IISc Develops Hydrogen Production Tech from Agri-Waste with Over 99% Purity

Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi, visited the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) today to review a new green hydrogen production system developed by the institute. The visit highlighted India’s growing focus on clean energy technologies and the role of domestic research institutions in addressing climate challenges.

During his visit, the minister observed a demonstration of a hydrogen production system developed by Professor Dasappa and his team, which generates high-purity green hydrogen from agricultural waste. The system is capable of producing up to five kilograms of hydrogen per hour with over 99 percent purity. According to the ministry, the process also reduces carbon emissions by more than one kilogram of CO₂ for every kilogram of hydrogen produced.

Agricultural residues, typically burned or left to decay, can emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The IISc system instead converts this biomass into clean hydrogen, providing a potential solution for agricultural waste management and decarbonization.

The minister linked this innovation to the broader objectives of the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), launched with a ₹19,744 crore budget. The mission aims to establish an annual production capacity of five million metric tons of green hydrogen, develop 125 gigawatts of additional renewable energy, attract investments worth ₹8 lakh crore, create over 600,000 jobs, and reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 50 million metric tons.

Shri Joshi noted that funding has already been allocated for 3,000 megawatts of electrolyzer capacity and for producing 860,000 tons of green hydrogen annually.

In an address to IISc faculty, researchers, and industry representatives, the minister outlined four key challenges for the scientific community:

1. Hydrogen storage: Stressing the difficulty in storing hydrogen safely, the minister called for advanced research in hydrogen conservation technologies.
2. Cost-effective electrolysis: He encouraged the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at IISc to work on next-generation electrolysis systems using nanomaterials and thin films to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
3. Affordable hydrogen vehicles: The minister called for efforts to lower the costs of hydrogen-powered vehicles and improve refuelling infrastructure. He referred to five pilot projects currently underway involving 37 hydrogen vehicles and nine refuelling stations.
4. Reducing green hydrogen costs: Noting the current cost of green hydrogen at ₹300 to ₹400 per kilogram, he underlined the need to bring it down to ₹100 per kilogram. He referred to the national target of achieving $1 per kilogram by 2030.

Shri Joshi concluded by encouraging IISc to continue its work in making hydrogen technology more accessible and scalable. He assured support from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for pilot projects, funding, and industrial partnerships.

The visit underscores the government’s focus on leveraging domestic innovation to achieve energy transition goals and meet global climate commitments.