Is The Green Hydrogen Policy A Viable First Step Towards Power/Energy Security?

Hydrogen is manufactured through an energy-intensive process called Electrolysis. If electrolysis is powered through renewable sources, then the product is called 'green hydrogen'. This process of electrolysis is uneconomical, and the Policy aims to counter just that. Presently India is primarily producing 'gray hydrogen' (hydrogen produced using fossil fuels).

Besides greatly feeding India's need for renewable energy, (green) hydrogen has the capacity to be a complete replacement of coal, it has various uses such as

• It can be stored on a large scale and for longer duration;
• It can be used to decarbonise the transport sector as hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity which can power EVs;
• Liquid ammonia drawn from hydrogen helps fuel container ships;
• It can be used to manufacture ammonia and fertilizers in the chemical industry; and
• Hydrogen powered electricity turbine can help meet electricity demands in case of grid failure.

Legislation Or Lack Of It:

There is no specific legislation governing 'Renewable Energy' in India, however renewable energy falls under the Electricity Act, 2003 (which provides a framework for the generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity) and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2017, which defines it.

In February 2022, Government of India launched the Green Hydrogen Policy (National Hydrogen Mission) to promote production and usage of green hydrogen, while aiming at India's climate targets. This was notified by Ministry of Power, however the nodal government agency for renewable energy is the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy.

How Is The Policy To Be Applied?

The launch of the Policy comes at a significant time as India is currently facing a coal-shortage and a power crisis. The Policy aims to reduce India's dependence on fossil fuels by promoting the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia, the "future fuels", while also addressing its climate goals.

The Policy addresses several challenges being faced by India in its bid for a cleaner fuel. It has various attributes,

• It offers several incentives to attract investors by (including but not limited to) –
• Granting distribution licensees which can procure, supply renewable energy at concessional rates.
• Waiving of inter-state transmission of charges for 25 years, for hydrogen/ammonia plants that have been commissioned before June 2025.
• Allotting land in Renewable Energy Parks to manufacture green hydrogen/ green ammonia.
• It facilitates ease of business (including but not limited to) -
• By proposing a single portal for all clearances related to all the activities of the business.
• By giving priority connectivity to the grid to the manufacturers of green hydrogen/ ammonia and the renewable energy plant.
• It is encouraging export –
• The storage of green hydrogen near ports for ease of transport
• Manufacturers to set up bunkers near the port for storage, prior to exporting green hydrogen.

Application Of The Present Legislation And Rules Thereof:

The incentives will significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing green hydrogen and promote its usage. Since there is no legislation governing renewable energy, the generation, transmission, distribution and usage of hydrogen power will fall under the Electricity Act, 2003 and the tariffs for hydrogen power will be determined by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Tariff Determination from Renewable Energy Sources) Regulations, 2017, unless new legislation and rules thereof, are introduced. It should be kept in mind that India's current demand for hydrogen is approximately 6.7 million tonnes, which is projected to double by 2030. It is pertinent to point out that, green hydrogen it is still costing more than gray hydrogen. At this point in climate history, it is necessary to continuously invest in R&D.

Issues Related To The Policy:

• Production Cost: The cost of two critical inputs - electrolysers and renewable energy, is more in green hydrogen production. The cost is currently about $5.5/kg, or $3/kg in countries with good solar resources. While the cost is projected to continue to decline steeply this decade, but it is still difficult to compete with gray hydrogen at $2/kg. India has the potential to reduce this production cost by
• Using low-cost renewable power generating plants, and
• Using cost-curtailment measures learned from promoting solar power policy/ wind turbines etc.
• Reason for disparity: Furthermore, waiving of central open access charges will also help lower the cost of production but there are still state level open access charges which may forfeit the intended incentives and thereby cause disparity in charges. A collaborative effort among all state parties will be required overcome this situation.
• Storage: While the Policy envisages storage of greenhydrogen near ports etc, storing large quantity of green hydrogen, at a specific pressure and temperature (which is required to be maintained) is an important logistical, expensive requirement or it may lead to hazardous consequences.
• Water scarcity: An important point to keep in mind is that 9 litres of alkaline water is required to produce 1kg of hydrogen. Alkaline water electrolysis consumes more electricity than polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis. Therefore, it would be pertinent to either promote a more sustainable electrolysis technique and/ or plan hydrogen production in areas where water isn't scarce.
• Supply-chain management: Green Hydrogen hinges upon creation of an efficient supply-chain management. Starting from manufacturing, production of green hydrogen and then eventually using electricity as a renewable energy resource.
• Lack of infrastructure: India currently lacks the infrastructure to manufacture, store, use large quantities of green hydrogen, as we have been primarily relying on coal. The initial years of setting up this business will be difficult for manufacturers.

The Constitution of India has laid down a fundamental duty to "protect and improve the natural environment". Additionally, people all over the world celebrate 'Earth Day' as 'Mother Earth Day'. In May 2022, the Madras HC declared"Mother Nature" as a "living being" with the status of a legal person, with all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person and urged to preserve and conserve them, in the case of Periyakaruppan v The Principal Secretary. Therefore, Madras High Court's granting legal status to "Mother Nature" as a living being only adds to the sentiment that the earth is ours to protect and preserve.

However, the power crisis in India, is much more complex than that. India is hugely dependent on coal and there is a coal shortage in India. 108 of 173 thermal power plants have critically low levels of stock. The Ukraine-Russia war has led to high international prices of coal. The heatwave spell across major cities in India, along with the slow economic recovery after Covid-19 has all hit India at the same time. Coal plants are responsible of huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In fact, climate change is coal's most serious global impact.

While India is facing energy/ power crisis, the world (including India) is collectively facing a climate crisis. The transition from reliance on coal to economically sustainable green hydrogen is an important step towards energy security, climate security and the economy. Green hydrogen is not a stand-alone solution. Green hydrogen/ ammonia, along with other renewable energy sources complement each other. Altogether, they should be seen as an alternative to coal. It must be noted that the Policy has been introduced in the most opportune time, however, if India's reliance on coal had been reduced earlier, the power crisis wouldn't even have happened.

To conclude, the incentives introduced by the Policy, are wide ranging and they are an important next towards India's power/energy security. However, constant research & development in clean tech is needed to keep a Policy such as this sailing.

Views are personal.