Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
Source: Down To Earth
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Overview
- About Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
- National Green Hydrogen Mission
- About Green Hydrogen
Why in the News?
News: Rs 17,490 crore has been set aside for the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme, to bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
About Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) Programme
- SIGHT is a subcomponent of the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
- To bolster domestic electrolyser manufacturing and green hydrogen production.
- Two distinct financial incentive mechanisms.
- Incentive for manufacturing of electrolysers
- Incentive for production of green hydrogen.
- Specific incentive schemes and programmes will continue to evolve as the Mission progresses.
- The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) would be the implementing agency.
National Green Hydrogen Mission
- The Mission is to make India a global hub for producing, using, and exporting Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
- Implemented by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
- It has an outlay of ₹ 19,744 crore from FY 2023–24 to FY 2029–30.
How it impact
- India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is likely to reach 5 MMT per annum.
- It contributes to a reduction in dependence on the import of fossil fuels.
- Achievement of Mission targets is expected to reduce a cumulative ₹ 1 lakh crore worth of fossil fuel imports by 2030.
- This will likely leverage over ₹8 lakh crore in total investments and create over 6 lakh jobs.
- Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted through the production and use of the targeted quantum of Green Hydrogen.
About Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources, particularly through a process called electrolysis. Unlike conventional methods of hydrogen production that rely on natural gas or other fossil fuels, green hydrogen is considered environmentally friendly because it utilizes renewable energy to extract hydrogen from water.
Key aspects of green hydrogen
- Production Process:
- Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water, a process that involves splitting water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂).
- Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydropower, provide the electricity needed for electrolysis.
- Electrolysis:
- Electrolysis involves passing an electric current through water, which causes the water molecules to dissociate into hydrogen and oxygen.
- The chemical reaction is represented as: 2H₂O + Energy → 2H₂ + O₂.
- Renewable Energy Sources:
- Green hydrogen production relies on energy from renewable sources, ensuring that the entire process is free from carbon emissions if the electricity used comes from sustainable sources.
- Environmental Benefits:
- Green hydrogen is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to hydrogen produced using fossil fuels because it does not generate carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions during production.
- It can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential component in efforts to combat climate change.
- Applications:
- Green hydrogen has various applications, including being used as a clean fuel for transportation, energy storage, and as a feedstock for industries that require hydrogen as a raw material.
- It is seen as a versatile and sustainable energy carrier with potential applications across multiple sectors.
- Challenges:
- Despite its environmental benefits, green hydrogen faces challenges related to cost, efficiency, and infrastructure development.
- The cost of renewable energy and electrolysis technology needs to decrease for green hydrogen to compete economically with hydrogen produced from conventional methods.
- Global Interest:
- Green hydrogen has gained increased attention globally as countries and industries seek cleaner alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.
- Various countries have announced ambitious plans to invest in and promote the production and use of green hydrogen.
- Hydrogen Economy:
- Green hydrogen is seen as a key component of a future hydrogen economy, where hydrogen plays a significant role in meeting energy needs while reducing environmental impact.
Conclusion
- As technology advances and the cost of renewable energy continues to decrease, green hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role in the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy system.
- It is viewed as a promising solution to address the challenges of climate change and achieve a more sustainable energy future.
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