UPSC Prelims 2023 Q60: Science & Technology – Energy & Environment
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (c) All three
Explanation
Green Hydrogen — Uses
Green hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using renewable electricity — zero-carbon at production. It is versatile:
| Statement | Use | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Direct fuel for internal combustion engines | TRUE | Hydrogen can be burned in modified internal combustion engines (ICE). BMW has demonstrated hydrogen ICE vehicles. Some industrial engines run on hydrogen directly. |
| 2 | Blended with natural gas for heat/power generation | TRUE | Hydrogen can be blended into existing natural gas pipelines (up to 20%) for use in gas turbines, boilers, and heating — reducing carbon intensity of gas without full infrastructure replacement. |
| 3 | Used in hydrogen fuel cells to run vehicles | TRUE | Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) like Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo use hydrogen in fuel cells to generate electricity, powering electric motors. This is the most efficient hydrogen vehicle technology. |
All three uses are correct.
Answer: (c) All three.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'Only one' — hydrogen has multiple proven applications across ICE, blending, and fuel cells.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' — all three uses are technically established and deployed at scale in various contexts.
- (c) CORRECT. All three uses of green hydrogen are valid: direct ICE fuel, natural gas blending, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' — hydrogen fuel cells powering vehicles are commercially deployed globally (Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo, etc.).
Key point
Green hydrogen: (1) ICE fuel (modified engines) ✓. (2) Gas blending (pipeline compatible) ✓. (3) Fuel cell vehicles ✓. All three are real, deployed uses. India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023) targets all three application areas.
Remember
Green hydrogen can be used directly as fuel in internal combustion engines, blended with natural gas for heat and power generation, and used in hydrogen fuel cells to power vehicles. All three statements are correct.
Common mistakes
- Thinking hydrogen cannot work in ICE — hydrogen ICE is a real technology, though fuel cells are more efficient.
- Not knowing hydrogen blending — blending H₂ into natural gas networks is a near-term decarbonisation strategy for existing infrastructure.
- Underestimating green hydrogen applications — UPSC increasingly tests green hydrogen as India's National Hydrogen Mission is a policy priority.
Exam tip
Green hydrogen applications: ICE + blending + fuel cells = all three uses. India's National Green Hydrogen Mission (Jan 2023) targets: green steel, green ammonia, mobility, shipping. All three listed applications are real — answer is 'All three.'
Sources
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy — National Green Hydrogen Mission
- IEA — Hydrogen Applications Report