The three main facets of a typical hydrogen ecosystem include demand, supply, and allied bridging technologies. India's progress towards green energy transition aligns with the efforts to bolster the green hydrogen ecosystem. CSTEP is involved in devising hydrogen adoption strategies for hard-to-abate industries such as steel and cement manufacturing units, with few emission reduction opportunities. We are also developing computational tools to identify suitable sites for setting up hydrogen production units based on interdisciplinary frameworks.
Beyond the hydrogen horizon: Assessing the viability of low-carbon technologies for steel production
Green hydrogen hubs in India: A first order analytical hierarchy process for site selection across states
Green hydrogen can be the transitional solution required to reduce anthropogenic emissions and enhance energy independency from fossil fuel. To improve green hydrogen adoption, a cluster-based infrastructure, called a hydrogen hub, is devised taking into account the demand-supply interplay coupled with transport ease. In this paper, we have identified sites across states that are conducive for hydrogen hubs.
Can Hydrogen hasten the utilisation of alternative fuel resources in the cement industry?
In 2021, Hanson — a subsidiary of Heidelberg Cement in the United Kingdom — substituted 100% of thermal energy with energy from alternative fuels in one of its cement kilns by using a mixture of hydrogen (39%), glycerine (49%), and meat and bone meal (MBM; 12%) instead of coal. This is the world’s first usage of 100% climate-neutral fuel and one of the first demonstrations of hydrogen-based technology in the cement kiln. Such adaptations, comprising a climate-neutral fuel blend, in the Indian cement industry remain elusive, even in 5% of the plants.
Hydrogen applications segmentation and hierarchy
The National Green Hydrogen Mission envisions India to be a leading manufacturer and a major hub for green hydrogen in the world. However, India lacks the necessary infrastructure and some of the key technologies that are needed to realise these goals. India does not produce green hydrogen at a commercial stage at present and lacks several raw materials (critical minerals) that are required to manufacture electrolysers.
OPINION: Is hydrogen the next state-of-the-art ancillary fuel in the server legion?
Over the past decade, digitalisation has been expedited across all industries. This has enabled businesses to store, manage, and remotely retrieve large amounts of both critical and non-critical data. In addition, improvements in the precision of global navigation systems, expansion of trade and commerce, increased access to quality education, and other data-intensive procedures have contributed to an elevated quality of life and heightened productivity.
H2 Valleys: Opportunities and Trade-offs
In India, a functioning hydrogen economy is expected to bolster the energy portfolio in a sustainable way with the support of conducive policies (National Green Hydrogen Mission) from the Government.
Is India ready for the switch to Green Hydrogen in passenger trains?
Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways, has announced that the country would have its first hydrogen-powered passenger train by December 2023. The train will run on the Sonipat–Jind route in Haryana, which is 89 km. The announcement has created a buzz among researchers in the country.
But are we ready for the switch to green hydrogen in our trains? Let’s assess the economic and technical feasibility of the switch from diesel to hydrogen in passenger trains.