Hydrogen Economy - Current Status, Green Hydrogen

Hydrogen, the lightest and primary element on the periodic table, tends to ascend in the atmosphere due to its lower weight compared to air, making its pure form, H2, relatively rare.
Under standard temperature and pressure conditions, hydrogen exhibits characteristics of being nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, colorless, and highly combustible, existing as a diatomic gas.
Hydrogen fuel, known for its zero-emission properties, undergoes combustion with oxygen. This versatile fuel finds applications in fuel cells, internal combustion engines, and spacecraft propulsion systems.

Table of Contents

Occurrence of Hydrogen:

Hydrogen ranks as the most abundant element in the universe, constituting a significant portion of celestial bodies like the sun and other stars.
Astronomical estimates suggest that about 90% of atoms in the universe are hydrogen atoms, which participate in various compound formations.
On Earth, hydrogen predominantly exists in compounds, with water being the most prevalent, and is intricately bonded to oxygen in water molecules and to carbon in organic matter, including living, deceased, or fossilized biomass.
The generation of molecular hydrogen involves processes like water splitting to obtain hydrogen and oxygen.

Storage:

Physically, hydrogen can be stored either as a gas or a liquid.
Storing hydrogen in gas form typically necessitates high-pressure tanks to contain it securely.
For liquid storage, hydrogen requires cryogenic temperatures, as its boiling point at one atmosphere pressure is at an exceedingly low temperature of -252.8°C.
Additionally, hydrogen storage can be achieved through adsorption onto solid surfaces or absorption within solid materials.

GREEN HYDROGEN

Hydrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly combustible gaseous substance.
It stands as the lightest, simplest, and most abundant member of the chemical elements family in the universe.
Future of Hydrogen: Prefixed with the color “green,” hydrogen is hailed as the “fuel of the future.”
The term “green” is contingent upon the method of electricity generation utilized to produce hydrogen, as it does not emit greenhouse gases when burned.
Production: Green hydrogen is generated through electrolysis, employing renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower.

India’s Green Hydrogen Production: India has initiated the production of green hydrogen with the aim of increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030. Recently, India established its first pilot plant for producing 99.99% pure green hydrogen in eastern Assam’s Duliajan, located at the Jorhat pump station of a petroleum exploration major. This initiative aligns with the objective of preparing the country for pilot-scale hydrogen production and its application across various sectors.

Ongoing research and development endeavors focus on reducing the production, storage, and transportation costs associated with hydrogen.
Powered by a 500 KW solar plant, the green hydrogen unit has the capacity to produce 10 kg of hydrogen per day, with plans to scale up production to 30 kg per day.
Additionally, a specialized blender has been installed to blend the green hydrogen produced by the unit with natural gas supplied by the Assam Gas Corporation Limited, providing blended gas to the Jorhat area for domestic and industrial usage.
The Oil India Limited (OIL) has collaborated with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati to evaluate the impact of the blended gas on the existing facility.

HYDROGEN FUEL CELL

Hydrogen fuel cells serve as a clean, reliable, quiet, and efficient source of high-quality electric power.
They operate by utilizing hydrogen as fuel in an electrochemical process that generates electricity, producing only water and heat as by-products.
Given the abundance of hydrogen on Earth, fuel cells offer a cleaner alternative fuel option.
Recognized as one of the best zero-emission solutions, hydrogen fuel cells are entirely environmentally friendly, with no tailpipe emissions other than water.
This attribute makes them highly desirable for minimizing environmental impact and combating air pollution.
The term “tailpipe emissions” refers to the release of substances such as gases or radiation into the atmosphere.
With hydrogen fuel cells, the absence of harmful emissions during operation contributes to improved air quality and reduced pollution levels.
Moreover, the quiet operation of fuel cells enhances their versatility, enabling their use in diverse settings, including sensitive environments such as hospital buildings. Their low noise output makes them suitable for applications where noise pollution must be minimized.
Another advantage of fuel cells is their ease of scaling.
Unlike batteries, where increasing operation time requires doubling the capacity of components, fuel cells offer simpler scalability.
Doubling the amount of fuel suffices to double the operation time, making them a more convenient and flexible power solution for various applications.

NATIONAL HYDROGEN MISSION

The Union Budget for 2021-22 has introduced the National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM), aimed at formulating a strategic roadmap for utilizing hydrogen as a prominent energy source, with the potential to revolutionize transportation.
Launched on August 15, 2021, this initiative is geared towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting the adoption of renewable energy sources.
The NHM initiative seeks to leverage hydrogen, one of the most abundant elements on Earth, as a cleaner alternative fuel option.
It will entail both short-term (4 years) and long-term (10 years and beyond) strategies, with the overarching goal of positioning India as a global manufacturing hub for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies along the entire value chain.
To facilitate this objective, a supportive framework will be developed, offering incentives and assistance aligned with the principles of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The mission is expected to significantly contribute to India’s climate targets, providing a substantial boost to the green hydrogen sector and facilitating a transition towards clean energy.
By aspiring to establish India as a green hydrogen hub, the NHM aims to reduce the country’s dependence on energy imports, which currently amounts to over Rs 12 lakh crore, thereby enhancing energy security and fostering self-sufficiency.

FAQs Regarding Hydrogen Fuel and the National Hydrogen Mission:

1. What is hydrogen fuel, and how does it differ from traditional fossil fuels?

A: Hydrogen fuel is a clean, reliable, and efficient source of high-quality electric power that operates through an electrochemical process using hydrogen as fuel. Unlike traditional fossil fuels, hydrogen fuel produces only water and heat as by-products, making it a zero-emission solution.

2. What are the characteristics of hydrogen under standard conditions?

A: Under standard temperature and pressure, hydrogen is nontoxic, nonmetallic, odorless, tasteless, and colorless. It is also highly combustible, existing in the form of a diatomic gas (H2).

3. Why is hydrogen considered a promising alternative fuel option for the future?

A: Hydrogen is hailed as the “fuel of the future” due to its abundant availability and zero-emission properties. It can be produced through electrolysis using renewable energy sources, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly fuel choice.

4. What is green hydrogen, and how is it produced?

A: Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower. This process generates hydrogen without emitting greenhouse gases, making it an environmentally sustainable fuel option.

5. How is India contributing to the production of green hydrogen?

A: India has initiated the production of green hydrogen as part of the National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM). This initiative aims to increase non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030. Recently, India established its first pilot plant for producing pure green hydrogen in Assam, leveraging renewable energy sources for production.

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Hydrogen Economy – Current Status, Green Hydrogen, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, National Hydrogen Mission – UPSC Environment Notes