Chennai: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have presented a comprehensive roadmap for scaling up sustainable green hydrogen production in India, offering key insights into technology choices, environmental impact and material requirements.
The study is aligned with India’s climate goals, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and sourcing 50 per cent of electricity from non-fossil fuels by 2030.
The research was led by Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri from the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, in collaboration with the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP).
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Energy & Fuels of the American Chemical Society.
The study focuses on Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers, which the researchers say are more efficient than traditional alkaline systems and well-suited for large-scale green hydrogen production.
It highlights how electrolyser design and material choices significantly influence emissions, efficiency and sustainability. For instance, coating bipolar plates with electrocatalysts raises manufacturing emissions but improves lifetime performance, resulting in cleaner hydrogen over time.
The researchers also recommended standardising green hydrogen classification through a tiered system, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, to reflect varying emission footprints.
The study further outlines strategies to secure critical raw materials for electrolysers, supporting India’s Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes annually by 2030.
