The virtual groundbreaking was attended by Thiru M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, alongside other key officials including Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, and Arun Roy (IAS), Industries Secretary. Additionally, Vishnu (IAS), Guidance MD, Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer of Hyundai Motor India Limited, and Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras were also present along with senior officials from Guidance Tamil Nadu and the state government.
Gopalakrishnan Chathapuram Sivaramakrishnan, Whole-time Director and Chief Manufacturing Officer of HMIL stated, "Hyundai Motor India Limited remains committed to being a strategic partner in Tamil Nadu government’s vision of building a sustainable ecosystem for transition towards alternate fuels. We are hopeful the upcoming hydrogen innovation centre will accelerate hydrogen mobility adoption in Tamil Nadu. HMIL will be investing towards facility construction at the IIT Madras Thaiyur campus in Chennai. In line with our global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, this facility will serve as a key enabler to advance hydrogen as an eco-friendly, emission-less future source of propulsion for mass-mobility solutions.”
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The center, spread across 65,000 square feet at the IIT Madras, Thaiyur campus near Chennai, is intended to promote innovation in hydrogen mobility. The collaboration aligns with HMIL's goal of making Tamil Nadu a hub for automotive innovation and advancing the adoption of alternate fuels. The partnership is seen as an effective measure for reducing Tamil Nadu’s carbon footprint and is expected to play a significant role in developing a skilled workforce for the hydrogen economy.
The state-of-the-art center will feature several facilities and focus areas. These include an electrolyser test rig for developing green hydrogen generation, an electrolyzer/fuel cell fabrication line for localising manufacturing and supply chains, and a fuel cell test station. Additionally, the center will have an Operational & Diagnostic Digital Twin for Hydrogen Infrastructure and pilot demonstrators using electrolyzers and fuel cells. A hydrogen refueling station will also be set up to support hydrogen mobility research.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IITM, expressed, "IIT Madras has continued to be the forerunner in India’s transformation into a technology and innovation superpower. Furthering this journey, the Institute is honored to partner with Hyundai Motor India Limited and Guidance Tamil Nadu, to develop a dedicated research facility which we envisage, will create break-through innovations in the field of hydrogen mobility. The hydrogen innovation centre will serve as a catalyst for hydrogen technology innovations, creating a robust ecosystem for start-ups and researchers."
Scheduled to be fully operational by 2026, the center is expected to foster a holistic development of the hydrogen ecosystem in India. The collaboration aims to accelerate the hydrogen ecosystem's development and adoption not just in Tamil Nadu but across the nation.
Future plans
The upcoming hydrogen innovation center by Hyundai Motor India Limited, IIT Madras, and Guidance Tamil Nadu aligns with HMIL’s shared vision of introducing advancements in alternate fuels. This strategic initiative underscores the commitment of all partners to environmental sustainability and innovative solutions in the automotive industry.
The project also signifies a closer collaboration between academic institutions, industry, and government, combining resources and expertise to drive breakthrough innovations in hydrogen technology. The facility’s focus areas and capabilities reflect a comprehensive approach to developing hydrogen technology that can support both industrial and consumer needs, ultimately promoting a cleaner and more sustainable future.
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