Page 136 - CW E-Magazine (22-7-2025)

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BOOSTING RESEARCH

Hyundai and IIT-Madras unveil design for its green hydrogen
R&D centre

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister
T.R.B. Rajaa recently unveiled the
design for the Rs. 180-crore ‘Hyundai
HTWO Innovation Centre’ – a hydro-
gen research hub to be established at the
Discovery Campus of the Indian Insti-
tute of Technology (IIT)-Madras. The
initiative is the result of a collaboration
between the Tamil Nadu Government,
Hyundai Motor India, and IIT-Madras,
formalised during the ‘Tamil Nadu
Global Investors Meet’ in January 2024.
The state-of-the-art R&D hub aims to by enabling collaboration between the development of digital twins of
serve as a catalyst for innovation in green global expertise and India’s green hydrogen infrastructure, customised
hydrogen technology and its ecosystem. hydrogen ecosystem,” he said. test rigs, and fabrication lines, enabling
The centre is expected to be operational pilot-level evaluation of electrolysers
by 2026. The design was unveiled at an “This milestone marks the next and fuel cells. The facility will also host
event in Chennai by Minister Rajaa, in phase in Hyundai Motor India’s test zones for containerised demonstra-
the presence of senior government Rs. 100-crore commitment to pioneering tors of industrial-scale products.
officials and Hyundai Motor India’s green hydrogen innovation in India.
Managing Director, Unsoo Kim. This funding made by Hyundai Motor IIT-Madras Director, Prof. V. Kama-
India partially through Hyundai Motor koti said the centre will engage with
Speaking at the event, the minister India Foundation (HMIF) as part of its stakeholders across the hydrogen eco-
said, “What Hyundai Motor India and CSR initiatives, underscores Hyundai’s system – including academia, R&D
IIT Madras’ efforts bring to my mind dedication to advancing clean energy labs, industry, and policymakers – at a
is the amazing capabilities of India and and fostering sustainable innovation in global level. The facility will focus on
we are here to celebrate just that. The India,” the company said. advancing hydrogen solutions in the
possibilities that are here in this amaz- mobility and power sectors, with a
ing place and the possibilities that the Spread across 65,000-sq.ft. at IIT strong emphasis on localisation of the
rest of the world is only now looking Madras’ Thaiyur campus, the centre hydrogen value chain, public-private
up. The Hyundai HTWO Innovation will feature advanced computational collaboration, and pilot infrastructure
Centre is a crucial step towards indige- and experimental labs. It will focus on development, he said.
nous hydrogen production.” According
to Hyundai offi cials, ‘HTWO’ stands India achieves 50% non-fossil fuel power
for ‘H2’ (the hydrogen molecule), generation capacity 5 years ahead of 2030 target
while also symbolising ‘Hydrogen’
and ‘Humanity’ – the twin pillars of India has achieved 50% non-fossil generation by 2030. “India’s total in-
Hyundai’s fuel cell business. fuel-based power generation capacity stalled power capacity now stands at
of 242.8-GW out of the total 484.8-GW 484.8-GW, with 242.8-GW coming
Hyundai Motor India Manging installed capacity, fi ve years ahead of from non-fossil fuel sources – a power-
Director Mr. Kim said hydrogen is a its 2030 target, according to Union ful testament to our green progress.
key pillar in achieving global carbon New & Renewable Energy Minister This is not just a milestone – it’s a
neutrality. “With the Hyundai HTWO Pralhad Joshi. India has set an giant stride towards a greener, cleaner
Innovation Centre, we aim to foster an ambitious target of having 500-GW Bharat by 2047,” Mr. Joshi said in a
open platform for knowledge exchange of renewable energy-based electricity social media post.

136 Chemical Weekly July 22, 2025

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