The environment if left to itself will be able to support life on earth for millions and millions of years. However, the humans are the most unstable and potentially disruptive being. Humans are accelerating on a development path that is energy intensive in nature. Meanwhile the globe is also facing critical energy challenges due to different theatres of war accelerating, the climate crisis and energy poverty in the Global South countries: 675 million of the global population still do not have electricity and 2.3 billion of the population clean cooking[i]. These prevailing conditions are affecting world energy security and especially for developing countries like India which in the coming years will account for 25% of global energy demand growth over the next two decades[ii].
This situation thus calls for an urgent need to switch to the cleaner energy systems such as renewables and one such cleaner fuel is hydrogen, which is being projected as a source of clean energy.[iii] Hydrogen is the most available element in the environment that offers unlimited potential as a carrier of sustainable, reliable energy.[iv]
This viewpoint will discuss energy security, the critical analysis of the role of hydrogen in energy security and India’s efforts in this direction.
Understanding Energy Security
In 1982 Schumacher has rightly said that energy is “not just another commodity, but the precondition of all commodities, a basic factor equal to air, water, and earth”.[v] This implies that energy security is a fundamental necessity for human growth and development. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has defined energy security as "the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at an affordable price".[vi] According to the traditional realist international security narrative, energy security is subset of international security which is understood as the relationship between national security and the availability of energy resources. Energy security is often associated with sovereignty and security of the respective countries from external threats and resilience of it’s energy system.
As 84% of global energy is still met from oil, coal and gas, traditional understanding of energy security continues to be predominantly seen through the lens of fossil fuels and their geographical availability. The uneven distribution of energy resources among countries has led to vulnerabilities, enmeshing energy security with geopolitics. Most of the world’s oil and natural gas resources are geographically concentrated and produced in a small number of countries. For example, the highest oil producing countries are the US, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and UAE, China is the leading producer of coal, and the highest producer of natural gas is Russia. Further, the geopolitical aspects of energy security have recently been accentuated due to unfavourable conditions such as the Israel-Palestine crisis in West Asia, the Ukraine-Russia war in Eurasia and China’s aggressive posturing in Indo-Pacific. Alongside high geopolitical tensions, the world is dealing with energy poverty (the difference between the existential energy demand of developing and the least developed countries and leisure-based energy demand of developed countries) and an acute climate catastrophe, due to the excessive use of fossil fuels.[vii]
Energy insecurity is multidimensional, therefore, an all-encompassing solution involving a transition from fossil fuel led energy system to renewable energy systems like solar, wind, biomass, hydrogen, etc is the need of the hour. Not only do renewable energy system promises affordability, security to energy systems, but they are also sustainable as they are planet centric in nature. There is an unquestionable role the renewables play in creating more resilient, inclusive and cleaner energy systems.[viii]
Is Hydrogen the Answer to Our Energy Security?
According to IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook, if the world sticks to temperature limits of 1.5 degree Celsius as recommended by UNFCCC’s (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Paris Agreement of 2015, the share of renewable energy in the global energy mixture should increase in 2020 from 16% to 77% by 2050.[ix] By 2050, both biomass and hydrogen are expected to contribute larger portions of the total energy consumption than fossil fuels.[x]
Hydrogen has been hailed as the fuel of the future which could help reduce the globe’s dependence on the fossil fuel-based energy systems and help to accelerate transition to a climate sustainable future. Most hydrogen on earth is in the form of water whereby it is bonded to oxygen and to carbon in live/fossilized biomass. Hydrogen can be formed by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Different methods to obtain hydrogen include electrolysis, pyrolysis, gasification, natural gas reforming etc. Based on the methods of formation, hydrogen has been classified as grey, brown, blue and green hydrogen.
Figure 1: Types of Hydrogen
Since hydrogen is a manufactured commodity, it can be produced at many places making it less sensitive to market and shielding it from uncertain geopolitical conditions. When produced through the help of renewable energy like solar, wind, biomass, it is the least polluting process in nature and hydrogen produced this way is classified as “Green Hydrogen”. This extracted hydrogen then can be used in hydrogen-based fuel cells to provide energy to various processes such as transportation, industry, etc. Hydrogen fuel cells are more efficient than gasoline-based combustion engines. The energy in 1 kilogram of hydrogen gas contains about the same as the energy in 2.8 kilograms of gasoline.
Source: https://www.fchea.org/fuelcells
Accordingly, hydrogen seems to tick all the boxes of an alternate energy system, which is sustainable, affordable, accessible and secure in nature. However, there is a catch, the fact is that current green hydrogen production around the globe remains almost negligible.[xi] In 2022, less than 0.1% of global hydrogen was produced from renewable sources. IEA’s newly released figures reveals that fossil fuels are used to produce 99% of globally produced hydrogen.[xii] Also, producing green hydrogen on a large scale requires vast amounts of land and water resources, which could lead to displacement of people as has reportedly happened in Saudi Arabia’s planned city Neom.[xiii] In addition, some of the rapidly growing renewable energy technologies like wind turbines, solan panels etc require certain critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt.[xiv] These critical minerals too have a geopolitical angle with China being the largest producer of 16 critical minerals having monopoly in processing these minerals.[xv] Ergo, hydrogen as the fuel of the future has a lot of potential however there are worrying blind spots.
