In a significant step towards achieving energy independence and net-zero emissions, India has organized a stakeholders’ meet to explore the potential of green hydrogen. The Center of Hydrogen and Carbon Capture Storage and Utilisation Technologies (CHCCUST) at IIT(ISM) Dhanbad spearheaded the event on 28th April 2023. The objective was to present a case to the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India (GOI), for establishing a “Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster” (HVIC) in the eastern region of the country.
The meet witnessed the participation of academic professionals, industrial delegates, research scientists, and government representatives. The event commenced with guidance and suggestions on the Hydrogen Valley Platforms and HVIC project by Prof. Sandipan Kumar Das, Head of CHCCUST, and Dr. Ranjith Krishna Pai, Scientist E, and DST coordinator for the Hydrogen Valley Platform. Additionally, Mr. Rahul Kulshreshtha from the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India shared his experiences and thoughts on the occasion.
The technical sessions covered various aspects of hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. Experts such as Dr. Ujjwal Pal from CSIR-IICT Hyderabad, Prof. Santanu De from IIT Kanpur, Prof. Arunkumar Samanta from IIT Dhanbad, and Mr. Ranju Gopal Barman, Director Operations, Vivarta Greentech Solutions, presented their research and insights on hydrogen generation from different sources, including biomass and water.
Addressing the challenges of hydrogen storage and delivery, Prof. Sushant Kumar from IIT Patna and Dr. Santosh M from CSIR-CIMFR, Dhanbad, provided valuable inputs. The utilization of hydrogen was discussed by Prof. Siddhartha Sengupta and Prof. Ganesh Chandra Nayak from IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, as well as Dr. Pratik Swaroop Dash from Tata Steel.
A panel discussion on industrial and government perspectives regarding hydrogen technologies and the path forward for HVIC concluded the event. Panel members included representatives from Technip Energies, Tata Steel, Vivarta Greentech Solutions, Tata Power, Schneider Electric, and West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency.
The day-long event emphasized the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, with participants from various reputed institutes and organizations, including NIT Durgapur, BIT Sindri, Jadavpur University, and CSIR-CMERI Durgapur. In the closing ceremony, Prof. Rajiv Shekhar, Director of IIT(ISM) Dhanbad, highlighted the significance of academia-industry collaboration and encouraged the generation of novel ideas.
With its focus on green hydrogen, India’s ambitious goal of energy independence by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070 moves closer to realization. The stakeholders’ meet served as a platform for experts from different sectors to share knowledge, brainstorm ideas, and pave the way for the establishment of HVICs in India, contributing to a sustainable and self-reliant energy future.
