• Coal is one of the important sources of hydrogen making (Brown Hydrogen) apart from Natural Gas (Grey hydrogen) and renewable energy (Green Hydrogen) through electrolysis. In case of renewable energy (Green Hydrogen) surplus solar power is used to electrolyze water into hydrogen and oxygen.
  
• The global emphasis is on substituting liquid fuels with hydrogen (as fuel in vehicles), storage of surplus renewable power as hydrogen (as power cannot be stored at a cost effective price), and cutting down emission.
  
• Coal is one of the important sources of hydrogen making (Brown Hydrogen).
• Cost of Hydrogen produced from coal can be cheaper and less sensitive to imports when compared with hydrogen production through electrolysis and Natural Gas respectively.

• Production of hydrogen from coal will have challenges in terms of high emissions and CCUS will play an important role.
• However, when the carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide formed during coal to hydrogen process are trapped and stored in an environmentally sustainable manner (CCS and CCUS), then, Indian coal reserves could become a great source of hydrogen.

The broad terms of reference of Expert Committee 

• Identifying experts in India and co-opting as members
• Desk based review of progress in hydrogen technology and also review ongoing research projects in Hydrogen technology
• Coordinate with various national/international technology institutions in hydrogen
• Prepare a road map for coal based Hydrogen production and usage including economic viability, environmental sustainability and policy enablers required
• Identifying activities for implementation of coal based hydrogen production and usage
• Assisting Task force in implementation of Coal based Hydrogen production and usage

 The expert committee is expected to submit the report in three months.

Source: PIB