The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), India's leading oil firm, has introduced the nation's first green hydrogen-powered bus in New Delhi. This historic initiative underscores India's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
(Image Source: The Hindu)
Green Hydrogen Production and Utilization
The IOC has embarked on an ambitious journey to produce approximately 75 kilograms of green hydrogen through a process that involves splitting water using electricity generated from renewable sources. This green hydrogen will serve as the primary fuel source for two buses that will undergo trial runs in the national capital region.
The production of this green hydrogen is taking place at IOC's Research and Development (R&D) Centre in Faridabad. These buses are equipped with four cylinders, each capable of holding 30 kilograms of green hydrogen, enabling them to travel up to an impressive 350 kilometres on a single fill. Moreover, the refuelling process is highly efficient, taking only 10–12 minutes to complete.
One of the most remarkable attributes of hydrogen as a fuel is that it emits only water vapour when burned, making it an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Hydrogen offers three times the energy density of gasoline and produces no harmful emissions, making it an ideal choice for meeting energy requirements while significantly reducing environmental impact.
Scaling Up the Green Hydrogen Initiative
During the official launch of the two green hydrogen buses, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri announced the IOC's plans to expand this initiative further. By the end of 2023, IOC intends to increase the fleet of green hydrogen-powered buses to 15. These efforts align with India's broader strategy to promote clean and sustainable energy solutions.
(Image Source: Instagram)
The expansion of the green hydrogen initiative will include operational trials of 15 fuel cell buses powered by green hydrogen on designated routes in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. This demonstrates India's steadfast commitment to transitioning toward low-carbon and environmentally responsible transportation.
India's Emergence as a Green Hydrogen Leader
With its growing energy demand, a well-developed synchronized grid capable of efficiently managing renewable energy sources, and a strong focus on sustainability, India is poised to emerge as a global leader in green hydrogen production and export. The country's substantial progress in adopting cost-effective solar energy solutions and maintaining a synchronized grid has paved the way for India to become a prominent hub for green hydrogen production.
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a fuel with immense potential to help India achieve its decarbonization targets. Globally, the demand for hydrogen is projected to surge four to seven times by 2050, with domestic demand in India expected to witness a significant uptick. Public sector units (PSUs) in the oil and gas industry are actively working toward producing approximately one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.
A Transformative Project for Clean Transportation
The introduction of India's first green hydrogen-powered bus marks a transformative moment in the country's efforts to combat climate change and embrace sustainable transportation. This initiative holds the promise of reducing harmful emissions, improving air quality, and showcasing India's unwavering commitment to cleaner and greener energy solutions.
As this project advances, it has the potential to elevate India from a net importer of fossil energy to a net exporter of clean hydrogen energy. This not only positions India as a leader in technology transfer but also as a major producer and supplier of green hydrogen on the global stage.
The success of this project represents a significant milestone in India's journey toward a sustainable and environmentally conscious future. It highlights the pivotal role that clean energy solutions play in addressing the challenges of climate change and air pollution while fostering economic growth and technological innovation.
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