India advances green hydrogen integration for round-the-clock renewable energy

Union Minister Chairs Meeting, Directs Officials to Draft Guidelines for Innovative Energy Storage Solutions.

In furtherance of the Government’s initiative to promote increased adoption of renewable energy and the utilization of green hydrogen, as envisioned in the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is actively working on modalities to support round-the-clock electricity through its utilisation.

Chairing a meeting in New Delhi on February 6, 2024, the Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh, led discussions regarding the integration of Green Hydrogen with other renewable sources such as solar and wind energy to ensure continuous power supply. Attending the meeting were officials from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Power, NTPC, Central Electricity Commission, and the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Detailed discussions ensued among officials on various potential options for utilising Green Hydrogen as a storage medium to support round-the-clock power supply and meet peak demand. Additionally, mechanisms for government support for such projects were deliberated upon. Among the policy mechanisms under consideration is one based on the Contract for Difference (CfD) methodology, which hinges on the variance between the market price and an agreed-upon “strike price.”

The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy instructed officials to draft scheme guidelines that consider the economic viability, technological aspects, and prevailing and future market conditions within the green hydrogen and power sectors. Emphasising the growing demand for power and the significance of continuous renewable energy in mitigating costs and enhancing affordability, the Minister underscored the importance of this endeavor.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted that insights gained from the initial project would inform the undertaking of larger-scale projects in the future. This iterative approach ensures that lessons learned are leveraged to drive progress and scalability in subsequent endeavors.

Overall, the meeting served as a platform for comprehensive discussions on leveraging green hydrogen and other renewable sources to meet the nation’s burgeoning energy needs sustainably. Through strategic planning and collaborative efforts, the government aims to foster a conducive environment for the proliferation of renewable energy solutions, ensuring a greener and more sustainable energy landscape for the future.