Hydrogen News Archives | Page 8 of 8

A statement on boosting EU production capacity for electrolyzers was signed by the European Commission, Hydrogen Europe, and 20 European businesses, including Topsoe. The proclamation supports the EU’s new goal to produce 20 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen domestically each year and import an extra 20 million tonnes each year.

The European Commission, Hydrogen Europe and 20 European companies including Topsoe signed a declaration on increasing electrolyzer manufacturing capacity in the EU

Power-to-X and energy independence in the EU won’t happen until we also increase electrolyzer production there, according to Roeland Baan, CEO of Topsoe. I am thus very pleased to see the EU’s and the industry’s commitment to doing just that.

The European Commission, Hydrogen Europe, and 20 European companies, including Topsoe, signed a declaration on increasing EU manufacturing capacity for electrolyzers. The declaration backs the EU’s new objective to domestically produce 20 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen annually and import an additional 20 million tonnes.

According to Roeland Baan, CEO of Topsoe, achieving Power-to-X and energy independence in the EU won’t be possible until we also enhance electrolyzer output there. I am thus extremely happy to see the industry’s and the EU’s dedication to achieving precisely that.

Three pillars support the united declaration:

1.pledging to defend the ambitious goals outlined in the reform of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation Proposal, as well as ensuring a supportive regulatory environment through sufficient permitting regulations.

2. Expanding the Innovation Fund to include the production of new, zero- and low-carbon equipment, such as electrolyzers, will make it easier for people to acquire enough financing. In order to further encourage the widespread use of clean hydrogen technologies, state aid is also available to derisk investments and Carbon Contracts for Difference are implemented.

3. Increasing R&D and guaranteeing the timely and cheap availability of necessary components and materials are two ways to integrate supply chains.

In accordance with the Joint Declaration, the top electrolyzer producers in Europe pledged to boost their production capacity to 17.5 GW by 2025 and to further expand it to meet predicted demand for renewable hydrogen by 2030.

Electrolyser manufacturers in Europe committed on Thursday (5 May) to increase their manufacturing capacity tenfold – to 17.5 GW per year by 2025 – as part of a joint declaration with the European Commission in Brussels.

Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shri R. K. Singh said that the government is working to develop mandates for green hydrogen blending in refineries, fertilisers, and city gas networks. These would create the necessary demand and lead to economies of scale for critical technologies like electrolysers.

The government is also developing a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) programme to support the indigenisation of electrolysers. The initiative would target the establishment of 10 GW of domestic manufacturing capacity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the National Hydrogen Mission and his vision to make India a global green hydrogen production and export hub last month.

In recent months, leading Indian companies have expressed interest in scaling up green hydrogen. In February, the union government announced a host of incentives as part of the Green Hydrogen Policy to develop India as a hub for green hydrogen manufacturing and exports. In October, RIL and Danish electrolyser manufacturer, Stiesdal, signed agreements to start local manufacturing in India. This could well be the start of a new industry that could support India’s economic growth in the coming decades.

Corporate boardrooms have also bought into the viability of the technology. Last year, some of India’s biggest companies announced substantial investments in different parts of the green hydrogen ecosystem. Globally, steel manufacturing contributes to around 7% of total greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2021, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, Tata Motors Ltd joined hands with Indian Oil Corp LTD to conduct a trial with 15 hydrogen fuel-cell-powered buses.Investments from the likes of IOCL also augurs well as this would ensure investments in production, storage, and supply of green hydrogen. The CEEW study recommends setting up a pilot green steel plant in India to promote domestic expertise in using hydrogen for steelmaking.

Policy changes that nudge Indian steelmakers to institutionalise high R&D spending and participate in technology collaboration and pilots must also be pursued. Finally, the hydrogen economy will need support from regulatory drivers like strict emissions norms and a pricing mechanism that penalises polluting fuels and incentivises cleaner alternatives.

A thriving local production ecosystem will not only create a domestic market but is expected to push exports as well, especially to countries such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and others. Export is considered lucrative since companies draw higher profit margins.

