The government is planning to mix 15 percent green hydrogen in piped natural gas (PNG).
This step will help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also help in achieving India’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2070.
The hydrogen and PNG mixture will be used for domestic, commercial and industrial consumption.
This initiative will be part of the National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHEM). NHEM aims to produce hydrogen from green energy resources and enable its commercial use.
Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water. Under this, electricity generated from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind and solar energy is used.
Benefits of using green hydrogen
- It is a clean source of energy. Hydrogen is about two to three times more efficient than the combustion of petrol.
- Renewable energy cannot be stored. In addition, it cannot be used by the grid, but can be used to produce hydrogen.
- Compared to battery-powered electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric vehicles are better in terms of energy storage and charging time.
Challenges related to production of green hydrogen:
- The process of producing green hydrogen requires a lot of energy;
- This requires a high level of research and development;
- Transport of hydrogen in gaseous form as it is highly flammable in nature etc.
Initiatives to promote green hydrogen
- NHEM and the National Hydrogen Energy Action Plan.
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Program of the Department of Science and Technology.
- Plan to bring Green Hydrogen under Renewable Purchase Obligation.
Features of Hydrogen
- It is a colorless and odorless gas.
- Clean combustion- it does not emit carbon dioxide or sulfur oxide gas.
- It does not readily combust naturally (gasoline has an ignition point of 500 °C, while that of hydrogen is 570 °C).
- Does not generate flame during combustion.
- It is the lightest gas.
- Combustion at high temperature (3000 °C).
- Extremely low boiling point (-253 °C).
Source – The Hindu
