‘The Rs 100 crore promised by Hyundai is for the hub’s capex requirement. The automaker anyway is researching across the world on hydrogen fuel, and is one of the frontrunners in this area.’
Earlier this year, IIT Madras tied up with Hyundai Motor India and Guidance Tamil Nadu (state’s investment promotion agency) for establishing the ‘Hydrogen Valley Innovation Hub’ on the campus. It will be set up at a cost of Rs 180 crore (of which Rs 100 crore has been promised by Hyundai).
We talked to Aravind Kumar Chandiran, associate professor, Dept of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, on what will be the research focus of the hub?
Will it only focus on hydrogen as a fuel for cars?
No, the focus is much wider, beyond automotive, and also beyond hydrogen-based fuel cell electric vehicles. Research is also being carried out on hydrogen internal combustion engines (H2ICE) – for vehicles, and also for other applications such as machinery used in factories etc.
Why H2ICE?
FCEVs require extremely high pure hydrogen – for example, the UK’s National Physical Laboratory found that even 4 ppb (parts per billion) of hydrogen sulphide can destroy the fuel cell. While we have fuel cells, we don’t have enough pure hydrogen.
But for H2ICE, relatively less pure hydrogen works, and because it’s ICE, the current ICE infrastructure works well.
What about green hydrogen?
That’s a big focus area – in fact, this initiative aims to promote a green hydrogen ecosystem in the country. IIT Madras is the nodal agency for establishing the hub and has special focus on localisation of manufacturing, skill development, creation of validation platforms, roadmap and landscape analysis for the hydrogen ecosystem.
Why is Hyundai contributing?
The Rs 100 crore promised by Hyundai is for the hub’s capex requirement. The automaker anyway is researching across the world on hydrogen fuel, and is one of the frontrunners in this area. Globally, it has hydrogen cars, trucks and buses, and its ix35 FCEV was the world’s first mass-produced FCEV car.
What is IIT Madras doing?
IIT Madras has provided land, building infrastructure, and R&D infrastructure. The institute is also developing a curriculum and body of knowledge for skill development, while operating and maintaining the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Hub.
The institute is also establishing a centre of excellence that will play the role of a think tank, and conduct annual conferences and workshops, besides publishing research papers.
Original News Link
https://www.iitm.ac.in/happenings/press-releases-and-coverages/whats-hydrogen-valley-innovation-hub-iit-madras
