Developing diverse Fuel Cell (FC) technologies can facilitate expeditious adoption of GH2 in multiple sectors, including mobility, energy, and industrial processes. With this context, Indigenous development of diverse Fuel Cell (FC) technologies can facilitate the rapid adoption of GH2 in carbon-intensive sector such as mobility, energy, and industrial.
Green Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in India's Green Energy Transition
Importance of Green Hydrogen (GH2): GH2 is vital for the global and Indian green energy transition, with a target to achieve the "1-1-1 cost target" (USD 1 per kilogram of GH2 in one decade) to make it competitive with grey hydrogen.
Role of Fuel Cells (FCs): Indigenous development of diverse FC technologies can accelerate the adoption of GH2 in carbon-intensive sectors like mobility, energy, and industrial processes.
Fuel Cell Technology Overview: FCs convert chemical energy from fuels like GH2 into electricity. They are modular, can be scaled up, and vary based on operating temperature, electrolyte type, fuel, and catalysts used.
Deployment Across Sectors: FCs are increasingly used in mobility (shipping, railways, off-road vehicles), offering quick refueling similar to diesel and long-range capabilities. They also have applications in stationary power solutions for data centers, smart buildings, and 'tri-gen' manufacturing.
Reducing Dependence on Critical Minerals: GH2 FC vehicles can reduce reliance on critical minerals like lithium, offering an alternative to lithium-powered batteries, which are scarce and concentrated in a few countries.
Cost Reduction and Scaling Up Manufacturing: Large-scale adoption of FCs hinges on cost reduction. Scaling manufacturing can reduce costs from USD 300/kW (at 1,000 units per year) to USD 160/kW (at 100,000 units per year), with a target of USD 60/kW to maximize FC potential.
India's Strategy for FC Development: Aligning FC technology with 'Make in India' and 'Production Linked Incentive' schemes can drive world-class FC manufacturing. Strategic collaborations and large-scale production can reduce FC costs by 30%.
Technological Improvements: Enhancements in catalyst efficiencies, bipolar membrane FCs, and reversible FCs are targets for the next decade to improve FC performance and cost-effectiveness.
Roadmap for FC Development:
Near-Term Goals: Focus on heavy-duty mobility applications (high payloads, quick refueling, long ranges) by streamlining value chains from raw materials to manufacturing.
Long-Term Goals: Extend FC applications to railways, shipping, construction, and mining, as well as stationary power and storage solutions in the energy sector.
GH2 and Climate Goals: GH2 and FCs are pivotal for India's 2070 Net-Zero ambition, reducing CO2 emissions and combating climate change. Positioning FCs as enablers of green ecosystems can help India and other developing nations transition to a greener future without carbon-intensive development.