International Partnership for Hydrogen Economy: Stakeholders Consultation Day
Green Hydrogen can potentially alter India’s energy supply chain over next 20 years: P Kumaran, Special Secretary, MEA
CII seeks open source route for Green Hydrogen technologies
Mr P Kumaran, Special Secretary (ER and DPA), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has said that given the abundant renewable resources and a favourable ecosystem, Green Hydrogen has the potential to drastically alter the structure of India’s energy supply chain over the next 20 years with a substantial impact on the economy.
Mr Kumaran was speaking at the Industry Outreach programme for International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE). The programme was organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Solar Energy Corporation of India and the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. India is hosting IPHE delegates during 18-22 March 2024.
The Industry Outreach programme followed 41st Steering Committee Meeting of IPHE held over two days at New Delhi’s Sushma Swaraj Bhawan. The programme aimed to foster collaboration and dialogue among key stakeholders to advance the development of clean and green hydrogen technologies.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural session of Industry Outreach programme, Mr Kumaran said Green Hydrogen was emerging globally as a solution for journey towards Clean Energy transition as it is well placed to contribute more effectively than other options towards hard-to-abate sectors, long-term energy storage and mobility.
Mr Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, pointed out the adverse impacts of climate change and said decarbonisation of economy including through application of Green Hydrogen will help to overcome these challenges.
Dr Noe Van Hulst, Vice Chairman, IPHE, Netherlands, appreciated the efforts being made by India in promotion of green hydrogen and stated that the IPHE participating countries are impressed by India's Green Hydrogen Mission, its ambitious targets and the policies & regulatory framework being implemented to achieve it. He said that if India achieves these targets, it will put the country at the forefront of global hydrogen development. He expressed his gratitude to Indian counterpart for the hospitality and successful organisation of the Steering Committee Meeting.
Mr Vineet Mittal, Chairman, CII Taskforce on Green Hydrogen and Chairman, Avaada Group lauded the role of IPHE in promoting Hydrogen economy. He added that the WTO and UN need to play a supporting role to facilitate adoption of Green Hydrogen. He stressed that India needs policy autonomy to pursue the path of decarbonisation.
Mr Mittal also made a case for making technologies, like solid oxide electrolyzer cell, open source to reduce cost of green hydrogen.
Mr. Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, said Green Hydrogen ecosystem is gradually developing in all parts of the country.
The IPHE, established in 2003, comprises 23 member countries and the European Commission, and is dedicated to advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies globally. The biannual IPHE Steering Committee Meetings serve as a crucial platform for fostering international collaboration and coordination among member countries, stakeholders, and decision-makers. These meetings facilitate information exchange on policy and technical developments, helping to identify key areas for collaboration which inform subsequent initiatives in member countries.
The Inaugural Session of the Programme was followed by four distinct panel discussions. The first panel titled "The Significance of Standards & Certification in the Clean/Green Hydrogen Sector," discussed the complexity involved in developing these standards, present status of ongoing processes, key challenges, and possible solutions. The focus was on ensuring that standards for Green Hydrogen are robust and accepted internationally.
In the second panel, the discussion was focused on “Maximizing Safety, Efficiency, and Sustainability in the Clean/Green Hydrogen Sector”. Panellists were of the consensus that safety is paramount, considering the unforeseen hazards posed by these new technologies and deliberated on making present and future green hydrogen technologies safe, along with adequate measures during emergencies.
The topic of the third panel was "International Trade Policies in the Clean/Green Hydrogen Market". The discussion emphasized the importance of collaboration among partnering countries to create trade policies that facilitate the export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. The session focused on achieving supply-chain resilience for raw materials and implementing best practices through joint efforts.
The panellists of the fourth panel titled "Transforming the Clean/Green Hydrogen Economy into Reality: Navigating Financial Pathways," were of the view that financial innovation is crucial for scaling clean/green hydrogen technologies. Discussions included investment strategies, funding mechanisms, and economic incentives to drive the transition towards sustainable energy solutions. Deliberations also explored the intersection of finance and sustainability, shaping the future landscape of clean/green hydrogen markets.
The first day of the five-day programme began with IPHE Academic Outreach at IIT Delhi, on March 18, 2024, where the conference delegates provided valuable insights into the future of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
22 March 2024
New Delhi