Green Hydrogen: Time to Begin Exploring This Clean Energy Source

Currently, the global community is aggressively engaged with #RaceToZero campaign to mitigate climate woes and unlock inclusive, sustainable growth. India is leading from the front in the world’s fight against climate degradation. We are doing quite well as far as the use of clean energy is concerned. LPG, CNG, biogas, solar and wind energy have become buzzwords, but there is little discourse around hydrogen, a potential miracle fuel and tool to check carbon emissions.
Research and development is on worldwide to use hydrogen. There is zero emission when hydrogen is burnt as fuel. Airbus is even planning to have first hydrogen-powered commercial plane into service by 2035. Germany and Italy are planning hydrogen-powered trains. Hydrogen is potentially seen as an alternative to fossil fuels. Hydrogen-powered furnaces are also being experimented with.
However, how to create hydrogen remains a matter of heated debate. Electrolysis requires power, currently generated by burning coal and gas. Blue hydrogen can be obtained from natural gas, capturing CO2 during the process. Low-carbon hydrogen can be produced by electrolysis but for that nuclear electricity is needed.
The EU is keen to have 12 to 14 per cent hydrogen in its energy mix by 2050, up from two per cent today. The Netherlands is planning a Hydrogen Valley. China is quite proactive in adopting hydrogen technology. Australia, Japan, South Korea and the US are also trying for their share in hydrogen revolution. Portugal, Germany, and France have their own hydrogen strategies. Why not India too?