The announcement of National Hydrogen Energy Mission in the Union Budget of India 2021-22 is an indication of India's potential in building capacity to become the cheapest hydrogen producer in the world by 2050. This summit is a step forward in the mission and aims to meet climate challenges through a consolidated approach and timely interventions, ahead of UNFCCC at Glasgow in November 2021.
This book can be read as an overview of the potential benefits of using hydrogen as an energy carrier that can be produced from all energy sources in the context of India’s ambitions for increased growth in renewables and the government's willingness to take a lead role in combating climate change.
The book is a starting point for further developing a national road map for hydrogen that supports a stronger and faster energy transition beyond India’s current climate change initiatives, growth in renewables and policy initiatives.
The book leans on ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ – the government's call for selfreliance emphasising that becoming selfreliant doesn’t advocate a self-centred system. As stated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, in India’s self-reliance, there is a concern for the whole world’s happiness, cooperation and peace. The cooperation within the country and globally for better livelihood for the poor is key to real self reliance philosophy.
In the first few chapters, discussion focuses on the energy situation in India today and the renewable energy prospects. It further describes major roadblocks to renewable energy adoption, challenges in achieving renewable energy targets before starting to approach hydrogen as a potential master key for green energy transition and holistic societal development.
In the continuation, an overview of the different market segments for hydrogen has been delineated. In particular, an overview has been presented for transportation, industry, energy, maritime, stationary application before it concludes with the argument that there is a great potential in sector coupling to make hydrogen more cost-efficient.
Further, a brief discussion pertaining to different technologies and readiness levels necessary to develop a hydrogen economy and the importance of hydrogen safety and regulations has been included.
Towards the end, a potential way forward for India has been suggested for harnessing the power of hydrogen and capitalise on the value creation. The way forward would need a strong alliance between industries, academia, R&D institutes and government to catalyse the process of making hydrogen as the fuel of the future. The above alliance will have to work on challenging mindsets, bringing collaborators, finding alternatives and most importantly, formulate guidelines and policies for harnessing the power of this green fuel for reducing the impacts of climate change and promote AatmaNirbhar Bharat. We support the idea of an International Hydrogen Alliance, building on the success of the International Solar Alliance and the benefits of a strong global collaboration on hydrogen.
The Knowledge Book is the result of over 6 months dedicated work of the GreenStat Hydrogen India Pvt. Ltd. with Indian Knowledge Partners, especially Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and Indian Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A).