India’s role in a hydrogen-powered future? What we know so far

India’s role in a hydrogen-powered future? What we know so far

Dubai: Hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, makes up about 73% of the mass of the universe. But if it’s so abundant, then why not use it to fuel cars, ships and planes? There are many challenges. But serious work is on the way to overcome them. The implications are massive for aviation, as well as the global energy industry. Well, right now, it’s cost and chemistry. Even if indeed it's the most abundant element in the universe, many hurdles need to be overcome. Sure, hydrogen is also clean. And producing it can certainly be sustainable. There’s one big challenge: 95% of the world’s supply of hydrogen is currently produced by “steam methane reforming”, a super-cheap method, but also produces greenhouse gases. Another challenge: producting it makes the cost of the final product prohibitively high, about $14/kg, compared to less than $1/kg for kerosene. Here's another: Hydrogen is highly flammable. It can combust even at low concentrations, or when mixed even in small amounts with ordinary air. If not handled properly, it can cause fires. But it’s because of these same properties that allow it to be used for fuel. Hydrogen-powered aeroplanes are already flying, from as early