Discover India's natural hydrogen potential, challenges, and global strategies. Essential for UPSC, SSC, and banking exams. Boost your prep with Atharva Examwise!
India's Natural Hydrogen Potential: A Path to Energy Sovereignty
India’s hydrogen demand is projected to surge from 6 million tonnes/year (2020) to 50 million tonnes/year by 2070 to meet net-zero targets410. Preliminary studies suggest 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen reserves could exist in India, potentially eliminating the need for costly manufactured hydrogen12. Key regions with ultramafic rocks (e.g., Andaman Islands, Deccan Traps) and oil-gas fields offer promising exploration sites18.
Challenges in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Technical Hurdles: Lack of advanced exploration techniques compared to oil/gas. Hydrogen’s small molecular size demands specialized extraction tech112.
Safety Risks: High diffusivity and reactivity require hydrogen-resistant materials (e.g., alloy coatings, modified cement)12.
Infrastructure Gaps: Limited pipelines and storage facilities; retrofitting existing gas infrastructure is costly812.
Economic Viability: Exploration costs and uncertain reserve sizes hinder investor confidence110.
Natural vs. Manufactured Hydrogen: Cost and Feasibility
| Parameter | Natural Hydrogen | Green Hydrogen |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ~$2/kg (estimated)12 | $2–2.5/kg (2030 target)4 |
| Emissions | Zero (if extracted cleanly) | Zero (renewable-powered) |
| Infrastructure | Evolving tech18 | High initial investment10 |
While natural hydrogen is cheaper theoretically, its commercial viability depends on locating large, accessible reserves and minimizing extraction costs12.
US Innovations: Beyond Traditional Extraction
The U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E program funds projects to stimulate hydrogen production:
Water Injection: Drilling into iron-rich rocks (e.g., peridotites) to trigger hydrogen-generating reactions29.
Carbon Sequestration: Injecting CO₂-water mixtures to produce hydrogen while storing carbon as limestone13.
These methods aim to enhance yields and reduce reliance on accidental discoveries913.
India’s Hydrogen Demand and Strategic Steps
India’s hydrogen consumption is set to hit 12 million tonnes/year by 2030, driven by refineries, fertilizers, and steel sectors4. To kickstart natural hydrogen exploitation:
Geological Surveys: Launch PPP models like the Solar Radiation Resource Assessment project to map reserves812.
Leverage Oil-Gas Expertise: Use ONGC and Oil India’s drilling data to identify hydrogen-rich zones812.
Policy Support: Create regulatory frameworks for safe exploration and incentivize R&D310.
Infrastructure Upgrades: Modify existing pipelines and develop underground storage12.
Why This Matters for Competitive Exams
UPSC: Energy security, net-zero policies, and geopolitical implications of hydrogen.
SSC/State PSCs: Infrastructure development and public-private partnerships.
Banking Exams: Economic feasibility, renewable energy financing, and ESG norms.
Key Takeaway: Natural hydrogen could redefine India’s energy landscape. Aspirants must track policy shifts (e.g., National Green Hydrogen Mission) and technological advancements for essay/answer writing310.
Stay updated with Atharva Examwise for more insights on energy, environment, and economy-critical themes for competitive exams!
