In September 2023, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, unveiled the  IIT Bombay-HSBC Green Hydrogen Initiative. At the heart of this collaboration was a resounding commitment to fortify the Indian government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. The ambitious focus of this partnership was to advance energy efficiency and attain sustainable energy solutions, cost-effectiveness, and scalability in green hydrogen production. Through innovative projects, this partnership sought to position green hydrogen as a strategic alternative fuel, thereby fostering a resilient green hydrogen economy that resonates with the government’s vision of achieving energy self-sufficiency.

A year later – the partnership has made progress and saw a significant number of innovative project proposals from six IITs, the National Institute of Technology, and the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research. Through a stringent process headed by a steering committee comprising industry experts and senior faculty from the Institute, six projects have been shortlisted. They will be incubated at the IIT incubation centre, nurtured, and refined for commercial readiness by the end of the programme period and comprehensively supported to build scale and enhance reach.

These breakthrough technologies and solutions presented by researchers, scientists, and students from institutions across India address key challenges in green hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and utilization. The innovations include a locally designed multi-stack alkaline electrolyzer, indigenous hydrogen storage systems, and a sustainable burner offering alternatives to traditional combustion processes. The projects also focus on cost-effective hydrogen production methods, tools for safe hydrogen blending with natural gas, and high-efficiency hydrogen generators.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Hitendra Dave, CEO, HSBC India, said, “We believe that Green hydrogen is a necessary lever to achieve a low carbon economy. Our partnership with IIT Bombay reflects this belief and is also in line with our global commitment to sustainability. It is overwhelming to see the great response to this programme and the innovative ideas that we have received.  We look forward to working with IIT Bombay to nurture these six innovations to make Green Hydrogen a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable proposition.”

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, said, “IIT Bombay is honoured to join forces with HSBC India in a transformative endeavour to drive India toward energy independence by setting up a thriving green hydrogen economy. This collaboration underscores our firm commitment to supporting the Indian government’s visionary National Green Hydrogen Mission which positions green hydrogen not just as a sustainable fuel, but as a cornerstone of the country’s future energy landscape. By driving groundbreaking research with wide-ranging applications—from transportation to industrial energy—this partnership is set to catalyze a cleaner, self-reliant India, and elevate our role as a leader in the global green energy movement.”

The IIT Bombay-HSBC Green Hydrogen Initiative exemplifies the Institute’s ongoing commitment to fostering impactful collaborations with corporate partners. Through these partnerships, IIT Bombay continues to drive swift progress in groundbreaking areas like sustainable energy and addressing global challenges with innovative solutions. By leveraging its strong research capabilities and industry ties, the Institute consistently stays at the forefront of emerging technologies, contributing to national goals and reinforcing its leadership in building a sustainable future for India.