Hydrogen ranks at the top, the first and lightest element in the periodic table, produced from one of the important constituents of Pancha Mahabhutas, H2O [Jala], which makes up the whole universe. India is strongly committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030 through pioneering initiatives and several innovation and awareness programmes in collaboration with Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), industries, start-ups, sector skill councils, academic institutions, and MSMEs. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), BARC, BHEL, Reliance Industries Limited, Hyundai, and different industries are indigenously developing Swadeshi green hydrogen technologies. The ambitious and promising initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission and National Biofuels Mission empower green and biohydrogen production. India is envisioning establishing green hydrogen innovation clusters, valleys, research, and innovation hubs. India has launched Green Credit Programmes which facilitate the green economy.
Green hydrogen valley
India has successfully transformed from the old era — Indus Valley — to the modern era — Green Hydrogen Valley — through pioneering initiatives by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The green hydrogen policy of Andhra Pradesh plays a significant role in establishing the green hydrogen valley — Amaravati Declaration — thereby initiating green energy corridors and skilling ecosystems. India is aiming to establish a Green Global Capability Centre (GCC) that generates the largest talent skill pool in the green energy sector. India attains global ground-breaking recognition in green energy among G20 nations through fulfilling its Paris Commitments, thereby realising the vision and dreams of Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi: “Self-reliance in the Energy sector.”
“Let us work together to accelerate the development and deployment of Green Hydrogen and to generate green jobs.”
Green hydrogen success stories in India
India’s strong foothold step towards net zero carbon neutrality is our nation’s first Make-in-India Green Hydrogen Plant in Gujarat. India’s premier organisations like National Thermal Power Corporation, one of the leading players in the world energy sector, have established a zero-emission campus [NETRA — NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance] at Greater Noida, contributing to carbon neutrality through green hydrogen production using a steam electrolyser in collaboration with Ohmium, a green energy start-up. The Government of Tamil Nadu, in partnership with Hyundai Motor India Limited and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, successfully launched the custom design of the Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre.
India has made a successful journey from establishing a hydrogen station in 2005 to 14 fuel-cell buses covering a massive 70,000 kilometres on trial runs, which displays the success story in the field of green mobility. To achieve the renewable energy ambitious target of 2030, Indian Railways has taken a major and bold step to launch “Hydrogen for Heritage,” a pioneering initiative to launch hydrogen-powered trains, catalysing the potential of carbon neutrality and zero-emission technologies. India is poised to capture the two-wheeler segment in green hydrogen through the concept of Lab to Market, supported by the Government of India, academic institutions, MSMEs, and start-ups, especially frugal innovations like Swadeshi hydrogen-fuelled e-bikes, which would benefit every citizen in India. Ohmium established India’s first Green Hydrogen Electrolyser Gigafactory in Bengaluru, with the objective of manufacturing Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolysers. India has embarked on its green journey by establishing the world’s first integrated green hydrogen and green ammonia plant in Bikaner, Rajasthan, by ACME. The Indian Meteorological Department has established its state-of-the-art Hydrogen Factory at Agra. MNRE has launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India (GHCI), ensuring robust consumer transparency, carbon traceability, and market credibility. Global financial institutions like the World Bank, IREDA, KfW, and IIFCL are exploring possibilities of innovative strategies and blended policies, mechanisms to empower green credit lines.
Hydrogen innovation in India — A case study
ANRF has paved the way for green hydrogen research in India. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Delhi, has developed smart sensor systems using extremely sensitive 1D and 2D nano devices by utilising palladium (Pd) and gold (Au) through plasmonic technology for the detection of hydrogen gas. JNCASR has developed advanced technologies like metal-free donor-acceptor based covalent-organic frameworks for piezo-catalytic splitting of H2O. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has constructed a demonstration pilot plant to produce hydrogen by the Iodine-Sulfur (I-S) process. Academic institutions like Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, designed and developed green hydrogen production systems using renewable photovoltaic and wind energy sources to generate electricity 24x7 using seawater electrolysis. The institution is planning to empower in-house production of green hydrogen fuel for unmanned aerial vehicles for different potential applications.
Skill ecosystem and innovation launch pads
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with MNRE, is developing National Skill Qualification Frameworks (NSQF)-Level 4 courses on Green Hydrogen Production Technician for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), certified by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). The skill council for green jobs under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with MNRE, is conducting PMKVY 4.0 training on green hydrogen. The green council has developed NSQF Level 3/4/5 qualification programmes on different job roles such as green hydrogen plant junior technician, green hydrogen plant technician, and green hydrogen plant entrepreneur, respectively. The National Institute of Solar Energy under MNRE has established incubation start-up launch pad programmes to empower young researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to actively work in the green energy sector, thereby developing green hydrogen technologies to a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7/8.
Empower green hydrogen
The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has established a Centre of Excellence in Process Safety and Risk Management in collaboration with Nayara and Gexcon to capitalise on the potential of talented human resources in the green energy sector. Industry associations like the Hydrogen Association of India, which has its registered office in Indian Oil Corporation, Faridabad, Green Hydrogen Association (GH2 India), IESA (India Energy Storage Alliance), Indo-German Energy Forum, PHD Chamber of Commerce (Centre of Excellence for Green Hydrogen), have been actively empowering the growth of green hydrogen in India. India is marching towards establishing a plethora of green energy initiatives like green corridors, green hubs, green innovation clusters, green GCCs, green skill programmes, green internships, hands-on project-based learning, experiential learning, and green apprenticeships, thereby building Viksit Green Bharat @2047.
The writer is the Head of the Institute Industry Interface Program and Assistant Professor in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering Department