Hydrogen is a sustainable fuel with diverse applications in areas including mobility, domestic sector, and industries. As a fuel, it is superior to the traditional fossil-fuel route owing to its scalability and versatility. Despite the uncertainty in terms of storage, the adoption rate is expected to drive the green hydrogen market. CSTEP's research is focussed on the application of hydrogen as a blended fuel in mobility and city gas distribution networks - leapfrogging from a coal-based economy into a gas-based economy to realise and march beyond India's climate commitments.
Press Release: Advanced process simulation modelling for hydrogen application in steel and cement: A technical and economic assessment
Industry leaders pioneering the use of hydrogen to decarbonise the steel industry met on Monday in Delhi to discuss its potential and challenges. The event was organised by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a science and technology-based think tank, to launch its report Advanced Process Simulation Modelling for Hydrogen Application in Steel and Cement – A Technical and Economic Assessment.
Advanced process simulation modelling for hydrogen application in steel and cement
Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors calls for measures that can reduce emissions from both fuel combustion and different processes. These measures can yield incremental emission savings for abating emissions at scale. As the last frontier towards the net-zero goal, hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and cement manufacturing units must look to transition to scalable solutions that can offer energy saving opportunities and emissions reduction. In this study, we examine whether hydrogen can play a pivotal role in decarbonising steel and cement sectors.
Hydrogen Application in Hard-to-Abate Industries – Steelmaking
CSTEP organised the event Hydrogen Application in Hard-to-Abate Industries – Steelmaking and launched its latest report on 16 December 2024. CSTEP conducted the study to explore the role of hydrogen as a viable alternative in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries. The project was funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
The report launch was followed by a presentation by CSTEP researchers and panel discussions.
Date: 16 December 2024
What India can do to site green hydrogen production plants effectively
India marked its presence as a serious contender in the green hydrogen space at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which happened in May this year. The India Pavilion set up by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) showcased the nation’s progress in the green hydrogen (GH2) domain and conveyed the government’s intent to deploy it for meeting the nation’s energy requirements sustainably.
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.
Potential and challenges of using hydrogen to decarbonise Indian Railways
The Indian Railways, one of the biggest train networks worldwide, transports over 24 million passengers and 3 MT of freight daily. It is a major energy consumer in the country with a significant emission footprint. To overcome these challenges, the government has set a target to achieve 100% electrification of the railway network by 2024. Currently, 80% of the routes have already been electrified. However, the cost effectiveness and technical feasibility of complete electrification in areas with low grid access or inaccessible terrain or in routes with low frequency remain unclear.