Context:
Himachal seeks Centre’s support to explore green hydrogen-powered trains on the Kalka-Shimla heritage rail track.
Green Hydrogen:
- What: hydrogen generated by renewable energy or from low-carbon power
- Process: Electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources.
Electrolysis is the process of splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen by application of electrical energy, and the hydrogen produced can be used as a clean and renewable fuel.
- Uses –
- Chemical industry: Manufacturing ammonia and fertilisers.
- Petrochemical industry: Production of petroleum products.
- Used in the steel industry (Green Steel)
Green Steel is the manufacturing of steel without the use of fossil fuels by using low-carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, coal gasification, or electricity.
- Electrolyser – An electrolyser is a device capable of splitting water molecules into their constituent Oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen (H2) atoms.
- Types of Electrolysers:
- Solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC)
- Alkaline electrolyser
- Proton exchange membrane (PEM)
- Advantages of Hydrogen: High calorific value, alternative to coke and coal in steel production, fuel cells in electric vehicles etc.
- Constraints in using hydrogen: High cost of electrolyser technology, high price of green hydrogen, difficult to transport and store etc.
What are Fuel Cells?
- Fuel Cells – Electrochemical devices to convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
- Fuel cells do not need to be periodically recharged like batteries, but instead continue to produce electricity as long as it is supplied with a source of hydrogen and a source of oxygen (usually air).
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- What are Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
- Electrochemically convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, water, and heat.
- High efficiency, zero emissions, and scalability.
- How do Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work?
- Anode: Hydrogen splits into protons and electrons.
- Cathode: Oxygen combines with protons and electrons to form water.
- Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM): Conducts protons.
- External Circuit: Conducts electrons, generating electricity.
- Hydrogen Production Methods
- Steam Methane Reforming (SMR): Most common, but emits CO2.
- Electrolysis: Water split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity.
- Thermochemical Processes: High-temperature heat extracts hydrogen.
- Applications of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- Transportation: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) offer long range and fast refueling.
- Stationary Power: Backup power for facilities, grid power.
- Portable Power: Power for electronic devices.
- Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- Clean energy
- High efficiency
- Reliable backup power
- Scalability
Hydrogen-powered Engine:
- Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
- Works on the same principle as traditional ICE.
- Uses hydrogen as fuel instead of petroleum-based fuels.
- Difference from Hydrogen Fuel Cell
- Hydrogen ICE directly burns hydrogen for energy.
- Hydrogen fuel cell converts hydrogen into electricity to power the engine.
Read more here: PEMFC | UNESCO Tangible Cultural Heritage Sites in India Map | UNESCO world heritage site | National Green Hydrogen Mission
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
With reference to green hydrogen, Consider the following statements :
1. It can be used directly as a fuel for internal combustion.
2. It can be blended with natural gas and used as fuel for heat or power generation.
3. It can be used in the hydrogen fuel cell to run vehicles.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
