Lucknow,

23 Dec (HS): With the aim of promoting green transportation in Uttar Pradesh,

the Uttar Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath,

has taken a significant step in the field of green hydrogen. To promote green

hydrogen research, technology development, human resource empowerment, and

industrial use in the state, two Centers of Excellence (CoEs) have been

approved. The first Center of Excellence will be established by IIT Kanpur in

collaboration with Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), Kanpur. The

second Center will be established by IIT-BHU jointly with Madan Mohan Malaviya

University of Technology (MMMUT), Gorakhpur. Both centers will operate from the

campuses of the partner institutions.

The

center will operate on a hub-and-spoke model: UPNEDA MD and Director Indrajit

Singh stated that both institutions will alternate leadership in projects run

at these centers. The center will operate on a hub-and-spoke model, linking

other engineering and technical institutions in the state. The center will

conduct research and technology development on biomass-based and

electrolyzer-based green hydrogen.

An

incubation center will also be established: Under the Green Hydrogen Policy

2024, an incubation center will be established at the Center of Excellence.

This center will support and mentor 10 startups annually and at least 50

startups over five years. A provision of Rs. 25 lakh per year (for five years)

has been made for this purpose. The center will also assist in curriculum

development, mentoring, organizing technical exhibitions and conferences for

engineering colleges and polytechnic institutes in the state. It will also

provide policy advice to the state government on issues related to the

production, storage, transportation, and use of green hydrogen.

Efforts

will also be made to operate green hydrogen trains and buses: At least 50

percent of the industrial participation in the Center of Excellence will be

from Uttar Pradesh, allowing the state to benefit more from the industrial and

commercial use of green hydrogen. To promote green transportation, efforts will

also be made to operate green hydrogen-based trains in collaboration with the

Ministry of Railways and green hydrogen buses on the Kanpur-Lucknow, Varanasi,

and Gorakhpur routes through the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation

(UPSRTC). The establishment of this Center of Excellence for green hydrogen is

an important step towards establishing Uttar Pradesh as a leading innovation

and industrial hub in this field. By collaborating with research, startups, and

industries, this initiative will help promote clean energy, reduce carbon

emissions, attract investment, and create new employment opportunities in the

state.

a

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi