Green hydrogen explained: How it is produced, where it is used and India’s mission
India recently launched its first hydrogen-powered train in a major push for clean energy, putting green hydrogen technology in the spotlight. The milestone is part of the country’s wider efforts to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Along with electric vehicles and renewable energy, green hydrogen is emerging as one of the key pillars of India’s clean energy transition.Globally, countries are investing heavily in hydrogen as the future fuel for hard-to-decarbonize industries such as heavy industry, long-distance transport, shipping and aviation. India has also launched a National Green Hydrogen Mission to position itself as a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage and export.In this context, let’s understand what green hydrogen is, how it is produced, how hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity without burning it, and why this technology is considered crucial to India’s energy future.
In simple terms, this concept
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, but its pure form is rarely found on Earth. It usually occurs as part of compounds such as water (H2O) or hydrocarbons such as natural gas. Therefore, hydrogen must be extracted before it can be used as fuel.Hydrogen is often described as an energy carrier rather than a source of energy. Like electricity, it stores and transports energy generated elsewhere.Hydrogen is divided into different categories depending on how it is produced:• Gray hydrogen Produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming. It is currently the most widely used form, but releases large amounts of carbon dioxide.• blue hydrogen It is also produced from natural gas, but the carbon dioxide produced during production is captured and stored using Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology.• green hydrogen Produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy. It is considered the cleanest form of hydrogen because no fossil fuels are used and virtually no carbon dioxide is emitted during production.Because green hydrogen can be stored, transported and used in multiple sectors, it is expected to play a vital role in achieving global climate goals.
How is green hydrogen produced?
The most common method of producing green hydrogen is electrolysis.In this process, electricity is passed through water through a device called an electrolyser. The electric current splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.When electricity comes entirely from renewable sources such as solar, wind or hydropower, the hydrogen produced is called green hydrogen.The oxygen produced during electrolysis can also be captured for industrial or medical use, increasing the overall efficiency of the process.Although electrolysis technology has been known for decades, falling renewable energy costs and improvements in electrolyser technology are making green hydrogen increasingly viable as a large-scale clean fuel.
How they generate electricity without burning
Unlike gasoline, diesel or coal, hydrogen does not need to be burned to generate electricity.Most hydrogen-powered cars and trains use hydrogen fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy of hydrogen directly into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction.Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen is supplied to the anode, while oxygen from the surrounding air enters through the cathode. Catalysts separate hydrogen into protons and electrons. The electrons travel through an external circuit, creating electricity to power the motor, while the protons combine with oxygen to create water.The only direct by-products of this process are water and heat, making the fuel cell virtually emission-free.Hydrogen fuel cells can refuel more quickly than traditional batteries and often provide longer operating ranges, making them particularly suitable for heavy-duty vehicles, long-distance trains, buses and freight transport.
Green hydrogen applications
Green hydrogen is expected to transform an industry where direct electrification remains difficult.In transportation, it could power trains, buses, trucks, ships and potentially airplanes. On the industrial side, it can replace coal and natural gas in steel manufacturing, oil refining, fertilizer production and the chemical industry, significantly reducing carbon emissions.The power sector can also use hydrogen for long-term energy storage to help balance electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.In addition, hydrogen is increasingly seen as an export commodity of the future, with countries with abundant renewable energy vying to become major suppliers to energy importers.
India National Green Hydrogen Mission
Recognizing the strategic importance of hydrogen, the Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2023, with an initial financial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore.The mission aims to make India a global hub for the production, utilization and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.Its main goals include:• Production: Build green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million tonnes per year (MMT).• Energy: Add approximately 125 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity to the country.• Investment: Attracting total investment of over Rs 8 billion (USD 100 billion).• Jobs: Create over 600,000 (600,000) clean energy jobs.• Emissions: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 MMT per year.• Savings: Savings on fossil fuel imports exceed Rs 100 crore.The mission is implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) through the Strategic Intervention for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, support for pilot programmes, research and development, skills development and the creation of hydrogen centres.
Why is green hydrogen important for India?
India is the world’s third-largest energy consumer and relies on imports for a large portion of its crude oil and natural gas needs. This dependence exposes the economy to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions.Green hydrogen offers opportunities to improve energy security while supporting India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. It could help decarbonize industries that cannot easily switch to battery-electric technology, notably steel, fertilizers, refineries and heavy transport.The technology is also expected to create new manufacturing opportunities in electrolysers, fuel cells and renewable energy infrastructure, thereby strengthening India’s position in the emerging global clean energy economy.However, some challenges remain. Green hydrogen is still more expensive than conventional hydrogen, electrolyzer manufacturing capacity needs to be expanded, safe transport and storage of hydrogen requires specialized infrastructure, and production requires large amounts of renewable electricity and water.Even so, experts believe technological advances and economies of scale could drive down costs in the coming years.
Preliminary information box
Power exercises
“Green hydrogen is expected to play a transformative role in India’s clean energy transition.” Discussing its production process, applications, challenges and the importance of the National Green Hydrogen Mission to achieving India’s climate and energy security goals.Five key terms to remember• Green hydrogen: Using regenerated electricity to split water to produce hydrogen.• Electrolysis: The process of using electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.• Hydrogen fuel cells: A device that converts hydrogen into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions without burning.• National Green Hydrogen Mission: The government initiative aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.• Energy carrier: A substance, such as hydrogen, can store and transport energy generated from other sources.
MCQs with answers
1. Green hydrogen production uses:(a) Coal gasification(b) Renewable energy electrolysis(c) Petroleum refining(d) nuclear fissionAnswer: (b)2. Which ministry is the nodal agency for the National Green Hydrogen Mission?(a) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas(b) Ministry of Power(c) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy(d) Ministry of Heavy IndustryAnswer: (3)3. The main by-products of hydrogen fuel cell power generation are:(a) Carbon dioxide(b) Sulfur dioxide(c) water(d) MethaneAnswer: (3)4. Which types of hydrogen involve carbon capture during production?(a) Green hydrogen(b) Blue hydrogen(c) white hydrogen(d) Yellow hydrogenAnswer: (b)5. How much green hydrogen does the National Green Hydrogen Plan aim to produce at least annually by 2030?(a) 2 montmorillonite(b) 3 MMT(c) 5 MMT(d) 10 MMTAnswer: (3)
FAQ
Q1. Why is hydrogen called an energy carrier rather than an energy source?Hydrogen is not freely produced in large quantities and must first be produced using another energy source. It stores and provides energy rather than producing it naturally.Q2. Is green hydrogen completely pollution-free?Green hydrogen production itself is virtually carbon-free when using renewable electricity. However, its overall environmental impact also depends on factors such as water use, transportation and infrastructure.Q3. Why can’t batteries replace hydrogen in every field?Batteries are suitable for passenger cars and short-distance transport, but heavy industry, shipping, aviation and long-distance freight often require fuels with higher energy density and faster refueling, making hydrogen a promising alternative.Q4. What are the biggest challenges in adopting green hydrogen?High production costs and the need for dedicated storage, transportation and refueling infrastructure remain the biggest obstacles.Q5. Why is green hydrogen important to UPSC?This topic is associated with GS Paper III (Science and Technology, Environment, Energy Security and Economics) and frequently appears in current affairs due to the Indian National Green Hydrogen Mission and global clean energy initiatives.
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