IIT-Madras Campus to Host Hydrogen Valley Innovation Hub
To foster the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem within the nation, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) have entered into a partnership to create an innovation hub dedicated to the hydrogen valley. This collaboration was formalized during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024 held in the city.
The institute will serve as the central agency responsible for setting up the hub, with a primary focus on activities such as manufacturing, skill development, validation platforms, and conducting a roadmap and landscape analysis for the hydrogen ecosystem. Hyundai Motor has committed to investing Rs 100 crore, contributing to the overall project cost of Rs 180 crore.
Unsoo Kim, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HMIL, said the dedicated facility, which is aimed at fostering a worldwide hydrogen society by making hydrogen readily available, will act as an incubation cell to develop a framework for the localization of a hydrogen ecosystem. The initiative would generate employment and support skill development in the region.
The institute will create the hub at its campus, taking responsibility for land, building and R&D infrastructure. The institute will also develop the curriculum for skill development needed to operate and maintain the hydrogen valley. Institute Director V. Kamakoti said the funding from Hyundai had come at an appropriate time and it shall help in the rapid growth of the consortium.
Guidance Tamil Nadu, the investment promotion agency of the State government, will provide support for policy advocacy concerning hydrogen-related technologies and the development of standards and regulations. The institute has outlined plans to create a Center of Excellence, functioning as a think tank responsible for organizing annual conferences and workshops, as well as publishing research papers.
The envisioned Hydrogen Valley innovation cluster brings together participants from more than 20 companies involved in the hydrogen sector, along with investors, consulates, IIT-M, IIT-M research park, Guidance Tamil Nadu, and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation.
