Uttar Pradesh has cleared the establishment of two Centres of Excellence dedicated to green hydrogen research, selecting university-led consortia in Kanpur and Varanasi–Gorakhpur under the UP Green Hydrogen Policy 2024. The decision follows recommendations from a high-level expert committee and was approved by state energy minister AK Sharma through a formal order issued two weeks ago. The move places leading academic institutions at the centre of the state’s long-term clean energy strategy.

The first Centre of Excellence will be jointly set up by IIT-Kanpur and Harcourt Butler Technical University in Kanpur. The second will be established by IIT-BHU in Varanasi in partnership with Madan Mohan Malaviya University of Technology in Gorakhpur. Both centres will operate as shared facilities across partner campuses with integrated research infrastructure, laboratory access and common academic leadership.

Joint research framework and institutional responsibilities

Under the approved framework, lead institutions will bear at least half of the cost of research equipment and related infrastructure. Facilities will remain accessible to both partner universities, ensuring seamless collaboration. Joint supervision of research projects, including doctoral studies, will be permitted, allowing faculty from one institution to serve as co-guides or co-investigators for students based in the other. This structure is intended to encourage high-quality interdisciplinary research and strengthen the technical capabilities of the state.

The centres will focus on applied and experimental research covering green hydrogen production, storage, transportation and utilisation. Their scope also extends to industrial applications and advisory support for state departments, industry and startups. They are expected to contribute policy insights, technical expertise and guidance for ongoing and upcoming hydrogen initiatives across Uttar Pradesh.

The policy framework clarifies that no additional state funding will be provided for new infrastructure beyond existing approvals. Both centres must also ensure compliance with Clause 6.6 of the Green Hydrogen Policy 2024, which mandates that at least 25 percent of project-related opportunities be reserved for women.

Officials said the Centres of Excellence will act as nodal technical bodies for Uttar Pradesh, supporting deployment of hydrogen technologies and helping the state achieve its goal of consuming at least 50 percent of the green hydrogen produced within its borders. The centres will also play a role in pilot and demonstration projects, including emerging plans for green hydrogen transport corridors, marking a significant step towards the state’s clean energy vision.

Source: 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/iitkanpur-iit-bhu-to-anchor-up-s-green-hydrogen-research-101765820245247.html