Context:  Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the country's first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel under the Harit Nauka initiative.

What is Harit Nauka initiative? 

• The Harit Nauka initiative is a program launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways aimed at promoting the adoption of greener technologies in inland waterway vessels. 

• It focuses on shifting inland vessels towards sustainable alternatives, such as hydrogen fuel cells, to reduce environmental impact.

• This initiative aims to establish the V.O.Chidambaranar Port as India’s first Green Hydrogen Hub Port, with projects including a desalination plant and hydrogen production facility.

The initiative's goals include

• Adopting green vessels

• Establishing a green ecosystem

• Using low- or zero-emission fuel sources

• Achieving 100% green vessels in Indian waters by 2047

The initiative's pilot project is a Hydrogen fuel cell-powered vessel that emits zero emissions and noise.

• Hydrogen fuel cell vessels do not use conventional batteries as the primary storage house of electrical energy.

• The vessel is energy efficient and can be used for urban mobility.

How do hydrogen fuel cells work?

• A hydrogen fuel cell generates electricity by harnessing the chemical energy stored in hydrogen, producing only pure water as a byproduct and emitting no pollutants.

• The process involves loading hydrogen into cells, where the energy within hydrogen is converted into electricity and heat, powering the vessel's propulsion system.

• In the fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air to generate electricity.

• Unlike batteries, hydrogen fuel cells operate continuously without the need for recharging, as long as there is a constant supply of fuel and oxygen.