International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews
ISSN 2348-697X (Online) Vol. 9, Issue 2, pp: (18-22), Month: April - June 2021, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
India’s Hydrogen Mission Kartik Gupta University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA
Abstract: Fossil fuels have been mankind’s primary source of energy for centuries now. However, due to this heavy reliance on fossil fuels as our main energy source, their sources are depleting rapidly and will soon run out. This will create an extremely large void for which we need to start bracing immediately. Hence, the way ahead is renewable energy. Being one of the most abundant elements on Earth, Hydrogen is increasingly being sought not only as a potential solution to the problems of the present global energy system but also to scale up other renewable energies. This paper chiefly focuses on Hydrogen as a clean source of energy and India’s great potential to become a leading exporter of Hydrogen in the future. The current scenario suggests that Hydrogen is a mixed bag with heavy R&D costs and elemental unavailability on one hand but, with strong advantages on the other hand in the form of zero carbon emissions and the scope of becoming the fuel that supports the country’s industrial backbone. Keywords: Hydrogen, Renewable, Energy, Technology, Economy, India.
I. INTRODUCTION Hydrogen is currently the global center of attention as a renewable energy source. Thirty-three countries, India included, have introduced Hydrogen strategies to be implemented gradually. However, this interest is not all new for Hydrogen. In fact, Hydrogen has intrigued scientists and governments as the elixir for all global energy problems since the 19th century. Belief in Hydrogen‟s potential has gone through its cycles of hope and despair. These cycles are also known as hype cycles.1 The oil shock beset of the 1970s saw a surge in global interest for Hydrogen. This was followed by a resurgence of interests in the 1990s and early 2000s. With climate change and global warming taking center stage of global debate and policy making, interest in Hydrogen as a green fuel for the future is at its highest. By announcing the launch of the National Hydrogen Mission in the budget of 2021, the Indian government is reinforcing its interests in the potential of renewable energy sources and its commitment to achieving the expected emissions goals under the Paris Agreement. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has also disclosed that the draft regulations for „NHM‟ which will be finalized shortly and will thereafter await approval by the Union Cabinet.2 Considering the challenges faced by India in implementing mass adoption of BEVs, Hydrogen fuel technology could be the answer to these energy problems as well as the propulsion needed to push the country towards zero carbon emissions.
II. HYDROGEN: DEMAND AND SUPPLY Hydrogen currently finds its use as a feedstock in the chemical industry. The main sectors being petroleum refining, fertilizer production and methanol production. The demand from these sectors has increased over time. However, usage of Hydrogen as an energy source remains marginal. Its use is restricted to specific areas such as fuel for rockets, powering space craft electric systems and in forklift trucks. Although, the Hydrogen fuel cell technology has made its way to the automobile and domestic power industries as well. Asian automobile giants Honda, Toyota and Hyundai have all launched their first mass-produced Hydrogen fuel cell cars.3 Hydrogen cells are also being used to heat 225,000 homes (Staffel et al.2019, Energy and Environmental Science)
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