By Tanmay Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Roorkee (Uttarakhand), May 26, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), through its Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy (HRED), organized the Uttarakhand Industrial-Academic Conclave on Hydrogen (UIACH-2026) in association with Pinaka Green Pvt. Ltd., bringing policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, utilities, and stakeholders to discuss the future of the hydrogen economy and clean energy transition in Uttarakhand.
The conclave aligned India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and highlighted IIT Roorkee’s growing role in promoting clean energy innovation, sustainable industrial transformation, and policy engagement.
Proposal for Uttarakhand Hydrogen Valley at IIT Roorkee:
A key highlight of the event was the proposal to establish an Uttarakhand Hydrogen Valley based on a Hub-and-Spoke model, with IIT Roorkee envisioned as the central innovation and knowledge hub.
The proposed ecosystem aims to integrate industries, government agencies, utilities, startups, and research institutions.
The initiative seeks to develop a comprehensive hydrogen value chain covering production, storage, transportation, and industrial applications.
Discussions during the conclave emphasized IIT Roorkee’s potential contribution toward supporting Uttarakhand’s Green Hydrogen policy through advanced research and technology development, pilot projects and innovation programs, policy support and industry collaboration, and skill development and capacity building.
The inaugural session began with a remark by Prof. Sonal K. Thengane, who underlined the importance of collaborative efforts in building a sustainable hydrogen ecosystem in the Himalayan region.
Distinguished addresses were delivered by Ajay Kumar Singh, Prof. R. R. Sonde, Prof. Inderdeep Singh, and Prof. S. K. Singal.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, who highlighted the transformative potential of green hydrogen for sustainable economic growth, industrial decarbonization, and future energy security.
He emphasized that institutions like IIT Roorkee can play a crucial role in building a strong hydrogen ecosystem through research innovation, skilled workforce development, and collaborative partnerships.
Panel discussion and industrial participation:
A high-level panel discussion on the prospect of Uttarakhand Hydrogen Valley, moderated by Prof. R. R. Sonde, explored “policy support mechanisms, infrastructure requirements, industrial participation, and collaborative development pathways.
The conclave also featured a round-table discussion on hydrogen demand validation and potential industrial offtakers in Uttarakhand.
Participants visited the THDC Green Hydrogen plant in Rishikesh to gain firsthand exposure to operational green hydrogen technologies and implementation practices.
IIT Roorkee director highlights national importance:
Prof. K. K. Pant, the director of IIT Roorkee, congratulated the organizing team and stated that collaborative platforms such as UIACH-2026 are essential for accelerating clean energy innovation and supporting India’s transition toward a low-carbon future.
He noted that institutions like IIT Roorkee have a major responsibility in developing advanced technologies, strengthening the knowledge ecosystem, and nurturing skilled human resources for the emerging energy system.
The conclave reinforced IIT Roorkee’s emerging role as a major knowledge and innovation partner in advancing green hydrogen technologies, clean energy transition, and sustainable industrial development aligned with India’s long-term decarbonization goals.
Also Read: IIT Roorkee sets up advanced R&D facility for next-gen hydro technologies.
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