Public Awareness and First Responder Training in India on View of National Green Hydrogen Mission 2023

India published its National Green Hydrogen Mission last year on 04/01/2023 with an objective “To make India the Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.” Key enablers are identified in the mission statement where Public awareness is one of them.

Current demand of hydrogen in India is ~6 MMTPA (poised to reach 12MMTPA by 2030) driven by captive consumption of refineries and fertilizer units. The residual consumption is distributed among the steel and chemical industries. Use of Hydrogen is not new however, it was never a part of public usage (vehicles) and therefore public awareness is very crucial.

I have carried out a comprehensive survey in India about Hydrogen safety. I categorized the survey in general public, people from energy sector and students. Survey highlights that 64% public have not heard about Hydrogen till date and 30% think that it will be dangerous.

Survey emphasizes the need for rigid plans for public awareness and first responders training in India. Training shall include hydrogen properties, storage, FCEV, fire and fire-fighting by water, Battery hazards, PPEs, safety measures TRPDs etc.

Mode of trainings and awareness can be through internet, newspapers, advertisements, government programs, informative websites, courses for officials and students.

Hydrogen is very clean fuel and its usage will definitely solve global warming and pollution issues. It is important that the Mission becomes widely accepted across the country and is safely implemented too.