The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is presently underway in New Delhi, India, from March 18 to 22, 2024.
The opening day of this five-day assembly commenced with an IPHE Academic Outreach session held at IIT Delhi on March 18, 2024. During this session, conference attendees shared valuable insights into the future trajectory of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
During the inaugural session, Prof. Ajay Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor of the Government of India, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance the economic viability and environmental sustainability of hydrogen technologies. He stressed the significance of skill development and research and development (R&D) initiatives within the sector. Prof. Sood also noted the involvement of various ministries in India, besides the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, towards the adoption of Green Hydrogen, highlighting the key areas of focus across the hydrogen value chain.
Sudeep Jain, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, emphasized the pressing challenges posed by climate change and the necessity for collaboration between academia and research institutions to facilitate the transition towards cleaner energy, particularly in the hydrogen sector.
Noe Van Hulst, Vice-Chairperson of IPHE, acknowledged India’s pivotal role as an economic powerhouse and a significant player in shaping the global clean energy landscape. He emphasized the importance of education, skills development, and research and innovation in driving the future of Clean Hydrogen, particularly highlighting the role of academia in this endeavor.
Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar, Dean of Research and Development at IIT Delhi, highlighted the institute’s longstanding involvement in hydrogen-powered vehicle research and development. He also mentioned the institute’s academic programs focusing on energy systems and ongoing R&D efforts related to high-pressure hydrogen storage.
Kishor Nair, Chief Executive Officer of Avaada Group, discussed India’s and other nations’ initiatives towards Energy Transition and achieving Net Zero commitments. He encouraged collaboration between academia, research, and innovation communities to devise more efficient and cost-effective solutions across the hydrogen value chain.
Ajay Yadav, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, emphasized the significance of Green Hydrogen as a future alternative fuel and outlined the government’s initiatives, particularly under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
The event also featured interactive activities such as poster presentations and a quiz competition, concluding with the recognition and awarding of winners in each category.
Additionally, two panel discussions were held during the IPHE Academic Outreach. The first panel, titled “Empowering Expertise: Cultivating Skill Development in the Clean/Green Hydrogen Arena,” underscored the need for skilled personnel and specialized training to meet the demands of the burgeoning Green Hydrogen sector. The second panel, “Unveiling the Future: Clean/Green Hydrogen Technologies and Its Transformative Applications,” delved into the transformative potential of clean/green hydrogen across various industries, highlighting the imperative to reduce production costs and increase demand through technological advancements and regulatory frameworks.
Established in 2003, IPHE consists of 23 member countries and the European Commission, dedicated to advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies globally. The biannual IPHE Steering Committee Meetings serve as crucial platforms for international collaboration, facilitating information exchange on policy and technical developments to inform collaborative initiatives among member countries and stakeholders.