Industrialists, entrepreneurs, and business enthusiasts gathered to explore the commercialization prospects of hydrogen energy technologies during a workshop on fostering start-up ecosystems, held on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, October 8, 2024.
The workshop, organized by the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), focused on the challenges and strategies for accelerating hydrogen energy adoption in India.
Dr. R. Vijay, Director of ARCI, emphasized the importance of reducing hydrogen production costs to make it more attractive in the market. Speaking as Guest of Honour, he showcased ARCI's role in transferring hydrogen technologies at both the component and system levels. He also highlighted ARCI's ongoing support for start-ups in the energy sector, which are critical to driving hydrogen technology forward.
Prof. Mohammad Rihan, Director General of the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), underscored the importance of combining solar power with electrolyzers to produce green hydrogen. He described the synergy between solar energy and hydrogen technologies as a sustainable approach to generating clean energy. Prof. Rihan also mentioned the MoU signed between ARCI and NISE, which focuses on green hydrogen production, energy storage, and its conversion into electricity via fuel cells.
Dr. R. Gopalan, former Regional Director of ARCI Chennai, highlighted the need for a circular economy in hydrogen production, a key factor in further reducing costs. He also pointed to India's emerging leadership in the green ammonia synthesis field, positioning the country alongside other developed nations in the hydrogen economy.