Betting on green hydrogen to fulfil energy needs is‘ risky’

(GS-III: Science and Technology and Environmental Conservation)

In News:

As per the study published in the journal Nature Energy, Green hydrogen would likely supply less than 1 per cent of final energy globally by 2035.

What is green hydrogen?

Hydrogen when produced by electrolysis using renewable energy is known as Green Hydrogen which has no carbon footprint.

Challenges for green hydrogen:

Low investment

Low stage of technology for sustainable production

The challenges in ramping up the supply of electrolysers — a device in which green hydrogen is produced.

Electrolysis capacity is still tiny compared to where we need to be in 2050 for Net Zero emissions scenarios.

Recommendations:

Implementing strong policies could reverse the setbacks

Fostering green hydrogen growth will therefore require strong dedication, coordination and funding along the entire value chain,

Carbon pricing should always form the basis of climate policy

Carbon pricing is a policy tool that puts a tax on producers of greenhouse gas emissions

Accelerating the roll-out of crucial zero-carbon technologies like electric mobility and heat pumps.

These technologies make more efficient use of scarce renewable electricity.

Significance for Green hydrogen:

India, being a tropical country, has a significant edge in green hydrogen production due to its favourable geographical conditions and abundant natural resources.

Producing hydrogen from renewables in India is likely to be cheaper than producing it from natural gas.

Efforts in this regard:

National Hydrogen Mission (increase production to 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2030 to meet about 40 per cent of domestic requirements)

Green hydrogen and green ammonia policy that offers 25 years of free power for any new renewable energy plants set up for green hydrogen production before July 2025.

EU set a target of achieving 10 million tonnes of domestic renewable hydrogen production.

Dara Shikoh

In News:

On the occasion of releasing the Arabic Version of “Majma Ul-Bahrain” of Dara Shikoh Vice President said that India has a glorious heritage of not only ‘tolerance’ for others’ views, but a unique culture of ‘engagement’ with all views – a culture of pluralism and syncretism.

Details:

Majma-ul-Bahrain (which means ‘Confluence of Two Oceans’) throws invaluable light on the similarities between religions and helped bring stronger unity among the people of India.

In this book ‘Majma-ul-Bahrain’, Dara Shikoh listed one by one, all the commonalities between Hinduism (Vedanta) and Islam (Sufism) and came to the conclusion that the difference between Islam and Hinduism is only verbal.

About Dara Shikoh:

Eldest son of Shah Jahan, he is described as a “liberal Muslim”who tried to find commonalities between Hindu and Islamic traditions.

Known as a pioneer of the academic movement for interfaith understanding in India.

In 1655, his father declared him the Crown Prince but was defeated by Aurangzeb, his younger brother.

Works:

His most important works, Majma-ul-Bahrain (Mingling of Two Oceans) and Sirr-i-Akbar (Great Mystery) are devoted to the cause of establishing connections between Hinduism and Islam

Proficiency in Sanskrit and Persian, enabled him to play a key role in popularising Indian culture.

He translated the Upanishadsand other important sources of Hindu religion and spirituality from Sanskrit to Persian.

Relook at the fee for 50% seats in private medical colleges

In News:

The Madras High Court directed the National Medical Commission (NMC) to reconsider an office memorandum issued by HC.

Details:

HC insisted that the fee for 50% of the seats at deemed-to-be universities and self-financing medical colleges be on a par with the fee collected by government medical colleges.

Key Highlights:

Issues with NMC Memorandum: The judges said it has failed to consider the possibility of the poor students, who could not gain a seat on merit for lack of coaching.

Section 10 (1)(i) of the NMC Act: The Chief Justice upheld the constitutional validity of this provision.

It empowers the NMC to frame guidelines for the determination of fees and other charges in respect of 50% of the seats in private medical institutions and deemed-to-be universities.

Regulation of fee structure: The Chief Justice said the fee structure at the deemed universities should also be regulated to avoid the exploitation of students.

National Medical Commission:

The Center notified the 33-member NMC by the National Medical Commission Act.

Members:

• Chairman
• 10 ex-officio members
• 22 part-time members appointed by the Central government.

Functions of NMC:

Policies: Laying down policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals.

Requirements: Assessing the requirements of human resources and infrastructure in healthcare.

Compliance: Ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils with the regulations made under the Bill.

Guidelines: Framing guidelines for determination of fees for up to 50% of the seats in the private medical institutions.

The Gender Snapshot 2022 Report

In News:

UNDESA and UN Women released this report.

 Key findings:

At the current rate, it will take 286 years to achieve full gender equality

More women and girls live in extreme poverty than men and boys

Extreme poverty is living on less than the US $1.9 a day

Women hold only 2 out of 10 jobs in Science and Technology

Recommendations: Cooperation on gender equality agenda, investment in gender needs, removal of structural barriers and reform gender biased laws.

Kirit Parikh Committee

In News:

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has set up a committee under noted energy expert Kirit Parikh to review the current gas pricing formula.

Details:

Consumption of LPG in the country – mainly used as cooking fuel – rose 3.75% in January to a record high of 2.569 million tonnes in January.

The flagship scheme of the government Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has made a significant contribution to enhancing the penetration of LPG, especially in rural areas.

The renewed targets under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aim to provide LPG connections to 10 crore households before January 31, 2022.

The panel has been asked to recommend a fair price to end consumers and also suggest a “market-oriented, transparent and reliable pricing regime for India’s long-term vision for ensuring a gas-based economy”.