IIT Madras and Hyundai Partner to Launch ₹180 Crore Hydrogen Innovation Hub for Green Energy Research
In a landmark initiative that underscores India’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has joined hands with Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) to establish a cutting-edge Hydrogen Innovation Centre. This state-of-the-art research hub will be developed at IIT Madras’ Discovery Campus in Thaiyur, near Chennai, and is expected to be fully operational by 2026.
The centre, named the Hyundai HTWO Innovation Centre, is designed to become a national and global hub for green hydrogen research and innovation. It is being created through a unique tripartite collaboration involving IIT Madras, Hyundai, and Guidance Tamil Nadu, the state government’s nodal agency for investment promotion.
A ₹180 Crore Push for Green Hydrogen Innovation
The Innovation Centre is part of an ambitious project worth ₹180 crore, with ₹100 crore being jointly invested by HMIL and the Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF). The rest of the funding is supported by the Tamil Nadu state government, showcasing the state’s proactive role in nurturing future-ready technology ecosystems.
The upcoming facility will be spread over 65,000 square feet at IIT Madras’ Discovery Campus and will serve as a high-end innovation platform to develop, test, and demonstrate green hydrogen technologies.
According to the project plan, the centre will house experimental and computational laboratories, advanced digital twin simulation systems for hydrogen infrastructure, test rigs, fabrication lines, and containerised pilot zones. These pilot areas will be used to test electrolyzers and fuel cell systems on an industrial scale—bridging the gap between research and large-scale deployment.
A Unique Industry-Academia-Government Partnership
The centre is being developed under Hyundai’s HTWO brand, which focuses exclusively on hydrogen fuel cell systems and solutions. IIT Madras will oversee the design, development, and day-to-day operations of the facility, ensuring that the project benefits from both deep academic expertise and hands-on technical leadership.
The initiative is the outcome of a Memorandum of Understanding signed during the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. It was formally unveiled at an event attended by representatives from Hyundai, IIT Madras, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), the Korean Consulate, and various stakeholders from academia, industry, and government.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the centre’s significance as a collaborative platform that brings together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators. He emphasized the vital role of hydrogen in meeting India’s green energy goals and its long-term implications for industrial decarbonization and climate resilience.
School Connect: Taking Learning Beyond Campus
In addition to this ambitious partnership, IIT Madras is also expanding its outreach to school students across India. The Institute’s ‘School Connect’ initiative, which was initially launched with two online certificate courses—Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and Electronic Systems—has now grown to offer ten hands-on courses.
These certificate courses are designed specifically for students in Classes 10, 11, and 12, and focus on real-world applications of science and technology. The eight-week-long programs are offered in a flexible online format, allowing students from all regions of the country to access high-quality learning experiences from IIT faculty and experts.
Registrations are now open for the August 2025 batch, and interested schools can enrol their students by July 25 through the School Connect portal at code.iitm.ac.in/schoolconnect/.
This initiative is aligned with IIT Madras’ broader goal of democratising access to technical education and building a pipeline of curious, capable, and future-ready students well before they reach college.
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