D.P.T, a socio-economic pandemic is on the rise! Well, this term just coined by me, meant to be expanded as “Dollar”, “Pollution” and “Temperature”. Although it’s a global phenomenon, India is especially bearing the brunt of it.

With the rise of Dollar against rupee, given our basic energy dependance on huge quantum of oil & gas imports to the tune of USD 160 billion p.a. is denting our foreign exchange reserves and is also putting heavy inflationary pressure on fulfilment of basic needs.

Incessant industrialization driven by fossil fuel based economy with exponential emission of CO_x SO_x NO_x , particulate matters etc is leading to high levels of pollution as evident in very severe to hazardous AQI. This is leading to health crisis. Further, these GHG emissions have already breached 1.5 °C temperature rise target (SSP-1; RCP 1.9 scenario laid down by IPCC), as evident from abnormal weather behavior.

One of the only vaccines that has the potential to eradicate this is a magical molecule called green hydrogen. It’s a silver bullet that can mitigate D.P as well as T.  Well, Hydrogen although colourless, if produced by splitting water through injection of Renewable electricity has been termed as Green Hydrogen.

This molecule has gravimetric calorific value more than 300% of oil & gas. It has zero GHG emission and moreover, produces pure water as a byproduct. Once adopted at a scale, lead by innovations, can act as a key fuel for long haul transportation, Industrial heating etc. Its derivative ammonia can displace huge import dependence for fertiliser, a key ingredient for our agrarian economy.

On the other hand, another derivative methanol & SAF (sustainable aviation fuel) has the potential to decarbonise shipping, aviation, pharma, furniture segments. Even hydrogen by itself can take avatar of a reducing agent in refinery and hard to abate sectors like iron & steel, which presently uses natural gas and coke etc for the process.

The two major challenges in transitioning from fossil based economy to Hydrogen based is high unit cost and safety in handling hydrogen at such large as well as distributed scale. As on date, the LCOH (levelised cost of hydrogen) is generally in the range of 3-6 USD/kg, wherein, conventional alternative (DPT agents) are available less than 1 USD/Kgequ.

The second issue can be resolved structurally through proper standards, regulations, checks and balances. However, unit cost viability can be achieved only through disruptive innovation, its scalability duly supported by Govt incentives, exemptions, etc. The government target of achieving 5 MMTPA by 2030, would need 150 GW of RE, USD 150 billion investment and 30 GW of electrolyser.

Knowing that 5MMTPA is just fraction of what India needs to achieve its net zero target by 2070, “Make in India” is not enough. We should accelerate, adopt and adapt to “Invent in India”- I³, given huge pool of science graduates, technologist, scientists and premier research institutes across India. Government as well as private sector can catalyse the I³ culture through incentivising and hand-holding “budding Inventor- start-ups” in this long gestation core segments. India can again vaccinate its inhabitants and the world at large to eradicate D.P.T.

Sudhir Pathak, Head – Central Design and Engg (CDE), QA, Green Hydrogen, Hero Future Energies.