Green hydrogen is attracting attention as a potential source of clean energy, and is called as ‘the fuel of the future’.

Green hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. This is a very different pathway compared to both grey and blue. Grey hydrogen is traditionally produced from methane (CH4), split with steam into CO2 – the main culprit for climate change – and H2, hydrogen. It is produced at industrial scale today, with associated emissions comparable to the combined emissions of UK and Indonesia. It has no energy transition value, quite the opposite.

Green hydrogen could be a critical enabler of the global transition to sustainable energy and net zero emissions economies. It can be an effective and large scale source of fuel in a world that is weaning itself off fossil fuels.

There is unprecedented momentum around the world to fulfill hydrogen’s longstanding potential as a clean energy solution.

In India, several companies such as Gas Authority of India Limited, Adani Group, Bharat Petroleum, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Renew Power and others have declared their intentions to enter the green hydrogen space. L&T, IOCL and Renew Power, would be forming a joint venture in order to execute the project.

Reliance Industries is focused on becoming a producer of blue hydrogen, which is made from methane – the predominant constituent of natural gas.

In total, it is estimated that larger players such as L&T, Adani, and Reliance alone would pump Rs 6 trillion into the sector.

Globally, most of the hydrogen produced today is used in the refining and industrial sectors. By the end of the decade, the IEA anticipates that hydrogen will find a host of new applications, including powering grids and fueling the building and transportation sectors.

If the coal and coke that today power most blast furnaces could be replaced with green hydrogen, a sizeable amount of the sector’s emissions could be avoided.

In developing countries such as India, which is investing in the National Hydrogen Mission to help achieve its energy transition goals, hydrogen could be used in transportation, power generation and industry.

According to the IEA, hydrogen can also be used in batteries. Fuel cells could, if developed at a larger scale, help countries set up infrastructure that can store and stabilize the supply of renewable energy.

Hydrogen Roundtable was organized on 15^th April 2021 in virtual mode by The Energy Forum and FIPI under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The title given to roundtable was “Hydrogen Economy – the Indian Dialogue- 2021”.
Main purpose of the roundtable was to discuss emerging hydrogen ecosystem by tracking down the road map for exploring opportunities for cooperation, collaboration and coalition.
The hydrogen roundtable was the first of its kind that compromised a High-level Ministerial session.
Green hydrogen also holds an important role in the growth of hydrogen economy because green hydrogen is produced through renewable resources like solar or winds, however the presence of these renewable resources very all around the world which can become a challenge for its systematic development.
The objective of this roundtable was to understand the progress of hydrogen ecosystem across continents and contribute to creating synchrony.

Hydrogen and its types:

It is the first and lightest element of periodic table.
Its pure form is H2 but it’s rarely found in this form.
It is a diatomic and highly combustible gas.
It is a clean fuel with zero emission when burned in oxygen.
There are 3 types of hydrogen:
Grey Hydrogen – It is extracted from hydrocarbons such as fossil fuels, natural gas etc. It constitutes India’s bulk production and it’s by product is CO2.
Blue Hydrogen – It is sourced form fossil fuels and its by products are CO and CO2 that are captured and stored making it a better option than Grey Hydrogen.
Green Hydrogen – It is generated from renewable energy like solar and wind energy. Electricity splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. Its by products are water and water vapours, making it the best option among grey and blue hydrogen.

Why should we choose hydrogen?

India’s production of electricity is heavily coal dependent and it is not good for our environment.
Green hydrogen has many uses in industry and it can be stored in gas pipelines. It can be used to transport the renewable energy when it is converted into ammonia or a zero-carbon fuel.
Hydrogen will replace fossil fuels so that pollution can be reduces and will address oil-price rise.
Hydrogen is most abundant element in universe and it is lighter, energy dense and two three times more efficient than burning petrol.
Transportation sector alone contributes in 1/3^rd of India’s green-house emission.
Hydrogen will benefit transportation, iron and steel and chemical sectors.

What is Hydrogen Economy?

