Can hydrogen be the sustainable fuel for mobility in India in the global context?

Arunkumar Jayakumar; Dinesh Kumar Madheswaran; A. M. Kannan; Ullashvaran Sureshvaran; Jayanth Sathish

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.07.272

Can hydrogen be the sustainable fuel for mobility in India in the global context?

Arunkumar Jayakumar, Dinesh Kumar Madheswaran, A. M. Kannan, Ullashvaran Sureshvaran, Jayanth Sathish

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

This article provides a critical assessment of H₂ from the standpoint of more widespread use as a sustainable fuel for Indian mobility applications in the global context. The potential techno-economic advantages of utilizing H₂ for automobiles rather than battery electric vehicles or conventional internal combustion engine vehicles are emphasized. The present assessment demonstrates that H₂ production, storage, and distribution costs are the primary challenges, and a significant improvement is still necessary for H₂ to compete either against the internal combustion engine vehicle or the battery electric vehicle to win the race, arguably. The secondary challenges have also been demonstrated, which include the cost of the fuel cell stack and the modifications associated with internal combustion engine vehicles, as well as regulatory and safety concerns, which impede the widespread usage of H₂. It is critical that policy-making for sustainable mobility in India is possible with the aid of a National H₂ Energy Road-Map. This in turn can achieve a cost target of $0.5/kg for H₂.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	33571-33596
Number of pages	26
Journal	International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Volume	47
Issue number	79
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.07.272
State	Published - Sep 15 2022
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Battery electric vehicles
Energy economy
Fuel cell electric vehicles
H Fuel
National H Energy Road-Map
SDG-7

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Fuel Technology
Condensed Matter Physics
Energy Engineering and Power Technology

Access to Document

10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.07.272

Cite this

@article{f22168ffd01b4e4dbc7434c669001ea8,

title = "Can hydrogen be the sustainable fuel for mobility in India in the global context?",

abstract = "This article provides a critical assessment of H2 from the standpoint of more widespread use as a sustainable fuel for Indian mobility applications in the global context. The potential techno-economic advantages of utilizing H2 for automobiles rather than battery electric vehicles or conventional internal combustion engine vehicles are emphasized. The present assessment demonstrates that H2 production, storage, and distribution costs are the primary challenges, and a significant improvement is still necessary for H2 to compete either against the internal combustion engine vehicle or the battery electric vehicle to win the race, arguably. The secondary challenges have also been demonstrated, which include the cost of the fuel cell stack and the modifications associated with internal combustion engine vehicles, as well as regulatory and safety concerns, which impede the widespread usage of H2. It is critical that policy-making for sustainable mobility in India is possible with the aid of a National H2 Energy Road-Map. This in turn can achieve a cost target of $0.5/kg for H2.",

keywords = "Battery electric vehicles, Energy economy, Fuel cell electric vehicles, H Fuel, National H Energy Road-Map, SDG-7",

author = "Arunkumar Jayakumar and Madheswaran, {Dinesh Kumar} and Kannan, {A. M.} and Ullashvaran Sureshvaran and Jayanth Sathish",

