Green Hydrogen: A Viable and Sustainable Alternative

Green Hydrogen: A Viable and Sustainable Alternative

The search for sustainable energy alternatives has intensified in recent years due to the growing urgency to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Green Hydrogen is the future fuel, emerging as a promising solution. In this blog post, we will explore the potential of Green Hydrogen, its benefits and challenges, and the role GreenH Electrolysis, as a leading manufacturer of PEM electrolysers in India, will play in advancing hydrogen technology as a sustainable energy solution. 

What is Green Hydrogen? 

Green Hydrogen is produced using renewable energy sources, like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Unlike traditional hydrogen production methods that rely on natural gas and emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), Green Hydrogen is generated through a process called electrolysis, which uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen produced using renewable energy is referred to as “Green Hydrogen”. 

In 2023, the global hydrogen production reached 97 MT of which only 1% accounted for low emission hydrogen. Based on estimates of globally announced projects, low- emission hydrogen could reach 49 MTPA By 2030.  

However, achieving this target will require concerted efforts by several stakeholders as taking an announced project to the FID stage is a long and arduous journey due to several factors which are being discussed in this blog.  

The Environmental Benefits of Green Hydrogen 

One of the most significant advantages of Green Hydrogen is its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Green Hydrogen produces only water vapour as a by-product when used as a fuel, making it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. According to a 2022 report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), switching to green hydrogen in sectors like transportation, industry, and power generation could reduce global CO2 emissions by up to 6 gigatonnes annually by 2050. 

Green hydrogen offers an unparalleled sustainable solution to complement renewable energy installation and help balance electricity grids by storing excess renewable energy. During low grid demand and high renewable energy output, the surplus renewable energy can be used to produce hydrogen. This hydrogen can later be converted back into electricity when grid demand is higher than the direct renewable energy output or used in other applications, providing a flexible energy storage solution.  

GreenH Electrolysis is a crucial player in making this process more efficient and scalable, ensuring a stable supply of clean energy. 

The Economic Viability of Green Hydrogen 

The environmental benefits of green hydrogen are undeniable, and its economic viability is improving rapidly. Currently, the cost of producing Green Hydrogen is significantly higher than that of conventional hydrogen due to the high price of electrolysers and the need for large amounts of renewable electricity. In 2023, the cost of Green Hydrogen production averaged around $5 to $6 per kilogram, compared to $1 to $2 per kilogram for grey hydrogen. 

GreenH Electrolysis is at the forefront of efforts to make green hydrogen economically viable. By advancing PEM electrolyser technology and driving down production costs, GreenH Electrolysis is making green hydrogen competitive with conventional hydrogen. The Hydrogen Council projects that with continued investment and technological improvements, the cost of green hydrogen could fall by up to 50% by 2030. GreenH Electrolysis is making significant strides in improving electrolyser efficiency and scaling up production, both of which are critical to achieving this cost reduction. 

Challenges in Adopting Green Hydrogen 

Despite its potential, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. The primary challenges of this being-  

  • High Costs of Technology- Current methods for producing green hydrogen are expensive; achieving cost parity with traditional methods requires significant advancements. Subsidies and incentives along with investment in research and development is required for achieving this cost parity with conventional methods. 
  • Lack of Infrastructure- There is a lack of necessary infrastructure for the effective transport and storage, hindering widespread adoption. Also, upgrading the existing power grid to accommodate renewable energy sources is crucial for a successful hydrogen economy. Government and private stakeholders have started to invest heavily in developing and upgrading the current infrastructure. 
  • Regulatory and Policy Framework- The current regulatory environment may not fully support the deployment of new energy technologies, creating uncertainty for investors. A clear and comprehensive policy framework is needed to guide investments and incentivize technological advancements in Green Hydrogen. 
  • Technical Expertise and Human Resources- There is a notable shortage of skilled labor to operate and maintain advanced technologies like hydrogen production systems, necessitating targeted training programs. 

These factors make the journey of setting up green hydrogen plants a long and arduous. Several projects are not even able to reach FID.  

Potential Applications of Green Hydrogen 

Green Hydrogen is a versatile solution for various sectors that are difficult to decarbonize using other technologies. In the transportation sector, hydrogen fuel cells can power vehicles with longer ranges and shorter refueling times than battery electric vehicles, making them suitable for heavy-duty trucks, buses, and trains. Several initiatives are taken in cities like Aberdeen, Scotland, and Tokyo, Japan, demonstrating their viability in public transportation. 

In India GreenH Electrolysis has partnered with Medha Servo Drives to build the first Hydrogen production and refueling station in Jind, Haryana, for the Indian Railways’ pioneering “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative. The facility will produce 420 kg of hydrogen daily and include comprehensive refueling infrastructure, marking a significant step towards sustainable rail transport in India.  

In the industrial sector, hydrogen can replace carbon-intensive processes, such as steelmaking and chemical production. Companies like ArcelorMittal and Thyssenkrupp are exploring hydrogen-based methods to produce steel without coal, significantly reducing emissions. GreenH Electrolysis’s PEM electrolysers are ideally suited for these applications, providing a reliable source of Green Hydrogen that can be scaled up as demand grows. 

The Future of Green Hydrogen 

The future of Green Hydrogen depends on overcoming current challenges and scaling up production and infrastructure. Support from the Government and International organizations is crucial for making green hydrogen a viable alternative. 

In this effort the European Union’s Hydrogen Strategy, for example, aims to install at least 40 gigawatts of Green Hydrogen electrolysers by 2030, and they plan on producing and importing up to 10 MMTPA by 2030. 

In India, the National Green Hydrogen has been announced which aims to increase the production of Green Hydrogen to 5 MMTPA by the year 2030.  

To make Green Hydrogen a viable option, aligned with NGHM, GreenH Electrolysis continues to innovate and aims to expand its offerings by focusing on efficiency, scalability, and integration. 

Conclusion 

Green Hydrogen holds great promise as a sustainable and versatile energy carrier. Its potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to a clean energy future is undeniable. Realizing this potential requires substantial investment, technological advancements, and supportive policies. GreenH Electrolysis is at the forefront of this effort, driving innovation and providing the tools needed to build a sustainable hydrogen economy. As we continue to explore Green Hydrogen as a viable alternative, it is crucial to address the challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by this emerging technology. For more insights into renewable energy and sustainability, explore our other blogs on the topic. 

By addressing the challenges associated with Green Hydrogen and partnering with industry leaders, we can forge a path toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. This, in turn, will bolster the transition to sustainable energy alternatives faster.