The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) and Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) have joined forces to establish an innovation hub dedicated to the hydrogen valley, aiming to promote the development of a green hydrogen ecosystem in the country. This collaboration was formalized during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. IIT-M will play a central role in establishing the hub, focusing on activities such as manufacturing, skill development, validation platforms, and conducting a roadmap and landscape analysis for the hydrogen ecosystem. Hyundai Motor has committed to investing Rs 100 crore, contributing to the overall project cost of Rs 180 crore.
Unsoo Kim, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HMIL, mentioned that the dedicated facility aims to contribute to a global hydrogen society by ensuring hydrogen accessibility. It will serve as an incubation cell to establish a framework for localizing a hydrogen ecosystem, generating employment, and supporting skill development in the region. The institute, responsible for land, building, and R&D infrastructure, will create the hub on its campus. It will also design the curriculum for skill development necessary for operating and maintaining the hydrogen valley. According to Institute Director V. Kamakoti, Hyundai's funding has come at an opportune time and will facilitate the rapid growth of the consortium.
Guidance Tamil Nadu, the investment promotion agency of the state government, will offer support for policy advocacy related to hydrogen technologies and the establishment of standards and regulations. The institute plans to establish a Center of Excellence, acting as a think tank for organizing annual conferences, workshops, and publishing research papers. The envisioned Hydrogen Valley innovation cluster will involve participants from over 20 companies in the hydrogen sector, along with investors, consulates, IIT-M, IIT-M research park, Guidance Tamil Nadu, and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation.