Image Source: Social Media

The International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2024), held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marked a pivotal moment in the global green hydrogen sector with the announcement of India's exclusive partnership with the European Hydrogen Week, set to take place in November 2024. This partnership underscores India's commitment to aligning with European green regulations and boosting its hydrogen exports.

On the second day of the conference, a notable highlight was the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Chane Terminal of the Netherlands and ACME Cleantech of India. This agreement will facilitate the development of ammonia import terminals, further strengthening international collaboration in the hydrogen industry.

The day's sessions delved deeply into the challenges and opportunities within the green hydrogen sector. The European Union (EU) session, chaired by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, featured insights from Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of Hydrogen Europe. The discussion emphasized the EU's focus on reforming its Emission Trading System (ETS) to enhance carbon pricing and promote hydrogen as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, also addressed the conference, engaging in dialogue with Dr. Patrick Hartley from CSIRO Hydrogen Industry Mission. Hartley stressed the importance of both domestic and international collaboration for advancing hydrogen technology and scaling up the industry. Key challenges, including regulatory frameworks, storage solutions, and renewable energy access, were highlighted.

The Netherlands' session, chaired by Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, offered a comprehensive view of the Dutch strategy to propel global hydrogen advancements. Notable participants included Han Feenstra of the Hydrogen International Programme and HE Ms. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Netherlands to India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

A standout feature of the conference was the Youth Session, which emphasized the role of younger generations in driving sustainability and innovation. Shri Ajay Yadav, Secretary of MNRE, and Professor Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, delivered inspiring addresses about the transformative potential of the green hydrogen sector, which is projected to generate over 40 million jobs by 2050.

Ms. Saina Nehwal, the renowned Indian badminton player and Olympic medallist, echoed this sentiment, urging for a collective commitment to a sustainable future. "Our pursuit of a sustainable future requires us to consider the world we leave behind for future generations," she remarked.

The Youth Session also featured a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Priyanka Sahasrabudhe, with prominent young leaders discussing the significance of green hydrogen and its alignment with India's goal to become the third-largest producer of renewable energy by 2030.

Additionally, the GH2Thon Hackathon showcased innovative solutions for green hydrogen technology, with Nandlal Gupta from IIT Bombay emerging as the winner. Shri Ajay Yadav praised the GH2Thon as a visionary initiative that harnesses the creativity of startups, researchers, and technical experts.