India can lead the world in green hydrogen and green steel: says Experts

“Waste-to-energy is the way for India to transition to a clean and green future, not only from the environment point of view but also from the energy security perspective. Municipal waste can be used to extract green hydrogen which can power automobiles and produce eco-friendly goods such as green steel. In the European Union, green steel manufacturing is competitive only in Spain as steel industries in Germany, Sweden and France use conventional manufacturing method. I have come to India to explore partnership with government and private sector in harnessing green hydrogen from waste,” said Mr. Jan Grimbrandt, CEO-Boson Energy at a Seminar on ‘Creating Low carbon Footprints and Green Energy Ecosystem with renewable Hydrogen’. The Seminar was organized by All India Association of India (AIAI) and WTC Mumbai, jointly with Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) and Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg (IBCL).

Mr. Grimbrandt further explained, “Municipal waste carries huge amount of hydrogen and carbon, which can be extracted to produce electricity and support green steel, fertilizer and plastics manufacturing. One Kilogram of hydrogen has potential to generate 20 kw of electricity, which is equivalent to 5 litre of diesel. Hydrogen and carbon can be combined to produce chemicals such as ammonia, which is used in fertilizer and methanol, which is used in plastic industry.”

Mr. Grimbrandt also informed that the CO2 emitted from municipal waste and traditional manufacturing process can be stored underground to prevent its release in the atmosphere. He said, “One tonne of municipal waste emits three tonne of CO2, directly and indirectly, thereby polluting the atmosphere. India has potential to store more than 700 giga tonne of CO2 underground.”

Earlier in his welcome address, Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President - All India Association of Industries (AIAI), Chairman - WTC Mumbai stressed, “Green Hydrogen has USD 19 billion market in India by 2030 as per McKinsey report. Indian government has announced Green Hydrogen Mission earlier this year and allocated Rs. 19,744 crore under this mission. The government needs to implement this mission in letter and spirit and support entrepreneurs in developing innovative technologies to generate green hydrogen. Government may support entrepreneurs by addressing land acquisition hurdles, offering incentives on taxes, stamp duty and easing other regulations for setting up waste-to-energy plants.”

Dr. Kalantri pointed out that effective implementation of this mission will help India reduce energy import bill by as much as Rs. 1 trillion. “Our bureaucrats need to adopt a progressive mindset in implementing this mission. Already, India emits less CO2 compared to developed economies. By developing affordable green hydrogen technologies and equipments, we can further reduce emission and accelerate our transition to net zero,” Dr. Kalantri added.

Dr. Kalantri also called for policy to facilitate sustainable finance to support green energy projects. He said, “Already, many countries are adopting policies for sustainable energy and sustainable finance. India should also maintain its policy leadership by facilitating sustainable finance for clean energy transition.”

Speaking on this occasion, Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, World Trade Center Mumbai suggested, “Trade and industry should create awareness through public events and social media campaign on the benefits of adopting green hydrogen for a clean and sustainable future.”

In his remarks, Mr. Anoop Marwaha, Regional Chairman (WR), EEPC India emphasized that green hydrogen is an idea whose time has come. Engineering sector stands to benefit from green hydrogen as it can help our exporters to comply with low carbon manufacturing regulation of the European Union.”

Dr. Rajat Srivastava, Regional Director (WR), EEPC India informed, “In India, 2.5 tonne of CO2 is emitted while producing one tonne of liquid steel. The introduction of Carbon Boarder Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by the European Union will affect more than USD 6.1 billion worth of Indian iron & steel exports to the European Union. From October this year, Indian exporters will have to comply with the emission disclosure requirement under the CBAM mechanism. The government and industry have together set up 12 task forces to work out the definition of green steel and certification process to meet the compliance requirement under the CBAM process.”

The event moderated by Mr. Aditya Sharma, President, Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg (IBCL)

(from left to right) Ms. Rupa Naik, Executive Director, MVIRDC WTC Mumbai, Mr. Aditya Sharma, President, Indian Business Chamber of Luxembourg (IBCL), Dr. Vijay Kalantri, President - All India Association of Industries (AIAI), Chairman - MVIRDC WTC Mumbai, Mr. Jan Grimbrandt, CEO-Boson Energy and Dr. Rajat Srivastava, Regional Director (WR), EEPC India