How can India tap its natural hydrogen potential? | Explained | Current Affairs | Vision IAS

Daily News Summary

Get concise and efficient summaries of key articles from prominent newspapers. Our daily news digest ensures quick reading and easy understanding, helping you stay informed about important events and developments without spending hours going through full articles. Perfect for focused and timely updates.

News Summary

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

How can India tap its natural hydrogen potential? | Explained

2 min read

Natural Hydrogen: Opportunity for India

The exploitation of natural hydrogen presents a significant opportunity for India, a country aiming for energy independence and committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. With a projected hydrogen demand increase from 6 million tonnes in 2020 to over 50 million tonnes by 2070, natural hydrogen could play a pivotal role in meeting these goals.

Potential and Exploration

  • Estimated 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen potential in India, which could reduce reliance on hydrogen manufacturing.
  • Recent findings of natural hydrogen reserves in the Andamans highlight the need for more focused exploration efforts.
  • Comprehensive geological studies are necessary to evaluate: 
    1. Quality, extent, and accessibility of source rock.
    2. Presence of effective seals and traps for hydrogen.
    3. Potential for hydrocarbon accumulation and migration losses.

Challenges in Natural Hydrogen Exploration

  • Technical and logistical challenges in locating and quantifying reserves.
  • The necessity for efficient extraction technologies due to hydrogen's small molecular size and high diffusivity.
  • Safety concerns due to hydrogen's reactivity; require advanced materials and safety measures.

Strategic Approaches and Technologies

  • Adopting a public-private partnership model for exploration, similar to India's Solar PV mission.
  • Using advanced techniques like petrophysical characterization, gravity, magnetotelluric methods, and creating a Natural Hydrogen Deposit map.
  • Exploring intentional hydrogen production by drilling and injecting water into rocks.

Industry and Infrastructure

  • Review of rock samples by the Oil and Gas Exploration industry in collaboration with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
  • Modification of existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen transport.
  • Developing cost-effective and safe hydrogen storage solutions, especially underground.

Commercial Feasibility

  • Lower cost of natural hydrogen production compared to manufactured hydrogen.
  • Weighing exploration, extraction, and infrastructure costs against potential benefits.
  • Need for transparent regulatory systems and investment in targeted high-potential areas.
  • Tags :
  • Natural Hydrogen: Opportunity for India
  • Oil and Gas Exploration industry
Subscribe for Premium Features