Researchers at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) have announced a breakthrough in green hydrogen production with a patented, carbon-negative process that converts mixed agricultural waste into hydrogen and BioCNG. The team claims the process can achieve production costs as low as $1 (₹83) per kilogram, less than half the prevailing benchmark costs associated with electrolysis-based methods.

The process has been demonstrated at a pilot facility on the university’s campus with a production capacity of 500 kilograms per day. Beyond green hydrogen, the system also produces biochar and smart-release biofertilisers, both of which can be sold in the market. According to the researchers, the technology not only addresses India’s decarbonisation goals but also provides a viable solution to the persistent issue of biomass residue management in rural areas.

The project is led by Dr Ratnadip Joshi of the university’s Green Hydrogen Research Centre. He noted that the innovation’s strength lies in its ability to handle diverse agricultural residues. “Unlike many efforts that depend on a single feedstock, our process works with mixed agro-waste such as millet trash and seasonal residues, making it particularly effective for drought-prone regions,” he said. By employing a feedstock-flexible system, the technology reduces dependency on uniform biomass supply chains, often cited as a limiting factor in scaling up biomass-based hydrogen production.

The process involves anaerobic digestion of mixed crop residues to generate high-methane biogas. This biogas is then upgraded through a catalytic pyrolysis system derived from plant-based materials. The system produces hydrogen without emitting carbon dioxide and does not require additional carbon capture infrastructure. The researchers describe the process as “carbon-negative” because it sequesters part of the biomass into stable biochar while generating renewable energy.

Hydrogen derived from electrolysis continues to face challenges around cost, largely due to the capital intensity of electrolysers and the price of renewable electricity. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023, has set a target of producing five million tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, but scaling remains dependent on cost reductions and technology diversification. Innovations like the one developed at MIT-WPU could complement electrolysis by providing a decentralised pathway suited to India’s agrarian landscape.

The university’s researchers believe that, if scaled, the technology could play a role in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as fertilisers, steel, and refining, while also creating opportunities for rural employment and circular economy benefits. The by-products, including biofertilisers, could directly support agricultural productivity, offering an additional revenue stream to farmers who supply residues.

Source: 

https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/09/10/green-technology/mit-wpu-researchers-claim-to-achieve-1-kg-green-hydrogen-with-carbon-negative-agro-waste-technology#google_vignette