When India looks toward a clean energy future, green hydrogen stands out as a powerful solution. But building it at scale requires more than ambition—it requires technology that is affordable, safe, and built within the country. At IIT Bombay, a partnership with HSBC India is turning that vision into reality.

Launched in 2023, this pan-India initiative brings together 7 institutions and 6 research projects across the entire green hydrogen value chain—from production and storage to utilisation and transport. The effort has already moved key technologies from early-stage concepts to TRL 5–6, placing them close to real world deployment.

Each project addresses a critical challenge. Indigenous electrolysers are being developed to reduce reliance on imported systems. New catalysts using iron and nickel are lowering costs while delivering 100+ hours of stable performance. Innovative approaches have achieved ~75% efficiency and projected production costs of around $1.6/kg, making green hydrogen more viable. At the same time, safer storage systems operating at just 35 bar— compared to conventional 350–700 bar—are redefining how hydrogen can be used in mobility.

Powering Hydrogen at Scale

Beyond production and storage, the initiative is tackling real-world deployment. Advanced burners have demonstrated 79–84% efficiency with NOx emissions below 5 ppm, showing strong potential for cleaner industrial heat. And for the first time in India, a dedicated facility is enabling real-time testing of hydrogen’s impact on steel pipelines—laying the foundation for safe transport infrastructure.

Together, these breakthroughs are not isolated innovations—they form a complete, indigenous ecosystem. As these technologies scale, they have the potential to support large-scale hydrogen production units, enable clean mobility applications, and contribute to reducing industrial emissions. This directly aligns with India’s national target of producing 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

What makes this initiative powerful is its integrated approach. Instead of solving one problem, it builds the entire system— ensuring that production, storage, utilisation, and safety evolve together.

It is this combination of scientific depth and national purpose that defines IIT Bombay’s work—where innovation is not just about discovery, but about building the foundations of a cleaner, self-reliant future.