India, rising power demand and the ‘hydrogen factor’, Pg6

Key Highlights

1. Net-Zero Goals and Power Demand

• Achieving a net-zero economy requires widespread electrification and transition from fossil-based molecules to cleaner options like hydrogen.
• Government has targeted 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047.

2. Role of Nuclear Power

• Nuclear is crucial as solar, wind, hydro cannot alone meet future electricity demand.
• NPCIL has planned 26 PHWRs (700 MW) with 10 under construction, following earlier projects in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
• India is self-sufficient in PHWR technology and manufacturing capabilities.

Hydrogen and Clean Energy Synergy

1. Low-Carbon Flexibility Challenges

• Solar and wind are intermittent; nuclear is best for base load. Flexing nuclear plants is difficult due to high capital cost and technical limitations.
• Proposals to integrate hydrogen production using electrolyzers with renewable and nuclear energy aim to reduce storage burdens.

2. Hydrogen from Electrolyzers

• Green hydrogen produced via solar and wind now incentivized.
• New classification proposed to include nuclear-based hydrogen as low-carbon hydrogen due to comparable lifecycle emissions.

Strategic Recommendations

1. Storage + Generation Synergy

• Electricity storage and hydrogen generation must be synergized to balance grid loads and improve economics.

2. Dual Policy Focus

• Policymakers urged to:
  • Promote taxonomy changes to classify nuclear-powered hydrogen as low-carbon.
    • Integrate hydrogen production with electricity storage (e.g. batteries) for better cost-effectiveness and reliability.

Analysis & Way Forward

• The roadmap to net-zero by 2070 needs a multi-pronged strategy: large-scale electrification, investment in stable nuclear infrastructure, and scalable hydrogen ecosystems.
• India must develop hybrid policy frameworks combining renewables, nuclear, hydrogen, and storage technologies to achieve energy security and sustainability.

Mains Mock Question:

“Discuss the role of nuclear energy and hydrogen in achieving India’s net-zero target. Evaluate the techno-economic challenges in integrating both into the energy mix.”