Recognizing the importance of hydrogen as an energy carrier for the future, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as the nodal Ministry for this sector, has been implementing a broad based Research, Development and Demonstration Programme on Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Technologies for more than two decades.  In recent years, significant progress has been reported by several countries including India in the development of hydrogen as an alternative fuel both for automotive and stationary  application.

A National Hydrogen Energy Road Map (NHERM) was prepared by a Steering Group set up  by the National Hydrogen Energy Board (NHEB which was set up earlier  in  October 2003), under the Chairmanship of Shri Ratan Tata. The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map  was approved by the National Hydrogen Energy Board in January, 2006.

The NHERM  has identified research, development and demonstration efforts to be undertaken in the country for bridging the technological gaps in different areas of hydrogen energy, including its production, storage, transportation and delivery, applications, safety, codes and standards and capacity building for the period up to 2020.  The Road Map has emphasised on development of the total hydrogen energy system, which includes all the above components of hydrogen energy sector.  Keeping in view the present status of development of hydrogen energy, the NHERM has recommended two major initiatives for promoting the use of hydrogen as a fuel for  Green Transportation (Green Initiative for Future Transportation-GIFT) and Green Power Generation (Green Initiative for Power Generation-GIP). 

The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map has visualized that by 2020, one million hydrogen fuelled vehicles, mostly two and three wheelers,  and 1,000 MW aggregate hydrogen based power generation capacity would be established in the country. A total investment requirement of  Rs.25,000 crores has been projected in the Road Map for creating the required hydrogen supply infrastructure to realize the goals of one million vehicles and 1,000 MW power generation capacity by 2020, including  Rs.1,000 crores for research, development and demonstration activities. The Road Map  is a public-private partnership driven process.

Initiatives Taken So Far

The following initiatives have been taken by the Ministry :

A Demonstration Project for setting up of a Hydrogen Dispensing Station at a petrol pump in New Delhi has been sanctioned as a joint project of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and  Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The project would enable dispensing of neat hydrogen and H-CNG blends as fuel for automotive vehicles. The project is expected to be commissioned by March, 2009. The station will have 5 NM3 / hour hydrogen generation capacity electrolyzer system, hydrogen storage and  facilities for dispensing neat hydrogen and H-CNG blends in varying blend ratios. The H-CNG blends will be used in the modified CNG vehicles and are expected to reduce emissions from H-CNG vehicles, as compared to CNG vehicles. The project would also generate operational experience in handling hydrogen as an automotive fuel.

Another project for the  introduction of H-CNG blends on a trial basis in existing CNG Vehicles has been planned to be undertaken by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy jointly with the  Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers(SIAM). The project would have a two years duration and is the first public-private partnership project in this new technology area. The project aims for the introduction of H-CNG blend as a fuel on trial basis in buses, cars and three wheelers, involving five leading Indian automobile manufacturers i.e. Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra and Bajaj Auto. The Indian Oil Corporation is also participating in this project and the existing hydrogen dispensing facility set up at its R&D Centre at Faridabad would be used for fuelling the vehicles. Under this project, the engines of the existing CNG vehicles and fuel injection systems would be modified. The project aims at optimizing the H-CNG blend ratio for optimal vehicle performance and minimal emissions.

Several new R&D Projects in the area of Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell technology have been sanctioned to Universities, IITs and R&D organizations and further proposals are in the pipeline. A National Centre for Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cell Technology is being set up  at the Solar Energy Centre Campus of the Ministry at Gurgaon, Haryana.

The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map had recommended 8 Technology Missions  to be taken up in this area.  Work has been initiated in two of these areas i.e. on the Development of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, for which the CGCRI and BHEL have submitted a joint - R & D project proposal to the Ministry. A proposal for accelerated commercialization of PEM Fuel cells in mission mode is being developed.

Policy Initiatives

A comprehensive, well structured and coordinated National Programme on Hydrogen Energy is necessary to translate the goals and milestones identified in the National Hydrogen Energy Road Map. This would require all stakeholders to work closely  to pool their limited technical, financial and human resources to undertake a focused national programme. Participation of government, research and academic institutions, industries, regulatory  authorities, organizations working on development of standards, NGOs and media needs to be ensured for this purpose. A strong research and technology development and demonstration programme is an essential component  of the National Hydrogen Energy Programme. 

Research, Development  and Demonstration Plan

The focus of R & D efforts in this new and emerging area is on the development of efficient and cost effective technologies.  Goal oriented research will be identified and supported. Advanced research and engineering development on hydrogen applications has to  be mainly  industry driven with the  Government acting as the prime facilitator in this process.  Apart from R & D efforts on all aspects, ranging from production to application, other important issues related to development of codes and standards and safety and educational aspects have to be undertaken. Large scale programs for creating public awareness about hydrogen energy - the next generation clean energy options and its safe use by the common man have also to be taken up as public-private partnership effort.

Role of Industry – Public-Private Partnership (PPP) 

The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map is visualized as an Industry driven Public-Private Partnership Process, with R&D institutions, Government and Industry joining hands for research and development, demonstration and eventually commercialization and education & awareness. The participation of Indian industry is  critical for achieving the goals of the Road Map. The following are the areas where active participation of industry is envisaged.

Development & demonstration of hydrogen energy system vis-à-vis demonstration of automobiles using Hydrogen Energy.

Production of Hydrogen (for power generation & transport applications) from by-products of various industries. For example Hydrogen is available as a by-product in the chemical industry.

Research & Development initiatives from Industry to take up new methods of Hydrogen production from gasification of coal, biomass/ biological methods, water splitting using photo-electrochemical, nuclear & solar routes, and  electrolysis of water using renewable energy technologies.

Develop & demonstrate improved pressurized tanks/cylinders for Hydrogen storage applications, safe & cost effective solid-state storage methods, safe transport of hydrogen through pipelines.

Develop materials & components for fuel cells & also develop fuel cell technologies.

Develop & demonstrate hydrogen powered IC engine.

Inputs in development of standards, codes, regulations & awareness programms for acceptance of hydrogen energy.