📌 Topic 05 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Renewable Energy Technology
Green Hydrogen & National Mission
Green vs grey vs blue hydrogen, electrolysis, National Green Hydrogen Mission 2023 — complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
🌿 Types of Hydrogen
| Type | Production Method | Carbon Emissions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Hydrogen | Electrolysis of water using renewable electricity (solar/wind) | Zero | Most sustainable; currently expensive |
| Grey Hydrogen | Steam methane reforming (SMR) of natural gas | High (CO₂ released) | Most common today (~95% of hydrogen) |
| Blue Hydrogen | Grey hydrogen + Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) | Low (CO₂ captured) | Transitional solution |
| Pink Hydrogen | Electrolysis using nuclear electricity | Zero | Under development |
| Brown/Black Hydrogen | Coal gasification | Very high | Most polluting |
🌿 How Green Hydrogen is Produced
- Electrolysis = splitting water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) using electricity
- When electricity comes from renewable sources (solar/wind) → Green Hydrogen
- Electrolyser = device that performs electrolysis
- Types: PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane), Alkaline, Solid Oxide electrolysers
- Currently expensive (~$5-6/kg); target = $1/kg by 2030
🌿 National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023)
- Approved by Cabinet in January 2023
- Outlay: ₹19,744 crore
- Target: 5 million tonnes/year of green hydrogen by 2030
- Will create 6 lakh jobs and reduce fossil fuel imports by ₹1 lakh crore
- Key programme: SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition)
- Applications: steel making, fertilizers, shipping, aviation, fuel cells
- India aims to become a global green hydrogen hub and exporter
⭐ Key Facts:
• Green hydrogen = electrolysis using renewable energy = zero carbon
• Grey hydrogen = natural gas = most common today = high carbon
• National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) = ₹19,744 crore = 5 MT/year by 2030
• SIGHT = Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
• India = abundant solar + wind = ideal for green hydrogen production
• Green hydrogen = electrolysis using renewable energy = zero carbon
• Grey hydrogen = natural gas = most common today = high carbon
• National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) = ₹19,744 crore = 5 MT/year by 2030
• SIGHT = Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
• India = abundant solar + wind = ideal for green hydrogen production