The growing demand for green hydrogen certainly is a huge chance for countries with a large potential for renewable/alternate sources of energy.
By Dr Megha Jain and Vanyaa Gupta
Hydrogen - the fuel of the future to skedaddle fossil fuels. It's envisaged to supersede coal, oil, and gas. Green hydrogen is produced by separating water into hydrogen and oxygen through a process called electrolysis, which requires both water and electricity. If this electricity is sourced from renewable energy, the resulting hydrogen is a carbon-neutral fuel that industries can utilize similar to fossil fuels. Although green hydrogen currently accounts for less than one per cent of global hydrogen production, this is expected to change as the worldwide competition expands its usage.
The race to green hydrogen is on! We must forge a market where none exists. Green hydrogen, often dubbed "the champagne of energy sources", is far pricier than other fuels. This high cost stems from the complex infrastructure, safety issues, and most significantly, the enormous amount of renewable energy needed for its production. The line of action should be to focus on countries with favorable pre-conditions, as this new technology offers a
significant opportunity for many nations to diversify their economies and enhance development, ultimately benefiting the marginalized communities as well.
(Graphic courtesy: PIB India)
Is it really a win-win or a zero-sum game? To compete with fossil fuels, green hydrogen must become significantly cheaper, which can only be achieved through large-scale production. This requires extensive use of solar panels and wind farms across expansive land areas. Currently a country like Chile, with its ample land and ambition to lead in green hydrogen by 2030, is well-positioned to meet this challenge. There are always risks and opportunities where the risks should not thwart to not take the opportunity but rather use a belt and braces approach to help the countries. So where does that leave us?
The growing demand for green hydrogen certainly is a huge chance for countries with a large potential for renewable/alternate sources of energy. Hydrogen can be easily obtained from coal as black hydrogen or from petroleum as brown hydrogen but what is in need is green hydrogen that comes from biomass, water, or organic waste. The key challenge and solution involve reinventing ways to develop new materials for a smoother green transition. This means reimagining our approach to materials discovery, system development, and overhauling the entire process to integrate every stage from discovery to production to end use.
A trailblazing global effort aims to mimic nature’s most powerful energy-harvesting process called “photosynthesis”. Nature possesses a marvelous ability to achieve something nearly miraculous in the leaf of every plant. A profound source of inspiration has been drawn from nature to develop a process known as artificial photosynthesis. This approach utilizes engineered materials to replicate the reduction and oxidation reactions that create fuels from sunlight. It emulates nature's method but replaces the natural leaf with advanced semiconductor structures, effectively creating an "artificial leaf". This technology enables solar energy to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Artificial photosynthesis currently operates at 15 per cent efficiency. If scaled up for industrial use, it could make hydrogen cheaper than any other fuel. This would enable the production of hydrogen and oxygen essentially from nothing, using only sunlight and water. Of course, not every facet of these new energy systems is fully developed but unleashing innovations within communities and industries will certainly be ground-breaking.
When it comes to energy from the Sun, the South Asian region has a geographical advantage, enjoying the bright yellow ball shining throughout the year. It must harness its strength to full effect. In the realm of green hydrogen production, India stands out as the frontrunner among South Asian Nations. The country has set ambitious goals through its National Hydrogen Mission, aiming to establish itself as a global leader in hydrogen technology.
However, the major challenge now is developing the necessary infrastructure for hydrogen production, storage, and distribution which involves significant investment in electrolyzers, storage tanks, and pipelines. Collaborating with countries and organizations that have advanced green hydrogen technologies can offer valuable expertise. According to a NITI Aayog report, with contributions from private sector players, India could reach a manufacturing capacity of 25 gigawatts of electrolyzers by 2028.
Furthermore, it can also pioneer new technologies like artificial photosynthesis. Countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also advancing in renewable energy and have the potential to be in the race for green hydrogen production within the South Asian Region. Bangladesh can become a major force in green hydrogen production if it adopts effective strategies and investments. The country boasts significant solar power potential, but its dense population and limited land pose challenges for expanding solar farms.
To address this, floating solar panels can be deployed on water bodies, optimizing land use. Alternative solutions could optimize the utilization of agricultural and underused land. Less productive or fallow land can be converted into solar farms, including areas unsuitable for agriculture. Additionally, government-owned or industrial estate land could be repurposed for solar energy projects. Bangladesh's geographic location offers substantial solar potential. The government must capitalize on this opportunity while
optimizing land use efficiently.
The land needed for solar farms varies based on panel efficiency and site energy density. Typically, about 1.5 to 2.5 acres are required per megawatt of installed capacity. However, land use can be optimized with dual-use technologies such as agrivoltaics (combining solar panels with agriculture). Harnessing Bangladesh's major textile industry to integrate green hydrogen can create a powerful market and practical applications for this clean energy. By incorporating hydrogen into industrial processes or as a fuel source, the sector can drive significant advancements for green hydrogen.
Moving further southbound in the region, Sri Lanka has the potential to emerge as a key player in green hydrogen production by capitalizing on its distinctive resources. With strong solar and wind resources, particularly in the North and East, investing in large-scale solar and wind farms could supply the electricity needed for green hydrogen production through electrolysis. Additionally, Sri Lanka has a well-established hydropower sector, with both large and small-scale plants, which can further support green hydrogen production when integrated with renewable energy systems. Its location near the equator provides high solar irradiance, ideal for harnessing solar energy.
The country has already progressed with numerous solar photovoltaic (PV) projects. Expanding these initiatives can generate the electricity required for the production of electrolytic hydrogen. Sri Lanka’s northern and southern coastal areas, such as Jaffna and Hambantota, feature strong wind resources due to the monsoon and trade winds. Investing in wind farms in these regions can enhance solar power efforts and offer a reliable renewable energy source for hydrogen production. The South Asian region must push the envelope for that it has the essence to become the flag bearer of the leading hydrogen economies.
(Dr Megha Jain is an Assistant Professor at Shyam Lal College, University of Delhi, and a Visiting Fellow at Pahle India Foundation. Er Vanyaa Gupta is a seasoned technocrat in Delhi, India)
(Views are personal and carry no affiliation to any institute)
