Technological progress must not compromise environmental responsibility: Dr P. Thanikaivelan

The Department of Chemistry, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, inaugurated the International Conference on Green Hydrogen and Energy Technology (ICGHET) 2026, bringing together leading researchers, academicians, industry professionals and students from across the globe.

The three-day international conference highlighted the critical role of sustainability in clean energy research, Dr P. Thanikaivelan, Director, CSIR–Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, stated that “researchers working on the area of hydrogen production and storage processes should always consider sustainable methods, ensuring that technological progress does not come at the cost of environmental responsibility.” He underscored the need for scalable, eco-conscious innovations to support India’s long-term clean energy goals.

ICGHET 2026 was organised with the focused theme “Green Hydrogen and Integrated Energy Technologies for a Sustainable and Decarbonized Future”. The conference is organised in association with The Electrochemical Society of India, ECS IIT Madras Student Chapter, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, Chulalongkorn University, and Université de Montpellier, reinforcing its strong international and interdisciplinary framework.

The conference serves as a global platform to deliberate on cutting-edge research and emerging technologies in green hydrogen production and storage, fuel cells, industrial electrochemical applications, integrated energy systems, advanced batteries including solid-state and aqueous batteries, supercapacitors, electric mobility, bio-energy, thermal energy, waste-to-energy solutions, and the growing role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in energy technologies.

Emphasising the importance of impactful research, Dr. Leenus Jesu Martin M, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRMIST, highlighted that electrochemistry plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable and self-reliant energy technologies. He stressed the need for research excellence with societal relevance and strong academia–industry collaboration to translate scientific discoveries into deployable solutions.

The conference also features Dr Harshad Velankar, Chief Scientific Officer, altM, Bangalore, as Guest of Honour, along with eminent international experts including Prof. Yair Ein-Eli, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, and Prof. Soorathep Kheawhom, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, who are sharing insights on global advancements in electrochemical energy systems and sustainable technologies.

The launch of ICGHET 2026 was marked by the release of the conference proceedings, showcasing peer-reviewed research contributions that reflect the latest developments and future directions in green hydrogen and energy technologies.

Speaking on the vision of the conference, Dr. T. Maiyalagan, Research Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, SRMIST, and Convener, ICGHET 2026, noted that the conference aims to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, promote innovation-driven research, and create meaningful engagement between young researchers and globally recognised scientists, while also opening avenues for international partnerships and funding opportunities.

ICGHET 2026 continues to reinforce SRMIST’s commitment to sustainability, research excellence and global scientific collaboration, positioning the university as a key contributor to the evolving landscape of clean and green energy technologies.