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The second meeting of the National Hydrogen Energy Board (NHEB) is to be held under the Chairmanship of Shri Vilas Muttemwar, Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Sources tomorrow i.e.15th September, 2004 in Delhi. The meeting will be attended, among others, by Shri Kirit Parikh, Member (Energy) Planning Commission, Shri Ratan Tata, Chairman Tata Sons, Shri A. Mahindra, Vice President Mahindra & Mahindra, Shri S. K. Munjal, President, CII, Shri A.C. Muthaiah, President, FICCI, Shri Mahindra K. Sanghi, President, ASSOCHAM, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, besides Secretaries in Govt. of India and leading experts.
The Board would consider the recommendations of the Group on Hydrogen Energy set up by the Government last year. The Group on Hydrogen Energy has recommended demonstration projects on hydrogen production, storage and distribution and applications in decentralized power generation and automobiles. Several fiscal and financial measures, including provision of Rs. 250 crores in next three years, have been recommended. The Board will also consider three proposals on production of hydrogen from nuclear route, demonstration project on establishment of hydrogen infrastructure in and around Delhi and applications of hydrogen energy in automobiles.
The National Hydrogen Energy Board was set up to provide guidance in the preparation and implementation of a National Hydrogen Energy Road Map and programme in the country. The first meeting of the Board was held on 23rd February,2004 when it was decided to accelerate the hydrogen energy programme through public-private partnership. A Steering Group was set up under the chairmanship of Shri Ratan Tata to prepare the Road Map for this purpose on different aspects of Hydrogen energy and suggest modalities for the programme.
Hydrogen is a clean fuel and an efficient energy carrier. The energy content in hydrogen is highest for any known fuel. Therefore, hydrogen is considered to be a potential alternative to fossil fuels, which can provide clean electricity and heat energy. It is envisaged that hydrogen will be available for a wide range of applications including power generation, transport and heating applications. Hydrogen can be produced from water, biomass, organic compounds and hydrocarbons such as petrol, natural gas, methanol and propane. Hydrogen can be used directly as a fuel in internal combustion engines and turbines. It can also be blended with diesel and CNG. Hydrogen is also used in fuel cells to produce electricity. Fuel cells are similar to batteries, except that they do not require to be recharged with electricity. They work with hydrogen supply as a fuel.
Proto-type hydrogen vehicles like motorcycle, three wheeler, fuel cell car and van and hydrogen powered generators have been demonstrated in the country. In the next phase these applications are to be put on extensive field trials along with industry.
Strong Government-research- industry partnership is necessary to develop hydrogen energy technologies for large-scale commercial use. This will also require coordination among various Government agencies, academic and research institutions and industry. The National Hydrogen Energy Board will provide over all guidance for implementation of National Hydrogen Energy Programme in coordination with various organizations in the public and private sectors.
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