“Hydrogen Economy”, this term was coined by John Bockris for the first time in 1970.
Hydrogen Economy is an envisioned future where hydrogen is used for energy storage, as a clean fuel for vehicles, and long-distance transport of energy because of excellent qualities of hydrogen.
Consequences of hydrogen economy will be hydrogen production, storage, transport and utilization.
It is estimated that green hydrogen will play a big part in the hydrogen economy in future specially in Europe and Japan in next 10 years.

National Hydrogen Mission

It was announced by the Finance-minister in the budget of 2021-22.
Focus of this mission is to link India’s growing renewable capacity with hydrogen economy and generation of hydrogen using green power resources.
Dharmendra Pradhan who is the petroleum and natural gas minister said that they are mainly focusing on the development of infrastructure for increasing the production of green hydrogen.
Significances
India wants to scale up the gas pipeline infrastructure.
Due to its favourable geographic conditions and abundance of natural elements, India has a huge edge in green hydrogen production.
Producing green hydrogen in India can be cost effective.

Other Country’s Hydrogen Plan

Japan – has announced its Basic Hydrogen Policy in 2017. Under which Japan wants to have an international supply chain of Hydrogen and Japan has signed its first hydrogen cooperation deal with UAE to consider supply chain.
South Korea – is also moving in the same direction as Japan and under its policy it wants transparency in hydrogen pricing and want to create an infrastructure for hydrogen driven vehicles.
China – established Z-park Hydrogen and fuel cell industry alliance and is set to be handed a huge boost to hydrogen technology advancement and networking.
Spain – Cummins, the global energy leader has planned to invest in spain specifically in Castilla-La Mancha and wants to build one of the largest green hydrogen production plant there.

Challenges in the way of hydrogen economy

Cost of maintenance for post-completion of fuel cell of a plant can be high.
Economic sustainability of extracting green and blue hydrogen.
Huge investment in Research and Development of such technology and infrastructure.
Green hydrogen production needs optimising plant designs and enhanced infrastructure but with the limited market data and low maturity it can be costly for the government.
Other challenge faced by green hydrogen production is the high energy lose. In the production of green energy losses of energy is quite high in its intermediate processes.

CONCLUSION

Due to the immense benefits of green hydrogen, everyone e=wants to increase its production. More than 10 countries right now are thinking of installing infrastructure for green hydrogen production. Green hydrogen offers solution to many problems whether related to environment or industry. As an alternative to fossil fuels and to make our environment much cleaner and pollution free government all over the world should launch schemes or projects for more green hydrogen production. With the increase in use of green hydrogen we can see a maintainable future.

Every dream that had the power to transform this generation started from a hoax tale, people assumed it to be a complete nuisance, but when it became a reality, the world changed. The trains were considered to be driven by fuel, but by introducing the Mangelev concept, now You can easily move trains by creating an attractive force.

In the same manner, fossil fuels are considered the known and most efficient fuels, but due to rapid growth in population and vehicles, the users have considered using petrol as the best fuel. But due to rising demand and limited supply, there is a hike in petroleum prices, so the world is looking for a better alternative that can successfully replace known fuels.

So people prefer using hydrogen as a fuel for vehicles as it is said to produce the least emission making it both environment and vehicle-friendly. Governments worldwide are starting campaigns that make it easier for researchers to attain funding work on their projects. Various people are still against the vision of hydrogen as the primary fuel.

The biggest hurdle faced while attaining this dream is simply the demand. The rising number of vehicles incident abundant consumption, and to match that demand, the production has to be huge. The machinery for hydrogen fuel manufacturing is expensive so starting it on such a grand scale can either be the most profitable decision ever made or the worst decision ever made.

Amid the rising trend, various companies have come forward with their innovations regarding the project, some companies have developed a hydrogel fuel-powered train, and the list goes on. So there is a high possibility that hydrogen can be the next and best alternative for fuel. Some scientists question the claim of zero-emission; they state that the emission from hydrogen fuel is not zero nor minimal; it is emitted in abundant quantity.

