The Government of India is set to organize the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2023) from July 5th to 7th, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. The conference aims to bring together experts from the global scientific and industrial communities to discuss the latest advancements and emerging technologies in the field of green hydrogen.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, and the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, is organizing the conference. It aligns with the objectives of India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, which seeks to achieve the country's target of net-zero emissions by 2070.
The primary objective of the conference is to establish a green hydrogen ecosystem and foster a systemic approach to meet global decarbonization goals through the utilization of green hydrogen. In addition to specific discussions on hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and downstream applications, the conference will also cover topics such as green financing, human resource upskilling, and startup initiatives in the sector. Participants will have the opportunity to share and learn from international best practices.
The conference will feature various plenary talks, expert panel discussions, and technical deliberations, offering domestic and international participants from the industry and research communities an opportunity to delve into national and global priorities.
During a press conference, the Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, emphasized the importance of industry collaboration and outreach in realizing the goals of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. He highlighted the role of industry in different stages of the value chain, from production to distribution and storage. The conference aims to bring together experts to explore solutions and strengthen the national green hydrogen ecosystem.
Secretary Bhalla acknowledged that green hydrogen has gained significant traction in India, with approximately 48 publicly announced projects related to green hydrogen and green ammonia. The country's focus on green hydrogen is vital for achieving the production target of 5 million metric tonnes per annum by 2030. Bhalla emphasized the need for India to learn and adopt appropriate technologies for electrolyzer manufacturing and various components of the production process.
The conference will provide insights into research and development priorities, as well as the necessary standards and regulations for the green hydrogen sector. Bhalla mentioned that a Working Group on Standards for Green Hydrogen Manufacturing has already submitted a report with approximately 100 recommendations to the Bureau of Indian Standards and other relevant organizations. He expressed hope that the conference would contribute to the evolution of global standards for green hydrogen.
Over the course of three days, the international conference will include more than 25 deep-dive sessions focused on establishing a green hydrogen ecosystem. With the participation of over 1,500 delegates from India and abroad, the conference will provide regional perspectives on green hydrogen from the Americas, Australia, Africa, Europe, and India. Additionally, the conference will showcase demos, prototypes, and facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government meetings.
The conference schedule encompasses various topics, including hydrogen production through electrolysis and bio-pathways, storage and distribution, fuel cells and electrolyzers, hydrogen in mobility and industries, and disruptive science and technology. Plenary lectures will provide perspectives from Japan, Australia, and Europe. The event will conclude with a panel discussion among key industry stakeholders.
Speaking on demand creation, Secretary Bhalla mentioned that the government is working with relevant ministries to promote green hydrogen. Incentive schemes for electrolyzer manufacturing and green hydrogen production are being finalized, which will be rolled out soon. The Mission offers more than Rs 17,000 crores in incentives until 2030, disbursed in tranches to allow for learning and refinement. Regarding funding for green hydrogen projects, the Secretary highlighted the need for RS 8 lakh crores of investment under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The government is engaging with banking and financial institutions, the private sector, and other stakeholders to secure the necessary financing. Bhalla emphasized that the government will support the industry in attracting funding for the sector.
The Secretary also mentioned that the government is working with states to develop green hydrogen hubs, which are areas where production and consumption occur in close proximity. Green hydrogen production hubs located near ports will primarily focus on exports. The Ministry of Shipping is collaborating with the government to explore the establishment of green hydrogen hubs at major ports. While the government will provide infrastructure support to selected hubs based on identified parameters, the industry is also encouraged to initiate additional hubs.
