UPSC CSE Prelims
Hydrogen Energy Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Hydrogen Energy with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
Filter & practice questions topic-wise
Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ?
- It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS).
- It is produced using electrolysis of water with electricity generated by renewable energy.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission of India aims for abatement of nearly 50 MMT of annual greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Incorrect. This describes Blue Hydrogen, NOT Green Hydrogen. Blue Hydrogen comes from natural gas + carbon capture (CCS). Green Hydrogen uses a completely different method (see Statement 2).
Statement 2 — Correct. Green Hydrogen = splitting water (electrolysis) using electricity from renewable sources (solar/wind). It's a zero-emission process.
Statement 3 — Correct. India's National Green Hydrogen Mission targets:
- 5 MMT/year production capacity by 2030
- This leads to ~50 MMT reduction in greenhouse gas emissions annually
- Plus reduces fossil fuel imports and creates 6 lakh+ jobs
Memory Trick: Color-code hydrogen by source:
- Green = Renewable electricity + water (clean)
- Blue = Natural gas + carbon capture (cleaner fossil)
- Grey = Natural gas, no carbon capture (dirty)
Which one of the following is the exhaust pipe emission from Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles, powered by hydrogen?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ Water Vapour (Option D)
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) use hydrogen as fuel. Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air to generate electricity that powers the vehicle.
The by-products of this reaction are water (H₂O) and heat. Therefore, the only exhaust emission released from the vehicle's tailpipe is water vapour, making FCEVs a clean-energy transportation technology.
❌ Hydrogen Peroxide: Not produced as a normal exhaust product in fuel cells.
❌ Hydronium (H₃O⁺): Exists in aqueous solutions and is not emitted from vehicles.
❌ Oxygen: Oxygen is consumed in the reaction, not emitted.
✅ Water Vapour: The primary and only exhaust emission from hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Short Notes: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
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FCEVs use hydrogen (H₂) as fuel to generate electricity.
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Electricity is produced through an electrochemical reaction, not combustion.
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Main reaction: Hydrogen + Oxygen → Electricity + Water + Heat.
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The exhaust emission is only water vapour (H₂O).
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Fuel cells are considered zero tailpipe emission technology.
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Hydrogen is stored in high-pressure tanks inside the vehicle.
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Examples include the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai Nexo.
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FCEVs offer fast refuelling and longer driving ranges compared to many battery EVs.
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