India and the Hydrogen
The extent of advancement happening in India is noteworthy. Over the past few years, India’s economic growth has been one of the highest in the world.[xvi] India’s sheer size and its huge potential for growth means that its demand for energy is bound to grow exponentially. The affordability, accessibility, availability, sustainability and reliability of energy are critical for India.[xvii]
India still meets more than 80% of its energy needs from mainly three fuels: coal, oil and biomass.[xviii] Coal has been responsible for the growth of electricity and industry in the country and still has the largest share in the energy mix. Also, oil consumption and imports have grown because of rising transportation needs.[xix]
Nonetheless, India has diversified it’s energy supplies in recent years. It has been focussing on alternate energy sources and meeting its energy transition through gas-based economy, green hydrogen and electric vehicles.[xx] As a result of government’s unconditional commitment to renewable energy, coupled with innovative policies and incentives, India has gradually set the stage for a greener energy landscape including more renewable sources of energy (solar, biogas, etc.)[xxi]
India has been making sincere efforts in the field of green hydrogen and the importance of green hydrogen in achieving energy security for India cannot be exaggerated enough.[xxii] The production of green hydrogen using renewable energy such as wind, solar and hydropower etc. can provide energy security to India, reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels and can promise a stable, sustainable energy source. Thus, India has launched a Rs. 19,744 crores National Green Hydrogen Mission with a target of 5MMT per annum production capacity of Green Hydrogen.[xxiii]
It is a scheme to incentivise the commercial production of green hydrogen and make India a net exporter of the hydrogen fuel. The mission aims to create demand, production, utilization and export of Green Hydrogen. Under this scheme the sub-scheme of green hydrogen hubs will help identify regions and states capable of supporting large scale production. Other government policies which back the hydrogen initiative include PM-KUSUM, Nation Solar-Wind hybrid policy, International Solar Alliance etc. In addition, steps in the private sector like the setting up of the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) Task Force on Green Hydrogen are expected to facilitate private sectors, participation in the hydrogen economy.
However, India like other countries in the world still has a long way to go as the hydrogen ecosystem in the country still in nascent stages since India has not developed sufficient infrastructure required for producing hydrogen. Also, one fundamental challenge is the economic sustainability faced by the indigenous industry for commercially manufacturing and using green hydrogen. Hence, National Hydrogen Mission is an important step in this direction.
Also, India has started collaborating internationally on clean hydrogen through government-to-government channels. India has engaged bilaterally with the United States, France and Germany, including through the establishment of hydrogen task forces.[xxiv] Further, the QUAD clean hydrogen strategic initiative has also been established. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had organised the Quad Workshop on Regulations, Codes and Standards (RCS) for clean hydrogen, as part of efforts the Quad Clean Hydrogen Strategic Initiative.[xxv] New Delhi also hosted in 2024 March the 41st Steering Committee meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE)[xxvi] The IPHE has working groups and task forces. There are working groups on “Regulations, Codes, Standards & Safety (RCSS)” and “Education & Outreach”. The task forces are on “Hydrogen Skills”, “Hydrogen Production Analysis”, “Hydrogen Certification Mechanisms” and “Hydrogen Trade Rules”.[xxvii] In the run-up to the 18th G20 Summit, a day-long conference on "Green Hydrogen Pilots in India" was held in New Delhi, on 5th September 2023. The conference showcased various Green Hydrogen Pilots being implemented by both public and private sector companies of India.[xxviii] Under India’s presidency, the G20New Delhi Declaration committed to build a sustainable and equitable global hydrogen ecosystem that benefits all nations. It also took note of India’s initiative to establish the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre steered by the International Solar Alliance.
Will hydrogen become the fuel of the future?
Though fossil fuels have catapulted economic growth and industrialisation over a century but their climate impact, geopolitical vulnerabilities and geographic concentration, have made us to think urgently a transition away from these fuels.[xxix] One cannot dispute the essential role of renewables in creating more resilient, cleaner and inclusive energy systems.[xxx] The acceleration to a renewable-based transition relies on our collective ability to transpose from fossil fuel based thinking to cleaner renewable systems followed by a focus on green hydrogen.
The transition to renewable energy aims to change the patterns of international energy insecurity and reshape the energy systems. This requires a systemic approach to energy security based on green hydrogen. Traditional approaches to energy security are already proving harmful for the planet and all the species. The green hydrogen energy system calls for a proactive strategy to reshape energy system and provide a fillip to the resilience of the energy system.
