India’s push towards clean energy got a big boost recently with the launch of its first hydrogen-powered train, putting green hydrogen technology in the spotlight. The milestone is part of the country’s broader effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve net zero emissions by 2070. Along with electric vehicles and renewable energy, green hydrogen is emerging as one of the key pillars of India’s clean energy transition.Globally, countries are investing heavily in hydrogen as a future fuel for hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as heavy industry, long-haul transport, shipping and aviation. India has also launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission to position itself as a global hub for the production, use and export of green hydrogen.In this context, we understand what green hydrogen is, how it is produced, how hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity without combustion, and why the technology is considered vital to India’s energy future.
The concept in simple terms
Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe, but it is rarely found in its pure form on Earth. It usually exists as part of compounds such as water (H2O) or hydrocarbons such as natural gas. Therefore, hydrogen must first be extracted before it can be used as a fuel.Hydrogen is often described as an energy carrier, not an energy source. Like electricity, it stores and transports the energy produced to other places.Depending on how it is produced, hydrogen is classified into different categories:• Gray hydrogen it is produced from natural gas by reforming methane with steam. It is currently the most used form but it releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide.• blue hydrogen it is also produced from natural gas, but the carbon dioxide generated during production is captured and stored using carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies.• green hydrogen it is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. Since no fossil fuels are used and virtually no carbon dioxide is emitted during production, it is considered the cleanest form of hydrogen.As green hydrogen can be stored, transported and used in various sectors, it is expected to play a crucial role in achieving global climate goals.
How is green hydrogen produced?
The most common method of producing green hydrogen is electrolysis.In this process, electricity is passed through the water using a device called an electrolyzer. The electric current breaks the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gases.When the electricity comes entirely from renewable sources such as solar, wind or hydropower, the resulting hydrogen is known as green hydrogen.The oxygen produced during electrolysis can also be captured for industrial or medical use, improving the overall efficiency of the process.Although electrolysis has been known for decades, falling costs of renewable energy and improvements in electrolysis technology have made green hydrogen increasingly viable as a clean fuel on a large scale.
How they generate electricity without combustion
Unlike gasoline, diesel or coal, hydrogen does not need to be burned to produce electricity.Most hydrogen-powered vehicles and trains use hydrogen fuel cells, which convert hydrogen’s chemical energy directly into electrical energy through an electrochemical reaction.Inside a fuel cell, hydrogen is supplied to the anode while oxygen from the surrounding air enters through the cathode. A catalyst separates hydrogen into protons and electrons. Electrons travel through an external circuit, generating electricity to power the motor, while protons combine with oxygen to produce water.The only direct byproducts of this process are water and heat, so fuel cells are virtually free of tailpipe emissions.Compared to conventional batteries, hydrogen fuel cells can be replenished more quickly and generally provide a longer operating range, making them particularly suitable for heavy vehicles, long-distance trains, buses and freight transport.
Applications of green hydrogen
Green hydrogen is expected to transform sectors where direct electrification remains difficult.In transportation, it can power trains, buses, trucks, ships, and potentially airplanes. In industry, it can replace coal and natural gas in steelmaking, oil refining, fertilizer production and chemical industries, significantly reducing carbon emissions.The power sector can also use hydrogen for long-term energy storage, helping to balance electricity generated from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind.In addition, hydrogen is increasingly seen as a future export commodity, with countries possessing abundant renewable energy resources aiming to become major suppliers to energy-importing countries.
National Green Hydrogen Mission of India
Recognizing the strategic importance of hydrogen, the Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2023, with an initial financial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore.The mission aims to make India a global hub for the production, utilization and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.Its main objectives include:• Production: Build a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million metric tons (MMT) per year.• Energy: add about 125 Gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity to the country.• Investment: Attracting total investments worth more than 8 billion rupees ($100 billion).• Employment: Create over 6 lakh (600,000) clean energy jobs.• Emissions: reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by almost 50 MMT.• Savings: Save over Rs 1 billion on fossil fuel imports.The mission is being implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) through initiatives such as the Strategic Interventions Program for the Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT), pilot project support, research and development, skill development and the creation of hydrogen hubs.
Why is green hydrogen important for India?
India is the world’s third largest energy consumer and imports a significant portion of its crude oil and natural gas requirements. This dependence exposes the economy to global price fluctuations and supply disruptions.Green hydrogen offers an opportunity to improve energy security while supporting India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. It can help decarbonise sectors that cannot easily transition to battery electric technologies, particularly steel, fertilisers, refineries and heavy transport.The technology is also expected to create new manufacturing opportunities in electrolysers, fuel cells and renewable energy infrastructure, strengthening India’s position in the emerging global clean energy economy.However, several challenges remain. Green hydrogen is still more expensive than conventional hydrogen, electrolyzer manufacturing capacity must be expanded, transporting and storing hydrogen safely requires specialized infrastructure, and large amounts of renewable electricity and water are needed for production.Still, experts believe that technological advances and economies of scale will likely lower costs in the coming years.
Preliminary data box
Network practice questions
“Green hydrogen is expected to play a transformative role in India’s clean energy transition.” Discuss its production process, applications, challenges and the importance of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in achieving India’s climate and energy security goals.Five key terms to remember• Green hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by the fractionation of water using renewable electricity.• Electrolysis: The process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.• Hydrogen fuel cell: Device that converts hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical reaction without combustion.• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Government initiative aimed at making India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export.• Energy carrier: A substance, such as hydrogen, that stores and transports energy produced from another source.
MCQs with answers
1. Green hydrogen is produced by:(a) Gasification of coal(b) Electrolysis powered by renewable energy(c) Petroleum Refining(d) Nuclear fissionAnswer: (b)2. Which ministry is the nodal agency for the National Green Hydrogen Mission?(a) Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas(b) Ministry of Power(c) Ministry of New and Renewable Energies(d) Ministry of Heavy IndustriesAnswer: (c)3. The primary byproduct of generating electricity in a hydrogen fuel cell is:(a) Carbon dioxide(b) Sulfur dioxide(c) Water(d) methaneAnswer: (c)4. What type of hydrogen is involved in carbon capture during production?(a) Green hydrogen(b) Hydrogen blue(c) White hydrogen(d) Hydrogen yellowAnswer: (b)5. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to produce at least how much green hydrogen annually by 2030?(a) 2 MMT(b) 3 MMT(c) 5 MMT(d) 10 MMTAnswer: (c)
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Why is hydrogen called an energy carrier rather than an energy source?Hydrogen is not freely produced in large quantities and must first be produced from another energy source. It stores and supplies energy instead of generating it naturally.P2. Is green hydrogen completely pollution-free?Green hydrogen production itself is virtually carbon-free when renewable electricity is used. However, its overall environmental impact also depends on factors such as water use, transport and infrastructure.P3. Why can’t batteries replace hydrogen in all sectors?Batteries work well for passenger vehicles and short-haul transportation, but heavy industry, shipping, aviation, and long-haul freight often require fuels with higher energy density and faster refueling, making hydrogen a promising alternative.Q4. What is the biggest challenge to adopting green hydrogen?The high cost of production and the need for a dedicated infrastructure for storage, transport and provisioning remain the main obstacles.Q5. Why is green hydrogen important for UPSC?The topic is relevant to GS Paper III (Science and Technology, Environment, Energy Security and Economics) and frequently features in current affairs due to India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and global clean energy initiatives.