Why in news?
Growing climate pressures, geopolitical uncertainties and India’s ambition for energy self‑reliance have intensified calls for next‑generation green technologies. While renewable energy capacity is expanding rapidly, many existing technologies suffer from low efficiency and resource constraints. Experts argue that innovation must outpace energy demand if countries are to reduce emissions, secure energy independence and meet sustainable development goals.
What are green technologies?
Green technologies encompass scientific innovations and engineering systems designed to minimise environmental harm, lower greenhouse‑gas emissions and promote efficient use of resources. They range from mature solutions such as solar, wind, hydro and tidal power to emerging concepts like green hydrogen, artificial photosynthesis, carbon capture and storage, and energy‑dense batteries and fuel cells.
Why current solutions fall short
- Low solar efficiency: Most commercial silicon photovoltaic panels operate at only 15–18 per cent efficiency in real‑world conditions, requiring extensive land to generate significant power. More efficient technologies, such as gallium‑arsenide multi‑junction cells, can reach efficiencies above 40 per cent but remain expensive and untested at scale.
- Land and energy density constraints: Solar plants need vast tracts of land compared with fossil‑fuel plants, creating trade‑offs with agriculture, urban expansion and biodiversity conservation—challenges particularly acute in densely populated countries like India.
- Uncertain sustainability of green hydrogen: Producing hydrogen via electrolysis consumes more electricity than the energy contained in the hydrogen; storing and transporting hydrogen safely is difficult because of its low volumetric energy density and tendency to leak. Converting hydrogen into ammonia or methanol for transport adds another energy‑intensive step.
- Persistently rising emissions: Despite exponential growth in renewable installations, global carbon‑dioxide levels rose from about 350 ppm in 1990 to over 420 ppm in 2025, implying that clean‑energy deployment has not yet outpaced growing energy demand.
Disruptive innovations on the horizon
- Artificial photosynthesis: This technology seeks to mimic the natural process of converting water and carbon dioxide into energy‑rich fuels using sunlight, potentially producing hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels with minimal intermediates.
- Renewable fuels of non‑biological origin (RFNBOs): These fuels, produced from water and air using renewable electricity, aim to supply carbon‑neutral aviation and shipping fuels without relying on biomass.
- Advanced storage technologies: Innovations in solid‑state batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells promise higher energy density and longer lifetimes, supporting the large‑scale integration of intermittent renewables.
Barriers to adoption
- High research costs: Developing cutting‑edge technologies like multi‑junction cells or artificial photosynthesis requires significant public investment and long gestation periods.
- Supply‑chain dependence: India relies on imported solar wafers and cells—predominantly from China—for more than 80 per cent of its solar capacity, creating vulnerability to geopolitical and trade shocks.
- Limited demonstration at scale: Many promising concepts have yet to be proven in commercial settings; investors remain cautious because returns are uncertain.
- Market hesitancy: Private firms are reluctant to back untested technologies without clear policy incentives, risking underinvestment in disruptive solutions.
Way forward
- Prioritise R&D funding: Allocate larger portions of climate budgets to breakthrough research, including gallium‑arsenide cells, artificial photosynthesis and RFNBOs.
- Promote public–private partnerships: Encourage collaboration between Indian start‑ups, established industries and research laboratories to share risk and expertise.
- Diversify technologies: Build a balanced portfolio of solar, wind, hydro, hydrogen, waste‑to‑energy and nuclear systems to avoid overreliance on any single solution.
- Adopt land‑efficient designs: Invest in floating solar installations, rooftop and building‑integrated photovoltaics and agrivoltaics to minimise competition with agriculture.
- Collaborate internationally: Participate in global initiatives—such as Mission Innovation and the India–EU Green Deal—to share technology, finance and best practices.
As climate impacts intensify and energy demand grows, incremental improvements are not enough. New technologies must deliver higher efficiencies, lower lifecycle emissions and greater energy independence. By investing in research, diversifying its energy mix and collaborating globally, India can position itself as a leader in the next wave of green innovation.