Energy-efficient green hydrogen generators, Indigenous hydrogen storage systems for commercial vehicles, and alternative combustion burners to improve air quality, are some of the initiatives under incubation

Transitioning to sustainable and clean energy sources is pivotal in the global battle against climate change. Green hydrogen, with its cross-industry applications, including transportation, will play a crucial role in the global energy landscape. The IIT Bombay and HSBC India Green Hydrogen programme, aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of green hydrogen technologies, saw a large number of innovative project proposals received from 6 IITs, the National Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research. Out of these, six projects have been shortlisted for incubation at IIT Bombay, through a stringent process by a Steering committee comprising industry experts and senior faculty from the institute.

These breakthrough technologies and solutions presented by researchers, scientists, and students from institutions across India address key challenges in green hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization. They range from developing indigenous hydrogen storage systems that will help reduce significant carbon emissions from commercial vehicles to cost-effective and sustainable hydrogen generators and alternative burners which will improve air quality which has been an alarming issue in most metros in India. These solutions will be incubated at the IIT incubation centre, nurtured, and refined for commercial readiness by the end of the programme period and comprehensively supported to build scale and enhance reach.

Commenting on the initiative, Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, said, “We believe that Green hydrogen is a necessary lever to achieve a low carbon economy. Our partnership with IIT Bombay reflects this belief and is also in line with our global commitment to sustainability. It is overwhelming to see the great response to this programme and the innovative ideas that we have received. We look forward to working with IIT Bombay to nurture these six innovations to make Green Hydrogen a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable proposition.”

Unveiled by Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman in 2023, this 3-year project aims to develop innovative projects to position green hydrogen as a strategic alternative fuel that has applications across industries and create a strong green hydrogen economy to help India achieve energy independence and support the government’s mission to provide policy support for a global green hydrogen transition.

Green Hydrogen not only helps the environment but is also economically viable, creates employment in new green sectors and enhances energy security by diversifying energy sources. The Indian government has committed to promoting green hydrogen under its National Green Hydrogen Mission, highlighting its potential as a future fuel alternative. It envisions developing a green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 million metric tonnes per year by 2030. This ambitious goal is set to bolster the country’s renewable energy capacity by approximately 125 GW, contributing significantly to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and the realisation of India’s net-zero vision.

Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, said, “IIT Bombay is honoured to join forces with HSBC India in a transformative endeavour to drive India toward energy independence by setting up a thriving green hydrogen economy. This collaboration underscores our firm commitment to supporting the Indian government’s visionary National Green Hydrogen Mission which positions green hydrogen not just as a sustainable fuel, but as a cornerstone of the country’s future energy landscape. By driving groundbreaking research with wide-ranging applications—from transportation to industrial energy—this partnership is set to catalyze a cleaner, self-reliant India, and elevate our role as a leader in the global green energy movement.”

6 shortlisted projects is as follows:

Project 1 – Utilise earth-abundant materials to make hydrogen production both sustainable and cost-effective. The knowledge gained from this study will help create a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Project 2 – Develop a prototype hydrogen generator that can produce 5 litres of hydrogen per minute, with an energy efficiency of over 80%, and reduce production costs by around 30%

Project 3 – Develop a locally designed multi-stack alkaline electrolyser aimed at cost-effectively producing green hydrogen. The outcome will contribute to lowering the cost of green hydrogen, making it a more viable and sustainable alternative for various industrial and energy applications.

Project 4 – Develop completely indigenous hydrogen storage systems across India. This creates an opportunity for the automobile industry to increase the number of hydrogen-powered vehicles in both light and heavy-duty segments of the Indian transport sector. It will also help reduce the significant carbon emissions from commercial vehicles, contributing to a cleaner environment.

Project 5 – Develop a burner that offers a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional combustion processes, which will improve air quality, benefit public health, and help reduce the carbon footprint.

Project 6 – Create a tool that provides precise guidance on safely blending of hydrogen with natural gas for secure transportation. This will help reduce reliance on carbon-based fossil fuels.