So between these clashes of argument, the world is looking for fuel to solve all their issues. The benefits and losses of hydrogen are being evaluated, but it is highly likely to be our next fuel.

Image Source: forbes.com

Green hydrogen is gaining unprecedented momentum globally. Green hydrogen can be generated from renewable energy and abundantly available biomass. Introduction and adoption of technology to tap into the green hydrogen’s potential will play a key role in securing a clean and affordable energy future for India.

Recently, Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways, Shri NITIN GADKARI had inaugurated a first of its kind pilot project for Hydrogen-based advanced Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). It will be a huge shift from fossil fuel and help towards the conservation of our environment.

The minister said that Green Hydrogen can be generated from renewable energy and abundantly available biomass. Introduction and adoption of technology to tap into the Green hydrogen’s potential will play a key role in securing a clean and affordable energy future for India. He further said that FCEV powered by Hydrogen is one of the best zero-emission solutions. It is completely environment friendly with no tailpipe emissions other than water.

This Pilot project is initiated by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. along with International Center for Automotive Technology (ICAT) to study and evaluate the world’s most advanced FCEV Toyota Mirai. The Toyota Mirai was launched in 2014, was one of the world’s first hydrogen fuel electric vehicles.

Toyota Mirai runs on hydrogen fuel on Indian roads and designed for Indian climatic conditions. Toyota Kirloskar Motor claims that the Toyota Mirai is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell battery pack. It is capable of providing a range up to 650 km in a single charge. The best part is that the refueling time of five minutes only. ‘Mirai’ is a Japanese word means ‘future’.

This aims at spreading awareness about Hydrogen, FCEV technology, and disseminating its benefits to support hydrogen-based society for India. Green hydrogen offers huge opportunities to decarbonise a range of sectors, including road transportation. Union Power Minister said he has given a target to NTPC to start buses which will run on hydrogen from Delhi to Jaipur.

In India, Hydrogen Gentech Private Limited (HGPL) is a company with a clear focus on Green Hydrogen, Hydrogen Generation, Hydrogen Purification & Recovery Technologies and its applications in Industry, Renewable Energy, Fuel and Mobility sectors. HGPL is an international technology-based Hydrogen Generation plants manufacturer and supplier based in India.

In case of any Help, Connect with us 24*7 at +(91) 9818744776

Credit:
Image Source: PTI

As the world intensifies efforts to meet net-zero goals and transition toward sustainable energy, green hydrogen is emerging as one of the most promising alternatives to fossil fuels. It offers the possibility of deeply decarbonizing sectors that have long relied on carbon-heavy energy sources. This article explores how green hydrogen compares to fossil fuels, where it holds the most potential, and what challenges must be addressed for large-scale adoption.

What Is Green Hydrogen?

Green hydrogen is produced by electrolyzing water using electricity from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. Unlike grey hydrogen (produced using natural gas) or blue hydrogen (which uses carbon capture), green hydrogen involves no carbon emissions during production. The only by-product is oxygen, making it a zero-emission fuel.

The basic equation:

H₂O (water) + renewable electricity → H₂ (hydrogen) + O₂ (oxygen)

This clean production pathway positions green hydrogen as a key enabler in the shift toward a carbon-neutral future.

Limitations of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels have long powered modern industry and transportation, but their drawbacks are now at the center of climate discourse:

Environmental Impact: Extracting and burning fossil fuels releases significant amounts of CO₂, NOx, and SOx, contributing to climate change and air pollution.
Finite Resource: Fossil fuel reserves are depleting, increasing price volatility and long-term energy insecurity.
Regulatory Pressure: Governments are introducing stringent carbon taxes, bans, and emission mandates to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.

These limitations are accelerating the search for scalable, clean, and reliable alternatives—paving the way for green hydrogen.

Why Green Hydrogen Is a Game-Changer

Green hydrogen stands out for its combination of environmental benefits and application versatility:

Carbon-Free Fuel: The use of green hydrogen emits only water vapor.
Scalable: Modular electrolyzers can be scaled based on industrial demand.
Versatile Applications: Hydrogen can be used as a fuel, industrial feedstock, energy carrier, and even for grid-scale storage.
Energy Carrier: It can store excess renewable energy for later use, enabling better grid flexibility.