note = "Funding Information: In partnership with Grove H 2 Automotive and Reliance Industries, Mahindra Group has revealed a new concept car powered by H 2 Fuel Cell [ 158 ]. According to The Energy Research Institution (TERI), India has the potential to increase H 2 consumption tenfold by 2050 [ 159 ]; however, given the pandemic breakout, geopolitical uncertainty, and economic depression, it is difficult to ascertain if India will be able to achieve this target. The Chairperson of Bharat Petroleum Corp Limited (BPCL), indicated that the refinery is striving to strengthen its indigenous alkaline electrolyzer systems in partnership with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) [ 160 ]. The mission is to make the technology useable at BPCL refineries. Though the government would like to generate green H 2 using sustainable energy, nuclear energy is also considered a potential option by US DoE, since it eliminates the GHG emissions [ 161 ]. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between TERI and Green Stat H 2 India to establish a Norwegian Centre of Excellence for H 2 in India [ 162 ]. Under the MNRE, the United States and India have begun a relationship between the US Department of Energy's National Laboratories and the Indian National Institutes. It is a vital focal point of the newly formed South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE), which is funded by the US Agency for International Development ( USAID ). The two nations will work on research for implementing and developing innovative cleaner energy through the H 2 Task Force [ 163 ]. Funding Information: The government of India's (GOI) National H2 Energy Mission (NHEM) initiative will capitalize H2 for a cleaner environment [113]. Power major, NTPC Limited is considering setting up a green H2 production facility in Andhra Pradesh [150]. The Ministry of Power bids for 4000 MW of electrolyzer capacity funded with INR 8 billion, to deliver sustainability gap support, production associated enticements, and the obligation of green H2 consumption agreements [151]. Two H2 refueling stations were demonstrated (one each at the Indian Oil R&D Centre, Faridabad and National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram) [135]. The finance minister in the Union budget 2021 announced the National H2 Mission (NHM), which aims to generate H2 from green power resources. It is speculated that NHM will emphasize widespread choices generating green H2 and enabling its commercial use as a transportation fuel [152]. Initiatives have been postulated by MNRE, namely the Green Initiative for Future Transport (GIFT) and the Green Power Transmission Initiative (GPTI), in order to improve the International Labour Organization's (ILO) perceptions, legislation sensitivity, and intellectual capacity to traverse an equity movement to eco-friendly alternatives and sustainable future economies [115]. Rather than related to automotive, research and development for various projects on implementing H2 as an energy carrier is extensive, that is under the eye of MNRE, India. The hope is true about H2 vehicles by unveiling the globe's first H2-powered auto-rickshaws in India's capital city New Delhi by 2012 [153]. Additionally, the dream turned to be true again with the launch of Star-bus, India's first public intercity transport fuel cell bus [154]. Meanwhile, Hyundai confirmed that it would evaluate the viability of FCEV in India under the “Progress for Humanity of Zero Emission Mobility” project [155]. Hyundai Nexo is currently the only FCEV in Hyundai's regional portfolio. A maiden trial runs for a H2-powered vehicle was completed successfully with indigenously engineered fuel cells by the CSIR-NCL located at Pune, in an alliance with an automotive technology company KPIT, a part of Cummins Info-systems Ltd [156]. A low-temperature PEMFC (LT-PEMFC) stack of 10 kW with an electric powertrain that facilitates the driving of the vehicles is developed. The vehicle is fitted with a H2 storing tank of 1.75 kg of H2 at a pressure of 35 MPa. The vehicle can cover a range of 250 km when cruising at 60 to 65 kmph under typical Indian road conditions. Various private sectors in India have also joined Team green effectively [157].In partnership with Grove H2 Automotive and Reliance Industries, Mahindra Group has revealed a new concept car powered by H2 Fuel Cell [158]. According to The Energy Research Institution (TERI), India has the potential to increase H2 consumption tenfold by 2050 [159]; however, given the pandemic breakout, geopolitical uncertainty, and economic depression, it is difficult to ascertain if India will be able to achieve this target. The Chairperson of Bharat Petroleum Corp Limited (BPCL), indicated that the refinery is striving to strengthen its indigenous alkaline electrolyzer systems in partnership with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) [160]. The mission is to make the technology useable at BPCL refineries. Though the government would like to generate green H2 using sustainable energy, nuclear energy is also considered a potential option by US DoE, since it eliminates the GHG emissions [161]. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between TERI and Green Stat H2 India to establish a Norwegian Centre of Excellence for H2 in India [162]. Under the MNRE, the United States and India have begun a relationship between the US Department of Energy's National Laboratories and the Indian National Institutes. It is a vital focal point of the newly formed South Asia Group for Energy (SAGE), which is funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The two nations will work on research for implementing and developing innovative cleaner energy through the H2 Task Force [163].The Road-Map for H2 supply in India inducted by the Indian government in March 2022 guarantees supply security by implementing various policies and apparently opens up the path for various incentive schemes. For an instance, according to the EY India-SED Fund research, India would require 115 GW of renewable power capacity and 50 billion liters of demineralized water availability in order to reach the objective of 5 MT of green H2 by 2030 and guarantee long-term supply security [175]. To achieve the above objectives, the existing installed capacity of renewable power generation is 113 GW as of May 2022 [176]. The Indian government has pledged at the COP26 summit to allocate between $4 and $5 billion in order to meet this capacity deficit [177]. In keeping with the timeline, Ohmium, India's first integrated green H2 electrolyzer gigafactory has been allocated the above project in June 2022 [178]. ACME a leading organization in Indian energy sector has set up Green Hydrogen plans investment of $3.5 billion over the next three year [179]. The fact that Oil India Limited (OIL), a major exploration and production company, has initiated “India's first 99.999% pure” green H2 power station to ensure supply security [180]. Several well-known Indian companies, notably Reliance Industries (RIL) [181], JSW Steel, BPCL, Jindal Steel, NTPC, Larsen & Toubro, and Indian Oil Corp., recently unveiled their propensity to foster green H2 plants where this local production obviously would help the supply security. Travancore Cochin Chemicals, Cochin International Airport Ltd, and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd are involved in the process of green fuel production are additional evidence to support long-term H2 production thereby ensuring supply security. Kochi Airport's solar power facility is one prime project in south India where a green H2 production facility will be deployed within 2024, said the transport secretary of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) [182]. The largest oil company in India, ONGC, has formed a partnership with Greenko to create a joint venture that will devote INR 50,000 crore ($6.2 billion) in green H2 projects to guarantee long term H2 supply in nation. The MoU plans to set up 5.5–7 GW (GW) of wind and solar energy construction project and use energy from these plants to power electrolyzers to make green hydrogen [183]. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC",

year = "2022",

month = sep,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.07.272",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "47",

pages = "33571--33596",

journal = "International Journal of Hydrogen Energy",

issn = "0360-3199",