*****
*Anubha Gupta, Research Associate, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i] “Geopolitics of the Energy Transition,” International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 2024
Available at https://mc-cd8320d4-36a1-40ac-83cc-3389-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2024/Apr/IRENA_Geopolitics_transition_energy_security_2024.pdf?rev=eb7f7fb99bf747e5bfd0b6fb8b52478f, Accessed on 28th March 2024
[ii] Available at https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1966227#:~:text=India%20is%20likely%20to%20account,200%20bn%20dollars%20very%20shortly. Accessed on 2nd April 2024
[iii] Available at https://www.kit.edu/kit/english/hydrogen-energy-carrier-of-unlimited-potential.php#:~:text=Highly%20developed%20industrialized%20countries%20such,as%20a%20carrier%20of%20energy.
[iv] Ibid.
[v] Mayer, A., “Fossil fuel dependence and energy insecurity,” Energ Sustain Soc 12, 27 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-022-00353-5 Accessed On 2nd April 2024
[vi] Naushad Alam and Shalima Sharma, “Energy Security”, Lok Sabha, 2017, Available at https://loksabhadocs.nic.in/Refinput/New_Reference_Notes/English/Energy_Security.pdf , Accessed on 2nd April 2024
[vii] World Energy Outlook 2023, International Energy Agency, 2023, Available at https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/86ede39e-4436-42d7-ba2a-edf61467e070/WorldEnergyOutlook2023.pdf Accessed on 10th April, 2024
[viii] Geopolitics of the Energy Transition, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 2024
Available at https://mc-cd8320d4-36a1-40ac-83cc-3389-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2024/Apr/IRENA_Geopolitics_transition_energy_security_2024.pdf?rev=eb7f7fb99bf747e5bfd0b6fb8b52478f, Accessed on 28th March 2024
[ix] Ibid.
[x] Ibid.
[xi] Belen Balanya, “The EU’s hydrogen plans are a dangerous distraction driven by corporate interests” Euroviews 2023 Available at https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/12/the-eus-hydrogen-plans-are-a-dangerous-distraction-driven-by-corporate-interests Accessed on 15th April, 2024
[xii] Ibid.
[xiii] Germany’s great hydrogen race, Corporate Europe Observatory, 2023 Available at https://corporateeurope.org/en/GermanysGreatHydrogenRace, Accessed on 15th April, 2024.
[xiv] “Critical Minerals,” United Nations Environment Program https://www.unep.org/topics/energy/renewable-energy/critical-minerals#:~:text=The%20transition%20from%20fossil%20fuels,solar%20panels%20to%20electric%20vehiclesAccessed on 18th April 2024
[xv] Ibid.
[xvi] Fatih Birol and Amitabh Kant, “India’s clean energy transition is rapidly underway, benefiting the entire world,” IEA 2022 Available at https://www.iea.org/commentaries/india-s-clean-energy-transition-is-rapidly-underway-benefiting-the-entire-world Accessed on 18th April 2024
[xvii] Ibid.
[xviii] “India Energy Outlook 2021 - Energy in India today,” International Energy Agency, Available at https://www.iea.org/reports/india-energy-outlook-2021/energy-in-india-today Accessed on 10th April, 2024
[xix] Ibid
[xx] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1889967#:~:text=India%20has%20been%20able%20to,sources%20and%20meeting%20energy%20transition
[xxi] Ibid.
[xxii] “Hydrogen Overview,” Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 2023 Available at https://mnre.gov.in/hydrogen-overview/#:~:text=Hence%2C%20India%20has%20launched%20the,emissions%20and%20achieve%20energy%20independence. Accessed on 28th March 2024
[xxiii] Ibid.
[xxiv] Aastha Gupta, “The Evolving Story of Hydrogen in India and Opportunities for Global Cooperation,” The National Bureau of Asian Research, 2023 Available at https://www.nbr.org/publication/the-evolving-story-of-hydrogen-in-india-and-opportunities-for-global-cooperation/ Accessed on 9th May, 2024.
[xxv] “MNRE organises Quad Workshop on Clean Hydrogen,” Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 2022, Available at https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1846354 Accessed on 9th May, 2024.
[xxvi] IPHE is to facilitate and accelerate the transition to clean and efficient energy and mobility systems using hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across applications and sectors.
[xxvii] Available at https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2015651
[xxviii] Available at https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1954950#:~:text=In%20the%20run%2Dup%20to%20the%2018th%20G20%20Summit,private%20sector%20companies%20of%20India.
[xxix] “Geopolitics of the Energy Transition,” International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 2024
Geopolitics of the energy transition: Energy security, International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi Available at https://mc-cd8320d4-36a1-40ac-83cc-3389-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2024/Apr/IRENA_Geopolitics_transition_energy_security_2024.pdf?rev=eb7f7fb99bf747e5bfd0b6fb8b52478f, Accessed on 28th March 2024
[xxx] Ibid.