(a) the details of research undertaken by the Government during the last three years for development and handling of hydrogen fuel;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether any research and development is being conducted to understand the usage of hydrogen fuel cells in the country;
(d) if so, the details of the research thereof; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to establish hydrogen fuel research centres in the country and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER
(SHRI R. K. SINGH)
(a) to (d) The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under its Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) programme has been supporting various projects in academic institutions, research and development organizations and industry for development of hydrogen and fuel cells. Fourteen RD&D projects on hydrogen and fuel cells are presently under implementation with the support of the Ministry. During the last three years, i.e. 2016-17 to 2018-19, eight projects were sanctioned and eighteen projects were completed.
In addition, the Ministry of Science and Technology has supported two networked centres on hydrogen storage led by Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and Nonferrous Materials Technology Development Centre, Hyderabad. These centers involve ten leading institutions including several Indian Institutes of Technologies (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
(e) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell technology development entails a range of diverse areas, and accordingly, research groups at IITs, IISc, Benaras Hindu University, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research laboratories etc. have been supported for undertaking research in different aspects of hydrogen production, its storage, transportation, and utilization in end-use applications.
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