MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. What is Green Hydrogen? What benefits does it offer? Examine the Green Hydrogen Mission’s potential to guarantee energy security and bolster the fight against climate change.
GS III – Environmental Conservation
Introduction:
- Green hydrogen, often known as “clean hydrogen,” is created by electrolyzing water to separate it into two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom using electricity from renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. With the goal of increasing domestic production of green hydrogen to 5 million tonnes by 2030 and positioning India as an export hub for the clean fuel, the Union Government recently announced the green hydrogen and green ammonia strategy.
- An emerging solution that would lessen India’s susceptibility to these price shocks is green hydrogen. To establish India as a global powerhouse for green hydrogen, the Cabinet has approved the country’s Rs 20,000 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Green hydrogen’s benefits:
- It is a clean-burning molecule that can be used to decarbonise a variety of industries, such as transportation, chemicals, and iron and steel.
- Hydrogen can be produced by directing renewable energy that the system is unable to store or use.
- India, a tropical nation, has a considerable advantage in the production of green hydrogen because of its ideal geographic location and wealth of natural resources.
- In India, manufacturing hydrogen from renewable energy sources is probably less expensive than producing it through natural gas.
The importance of green hydrogen in addressing energy-related issues:
- In order for India to achieve its Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets and guarantee national and regional energy security, access, and availability, green hydrogen energy is essential.
- In order to fulfil the future intermittencies of renewable energy, green hydrogen can serve as an energy storage solution.
- In terms of mobility, green hydrogen can be utilised in railroads, big ships, buses, trucks, and other vehicles for long-distance mobilisations for either urban freight movement within cities and states or for people.
- According to IEA estimates, India is currently the fourth-largest energy consumer in the world, behind the US, China, and the EU. By 2030, it will surpass the EU to reach the third position in terms of energy consumption worldwide.
- Acknowledging the imminent risks to global economy, the summit will feature a number of creative suggestions from around the globe to lessen reliance on fossil fuels.
- The degree to which even oil-producing countries, like Saudi Arabia, where summer temperatures can reach over 50°C, are prioritising plans to manufacture this energy source by utilising “idle-land-banks” for solar and wind energy generation, indicates the extent of interest in “plucking the low hanging fruit.”
- In the country’s northwest, a massive $5 billion “Green hydrogen” production facility spanning an area as big as Belgium is being planned.
- India is likewise revealing its plans piecemeal. By modifying an existing diesel engine, Indian Railways has launched the nation’s first experiment with a hydrogen-fuel cell-powered train. This train will operate under Northern Railway on the 89-kilometer route between Sonepat and Jind.
- In addition to guaranteeing diesel savings in the range of several lakhs per year, the project will stop the annual release of 11.12 kg of carbon and 0.72 kg of particulate matter.
Obstacles:
- The “production cost” of “green hydrogen” is thought to be the main barrier.
- The International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA) has conducted studies that indicate, with various conservative measures taken, the production cost of this “green source of energy” by 2030 should be approximately $1.5 per kilogramme (for countries with abundant sunshine and huge unoccupied area).
- With an annual growth rate of 1.1%, the world’s population is increasing by roughly 83 million people.
- Because of this, the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by 2040, the additional power consumption would be between 25% and 30%.
- Power generation with “net-zero” emissions will therefore be the most effective way to meet the goal of expert guidelines on global warming to keep temperature below 1.5°C.
- This would also significantly reduce our reliance on traditional fossil fuels, which contributed to 8.7 million premature deaths in 2018 due to air pollution.
- India has achieved significant strides towards decarbonisation by increasing the proportion of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and fuel switching.
- The use of hydrogen in various applications, such as aviation, passenger trains, and agricultural vehicles, is gaining popularity and excitement.
The next step:
- It will be crucial to match the country’s needs for hydrogen generation with the overall need for electricity in the economy, as India works towards its 2030 goal of 450 GW of renewable energy.
- Adoption of green hydrogen is attracted to industries like steel, fertiliser, methanol, and refining since these sectors already produce and use hydrogen, either as a chemical feedstock or as a process input.
- Green hydrogen development will require public support, but by guaranteeing its energy future, the private sector can also reap enormous benefits.
- India needs a manufacturing strategy that integrates with the global value chain to capitalise on its strengths and minimise dangers.
- Since hydrogen is lighter than air, it has been dubbed the leader of India’s low-carbon transition. However, setting up the ecosystem will require significant work.
