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India, with its ambitious net-zero goals and growing energy demands, stands to benefit significantly from embracing green hydrogen technologies. Analysts have estimated that India may require a staggering $US10 trillion ($14.8 trillion) in investments to achieve its net-zero goal by 2070, averaging $US200 billion per year over 50 years. This presents enormous opportunities for companies like Reliance and positions India as a potential leader in the green hydrogen market.
Process called electrolysis
Green hydrogen, also known as renewable hydrogen, is produced through a process called electrolysis, which utilizes renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. During electrolysis, water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen, with hydrogen being the primary product. Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods, green hydrogen generation produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, making it a truly clean and sustainable energy source.
Replaces Fossil-Fuel based Hydrogen
One of the most significant advantages of green hydrogen lies in its versatility and applicability across various sectors. In the industrial sector, hydrogen can be used as a feedstock for the production of chemicals, fertilizers, and other vital materials steelmaking processes, resulting in a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, a major contributor to global warming.
Fuel Cells Vehicle
The transportation sector is another area where green hydrogen can play a pivotal role. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) offer an attractive alternative to traditional internal combustion engines, as they produce zero harmful emissions, with water vapor being the only byproduct. FCVs have the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry, providing long-range capabilities and rapid refueling times comparable to conventional gasoline vehicles.
Cleaner transportation system
Investing in the development of green hydrogen infrastructure in India can pave the way for a cleaner transportation system by addressing some of the key challenges associated with conventional transportation fuels. Here’s a closer look at how green hydrogen infrastructure can bring about a transformative change:
- Zero Emissions: One of the primary advantages of green hydrogen is its ability to produce zero emissions when used as a fuel. India can reduce its carbon footprint and improve air quality, leading to a cleaner and healthier environment.
- Fuel Cell Vehicles: As already mentioned, green hydrogen can power fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), which offer several advantages over conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. FCVs use hydrogen and oxygen from the air to produce electricity, with water vapor being the only emission. These vehicles have longer driving ranges and can be refueled in a matter of minutes, providing a comparable experience to conventional vehicles while eliminating tailpipe emissions.
- Energy Storage and Grid Balancing: Green hydrogen can also play a crucial role in energy storage and grid balancing. As renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are intermittent in nature, excess electricity generated during periods of high production can be used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen can be stored and utilized later during times of low renewable energy generation or high demand, effectively balancing the electricity grid.
- Diversification of Energy Sources: Over-reliance on fossil fuels, particularly imported crude oil, can make a country vulnerable to price fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties. By promoting green hydrogen, India can decrease its dependence on fossil fuel imports and establish a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
- Job Creation and Economic Growth: The development of green hydrogen infrastructure in India will create numerous employment opportunities. The establishment of hydrogen production facilities, distribution networks, and refueling stations will require a skilled workforce, leading to job creation across various sectors. Investing in Infrastructure is crucial
To realize these benefits, investing in the necessary infrastructure is crucial. This includes building hydrogen production facilities, establishing a network of hydrogen refueling stations, and developing policies and regulations to support the adoption of green hydrogen in the transportation sector. Government support, public-private partnerships, and collaboration with research institutions and industry players will be essential in accelerating the deployment of green hydrogen infrastructure and driving the transition to a cleaner transportation system.
By investing in green hydrogen infrastructure, India can unlock the potential for a sustainable, zero-emissions transportation sector, reducing pollution, improving air quality, and contributing to the global efforts in combating climate change.
In the context of India’s net-zero ambitions, the investment requirements are substantial. The estimated $US10 trillion investment over 50 years highlights the magnitude of the opportunity at hand. The scale of investment required presents immense potential for job creation, technological advancements, and economic growth.
The author Mohan Murti is former Director for Group Corporate Europe, Reliance Industries Limited. He lives in Germany.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.