Hydrogen energy in India: Storage to application

Abstract

It is well-known that the evolution of society is guided by several environmental strains. One of the important strains existing at this point of time is climate change due to pollution. Other issue of paramount importance is "energy". One of the comparatively new energy vectors which is typically suited for India is "hydrogen". Hydrogen is an indigeneous fuel since it can be produced by dissociating water with a variety of input energies, out of which solar energy is of particular importance. India has both of these in plenty. Hydrogen produced from water burns back to water after use. It is thus climate-friendly, inexhaustible, clean and indigenous fuel. Hydrogen must first be produced, afterwards stored, and then used, particularly in vehicular transport. Hydrogen storage is the crucial issue of hydrogen economy, cutting across production, distribution and applications. Finding efficient materials capable of storing hydrogen with high gravimetric and volumetric efficiencies is the central issue for harnessing hydrogen to replace fossil fuel oil (petroleum). We have brought out the relevance of hydrogen, particularly its storage aspect. The study then focuses on various aspects of hydrogen storage materials. The article describes some hydrogen-fuelled devices with particular emphasis on vehicular transport (three-wheelers and small cars).