In India, India PSU reported that MIT World Peace University (MITWPU) has unveiled two innovations in sustainable energy: a novel hydrogen production technique using sugarcane juice and an advanced biodiesel batch reactor system powered by agro-waste-based heterogeneous catalysts. The report noted that these initiatives mark a significant leap toward India’s clean energy goals, aligning with the Government’s Green Hydrogen Mission and the broader push for renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. MITWPU researchers have developed a new process that employs microorganisms to generate hydrogen directly from sugarcane juice. Unlike conventional water-splitting methods, this bioprocess operates at room temperature and uses sea water and wastewater, significantly reducing the cost of hydrogen production—potentially down to $1/kg. A key benefit of this method is its sustainability: it not only produces green hydrogen but also converts carbon dioxide into acetic acid, ensuring a zero-discharge operation, according to the report. “A patent has already been filed, and we’ve submitted the project proposal to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) for funding,” said Bharat Kale, Emeritus Professor and Director, Centre of Excellence in Material Science. “Our work offers a win-win for the sugar industry and the environment. We are also exploring partnerships with industries for lab-scale development and eventual technology transfer.”
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