Green Hydrogen

Green Hydrogen: Climate change issues are one of the most highlighted issues in recent times. Various issues arise due to the frequent climatic changes in the environment. This is an important topic from an exam point of view because the government is committed to a sustainable climate and many steps taken in this regard.

In the era of climate consciousness and the pursuit of sustainable energy sources, green hydrogen has emerged as a promising source for a cleaner future. Unlike its conventional counterparts, green hydrogen is produced using renewable electricity, making it a zero-emission fuel with the potential to revolutionize various industries, from transportation to power generation.

This article delves into the world of green hydrogen, exploring its production methods, types, advantages, applications, and the challenges that lie ahead in its widespread adoption. Keep reading!

What is Green Hydrogen?

Green hydrogen is a clean and sustainable source of Energy. As humans are looking for alternatives to fossil fuels, green hydrogen can be very important.

It is called Green Hydrogen because there is 0 emission of greenhouse gases while making it. It is created in process called electrolysis using renewable sources of energy like solar or wind energy.

It is a clean source of energy and can be used in various fields like automobile.

How is Green Hydrogen Obtained?

By using electricity to decompose water (H2O) into its component elements, hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), green hydrogen is produced through a procedure known as electrolysis. The primary characteristic that sets green hydrogen apart from other forms of hydrogen, like gray or blue hydrogen, is the electricity utilized in the electrolysis process, which is derived from renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar energy.

The steps involved are shown below:

Types of Hydrogen as Fuel

Based on the method of production, the sustainability of the process, and the corresponding carbon emissions, there are three primary categories of hydrogen fuel. Three primary categories of hydrogen fuel exist:

1. Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is produced using renewable sources of electricity, like solar power or wind energy to fuel the electrolysis process that breaks water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Having produced hydrogen with no direct greenhouse gas emissions, it is regarded as the purest form of hydrogen.

2. Gray Hydrogen

Gray hydrogen is created using Steam Methane Reforming(SMR). It is made from natural gas hence it releases carbon di oxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. It is widely used type of hydrogen but it is associated with carbon emissions.

3. Blue Hydrogen 

Blue hydrogen is also produced from natural gas by using steam methane reforming(SMR), but the carbon di oxide(CO2) produced here is captured and stored (Carbon Capture and Storage or CSS) so that it doesn’t escape to the atmosphere.

Major Advantages of Green Hydrogen

Major advantages of green hydrogen are:

1. Clean and sustainable

Green hydrogen does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions during its production or use. This makes it a valuable tool for combating climate change.

2. Versatile

Green hydrogen can be used in a variety of applications, including:

• Transportation: Green hydrogen can be used to power fuel cell vehicles, which are more efficient and emit fewer pollutants than traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles.
• Industry: Green hydrogen can be used as a feedstock for industrial processes, such as steelmaking and fertilizer production. It can also be used to generate electricity and heat.
• Power generation: Green hydrogen can be used to store excess renewable energy and then generate electricity when needed. This can help to balance the grid and make renewable energy more reliable.

3. Storable

Green hydrogen can be easily stored and transported. This makes it a valuable energy carrier, especially for long-distance transportation and energy storage.

4. Resilient

Green hydrogen is a resilient energy source that can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. It is also less vulnerable to supply disruptions than other energy sources, such as oil and natural gas.

In addition to these major advantages, green hydrogen also has a number of other benefits, such as:

1. Job creation

The green hydrogen industry has the potential to create millions of new jobs around the world.

2. Economic growth

 The green hydrogen industry can help to boost economic growth and create new markets for renewable energy.

3. Improved air quality

Green hydrogen can help to improve air quality by reducing emissions from transportation, industry, and power generation.

Overall, green hydrogen is a promising clean energy source with a wide range of potential applications. As the cost of green hydrogen production continues to decline, it is likely to become increasingly competitive with fossil fuels and other energy sources.

Examples of how green hydrogen is being used today:

• In the United States, the company Plug Power is using green hydrogen to power fuel cell forklifts in warehouses.
• In Europe, the company Siemens is developing green hydrogen-powered trains.
• In Asia, the company Hyundai is developing green hydrogen-powered trucks.
• In Australia, the company Fortescue Metals Group is developing a green hydrogen-powered mining operation.

These are just a few examples of how green hydrogen is being used today. As the technology continues to develop and the cost of production decreases, we can expect to see green hydrogen used in even more applications in the future.

Hydrogen as Clean Energy

Hydrogen has the potential to be a key player in the global energy landscape. It is abundant, versatile, and can be produced using renewable energy. This makes it a promising candidate for powering a wide range of industries and transportation methods, while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The World Hydrogen Council projects that the cost of producing hydrogen will decrease by up to 80% by 2030, which would make it even more competitive with other energy sources. This could lead to a rapid increase in the adoption of hydrogen technologies in the coming years.

