Which of the following two countries have launched Hydrogen Task Force to help scale up technologies to produce hydrogen from renewable energy and fossil fuel sources?

The correct answer is India - US.

Key Points

• The Hydrogen Task Force is a bilateral initiative between India and the United States aimed at enhancing cooperation in hydrogen energy technologies.
• It was launched under the US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP), which focuses on advancing clean energy collaborations.
• The task force emphasizes the development of hydrogen as a clean energy source by promoting technologies for production, storage, transportation, and utilization.
• Hydrogen production from both renewable energy sources (like solar and wind) and fossil fuel sources is a key focus to meet climate goals.
• The initiative also aims to create scalable and cost-effective hydrogen solutions to support global energy transitions.

Additional Information

• Hydrogen as a Clean Energy Source:
  • Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be used for power generation, transportation, and industrial applications.
  • It produces zero greenhouse gas emissions when used as a fuel, making it a key player in decarbonization efforts.
  • Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is pivotal to reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• US-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP):
  • SCEP is a collaboration framework to enhance energy security and clean energy innovation between the two nations.
  • It includes five pillars: power and energy efficiency, renewable energy, responsible oil and gas, sustainable growth, and emerging fuels like hydrogen.
• Hydrogen Production Methods:
  • Green hydrogen: Produced using renewable energy and electrolysis of water.
  • Blue hydrogen: Produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
  • Grey hydrogen: Produced from fossil fuels without CCS, leading to CO2 emissions.
• Global Hydrogen Initiatives:
  • Countries like Japan, Germany, and South Korea have launched hydrogen strategies to achieve net-zero emissions.
  • International organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA) are promoting the hydrogen economy globally.