Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have conducted a comprehensive study to accelerate sustainable green hydrogen production in India, offering timely guidance as the country pursues ambitious climate and energy goals.
Green Hydrogen Key to India’s Net-Zero Ambitions
India has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and generating 50% of its electricity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. In this context, green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy—emerges as a critical decarbonisation lever, particularly for hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, transport, and buildings. Moreover, green hydrogen offers a low-emission, versatile energy carrier, strengthening energy security, reducing fossil fuel dependence, and supporting India’s long-term sustainable development objectives.
Collaborative Research with CSTEP
To address the challenges of scaling green hydrogen, Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri from the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, partnered with the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP). Together, they examined technology choices, environmental impacts, and material requirements associated with large-scale green hydrogen production in India.
Research Published in Energy and Fuels
The study’s findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Energy & Fuels by the American Chemical Society. The paper was co-authored by Peter Waiyaki, Ramprasad Thekkethil, Murali Ananthakumar, and Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri, underscoring a multidisciplinary approach to the research.
Roadmap Links Technology Choice with Sustainability
Prof. Seshadri, who also heads The Energy Consortium at IIT Madras, said the research provides a clear roadmap for expanding green hydrogen production in a sustainable manner. He emphasised that understanding the environmental and material implications of electrolyser technologies is essential for making informed decisions. He further noted that the study highlights the strong link between technology selection and environmental outcomes, a factor that will be critical for policymakers and industry stakeholders as India scales up its hydrogen ecosystem.
Focus on PEM Electrolyser Technology
In addition, Peter Waiyaki, Research Scholar at IIT Madras, explained that the study focuses on Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers. Compared to conventional alkaline systems, PEM electrolysers offer higher efficiency and faster response times, making them well suited for large-scale hydrogen production aligned with India’s clean energy transition.
Insights Aligned with National Green Hydrogen Mission
Launched in January 2023, India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030. The mission also prioritises domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, which are essential for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. The IIT Madras study directly supports these goals by evaluating scalable production pathways and associated environmental impacts.
Key Findings: Balancing Efficiency and Environmental Impact
The research reveals that different PEM electrolyser configurations result in significantly different environmental footprints. For example, coating bipolar plates with electrocatalysts improves operational efficiency and system lifespan. Although this approach increases emissions during manufacturing, it produces substantially cleaner hydrogen over the system’s lifetime, highlighting the importance of life-cycle-based decision-making.
Proposed Classification for Green Hydrogen
Importantly, the study stresses the need to standardise green hydrogen classification. Even when produced using renewable energy, hydrogen can carry varying emission footprints depending on technology choices. To address this, the researchers propose a tiered classification system—“platinum,” “gold,” “silver,” and “bronze”—to clearly communicate hydrogen’s environmental quality. This framework would enhance transparency for policymakers, investors, and industry players.
Securing Critical Materials for Future Growth
Finally, the study offers guidance on securing critical raw materials required for PEM electrolysers. By identifying potential supply risks, the research helps ensure that India’s green hydrogen infrastructure can scale reliably and sustainably. As per the press release, overall, the findings lay a strong foundation for future research, including improved life-cycle datasets, deeper assessments of production pathways, and more robust analyses of material availability—key elements for building a resilient green hydrogen economy in India.
