Green hydrogen: MNRE mulls purchase obligations on fertiliser firms, refineries

The federal government is searching for methods to extend the penetration of home inexperienced hydrogen in industries which in any other case import pure gasoline and ammonia to provide hydrogen. (Consultant picture)

To kick-start a home hydrogen eco-system within the nation, the Union ministry of latest and renewable power (MNRE) has circulated a draft Cupboard notice for inter-ministerial session to place inexperienced hydrogen consumption obligations on fertiliser producers and petroleum refiners. In response to sources, obligations can be imposed on these person industries between FY24 and FY30.

Photo voltaic and wind vegetation can produce inexperienced hydrogen by way of electrolysis, a course of whereby the electrical energy generated is put in water to create hydrogen and oxygen.

The federal government is searching for methods to extend the penetration of home inexperienced hydrogen in industries which in any other case import pure gasoline and ammonia to provide hydrogen. Nevertheless, given the present excessive prices and lack of supporting infrastructure, specialists have famous that the federal government has to beat a quantity to challenges to pave the way in which for this new type of power.

Imported ammonia now prices about $327 per tonne, whereas ammonia produced from inexperienced hydrogen could value round $600 per tonne for fertiliser vegetation. It was not instantly clear if MNRE has instructed any provision to cut back the affect of upper prices.

The nation at present consumes about 5-6 million tonne of hydrogen yearly. MNRE on Could 31 has additionally circulated the draft ‘Nationwide Hydrogen Power Mission’ doc for inter-ministerial session, aiming to create a hydrogen value-chain within the nation and convey down the prices of hydrogen manufacturing. In response to sources, the federal government was additionally planning to make use of 2,000 mega-watt (MW) photo voltaic and wind energy capability for hydrogen manufacturing. Other than industrial use, hydrogen expertise may also be used to retailer electrical energy and doubtlessly to run autos.

Reliance Industries and NASDAQ-listed and world power participant Chart Industries had launched the India H2 Alliance (IH2A) earlier this yr to construct the hydrogen financial system and provide chain within the nation. On Wednesday, IH2A stated that it has included JSW Steel, CSIR-Nationwide Chemical substances Laboratory, Scottish Improvement Worldwide and suppose tanks — TERI, CEEW and WRI India — as its members.

State-run energy generator NTPC has signed an MoU with Siemens for inexperienced hydrogen manufacturing from the corporate’s renewable power vegetation. Indian Oil Corporation can also be within the strategy of organising hydrogen manufacturing vegetation in its refineries, and function 15 hydrogen gasoline cell buses in Delhi NCR area.