Pune’s MIT-WPU Unveils Green Hydrogen and Biodiesel Innovations

Pune’s MIT World Peace University (MITWPU) has announced two path-breaking innovations in sustainable energy.

The university has developed a novel bio-process to produce green hydrogen using sugarcane juice and an advanced biodiesel production system using agro-waste-based catalysts, both aimed at accelerating India’s green energy transition and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

The first innovation involves generating hydrogen through a microbial process using sugarcane juice, which also converts carbon dioxide into acetic acid, offering a zero-discharge, eco-friendly solution. The process operates at room temperature and can utilise sea water and wastewater, supporting cost-effective hydrogen production aligned with the government’s Green Hydrogen Mission. A patent has been filed, and a proposal for funding and a Centre of Excellence on Green Hydrogen has been submitted to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India.

“Our process can potentially bring hydrogen production costs down to USD 1/kg while also delivering valuable byproducts,” said Dr. Bharat Kale, Emeritus Professor and Director, Centre for Material Science at MITWPU. “We are actively seeking industry partners for lab-scale development and future technology transfer', he noted.

MITWPU is also advancing hydrogen storage solutions using Metallo-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) that can store hydrogen and capture CO₂.

The second innovation is an efficient batch reactor system for biodiesel production using a patented agro-waste-based heterogeneous catalyst. This eco-friendly solution transforms agricultural residue into clean fuel, with increased efficiency and thermal stability. Commercial viability is expected within six months of industry adoption, particularly in states like Punjab and Haryana, where biomass burning is a major concern.

These projects, led by researchers including Dr. Kale, Prof. Niraj Topare, and Dr. Santosh Patil, reflect MITWPU’s commitment to cutting-edge research in green energy and industrial collaboration for a sustainable future.