By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : December 29, 2025 10:41 am
The researchers also studied the impact and material requirements associated with scaling up green hydrogen production
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) researchers have provided a strategic roadmap to scale India's green hydrogen sector, crucial for meeting its 2070 net-zero goal, by analyzing electrolyzer tech, material needs (like platinum), and proposing a "platinum-gold-silver-bronze" classification system for transparency, ensuring the clean fuel truly supports hard-to-abate sectors like industry and transport, strengthening energy security, and reducing import reliance.
Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri, Dept of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras partnered with Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), to conduct a comprehensive study on green hydrogen production in India.
The researchers also studied the impact and material requirements associated with scaling up green hydrogen production, offering critical guidance for India’s ambitious climate and energy targets. The research paper was co-authored by Peter Waiyaki, Ramprasad Thekkethil, Murali Ananthakumar and Prof. Satyanarayanan Seshadri.
Elaborating on this research, Prof. Seshadri, who is also the Head of The Energy Consortium, IIT Madras, said, “Our research provides a comprehensive roadmap for expanding green hydrogen production in India. By understanding the environmental and material implications of different technologies, we can make informed choices that ensure both efficiency and sustainability.” He added, “This study highlights the critical link between technology selection and environmental outcomes, which will be essential for policymakers and industry as India scales up its hydrogen sector.”
Further, Peter Waiyaki, Research Scholar, IIT Madras added, “Our research focuses on a type of electrolyser called ‘Proton-Exchange Membrane’ (PEM) system. The PEM electrolysers are more efficient than traditional alkaline systems and are well-suited for producing large quantities of hydrogen, making them ideal for India’s plans to scale up clean energy production.”
The Key findings of this IIT Madras Study indicates that different configurations of PEM electrolysers yield significantly varying environmental impacts. For instance, coating the bipolar plates with electrocatalysts increases the lifetime and operational efficiency of the electrolyser. Although this increases emissions during manufacturing, the hydrogen produced is significantly cleaner over the system’s lifetime, demonstrating that careful technology selection is critical for sustainable scale-up.