Here are some specific examples of how hydrogen is already being used as a clean energy source:

• Transportation: Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, and there are a number of companies developing hydrogen-powered trucks, buses, and ships.
• Industry: Hydrogen is being used to produce clean steel, fertilizer, and other industrial products.
• Power generation: Hydrogen can be used to store excess renewable energy and then generate electricity when needed. This can help to balance the grid and make renewable energy more reliable.

The development of hydrogen technology and infrastructure is still in its early stages, but there is significant investment and momentum in this area. If the technical and economic challenges can be overcome, hydrogen has the potential to play a major role in the global energy transition.

How Hydrogen Vehicle is better than Electric Vehicles

• EVs still rely on coal: India’s power grid has negated the side effects of its massive EV push and will continue to be predominantly coal-based. Coal must be burned to generate the power needed to drive these vehicles. In some countries that have opted for electric vehicles, most of their electricity is generated from renewable sources. For example, Norway is 99% hydropower.
  
• Applicable to multiple sectors: Experts believe that hydrogen vehicles will be particularly effective in long-distance transport and other sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as shipping and long-distance aviation.  Using heavy batteries in these applications is counterproductive, especially in countries like India where the power grid is predominantly coal-fired. Hydrogen-based fuels, therefore, offer a greener alternative.
  
• Efficiency: Battery-based electric vehicles can be recharged in 30 – 45 minutes, while hydrogen-based vehicles can be refueled in just 5 minutes. In addition, consumers can get approximately five times better energy storage per unit volume and weight.

Major Challenges of Green Hydrogen

1. Refueling infrastructure

A major obstacle to the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles has been the lack of refueling infrastructure. Fuel cell vehicles refuel in a similar way to conventional vehicles, but cannot use the same refueling stations (only 500 in the world – Europe, Japan, Korea)

2. Safety is considered important

Hydrogen is pressurized and stored in cryogenic tanks, from where it is fed into low-pressure cells and subjected to electrochemical reactions to produce electricity. Security is therefore a major concern that could drive up the cost of adopting this powerbase.

3. Scaling technology and reaching critical mass remains a major challenge

With more vehicles on the road and more infrastructure to support them, costs can be reduced.

India’s Approach to Green Hydrogen

India is very ambitious in using green hydrogen on a large scale. India plans on producing 5 million metric tonnes per year (MTPA) by 2030.

The Indian government is promoting the growth of the green hydrogen sector via several programs like:

1. National Green Hydrogen Mission

The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM): It is a initiative by Indian Government to promote Use and Production of green hydrogen. It was launched in January 2023.

It’s primary objective are:

• Producing 5 million metric tonnes per year (MTPA) of green hydrogen by 2030.
• Reducing the cost of green hydrogen production by 50% by 2030.
• Creating a domestic market for green hydrogen.
• Promoting international cooperation on green hydrogen.

2. Financial Help

Indian Government is providing lot’s of Financial support to promote use of green hydrogen:

• Capital subsidy of 25% for green hydrogen production projects
• Tax break of 100% on the profits of green hydrogen production projects for the first five years of operation
• Feed-in tariff of ₹10 per unit for green hydrogen that is sold to the grid
• Purchase guarantee of 500,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year from domestic producers

4. Developing Green Hydrogen Plants in India

Indian government has already started building green hydrogen plants in India. Some of the green hydrogen plants in India are mentioned below:

• L&T Green Hydrogen Plant, Hazira, Gujarat
• Indian Oil Corporation Green Hydrogen Plant, Panipat, Haryana
• Reliance Industries Green Hydrogen Plant, Jamnagar, Gujarat
• Adani Green Hydrogen Plant, Mundra, Gujarat
• Oil India Green Hydrogen Pilot Plant, Jorhat, Assam

Top Green Hydrogen Companies in the World

Here are some of the top green hydrogen companies in the world:

1. Neom Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC): NGHC is a Saudi Arabian company that is building the world’s largest green hydrogen plant. The plant is expected to produce up to 600 tonnes of green hydrogen per day by 2026. NGHC is a subsidiary of NEOM, a new city being built in Saudi Arabia that is designed to be a sustainable and futuristic metropolis.
2. Plug Power: Plug Power is an American company that develops and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company has deployed over 60,000 of its fuel cell systems in over 40 countries. Plug Power is a leader in the green hydrogen industry and is working to develop a clean hydrogen economy.
3. Air Products: Air Products is an American multinational industrial gases company. The company is a major producer of hydrogen, including green hydrogen. Air Products is also developing technologies to use hydrogen in transportation and power generation.
4. Linde Linde: is a German multinational industrial gas company. The company is a major producer of hydrogen, including green hydrogen. Linde is also developing technologies to use hydrogen in transportation and power generation.
5. Shell: Shell is a British multinational energy and petrochemical company. The company is investing in green hydrogen and is developing technologies to use hydrogen in transportation and power generation.
6. Reliance Industries: Reliance Industries is an Indian multinational conglomerate company. The company is investing in green hydrogen and is developing technologies to use hydrogen in transportation and power generation.
7. Bloom Energy: Bloom Energy is an American company that develops and manufactures solid oxide fuel cells. The company’s fuel cells can run on green hydrogen and produce clean electricity. Bloom Energy has deployed over 150 of its fuel cells in over 15 countries.
8. McPhy Energy: McPhy Energy is a French company that develops and manufactures hydrogen production and storage equipment. The company is a leader in the green hydrogen industry and is working to develop a clean hydrogen economy.
9. Nel Hydrogen: Nel Hydrogen is a Norwegian company that develops and manufactures hydrogen electrolyzers. Electrolyzers are used to produce green hydrogen from water and electricity. Nel Hydrogen is a leader in the green hydrogen industry and is working to develop a clean hydrogen economy.
10. Toshiba Energy: Systems & Solutions Corporation Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation is a Japanese company that develops and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell systems. The company is a leader in the green hydrogen industry and is working to develop a clean hydrogen economy.

Blue Hydrogen vs Green Hydrogen

Here’s a table comparing green hydrogen and blue hydrogen:

Feature	Green Hydrogen	Blue Hydrogen
Production method	Electrolysis of water using renewable energy	Steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Carbon footprint	Zero emissions	Low emissions (about 9-12% of the emissions of natural gas combustion)
Environmental impact	Minimal	Lower environmental impact than natural gas combustion
Technology maturity	Early stages of development	Currently available
Cost	Higher	Lower
Applications	Power generation, industrial processes, transportation	Power generation, industrial processes, transportation
Potential for widespread adoption	High	Medium

For more detail: Difference Between Green Hydrogen and Blue Hydrogen

Best Green Hydrogen Stocks in the World

Here’s a list of some of the top green hydrogen stocks along with their current market valuations:

Company Name	Symbol	Market Valuation (USD)
Plug Power	PLUG	$3.07 Billion
Bloom Energy	BE	$2.02 Billion
Ballard Power Systems	BLDP	$1.24 Billion
Chart Industries	GTLS	$928.2 Million
ITM Power	ITM	$728.9 Million
Linde plc	LIN	$126.4 Billion
Air Products and Chemicals	APD	$68.2 Billion
Nel ASA	NEL	$133.7 Million
Engie SA	EN	$41.4 Billion
Orsted AS	DONG	$70.0 Billion
Next Hydrogen	NEXH	$2.48 Billion
Lhyfe	LHY	$30.2 Million

Conclusion

Green hydrogen is a ray of hope for the future—one that is sustainable and carbon neutral. People are switching to better fuel for energy as concerns like climate change and greenhouse gas emissions become more pressing. An improved fuel with extremely low CO2 emissions, efficient use, and sustainability. The only apparent option for the usage of future generations is green hydrogen. It has extensive uses in a variety of fields, including automotive, industrial, and even domestic.

The tremendous potential of green hydrogen, powered by renewable energy sources, shows the possibilities for a more environmentally friendly and ecologically aware future. It presents an opportunity for nations to increase GDP, reduce their carbon footprint, and usher in a new era of energy independence. Without a doubt, green hydrogen will be crucial to the global shift toward sustainability.

Green Hydrogen – FAQs

Q1. Does India have green hydrogen?

Yes, India is making significant efforts to promote green hydrogen by funding research and development, utilizing its renewable energy resources to produce green hydrogen, and launching programs like the National Hydrogen Mission.

Q2. Who is the largest producer of green hydrogen?

In terms of producing green hydrogen right now, the US is in the lead, followed by Germany and Canada. Australia will likely lead the world in hydrogen energy by 2030, with the US and Spain following closely behind.

Q3. Who invented green hydrogen?

It is not an invention credited to a single person or entity, but rather the result of scientific and industrial processes. The term “green hydrogen” refers to hydrogen gas generated by a specific method called electrolysis that is driven by renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. 

Q4. What are the raw materials for green hydrogen?

The raw material for producing green hydrogen is water (H2O). We can obtain green hydrogen by electrolysis, which involves splitting water molecules into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using an electrical current. No fossil fuel is used in this process.

Q5. Who are green hydrogen companies in India

Some of the green hydrogen companies in India include:

• Reliance Industries.
• GAIL (India)
• Jindal Stainless.
• Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
• National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC)
• Larsen & Toubro.
• JSW Steel.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation.

Q6. What is green hydrogen policy in India

India’s goals are to achieve Net Zero by 2070 and energy independence by 2047. The National Green Hydrogen Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 January 2022, with the intended objectives of:

• Making India a leading producer and supplier of Green Hydrogen in the world
• Creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives
• Reduction in dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock
• Development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities
• Attracting investment and business opportunities for the industry
• Creating opportunities for employment and economic development
• Supporting R&D projects