13-September-2024-Special-Article

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GREEN HYDROGEN 2024 (ICGH-2024)

The International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2024 (ICGH-2024) held in New Delhi showcased India’s commitment to green hydrogen as a crucial part of its energy transition.

The Prime Minister, addressing the conference, emphasised the importance of international collaboration to scale up green hydrogen production, reduce costs, and promote innovation through research and development.

Green hydrogen is vital for decarbonising hard-to-electrify sectors, and global cooperation can help overcome existing challenges in technology, infrastructure, and production.

Highlights of ICGH-2024:

India’s Green Energy Achievements:

• India is one of the first G20 countries to meet its Paris Agreement commitments ahead of the 2030 deadline.
• Non-fossil fuel energy capacity in India has seen a substantial increase, with renewable capacity growing by nearly 300% over the last decade.
• India has pledged to achieve a 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity and reduce carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030.

Growing Importance of Green Hydrogen:

• Green hydrogen is recognised as a key tool for decarbonising industries like steel, fertilisers, and transportation.
• It can also serve as an effective energy storage solution for excess renewable energy.
• The conference highlighted the need for investments in cutting-edge research and the involvement of start-ups and entrepreneurs to drive innovation in green hydrogen technologies.

Investment in Research and Development:

• The Prime Minister called for greater industry-academia collaboration to enhance research and development in the field of green hydrogen.
• Encouraging start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures is key to driving innovation and making green hydrogen economically viable.
• The need to address questions like improving electrolyser efficiency and using alternative water sources like seawater for hydrogen production was underscored.

Insights from the G20 Summit:

• The New Delhi G20 Summit’s declaration, which adopted five voluntary principles on hydrogen, provides a unified framework for green hydrogen development.
• The global principles will support the development of coordinated and cohesive hydrogen policies across countries.

Why is International Cooperation Crucial for Promoting Green Hydrogen?

High Production Costs:

• According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), green hydrogen production costs range from USD 3 to USD 8 per kilogram, which is significantly higher than grey hydrogen derived from fossil fuels.
• The cost of electrolysis, a key method of producing green hydrogen, remains high, driven by electricity consumption.

Technological and Infrastructure Needs:

• Although costs of technologies like alkaline electrolysers have dropped by 40% between 2014 and 2019, further reductions are needed for wider adoption.
• According to the European Commission, access to rare materials like platinum and iridium, required for electrolysers and fuel cells, limits scalability.
• Scaling up production requires substantial infrastructure investments in storage and transportation networks, which remain a challenge for many countries.

Efficiency of Electrolysers:

• Current electrolyser technologies lack the efficiency needed for large-scale adoption. More research is required to improve efficiency and reduce costs, as noted by India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Scaling Up Production to Meet Global Demand:

• The Hydrogen Roadmap of the European Union indicates that achieving the required global production scale will necessitate coordinated efforts from governments and industries.
• Collaborative projects are essential to meet global hydrogen demand, especially in regions like Asia where investment needs are estimated at around USD 90 billion by 2030.

How Can International Cooperation Support Green Hydrogen Development?

Scaling Up Production:

• Joint ventures and cross-border collaboration can significantly accelerate the scaling of green hydrogen production. This can leverage the diverse technological capabilities and resources of different countries.
• For instance, the “HyDeal Ambition” initiative in Europe aims to provide 100% green hydrogen at an affordable price across the continent, highlighting the role of international cooperation in reducing costs.

Economies of Scale:

• Large-scale international projects can drive down production costs through bulk purchasing and shared investments in infrastructure.
• International collaboration, such as the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Association’s regional network, can facilitate shared infrastructure, making green hydrogen production and distribution more cost-effective.

Innovation Through Global Partnerships:

• Cross-border partnerships bring together different research perspectives and funding sources, promoting innovation in green hydrogen technologies.
• The Global Hydrogen Coalition is a prime example, uniting governments, industry leaders, and research institutions to foster breakthroughs in hydrogen production, storage, and application.

Unified Policies and Regulations:

• International cooperation enables the development of cohesive policies and regulations that support the growth of green hydrogen markets.
• The G20’s voluntary principles for green hydrogen are a step toward creating common standards and guidelines for the global hydrogen economy.

Investment and Funding Opportunities:

• Joint investment initiatives and international funding programmes can accelerate the research, development, and deployment of green hydrogen technologies.
• Europe’s Horizon initiative, through its Clean Hydrogen Partnership, provides a framework for international funding and research collaboration, advancing green hydrogen projects.

Conclusion:

International cooperation is essential for advancing the green hydrogen revolution. By sharing technology, developing unified policies, and pooling investments, nations can overcome the challenges of production and infrastructure.

Collaborative efforts in research and innovation will help reduce costs and scale up green hydrogen production, contributing to a sustainable global energy transition.

Global partnerships ensure efficient supply chains, making green hydrogen a key element in achieving a cleaner and greener future.

Mains Question:

Q. “Discuss the role of international cooperation in scaling up green hydrogen production and reducing costs, with reference to India’s initiatives and global efforts for a sustainable energy transition.” (150 WORDS)