Government expands green hydrogen use with new pilot scheme
The Indian government has launched a new pilot project to test the use of green hydrogen in everyday life. This project will explore how green hydrogen can be used for cooking, heating, and power generation in homes and communities. The goal is to find ways to produce and use green hydrogen on a small scale, close to where it is needed, using local renewable energy sources.
What is Green Hydrogen?
Green hydrogen is a clean fuel made by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable energy sources like wind or solar. This process, called electrolysis, does not produce any carbon emissions, which is why it is called “green” hydrogen. In India, most hydrogen produced today is “grey” hydrogen, which is made from fossil fuels and releases greenhouse gases. The government wants to change this by encouraging the use of green hydrogen to reduce pollution.
Government’s Pilot Project for Green Hydrogen
The pilot project has a budget of ₹200 crore, approved by the President of India. The funding will last until the financial year 2025-26. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is inviting proposals from companies and institutions interested in developing new ways to produce and use green hydrogen. The aim is to test the technical possibilities of using green hydrogen in homes, residential areas, and for local services like city gas.
Focus on Small-Scale Production
So far, India has focused on using green hydrogen to replace fossil fuels in big industries like chemicals, fertilisers, oil, gas, and steel. It’s also been considered for transportation, including shipping. However, this new pilot project is different because it aims to bring green hydrogen to local communities. The idea is to produce green hydrogen using small, local sources like rooftop solar panels, tiny hydropower plants, floating solar systems, and even biomass or wastewater.
How Will the Green Hydrogen Be Used?
The green hydrogen produced in this pilot project will be tested for everyday uses at the community level. This includes heating and cooking in homes, generating power for local communities, and even storing electricity for off-grid areas. The project aims to find out if green hydrogen can be a reliable and cost-effective energy source for ordinary people, not just big industries.
Who Can Take Part in the Project?
The government is inviting a wide range of participants to join this project. Companies, joint ventures, research institutions, academic institutions, NGOs, and state-owned enterprises can all apply. The goal is to encourage innovation and come up with new ways to produce and use green hydrogen on a smaller scale. This could help India reach its target of net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2070.
Why Green Hydrogen Matters
The push for green hydrogen is part of India’s larger plan to become more environmentally friendly and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. By testing green hydrogen in everyday settings like homes and small communities, the government hopes to show that this technology is not just for large-scale industries, but can also benefit ordinary households. If successful, this pilot project could pave the way for a cleaner, greener future.
What’s Next?
As the project moves forward, it will be closely watched to see how well green hydrogen performs in different situations. The results will help decide whether green hydrogen can be a practical choice for everyday energy needs in India. If the pilot project is successful, it could lead to a larger rollout of green hydrogen technology across the country.
