MARCH 202519transport and storage infrastructure should be developed to build hydrogen corridors, ensuring economic delivery to end-use points.Expanding Demand for HydrogenAchieving a target of 5 million tons of hydrogen annually will require expanding its applications beyond current uses. While hydrogen can replace fossil-fuel-based hydrogen in refineries and fertilizer production, these sectors alone cannot generate sufficient demand for large-scale hydrogen production. Emerging use cases such as replacing coal in steel manufacturing or producing chemicals like methanol using captured CO and hydrogen offer significant potential to drive future demand.Hydrogen for Energy StorageHydrogen also has a role in renewable energy storage, offering a solution to intermittency issues. It could emerge as a cost-effective alternative to battery storage. Long-duration hydrogen storage, combined with hydrogen turbines, pumped hydro, and emerging low-cost battery technologies, could provide stable, affordable, and clean electricity, supporting the transition to renewable and low-carbon grids.A Phased Strategy for a Hydrogen EconomyIndia must address challenges related to scale, infrastructure, and cost to position hydrogen as a major energy source while fostering new demand areas. A phased approach, beginning with low-carbon hydrogen, transitioning to green hydrogen, and expanding demand in industries like manufacturing, energy storage, and chemical production can establish a sustainable hydrogen economy.Existing solid fuel resources like coal and biomass are being explored for hydrogen production via gasification. How can these resources support the green hydrogen transition without undermining sustainability goals?The coal gasification mission offers a significant opportunity to capitalize on the country's vast coal saves. Through gasification, coal can be efficiently converted into hydrogen and different chemicals, making a scalable and economically viable solution. With the integration of carbon capture and storage (CCS), the CO emissions from this process can be drastically decreased, producing what is known as blue hydrogen. While a little higher in carbon emissions than green hydrogen, blue hydrogen is a cost-effective option, with production costs ranging from $1 to $1.25 per kilogram. This is more economical when compared to green hydrogen, which right now costs $4 to $7 per kilogram, making blue hydrogen an excellent starting point for building a hydrogen economy.In addition to coal, biomass can likewise be used for hydrogen production. With carbon capture, biomass-determined hydrogen could achieve negative carbon emissions. However, the economic practicality of biomass
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