GREEN HYDROGEN BUS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: Union Minister flags-off 1st green hydrogen fuel cell bus from New Delhi recently.

Green Hydrogen Bus

• About: It is the world’s first BS 6 (Stage II) Electrified Flex-Fuel vehicle.
• The electrified flex fuel vehicle prototype includes both a flex fuel engine and an electric powertrain.
• It offers higher use of ethanol combined with better fuel efficiencies.
• Unveiled by:  IndianOil.
• Fuel: The fuel cell utilizes Hydrogen and air to generate electricity to power the bus and the only by-product from the bus is water.

Hydrogen

• It is a gaseous substance that is colourless, odourless, tasteless, non-toxic, and highly explosive.
• It is the lightest, simplest, and most abundant member of the chemical elements in the universe.

Green Hydrogen 

• About: This gas is generated through the process of electrolysis, which involves the separation of water into hydrogen and oxygen.
• Production: Green hydrogen is manufactured by electrolysis, using renewable energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower.
• India's Green Hydrogen Production: India has initiated the production of green hydrogen with the goal of increasing non-fossil energy capacity to 500 gigawatts by 2030.
• Recent Development: India recently established its first pilot plant for 99.99% pure green hydrogen in Duliajan, located in eastern Assam at the Jorhat pump station of a major petroleum exploration company.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: To establish India as a worldwide centre for producing, applying, and exporting Green Hydrogen and its associated products.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy