UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Green Hydrogen

Q1. With reference to India's Green Hydrogen Standard notified in 2023, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The emission ceiling covers the greenhouse gases released when the hydrogen is finally consumed by the end user.
  2. Hydrogen produced from biomass, and not only through electrolysis, can qualify as green if its emissions stay within the ceiling.
  3. Compliance with the ceiling is assessed as an average over twelve months rather than for each individual production batch.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Hydrogen from unabated steam reforming of natural gas cannot be certified as green hydrogen in India, even though it is chemically identical to hydrogen made by electrolysis.
  2. India's standard defines green hydrogen by the greenhouse gas emissions of its production process, measured well-to-gate, and not by any property of the hydrogen molecule.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In the electrolysis of water, hydrogen gas is liberated at the cathode.
  2. Electrolysis of water needs a continuous external supply of electrical energy because splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen is not a spontaneous reaction.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. With reference to a hydrogen fuel cell, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It produces electricity by an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen rather than by burning the hydrogen.
  2. The only by-products of its operation are water and heat.
  3. Like a rechargeable battery, it stores electrical energy within its electrodes and must be recharged from an external power source once depleted.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q5. With reference to hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (DRI) for steelmaking, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Hydrogen acts as the reducing agent that removes oxygen from iron ore.
  2. The principal gaseous by-product of the reduction step is carbon monoxide, which is later oxidised to carbon dioxide.
  3. The process removes the need for electricity in steelmaking because hydrogen supplies all of the energy required.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following assertion: Fertiliser and petroleum refining are among the most promising early domestic markets for green hydrogen in India. Which of the following statements support the above assertion?

  1. Both sectors already consume hydrogen as a chemical feedstock, so green hydrogen can replace an existing input without redesigning the end-use process.
  2. The hydrogen these sectors currently use is largely derived from natural gas, so switching to green hydrogen directly displaces a fossil input.
  3. Electric heating can readily replace the hydrogen consumed in ammonia synthesis, making these sectors easy to decarbonise.
  4. Auctions for supplying green ammonia to fertiliser units have discovered a price that can anchor long-term procurement contracts.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q7. In the context of supplying renewable electricity to green hydrogen plants, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Open Access allows a green hydrogen producer to buy renewable power from a generator other than its local distribution company.
  2. Banking allows a producer to store its surplus renewable electricity physically in grid-scale batteries owned by the distribution company and draw it back later.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2