MNRE Scheme Puts Green Hydrogen To The Test

Source: Why green hydrogen presents both major opportunities, significant challenges (Indian Express, April 6, 2024)

The Indian government is betting on green hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative for the transportation sector. A recently launched MNRE scheme aims to pilot green hydrogen vehicles, evaluating their technical and economic viability, while addressing challenges related to storage, infrastructure, and safety.

This article explores the potential and hurdles of green hydrogen as a transportation fuel.

Green Hydrogen Initiatives In India

Government Support for Pilot Projects

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in India has introduced a scheme worth Rs 496 crore until 2025-26. This scheme aims to back pilot projects that explore green hydrogen’s potential as a vehicle fuel or develop essential infrastructure like refueling stations.

Industry’s Efforts on Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles

Leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in India, such as Tata Motors, Volvo Eicher, and Ashok Leyland, are intensifying their efforts to develop trucks and buses powered by hydrogen. They’re investing more in research, development, and manufacturing capacities for this purpose.

Energy Companies’ Role in Scaling Up Production

Indian energy companies are also focused on increasing green hydrogen production and reducing its costs. Their aim is to make green hydrogen competitive with other fuels, which could open up new opportunities in the transportation sector.

Potential Benefits for India

As hydrogen is expected to become widely used in transportation, India stands to benefit significantly. Adopting green hydrogen could lead to reductions in emissions, aiding efforts to combat global warming and climate change. Additionally, it could help India curb pollution, achieve climate targets, decrease dependence on expensive fossil fuel imports, and establish itself as a global leader in green hydrogen production and export.

Understanding Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, powered by renewable energy sources like solar or wind. It’s termed “green” because of its eco-friendly production process. In contrast, most industrial hydrogen currently produced is “grey” hydrogen, which comes from natural gas and emits high levels of carbon.

By transitioning to green hydrogen, India aims to leverage its abundant renewable energy resources to produce a clean and sustainable fuel alternative, contributing to both environmental protection and economic growth.

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Transport Sector Scheme

The major objectives of the MNRE scheme, guidelines for which were issued in February, are:

Validate the technical feasibility and performance of green hydrogen as a transportation fuel.
Evaluate the economic viability of green hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Demonstrate the safe operation of hydrogen-powered vehicles and refueling stations.

Implementation Process:

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways will appoint a scheme implementation agency.
This agency will invite proposals for pilot projects, with the selected company or consortium becoming the project’s executing agency.

Approval and Funding:

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) will approve viability gap funding (VGF) based on recommendations from a Project Appraisal Committee.
The VGF amount will be determined after assessing the specific needs, merits, and feasibility of each project.
The executing agency must complete the pilot project within two years of approval.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles

Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles:

Operate similarly to diesel and petrol cars but produce no carbon emissions.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs):

Convert hydrogen into electricity through electrochemical processes, leaving water as the only byproduct.
Research suggests this method is more energy efficient than burning hydrogen directly in an ICE vehicle.

Comparison with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs):

Hydrogen FCEVs are lighter than BEVs because hydrogen is a light element, and fuel cell stacks weigh less than EV batteries.
Especially beneficial for heavy-duty trucks, as they can carry heavier payloads without emitting diesel exhaust.

Payload Capacity Consideration:

Long-haul FCEVs can carry freight similar to diesel trucks, while long-haul BEVs may have up to a 25% weight penalty due to heavier batteries.
Green hydrogen technology offers a promising solution to reduce carbon emissions in transportation while maintaining revenue-generating payload capacity.

Challenges in Green Hydrogen Adoption

Cost: Producing green hydrogen is expensive, which hampers its widespread use in transportation.
Storage and Transportation: Challenges exist in storing and transporting green hydrogen at a large scale.

Competition with Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs):

Suitability: Green hydrogen-powered vehicles aren’t yet seen as suitable alternatives to BEVs.
Infrastructure: Building infrastructure for green hydrogen faces hurdles, as shown by Shell’s closure of hydrogen refueling stations in California.

Cost Targets and Cylinder Development:

Cost Targets: To compete, green hydrogen prices need to drop significantly by 2030.
Cylinder Development: Specialized cylinders are needed for safe storage, but current ones designed for CNG aren’t suitable.

Safety Concerns:

Flammability: Hydrogen is highly flammable, requiring special handling and safety standards, unlike conventional fuels.

Technological Challenges:

Battery Advancements: Advancements in battery technology may challenge the long-term viability of green hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles.

Summary

Challenges such as high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and safety concerns hinder the widespread adoption of green hydrogen in transportation. Competing with BEVs, achieving cost targets, developing suitable storage cylinders, and ensuring safety standards are crucial for its viability.

Additionally, advancements in battery technology pose a potential threat to the future of green hydrogen in heavy-duty vehicle applications.