Green hydrogen is hydrogen gas produced through the electrolysis of water using electricity derived from renewable sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. Unlike grey or blue hydrogen, green hydrogen emits no greenhouse gases during production, making it a cornerstone for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, shipping, and heavy transport.
India has recognized its transformative potential and launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crores. The goal: to achieve 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030. This initiative is expected to reduce fossil fuel dependence, create green jobs, and position India as a global hub for hydrogen technology.
Key applications include:
- Industrial feedstock (e.g., green ammonia, methanol)
- Fuel for fuel cells in transport and backup power
- Energy storage for grid balancing and renewable integration
With falling electrolyzer costs and supportive policies, green hydrogen is poised to become a vital pillar in India’s clean energy transition
Green hydrogen technology has seen remarkable progress recently
1. Next-Gen Electrolyzers
- Modular and scalable electrolyzers are being deployed to reduce capital costs and improve efficiency. Companies like thyssenkrupp nucera are leading efforts to industrialize gigawatt-scale production systems.
- Solid oxide and anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzers are gaining traction for their higher efficiency and lower material costs compared to traditional PEM systems.
🔋 2. Integration with Renewable Energy & BESS
- Green hydrogen is increasingly being paired with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to balance grid intermittency and store surplus renewable energy for long-duration use.
- Hybrid systems are being piloted where hydrogen complements lithium-ion storage for seasonal or backup power.
🏭 3. Industrial Decarbonization
- Major steel and cement producers are adopting green hydrogen to replace fossil fuels in high-temperature processes, especially in Europe and Japan.
- Green ammonia and methanol production is scaling up as clean feedstocks for fertilizers and marine fuels.
🚚 4. Transport & Mobility
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are expanding beyond passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, trains, and even aircraft prototypes.
- South Korea and Germany are investing in hydrogen-powered public transport infrastructure.
📉 5. Cost Reduction & Policy Support
- Electrolyzer costs have dropped significantly, and global capacity is projected to grow from 1.1 GW to over 246 GW by 2030.
- India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and similar global initiatives are offering subsidies, tax breaks, and mandates to accelerate adoption.