HYDROGEN CO-GENERATION IN INDIAN NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Abstract

Hydrogen has become increasingly important, as an energy carrier primarily due to concerns about global warming and climate change and also due to uncertainty in the future availability of fossil fuels, mainly in the last couple of decades. As hydrogen usage discharges almost nothing other than water, it has made its place as a practical alternative to fossil fuels in many applications. Hydrogen is finding new & novel applications world over such as hydrogen fuelled forklifts & heavy duty trucks being used in enclosed spaces like for underground mining, different types of Fuel Cells (FCs) being used in power production, powerful rockets, and many more. Several major cities have implemented hydrogen fuelled buses. Fuel Cells for use with electronic devices are now in advanced stages & may see light of the day soon with commercialization. Some companies have started work on hydrogen powered marine vessels. Germany is already making a hybrid submarine, using diesel engines for fast propulsion and hydrogen fuel cells for hover & stealth modes. Hydrogen Fuel Cells are also being considered for aerospace applications. Today, some companies have established hydrogen fuelling stations in Japan and Germany. Also, major car companies have plans under execution for selling hydrogen fuelled cars in Germany, Japan, and other countries, in the next 2-3 years' time. Hydrogen economy is waiting to happen in the near future and it will affect all sectors of society & industry.