Moving Towards a Hydrogen-powered Future: Challenges and Opportunities

In his special address as the Guest of Honour at the 11th International Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Conference, Dr Anil Jain Chairperson, PNGRB, appreciated the pivotal role played by the platform (IHFC2024) in discussing clean energy's future, specifically hydrogen's critical role in the energy transition.

Dr Jain said, "In this moment of #energytransition, it is clear that there is a global shift towards #alternatefuels. #Hydrogen, particularly #greenhydrogen, has emerged as a promising solution to #decarbonise hard-to-abate industries, transportation, and even residential sectors."

He added, "At PNGRB, we are fully aware of the critical role that regulatory frameworks play in enabling the #hydrogeneconomy. Over the past one and a half years, we have been working diligently on several initiatives to ensure a smooth transition toward a hydrogen-powered future.

Major Highlights of his Speech:

?? Key Challenges

1. Infrastructure Development: The infrastructure needed to transport, store, and distribute green hydrogen is in its early stages. Building the necessary pipelines, storage facilities, and refuelling stations requires significant investment and long-term commitment. In India, where capital constraints exist, ensuring financial viability for these projects is a critical concern.

2. Regulatory Clarity: The regulatory environment for hydrogen, especially in transportation and distribution, remains underdeveloped. Questions around integrating hydrogen with existing natural gas infrastructure, establishing safety standards, and coordinating between public and private entities need clear, effective regulations.

3. Safety and Standards: Hydrogen is highly flammable, so the safety standards for its transportation and handling must be robust. While technological advancements are being made, we still need comprehensive safety guidelines that align with international best practices.

4. Market Development: The green hydrogen market is still in its infancy. We must create demand-driven solutions where key industries such as refineries, fertiliser plants, and power generation facilities become the initial anchors for hydrogen demand.

?? PNGRB’s Role

1. Infrastructure Expansion: One of the most important steps PNGRB has taken is ensuring that existing infrastructure—especially natural gas pipelines—can be leveraged for hydrogen transportation. By blending hydrogen with natural gas or creating dedicated hydrogen pipelines in the future, we can use India's extensive natural gas infrastructure. This measure will allow for the early adoption of hydrogen while minimising the need for new, expensive pipelines.

2. Regulatory Guidelines for Hydrogen: We are working on creating comprehensive regulatory frameworks that will govern the production, storage, and transport of green hydrogen. It includes developing safety standards, ensuring that pipeline operators and hydrogen suppliers meet strict compliance, and promoting the integration of hydrogen into the broader energy mix.

3. Incentivising Investment: To overcome the financial barriers, PNGRB is actively engaging with stakeholders to develop incentive mechanisms for hydrogen infrastructure projects. We are working on creating a favourable investment climate by offering policy incentives and ensuring that risks are mitigated through clear regulations.

4. Hydrogen Safety Standards: We are also prioritising safety regulations, ensuring that hydrogen is handled with the highest standards of care. Through collaborations with international agencies and stakeholders, PNGRB is working to adopt best practices and ensure the safe transportation and storage of hydrogen.

5. International Collaboration: As we transition to a hydrogen economy, global collaboration will be essential. We must work with international partners to share knowledge, experience, and best practices, especially in hydrogen production, storage, and transportation. India’s participation in global hydrogen initiatives will help us learn from others and contribute to the global hydrogen economy.

In conclusion, Dr Jain stated that the future of hydrogen holds immense promise for India and the world. "At #PNGRB, we are committed to facilitating the growth of the hydrogen sector by creating a #regulatory environment that is both conducive and forward-thinking. We understand the challenges ahead but also see hydrogen's vast opportunities. Let us recognise that the journey towards a hydrogen-powered world will require innovation, collaboration, and persistence. Through collective efforts, clear policies, and sustained investment, we can unlock the true potential of hydrogen for India and the world," he said.