India's Space Agency Chief asserts hydrogen's pivotal role in India's space exploration, transportation, and clean energy sectors.
India Embraces Hydrogen Fuel Technology: A Stepping Stone Towards a Green Future
India took a significant step forward in its pursuit of clean energy and space missions with the recent National Workshop on 'Hydrogen Fuel Technologies and Future Trends' held at Alliance University, Bengaluru. The event, organised in association with the Indian Institute of Science, brought together nearly 150 participants from academia and industry to discuss the role of hydrogen in mobility, industrial applications, and energy systems.
The workshop was graced by Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Chairman of CIIS and Hon'ble Member of NITI Aayog, who delivered the inaugural keynote on "India's Hydrogen Policy and Future Trends." Dr. (Mrs.) N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR, served as the Guest of Honour.
Hydrogen is considered a key factor in India's space missions, transportation, and clean energy future. Dr. Kalaiselvi emphasised the importance of hydrogen research and innovation for India's global competitiveness. She highlighted the potential of hydrogen IC engines and carriers like methanol, particularly for heavy-duty transport and marine sectors, where batteries fall short.
India has demonstrated capability in producing methanol and hydrogen from high-ash coal gasification. The event also marked the success of ISRO's 100th successful mission, the GSLV Mk III rocket, which was powered by a cryogenic stage using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
The workshop highlighted India's commitment under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of ISRO, attended the event as the Chief Guest and cautioned about the safety risks of hydrogen, particularly the need for better hydrogen sensors with millisecond-level detection. He also emphasised the need for intensifying indigenous R&D, building testing infrastructure such as 700-bar storage systems, and innovating in new storage materials.
Companies like BHEL and NTPC are working on hydrogen systems and gas turbine engines. Critical gaps remain in electrolyzers, storage systems, compressors, and fuel cells in India, areas where the country is still dependent on global suppliers.
The event also featured high-level technical papers, including one from an organisation currently working on a 20-kilowatt hydrogen fuel cell prototype for vehicles. Hydrogen-powered buses began commercial operations in June 2025, marking another milestone in India's hydrogen journey.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat called for a robust hydrogen economy in India to achieve net-zero ambitions. He emphasised the need to address challenges such as storage, production costs, and safety. The workshop provided a platform for experts to address these challenges and discuss the future of hydrogen in India's energy landscape.
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