The Story So Far
India is aiming for energy independence and net-zero emissions by 2070.
Natural hydrogen could be a major opportunity to achieve these goals more quickly and cheaply.
Using natural hydrogen can help India improve energy security and reduce dependence on imports.
How Much Potential Does India Have?
India’s hydrogen demand is expected to rise from 6 million tonnes in 2020 to over 50 million tonnes by 2070.
A study estimates that India could have up to 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen.
If this is true, India may not need to manufacture hydrogen, but instead use what is already underground.
Recent findings in the Andaman Islands suggest there may be more reserves.
To understand this better, India needs detailed geological studies of possible hydrogen-rich areas.
What Are the Challenges?
Finding and measuring natural hydrogen underground is still a new and developing science.
Existing oil and gas methods need to be adapted for hydrogen’s unique properties.
Hydrogen is very light and leaks easily, which creates safety concerns.
New materials are needed to safely handle hydrogen, including strong coatings and seals.
Studies are ongoing to find the safest and cheapest ways to extract and store natural hydrogen.
How Can India Kickstart the Process?
India can follow models like the solar mission’s SRRA project to map natural hydrogen locations.
Partnerships between government and private companies can speed up exploration.
Techniques like injecting water into rocks to create hydrogen can also be tried.
The oil and gas industry can help by using existing rock samples and wells to look for hydrogen.
Some natural gas pipelines might be usable for hydrogen with the right upgrades.
Safe and affordable hydrogen storage systems are also needed.
Costs of finding and using natural hydrogen must be balanced with potential benefits.
Clear rules and policies will help attract investors and make the hydrogen market grow.
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