For industrial buyers, this means an opportunity to switch to a future-proof, sustainable input material.

Sector-Wise Replacement Potential

1. Steel Industry

The steel sector is one of the largest industrial emitters of CO₂. Traditional blast furnaces use coking coal to reduce iron ore. Green hydrogen offers a low-carbon alternative through the Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) method. This can reduce emissions by up to 90%.

Example: ArcelorMittal and SSAB are piloting hydrogen-based DRI plants in Europe.

2. Ammonia Production

Ammonia production, especially for fertilizers, relies heavily on grey hydrogen via steam methane reforming (SMR). Replacing this with green hydrogen would eliminate nearly 500 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Green ammonia also has potential as a zero-carbon maritime fuel.

3. Transport & Mobility

Hydrogen-powered Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are gaining traction for:

Long-haul trucking
Public buses
Trains and even aviation

Unlike batteries, hydrogen refueling takes minutes, and fuel cells perform well over long distances.

4. Refineries & Petrochemicals

These industries use hydrogen in hydrotreating, desulfurization, and hydrocracking processes. Green hydrogen can directly replace grey hydrogen to make refining more sustainable.

5. Power Sector

Green hydrogen supports power generation by:

Enabling long-duration energy storage (convert H₂ → electricity)
Acting as a feedstock for synthetic methane or ammonia
Supporting remote/off-grid power supply via hydrogen fuel cells

Current Challenges for Green Hydrogen

Despite its promise, green hydrogen adoption faces several roadblocks:

High Production Costs: Electrolyzers are expensive, and renewable electricity costs vary by region.
Efficiency Losses: End-to-end conversion (electricity → H₂ → electricity) has ~30–40% energy loss.
Infrastructure Gaps: Hydrogen pipelines, refueling stations, and storage solutions are still limited.
Material Scarcity: Electrolyzers require rare materials like iridium and platinum.

Global Policy Support Is Accelerating Adoption

Recognizing hydrogen’s potential, several countries are putting policy and capital behind the transition:

India: Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India targets 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of annual production by 2030.
EU: Hydrogen is central to the EU’s decarbonization roadmap, with funding and infrastructure support.
USA: The U.S. has committed over $8 billion in funding for hydrogen hubs.

These initiatives reduce barriers to entry, stimulate investment, and provide a framework for public-private partnerships.

B2B Opportunities in the Green Hydrogen Transition

For manufacturers, EPC contractors, and industrial clients, the rise of green hydrogen opens up:

New product development (electrolyzer components, hydrogen-ready turbines, etc.)
Sustainability-linked contracts (green steel, green ammonia, low-carbon fuels)
Export potential to global markets demanding clean energy inputs
Strategic partnerships across renewables, infrastructure, and hydrogen supply chains

Forward-looking businesses can gain early-mover advantages by adapting to hydrogen-ready technologies.

Green hydrogen will not replace fossil fuels overnight, but it is on track to become the cornerstone of low-carbon industry, transport, and power. Its modularity, versatility, and zero-emission credentials make it an indispensable part of future energy systems.

For B2B stakeholders, the message is clear: embrace green hydrogen early to stay competitive, relevant, and sustainable in a rapidly changing energy landscape.

Need a partner for hydrogen projects?
Hydrogen Gentech Private Limited (HGPL) provides modular, scalable hydrogen purification, recovery, and EPC services for industrial applications. Connect with us today to future-proof your operations.

Newer Posts

Hydrogen News Archives | Page 8 of 8 | Hydrogengentech

Topsoe signs joint declaration for ramping up manufacturing of electrolyzers to boost hydrogen production

India’s Green Hydrogen Economy to Operate at Scale, Fall in Costs Expected: Minister R K Singh

India’s Green Hydrogen Sector Continues Attracting Investors

HYDROGEN ECONOMY