Green Biohydrogen Production in India
Kartavya Desk Staff
#### GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Indian Economy: Energy Sector/ Environment Conservation
Source: PIB
Context: The Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, chaired a meeting to discuss biomass cultivation on degraded land for green biohydrogen production.
The key difference between biohydrogen and green hydrogen is in their sources of production:
• Biohydrogen: Derived from biological sources such as biogas, and often considered a form of renewable hydrogen due to its environmentally friendly conversion process. Biohydrogen is hydrogen produced from biological sources, typically through biogas reforming. It converts biogas (CH4 and CO2) into hydrogen, often referred to as syngas or bio-hydrogen
• Biohydrogen is hydrogen produced from biological sources, typically through biogas reforming. It converts biogas (CH4 and CO2) into hydrogen, often referred to as syngas or bio-hydrogen
• Green Hydrogen: Produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, and is considered the purest form of clean hydrogen.
What is Green Bio-hydrogen?
Green biohydrogen refers to hydrogen gas produced through the process of biomass cultivation, typically on degraded or barren land. This method involves utilizing organic materials such as seaweed, algae, molasses, sugarcane, and other plant-based resources to generate hydrogen through biological processes.
For: Opportunities and Challenges of Green Hydrogen in India: Click Here
Prospects of Biomass:
A recent MNRE study estimated a surplus biomass availability of approximately 230 million metric tonnes annually (2017-18) and a biomass power potential of around 28 GW. India’s tropical climate and vast agricultural potential make it conducive for biomass production. With an annual production of about 460 million tonnes of agricultural waste, biomass can substitute coal by around 260 million tonnes, potentially saving Rs 250 billion per year.
Benefits of Bioenergy crops cultivation:
• Soil Restoration and Erosion Prevention: Cultivation of energy crops rebuilds degraded soil, enhancing quality, fertility, and structure. Prevents soil erosion and fosters native plant species’ habitat. Improves biodiversity and acts as a carbon sinks, combating climate change.
• Carbon Sequestration: Biomass plants absorb carbon dioxide, aiding climate change mitigation.
• Sustainable Biohydrogen Production: Biomass serves as feedstock for green biohydrogen production via thermochemical or biochemical conversion. Green biohydrogen is a clean fuel emitting only water vapour.
• Bioenergy Generation: Specific bioenergy crops grown on degraded land are used for biomass energy production. Fast-growing trees, grasses, and high-energy plants can be converted into biofuels, biogas, or solid biomass.
• Enhancing Food Security: Biomass cultivation on degraded land preserves fertile agricultural areas for food crops. Prevents diversion of food grains, improving food security and supporting agri-export.
Government Initiatives for Bio and Green Hydrogen:
Initiative | Key Points
Global Biofuel Alliance | Leading efforts to establish global standards for hydrogen from biomass.
National Hydrogen Mission | Targeting a production increase to 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030, meeting 40% of domestic requirements.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme | Proposing a Rs 15,000-crore PLI scheme for electrolysers.
Green Hydrogen Mission | Development of Green Hydrogen Production Capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum; Renewable energy capacity addition of about 125 GW in the country by 2030
Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT): Funding domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
Green Hydrogen Hubs: Identifying and developing states/regions for large-scale hydrogen production/utilization.
Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP): Under this Public-private partnership framework R&D will be facilitated under the mission.
International Collaboration | Actively partnering with other countries, research institutions, and private entities for expertise and technology development.
Renewable Energy Integration | Integrating green hydrogen production with India’s expanding renewable energy capacity for improved efficiency and sustainability.
National Biomass Atlas of India | It offers state-wise and crop-wise data on residues per crop, along with images illustrating different crops and their residue ratios.
Challenges:
• Soil Quality: Rehabilitating degraded soil lacking essential nutrients is crucial.
• Species Selection: Identifying biomass crops resilient to harsh conditions is challenging.
• Water Availability: Developing efficient irrigation methods is essential due to water scarcity.
• Economic Viability: High initial investments and aligning crops with market demand pose challenges.
• Biodiversity: Introducing biomass crops may disrupt local ecosystems and biodiversity.
• Cultivation Methods: Implementing practices to minimize ecological impact is essential.
Way forward:
To improve degraded soil fertility, strategies like incorporating organic matter such as compost and biochar, or employing techniques like bio flocculation, which leverages microbial processes, can be implemented. Additionally, by adopting agroforestry methods, integrating fast-growing tree species like Pongamia pinnata with native grasses and legumes, not only enhances soil fertility through nitrogen fixation but also facilitates biofuel production while promoting biodiversity. Drones equipped with multispectral sensors can be utilized for quick assessment of degraded land, mapping soil composition, and identifying potential biomass cultivation areas, aiding in land diagnostics. Furthermore, developing markets for biomass and its by-products is essential for ensuring economic viability and creating a value chain that supports rural livelihoods. Additionally, seaweed cultivation holds immense potential for bioenergy production and fostering a marine biomanufacturing start-up ecosystem.
Conclusion
Bio-hydrogen will be a critical industrial fuel of the 21st century. India is well-positioned to show leadership, which is in India’s and the planet’s collective interest.
Insta Links:
India’s green hydrogen challenge
Prelims Links:
With reference to the usefulness of the by-products of the sugar industry, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC 2013)
• Bagasse can be used as biomass fuel for the generation of energy.
• Molasses can be used as one of the feedstocks for the production of synthetic chemical fertilizers.
• Molasses can be used for the production of ethanol.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: C
Mains Links:
What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (UPSC 2020)