Govt-Pvt sector conclave on use of hydrogen as fuel on June 4

New Delhi, June 1 (UNI) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will hold a conclave on June 4 to identify and prioritise programme for using hydrogen as fuel to run vehicles and generate power in the near future.

The 'National Hydrogen Energy Road Map: Opportunities for public-private partnership' would showcase specific technologies been developed that use hydrogen as fuel, and also look at ways to reduce costs for large-scale commercialisation of the energy-efficient green fuel, Principal Advisor and Special Secretary to the ministry S K Chopra said today.

The meet would also examine ways for its varied and long-term safe use.

India was one of the leading countries of the world working on this merging fuel and the government had set National Hydrogen Energy Board in October 2003. The board constituted a Steering Group that prepared the National Hydrogen Energy Road Map in January last year.

The Road Map identified research, development and demonstration efforts to be undertaken in the country for bridging the technological gaps in different areas of hydrogen energy, including its production, storage, transportation and delivery, applications, safety, codes and standards, and capacity building up to 2020.

The conclave aimed to provide a comprehensive and coordinated national programme on harnessing hydrogen energy to translate the objectives of the Hydrogen Energy Road Map into reality.

The conclave, to be inaugurated by Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, would be attended by ministry officials, scientists and captains of the industry including Ratan Tata.

An exhibition on hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and other appliances developed by Indian research and development institutions and industry would also be put up on the occasion.

Hydrogen was emerging as the fuel of the future that could replace fossil fuels and lead to a carbon-free economy. Being a renewable energy source it could also provide energy security to the country.

It could be directly used as a fuel for producing mechanical/ electrical energy through internal combustion engine or used in fuel cells to generate electricity for stationary, portable and transport appliances.

UNI