IIT Madras leads Green Hydrogen innovation cluster in Tamil Nadu

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IIT Madras leads Green Hydrogen innovation cluster in Tamil Nadu

IIT Madras leads Green Hydrogen innovation cluster in Tamil Nadu

Industry News
Sep 18,23

This collaboration is a crucial element of the "Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster in Tamil Nadu" (HVIC-TN) initiative, which unites nearly 30 companies operating in the hydrogen sector.

IIT Madras leads Green Hydrogen innovation cluster in Tamil Nadu

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the IITM Research Park are embarking on a collaborative endeavour with industrial and research institutions to tackle the research and development (R&D) needs, skill development, incubator establishment, testing and validation standards, and policy advocacy in the field of "Green Hydrogen."

This collaboration is a crucial element of the "Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster in Tamil Nadu" (HVIC-TN) initiative, which unites nearly 30 companies operating in the hydrogen sector, alongside IIT Madras Research Park, Guidance Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), and various consulates.

A primary objective of this initiative is to position HVIC-TN as the focal point for addressing industrial R&D requirements, ultimately making green hydrogen economically viable and scalable. This initiative is poised to make a significant contribution to the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

In alignment with the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) vision of achieving energy independence for India by 2047, DST funding supports critical Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) activities aimed at enhancing technology readiness across the green hydrogen value chain.

During a stakeholders meeting, TRB Rajaa, the Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce in the Government of Tamil Nadu, expressed strong support for this initiative. Rajaa stated, "The establishment of HVIC aligns with Tamil Nadu's objective of manufacturing electrolysers, exporting green hydrogen or its derivatives, and developing the hydrogen economy within the state. The state possesses significant capabilities in electrolyser production but requires testing facilities, which HVIC must provide. Tamil Nadu's power generation are already 50% green and HVIC will further enhance this with green hydrogen."

Rajaa also emphasised the importance of nurturing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of green hydrogen industries, highlighting the entrepreneurial opportunities available through various state government startup initiatives.

HVIC-TN is strategically positioned to address the green hydrogen aspirations of Tamil Nadu and India by offering technological solutions, facilitating R&D, fostering skill development, building infrastructure, conducting techno-economic feasibility studies, and providing policy and regulatory recommendations.

Professor V Kamakoti, the director of IIT Madras, stated, "With a mission dedicated to green hydrogen, our aim is to become the 'Green Hydrogen Valley Innovation Centre.'"

HVIC-TN is poised to serve as a platform for stakeholders in the hydrogen sector to connect, promoting accelerated adoption and transition to green hydrogen. This cluster will also operate as a central agency, a think tank, and a knowledge partner within the state to support or attract initiatives in the hydrogen sector. Additionally, it will facilitate international networking through various consulates.

Aravind Kumar Chandiran, associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Madras and lead coordinator of HVIC-TN, commented on the initiative, stating, "Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in India's decarbonisation efforts, holding substantial potential for making India self-reliant in energy. To succeed in deploying hydrogen technologies and achieving global leadership, India must take immediate action by establishing large-scale demonstrators, promoting innovation, developing essential skills, and creating testing/validation laboratories. HVIC-TN will focus on these areas, striving for excellence in these segments."

Arvind Kumar, the managing director of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd (CPCL), also announced CPCL's intent to be the consumer of emerging technologies from the cluster, adding that CPCL has a substantial project in Tamil Nadu aimed at generating green hydrogen.

IIT Madras's engagement encompasses the entire hydrogen value chain, spanning generation, storage, transportation, and utilisation. CXO-level representatives from more than half of the industry partners actively participated in the meeting held on the IIT Madras campus, discussing their respective companies' roles and contributions to HVIC.

Source: Business Standard