The Hindu: Published on 3rd May 2025:
Why in News?
India is exploring the potential of natural (geologic) hydrogen as a clean energy resource, following recent discoveries in the Andaman Islands. Given India's growing energy needs, hydrogen's role in decarbonization, and the global push toward clean fuels, natural hydrogen could be a game-changing alternative to manufactured hydrogen.
What is the Current and Future Demand?
India’s hydrogen demand was 6 million tonnes/year in 2020.
It is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes/year by 2070 to meet net-zero targets.
Natural hydrogen could potentially replace manufactured hydrogen, reducing costs and environmental impacts.
India’s Natural Hydrogen Potential:
Preliminary studies indicate a potential reserve of 3,475 million tonnes of natural hydrogen.
If accurate, this could reduce or eliminate the need to manufacture hydrogen.
Discovery in Andamans signals possible wider deposits across India.
Challenges in Exploration and Extraction:
Technical & Logistical Challenges:
Lack of mature exploration techniques compared to oil & gas.
Requires new methods to detect and quantify underground hydrogen accurately.
Extraction Barriers:
Needs cost-effective and efficient technologies.
Hydrogen’s small molecular size and high diffusivity make containment difficult.
Safety Risks:
Hydrogen is highly reactive and can diffuse through materials.
Demands specialized materials (metal coatings, alloys, cement additives).
Infrastructure Issues:
Pipelines and storage systems must be retrofitted or redesigned.
Need for large-scale underground hydrogen storage solutions.
Is it More Expensive Than Manufacturing Hydrogen?
Exploration and initial infrastructure are expensive.
However, natural hydrogen extraction (if viable) is much cheaper than green or blue hydrogen manufacturing in the long run.
Commercial feasibility depends on scale, accessibility, and cost-efficiency.
How Is the U.S. Leading the Way?
ARPA-E in the U.S. is funding projects to intentionally produce hydrogen underground.
Approaches include:
Drilling and injecting water into rocks.
Using CO₂-enriched water to create hydrogen and sequester carbon simultaneously.
This represents a paradigm shift beyond just locating natural reserves.
What Can India Do? – Roadmap Ahead:
Geological Survey & Mapping:
Conduct comprehensive assessments of hydrogen-rich geological formations.
Collaborate with the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs):
Model after the Solar Radiation Resource Assessment project.
Create monitoring and sampling stations across hydrogen-prospective regions.
Leverage Oil & Gas Infrastructure:
Modify existing gas pipelines for hydrogen.
Tap into existing rock sample databases and well data.
Policy and Investment:
Introduce transparent regulatory frameworks.
Offer grants, subsidies, and low-interest capital to promote exploration.
Ensure safety norms and technical standards are in place.
Conclusion: Strategic Implications:
Natural hydrogen could transform India’s energy strategy, making it more self-reliant, low-carbon, and economically stable.
However, realizing this opportunity requires a long-term vision, significant investment in R&D, and proactive policy and industry collaboration.
