau of Indian Standards. The objective is to promote the adoption of such eco-friendly and energy-efficient hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and H-CNG [8].

This is a positive step taken by the government but the states need to develop substantial support infrastructure needed for such vehicles. Currently, the production of hydrogen fuel from fossil fuels is cheaper than renewable energy and the cost of production and transport of hydrogen fuel to stations is correspondingly high. For hydrogen safety there is a need for extensive development of safe vehicle storage systems.

The government can push for expansion of the Bharatmala Pariyojana megaproject into a Hydrogen Bharatmala Pariyojana wherein hydrogen gas storage and refueling infrastructure can be set up on large scale. The Oil Marketing Companies have a vast network of existing retail outlets which could be utilised to promote hydrogen dispensation, wherever possible. Similar augmenting policies can be built via partnerships between energy companies and metropolitan governing institutions in India [9]. The Government should also actively promote the shift to H-CNG since the reserves for natural gas are available in abundance as India has long-term gas supply contracts.

Hydrogen, being a clean and reliable energy alternative to mitigate climate change and curb the rise of atmospheric temperature globally, can certainly pip the expensive EV option.

https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/opinion-india-drives-on-hydrogen-fuel/78409789

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