• What are the new technologies being developed for production of hydrogen?

Hydrogen production technologies being researched on today are high efficiency electrolysis processes, microbial fermentation using cellulose materials, electrolysis using photovoltaic (PV) cells, small-scale electrolysis units for distributed production, and high temperature nuclear reactors for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen on a large scale. Production of hydrogen from coal would be feasible for India only with economically viable large-scale coal gasification using high ash coals; one gasification project in collaboration with a foreign technology supplier is being planned in India.

• What are the possibilities of producing hydrogen from renewable energy sources?

Hydrogen can be produced using electricity generated from wind turbines and PV systems. However, costs are presently very high. Research is in progress for producing hydrogen from biomass through the gasification route. But major problems with respect to purification of biogas to get the synthesis gas and economic design of small size steam reformers, are yet to be resolved.

• What is the path that India should adopt for development and use of hydrogen energy?

The most important first step is to develop a set of scenarios of the future incorporating the role of hydrogen as part of India’s overall energy strategy. To look at hydrogen energy by itself would be a misplaced and misdirected approach. Secondly, major research and development should be taken in hand to make hydrogen production economically viable. For that purpose the target should include the use solely of non-fossil fuel sources of energy.

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