SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 6: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad to develop a solar hydrogen–based system for clean cooking and micro-power generation in rural households.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT(ISM), Prof. Parthasarathi Das, Dean (R&D), Prof. Gauri Shankar, Head of the Centre for Renewable Energy, along with Sanjeev Kumar Chaudhary, ED & State Head, Bihar State Office, IOCL, and Kamlesh Rai, GM (HR), IOCL.
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Focus on Sustainable Rural Energy
Prof. Mishra said the collaboration reflects IIT(ISM)’s commitment to socially impactful technological innovation. He highlighted that the partnership aims to develop sustainable, indigenous energy solutions that improve rural quality of life while supporting India’s green energy goals.
The project is CSR-funded, with IOCL sanctioning ₹76.42 lakh. Its primary goal is to design and demonstrate an indigenous system capable of providing clean cooking fuel and night-time micro-power generation using solar-derived hydrogen.
Health and Environmental Benefits
Officials emphasized that the technology could significantly reduce rural dependence on biomass, thereby cutting indoor air pollution, a major health hazard in remote households. The project also aligns with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, promoting clean energy adoption in rural areas.
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Both IOCL and IIT(ISM) stated that the initiative is a step toward innovation-driven rural development and accelerating India’s clean energy transition, while reinforcing their shared commitment to community-centric sustainable technologies.
