IIT Madras-Hyundai HTWO Centre To Develop Affordable Hydrogen Fuel For Transportation, Other Applications

The Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre, a hydrogen-focused (Research and Development (R&D) hub, is aiming to develop indigenous green fuel technology over the next two years.

As per a report by The Hindu , the centre will use biomass and electrolysis to generate hydrogen for green fuel applications, particularly in transportation.

A collaboration between Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL), IIT-Madras, and Guidance Tamil Nadu, the Rs 180-crore Centre is being set up on IIT-Madras’s Discovery Campus in Thaiyur.

HMIL has committed Rs 100 crore to the project, marking one of India's first industry-institute-government clean energy ventures.

The design of the innovation centre was unveiled by Tamil Nadu Industries Minister T R B Rajaa on 9 July.

Rajaa said the State would ensure biomass availability through municipal waste and provide manufacturing support via TANCAM and TNSAM facilities.

He also announced a hydrogen cluster in Thoothukudi, with plans to export hydrogen to Singapore via V O Chidambaranar Port for use by Japanese shipping firms.

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti said the centre aims to enable hydrogen-powered cars to drive from Chennai to Kanniyakumari with refuelling stations along the route.

Kamakoti added that hydrogen generation from biomass could provide farmers a new income source.

The goal is to reduce hydrogen fuel costs from $5 to $2 per kg.

The project will also collaborate with MSMEs to develop low-cost technology and decentralised hydrogen hubs near renewable energy sources.

HMIL MD Unsoo Kim said the project aims to localise the hydrogen value chain and build an inclusive hydrogen economy aligned with India’s clean energy goals.

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