Green Hydrogen

The sugarcane industry emerges as a primary driver of Green Hydrogen solutions, leveraging its biomass potential for sustainable energy production. Innovations like gasification of sugarcane bagasse demonstrate its pivotal role in advancing renewable hydrogen technologies, promising a cleaner and more sustainable future.

The Current Scenario & Vision 2030

India currently relies heavily on approximately 50 lakh tonnes of hydrogen annually, predominantly sourced from fossil fuels across various industrial sectors (IISc, 2022). However, with the implementation of bio-based routes, aligned with the Green Hydrogen Policy and the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), there is a concerted effort to transition towards sustainable practices.

The shift towards sustainable practices aims to address critical challenges such as reducing production costs, which currently stand at $5-6/kg for green hydrogen compared to $2/kg for Grey Hydrogen (ETAC, 2023). By 2030, India targets to achieve a significant production capacity of 5 million metric tons per annum.

India's Vast Biomass Potential

Under the NGHM and subsequent policy directives by the MNRE, bio-based green hydrogen production has gained prominence. These missions align with Hon’ble Prime Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to achieve energy self-reliance while promoting sustainable and eco-friendly industrial growth.

The NHER and the Hydrogen Mission under the Union Budget 2021-22 lay the groundwork for hydrogen development in India. India's sugarcane industry has the potential to significantly contribute to the nation's green hydrogen targets. By utilising surplus bagasse, we can produce approximately 2.7 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen, accounting for about 54% of India’s 2030 target.

Strategic Steps

Green Hydrogen Goals

NGHM Plans (2022-26)

This phase will focus on creating demand while enabling adequate supply by increasing the domestic electrolyser manufacturing capacity. In order to ensure Make in India from the inception stage, a bouquet of incentives aimed at indigenization of the value chain and increasing Green Hydrogen production and uptake will be developed.

NGHM Plans (2026-2028)

Green Hydrogen costs are expected to become competitive with fossil-fuel based alternatives in the refinery and fertiliser sector, allowing for accelerated growth in production. Depending upon the evolution of costs and market demand, the potential for taking up commercial scale Green Hydrogen based projects in steel, mobility and shipping sectors will be explored.

NGHM Plans (2028-2030)

During this phase, it is proposed to undertake pilot projects in other potential sectors like railways, aviation etc. R&D activities will be scaled up for continuous development of products. The second phase activities would enhance penetration across all potential sectors to drive deep decarbonisation of the economy.

Acts & Orders

To facilitate delivery of RE for Green Hydrogen production, various policy provisions including inter-alia waiver of Interstate transmission charges for renewable energy used for Green Hydrogen production; facilitating renewable energy banking; and time bound grant of Open Access and connectivity, will be extended for Green Hydrogen projects. Also the sector’s international cooperation is being worked on.

Campaigns

Bagasse to Green Hydrogen

ISMA in partnership with the IISc Bangalore has conducted studies to produce Bio-based Green Hydrogen from Bagasse briquettes.

Collaboration with TERI

ISMA is already exploring collaborating with The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) - a premier research institute based in New Delhi to develop bio-bacteria and microbe based production of Green Hydrogen through sugarcane waste like spent wash (The technology has already been established at TRL 5).

Pilot Study & Biochar

ISMA's collaboration with leading research institutes resulted in a pilot study that achieved 99.97% purity in green hydrogen production with 9% yield from Bagasse along with 5% Biochar as a valuable By-product.