New Energies, new possibilities

The India Hydrogen Alliance (IH2A) has unveiled a comprehensive plan to significantly reduce carbon emissions in India's heavy transport sector through the development of green fuel hubs. The alliance's latest report, "Low-Carbon e-fuels & Heavy Duty Transport Decarbonisation Report 2025-2030," identifies green methanol, ammonia, and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) as key to this initiative.

Strategic Development of e-Fuels Hubs

The report outlines a vision for low-carbon e-fuels hubs along India’s east and west coasts, integrated with heavy-duty transport corridors. These hubs are expected to support the transition of maritime and aviation sectors by supplying large volumes of green methanol, green ammonia, and SAF. The strategic placement of these hubs aims to minimize infrastructure costs and streamline the supply chain for distributing these fuels.

Green Methanol and Ammonia as Maritime Fuels

In maritime applications, the IH2A report highlights the potential of green methanol and ammonia to power coastal shipping fleets. By 2030, these fuels could generate significant demand, with green methanol potentially reaching up to 194 million liters annually and green ammonia even higher, necessitating around 50,000 tonnes of hydrogen. These developments present not only domestic opportunities but also export potentials, particularly with nations like Singapore.

SAF for Aviation Decarbonization

For aviation, the report suggests that SAF blending mandates ranging from 1% to 3% for select domestic and international flights could drive substantial demand for the fuel. SAF is recognized for its ease of integration as it can be used with existing aircraft without the need for additional capital expenditures on new planes or refueling infrastructure.

Economic and Policy Considerations

Despite the promising outlook for e-fuels, the report also notes several challenges, particularly the high costs associated with the infrastructure needed for compressed or liquid hydrogen. To address these challenges, IH2A calls for capex support for transport fleet owners to facilitate the adoption of low-carbon vehicles and the development of necessary refueling infrastructure.

International Collaborations to Boost e-Fuel Adoption

IH2A advocates for strategic low-carbon e-fuel partnerships with countries like Singapore and European nations to accelerate the adoption of these technologies. Such collaborations could be crucial in fostering the global transition to greener fuel alternatives.

Summary of IH2A’s Recommendations

• SAF blending is the most straightforward short-term strategy for decarbonizing aviation.
• Coastal shipping can drive significant demand for green methanol and ammonia, aiding substantial transport decarbonization.
• Fleet and refueling infrastructure capex are essential for adopting green methanol, green ammonia, and hydrogen.
• Policy coordination and incentives are necessary to ensure the successful deployment of low-carbon e-fuels in heavy transport sectors.

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India's Green Fuel Hubs: Decarbonizing Heavy Transport

Beijing, China -- Hygreen Energy, a global electrolyzer manufacturer and hydrogen technology developer, announces the successful delivery of a 25-Megawatt electrolyzer system to Huadian Weifang Power Generation Co., Ltd.  As the largest hydrogen production initiative in the region to date, this electrolyzer delivery milestone marks a significant step in the adoption of electrolyzers for larger-scale hydrogen production projects.

The electrolyzer system from Hygreen Energy is designed to produce 3.6 tons of hydrogen per day with 99.999% purity, integrated alongside robust storage solutions and advanced distribution systems. Each of the five electrolyzer stacks from Hygreen Energy are 5 Megawatts in size, with balance-of-plant systems also designed and manufactured by Hygreen Energy.

Located in Weifang, China, the hydrogen production project is integrated into Huadian Weifang’s existing power plant, and serves to reduce renewable energy wastage, enhancing grid resilience, and fostering cost-effective hydrogen adoption in Shandong.  The hydrogen produced at this facility will be used for a hydrogen refueling station on-site, as well as mixing with natural gas through pipelines for use by enterprises and residents. Installation and commissioning began as of November 2024, and are set to complete in Q1 of 2025.

The project is the first large-scale hydrogen energy storage demonstration under China’s “Hydrogen Into Ten Thousand Homes” initiative. Huadian Weifang Power Generation is part of China Huadian Corporation, one of the largest power generation enterprises in China.