final chapter 11

66 New and emerging technologies like Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, Bio-fuels, Electric & Hybrid Electric Vehicles, hold major promise for meeting the growing energy needs of our country, for power generation and transportation. The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources is implementing a broad-based programme in these frontier technologies and has taken several initiatives to accelerate the research & development, demonstration and operationalization with the participation of premier research and academic institutions, universities, laboratories and industries in the country. 11.2 HYDROGEN ENERGY & FUEL CELLS Hydrogen has the potential to replace liquid fossil fuels in the future. In recent years significant progress has been reported by several countries including India in the development of hydrogen as an alternate fuel. Serious concerns relating to energy security, are driving this global transformation effort towards a hydrogen economy. Hydrogen is environmentally benign. Hydrogen, at present, is mainly produced by reformation of hydrocarbons and as a by-product from some chemical industries. Hydrogen can also be produced through biological conversion of various organic effluents like distillery wastes, starch, sugar processing etc. Several other methods including electrolysis of water, thermo-chemical, photo-electrochemical, photo-catalytic and microbial decomposition of water and also from various renewable sources like biomass, solar energy etc. are in various stages of research and development. 11.2.2 Apart from its existing uses in industry, hydrogen can be used for a wide range of applications, including power generation and vehicular transport. Hydrogen can be used either directly in IC engines or through fuel cells. 11.2.3 Fuel cells are modular in nature and their efficiency is independent of size. Fuel cells are emerging as a clean and fuel- efficient technology for stationary, transport and portable applications. Fuel cells can be potentially used in domestic, industrial and transport sectors. Fuel cell power systems can be used as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, replacing batteries and diesel generators. In view of the relevance of fuel cells for on-site or distributed power generation, several organizations are pursuing R&D activities with an objective of development of fuel cells and related materials, components and sub systems for various applications. 11.2.4 In view of the growing importance of hydrogen the Ministry had set up a National Hydrogen Energy Board during 2003-04 under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Non-Conventional Energy Sources to provide guidance for the preparation of a National Hydrogen Energy Road Map and its implementation. The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map, covering all aspects of hydrogen from production, storage, transport, delivery, applications, codes & standards, public awareness and capacity building has been prepared by a Steering Group of the National Hydrogen Energy Board under the Chairmanship of Shri Ratan Tata. In the Third Meeting of the National Hydrogen Energy Board held on 16 January 2006 under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister (NES) the Road Map was endorsed. 11.2.5 The Ministry has been supporting a broad based research, development and demonstration programme on different aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies including production, storage and utilization of hydrogen as a fuel. Several research, scientific and educational institutions, laboratories, universities, industries etc. are involved in implementing the projects. During 2005-06 emphasis of the research has been on further improvements in renewable energy-based hydrogen production techniques, its storage methods and materials used for storage and utilization of hydrogen energy as a fuel. The focus Third meeting of the National Hydrogen Energy Board being held in New Delhi on 16 January 2006