- Private sector investment in green hydrogen would increase if time-bound mid- and long-term plans were enforced.
- By the end of the decade, India should strive to create 4-6 million tonnes of green hydrogen annually and export at least 2 million tonnes.
Q2. India’s transition to electric cars (EVs) needs to be consistent with a larger push for sustainability and digitization. Talk about it.
GS III – Environmental Conservation
Introduction:
- An electric vehicle is propelled by one or more traction motors or electric motors. An electric generator, self-contained batteries, or solar panels can all be used to power an electric vehicle by converting gasoline into electricity. India is one of the few nations that backs the global EV30@30 campaign, which seeks to achieve the goal of at least 30% electric new car sales by 2030.
- The last two years have seen exponential expansion in India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry, driven by strong government incentives and constantly increasing demand. In 2022–2023 domestic four-wheeler EV sales are expected to surpass 60–665,000 units.
EVs’ potential in India:
Take action to combat air pollution and climate change:
- India has pledged to reduce its GHG emissions intensity by 33% to 35% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
- According to a report by NITI Aayog, by 2030, EVs will contribute to a reduction of up to 1 gigatonne (GT) of carbon emissions.
- Compared to conventional automobiles, emissions from electric vehicles don’t contribute to smog and climate change.
- Since all-electric cars emit no direct emissions, the quality of the air in cities is particularly enhanced by them.
- In a recent WHO research, India was found to be the location of 14 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities. EVs will aid in the solution of this issue by lowering the localised concentrations of pollutants in urban areas.
- lower costs as a result of improved electricity-generating technologies. This has opened up the prospect of low-cost, low-carbon, and clean grids.
Energy safety:
- Over 80% of India’s gasoline for transportation is imported.
- Energy storage, environmental sustainability, and energy consumption will all be balanced by electric transportation.
- Due to their reliance on a diverse range of primary energy sources for power generation, electric cars have the potential to significantly improve energy security by helping to diversify the energy required to carry people and things.
Modern Battery Technology:
- Higher energy densities, quicker charging times, and less battery degradation from charging are all results of advancements in battery technology.
Creativity:
- The ability of EVs to be produced globally will increase scale and competitiveness.
Work:
- The promotion of EVs will help a sun-rise sector’s employment to develop.
- India’s shift to green mobility is accelerating.
- The government has implemented a number of initiatives to support electric vehicles.
- A new battery-as-a-service business model, standards for interoperable batteries, incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) with swappable batteries, subsidies for companies that manufacture swappable batteries, and other measures have been proposed in the most recent draft battery swapping policy prepared by government think tank Niti Aayog.
- By 2030, the government wants to see 30% of new sales of cars and two-wheelers be electric.
- Initiatives like the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) have been undertaken by India in an effort to create a sustainable EV ecosystem.
- The goal of the NEMMP’s launch was to promote hybrid and electric cars across the nation in order to achieve national fuel security.
- The FAME India Scheme was introduced with the intention of fostering the growth of the market for hybrid and electric vehicles as well as the manufacturing sector.
- Battery charging has been classified as a service by the Union Power Ministry, allowing charging outlets to function without a licence.
- Smart city implementation would also accelerate the development of electric vehicles.
- In order for EVs to make a meaningful contribution, we must make equal efforts to establish the full ecosystem.
- Since batteries account for half of the cost of electric vehicles, the emphasis needs to be shifted from subsidising automobiles to batteries.
- There is a greater emphasis on providing incentives for electric two-wheelers because they make up 76% of all cars in the nation and use the majority of gasoline.
- In order to draw in investment, a vast network of charging stations is about to happen.
- Possible locations for charging port installations include multiplexes, public bus depots, and tech parks. There are charging stations in parking lots of certain malls in Bangalore.
- Charging station purchases could be a way for corporations to comply with their CSR obligations.
- addressing technical issues such as grid stability, peak demand management, AC vs. DC charging stations, etc.
- It is necessary for the private sector to invest in battery manufacturing facilities and to create low-cost production technologies.
- About 65% of current capacity in India comes from thermal sources, on which the country is heavily dependent. Renewable energy should contribute more as EV use rises.
- A roadmap for legislation on electric vehicles is necessary so that financial plans may be made.
- Given that India requires raw materials to produce batteries for electric vehicles, purchasing lithium mines in Bolivia, Australia, and Chile may become just as crucial as purchasing oil fields.
- offering GST refunds, free parking for EVs, and waivers of registration and road tax.
