The Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to launch a pilot‑scale project for the production of green hydrogen from biomass, chiefly paddy straw.

The agreement was officially exchanged by Neelima, CEO of PEDA, and Prof. S. Dasappa from IISc’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Energy Research (ICER). The ceremony was witnessed by Union Minister of State for New & Renewable Energy and Power, Shripad Naik, and took place during the 5th International Conference on Recent Advances in Bio‑Energy Research at the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio‑Energy in Kapurthala.

Punjab’s Minister for New & Renewable Energy, Aman Arora, lauded the collaboration as aligning with the state’s clean energy ambitions. He emphasised that using agricultural residue to generate hydrogen could curb stubble burning, enhance air quality, and establish new income avenues for farmers.

The pilot is intended to test both the technical and commercial viability of converting biomass—particularly paddy straw—into green hydrogen. It also seeks to contribute to a circular economy in rural areas by transforming what is often a waste product into a clean energy resource.

A key motivation for the project is the persistent issue of stubble burning in Punjab, which severely degrades air quality each year. By giving farmers an alternative use for crop residue, the project aims to reduce this environmental burden while simultaneously supporting rural livelihoods.

On a macro level, the initiative dovetails with the goals of India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and supports Punjab’s renewable energy roadmap. The project could become a model for replicable biomass‑based hydrogen facilities elsewhere, demonstrating how state agencies and academic institutions can jointly drive sustainable innovation in clean energy.

Source: 

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/peda-inks-pact-with-iisc-for-green-hydrogen-production/articleshow/124363761.cms