News, 28 August 2025
In a significant step toward advancing clean energy solutions, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have developed a cost-effective seawater electrolyser that can directly generate hydrogen from seawater. The breakthrough is expected to reduce dependence on expensive freshwater resources for hydrogen production and could play a major role in India’s green energy transition.
Electrolysers are devices that split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. While hydrogen is considered a clean fuel with zero carbon emissions when used, its production is often costly, particularly when relying on freshwater. Given the rising global demand for sustainable hydrogen, seawater which is abundant and readily available offers a promising alternative.
The IIT Madras team’s innovation focuses on making the process more economical, efficient, and scalable, addressing one of the key challenges in widespread hydrogen adoption. By using seawater, the technology bypasses the stress on freshwater reserves and opens new opportunities for offshore and coastal hydrogen production facilities.
According to the researchers, the cost-effectiveness of the newly designed electrolyser could accelerate the deployment of green hydrogen projects, aligning with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make the country a global hub for hydrogen production and exports.
Experts believe this development could also aid industries such as refining, fertilisers, steel, and heavy transport, which are actively exploring hydrogen as a replacement for fossil fuels.
With this innovation, IIT Madras has reinforced its position at the forefront of clean energy research, contributing not only to India’s sustainability goals but also to the global pursuit of a carbon-neutral future.
