Q1. Write a note on Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture(DEPA). Illustrate the importance of such a framework to usher in a true data democracy in India.
Framework
- Introduce with what is DEPA
- Write about pillars of digital economy
- Significance of DEPA in fintech and other sectors
- Conclude
Model Answer
DEPA is a proposed public digital infrastructure for facilitating a consent-based data sharing paradigm in India. In simple words it UPI-like open-platform for data sharing between institutions.
3 pillars of a data-rich economy include
- Identity framework
- Payment framework
- Secure data sharing framework
While Aadhaar and UPI have enabled seamless identity and payment frameworks, data framework is the missing link for a fully integrated digital economy in India. The Niti-Aayog-proposed DEPA framework is said fill the gap of secure data sharing.
Currently data sharing between institutions like banks, say for sharing credit behaviour of consumers for loan disbursement is either absent, not seamless or without adequate consent. Thus the current data sharing scenario in India is rightly termed as “silo-and-island data landscape”. This has led to frequent data breaches. In addition it has hindered businesses to expand particularly in areas like neo banks, open banking solutions etc.
While a secure machine readable electronic standard for consent to end the data sharing is said to usher in a full-blown fintech sector , its application is not limited to fintech. Along with blockchain solutions, a seamless and secure data sharing is said to revolutionise healthcare, insurance, real estate, retail sectors to name a few.
Q2. Hydrogen is said to be an essential element of low-carbon future for India. What are the characteristics of hydrogen that make it the ultimate fuel? What are the challenges in moving towards a hydrogen economy?
Framework
- Introduce with recent vision India has set for hydrogen economy
- Highlight the important characteristics of hydrogen as a fuel
- Highlight the challenges hydrogen poses as a fuel
- Conclude with appropriate solution
Model Answer
India is aiming to move towards being a hydrogen economy in the recent times. In line with this vision the PM launched the National Hydrogen Mission to make India the hub of green hydrogen production.
The essential characteristics that make hydrogen the ultimate fuel include
- High flammability: Hydrogen is said to be highly flammable meaning it releases heat when it is burnt/oxidised.
- High energy-density: Burning/Oxidation of a gram of hydrogen gives rise to nearly 3 times the energy as that in case of petrol. (26KCal/g v/s 10 KCal/g)
- Carbon-less emissions: Burning of hydrogen leaves no carbon emissions. Having set an ambitious target of 33-35% reduction in carbon emission (of 2005 levels) as a part of its INDC commitments under Paris Agreement, carbon-free emissions of hydrogen burning is the most important characteristic.
While the above characteristics make hydrogen the ultimate fuel the following challenges have to be overcome in order to usher in a hydrogen economy
Low energy per volume: While a gram of hydrogen holds more energy than gasoline the volume required to hold a gram of hydrogen is very high as hydrogen is the lightest element. For instance 1 litre bottle would hold much less than a gram of hydrogen. This makes it difficult to store hydrogen.
Low range: As a result of low energy per volume hydrogen-based IC engines would not be able to hold more fuel which limits its range. This is particularly true with 2 and 4 wheeler segment where the tank size is limited. Hydrogen is suitable for large vehicles but with limited range making it suitable for intra-city public transport.
Difficult to transport: The current infrastructure to transport natural gas is made up of steel pipes. Hydrogen being the lightest element will pass through steel escaping the pipelines. This requires complete revamp of transport infrastructure made of cryogenics which include compressing and liquifying hydrogen at sub-zero temperatures.
Difficulty in production: Hydrogen is not freely available in nature. Thus it should be produced either by electrolysis of water or through steam-reforming of hydrocarbons. Both these processes involve expending energy. Further if the energy spent in manufacture of hydrogen is not from renewable sources the hydrogen so-obtained is not truly carbon-free.
Given the above challenges it is necessary to adopt a two-pronged approach for hydrogen economy that includes manufacture of hydrogen by using renewable energy (green hydrogen) and using it in hydrogen-run fuel-cell vehicles particularly in the small vehicle segment.
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