Hero Future Energies (HFE), the renewable energy division of the Hero Group, has been shortlisted as a consortium partner for the Bhubaneswar Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC). HFE will serve as IIT-Bhubaneswar's industrial partner.

The company will provide solutions for direct reduction of iron and heavy-duty mobility, amongst others, which will involve producing renewable energy and green hydrogen. The report mentions that the Bhubaneswar-HVIC will produce hydrogen through the electrolyser mode and will be targeting the steel and mobility sectors. The government had invited bids from agencies to form 15 hydrogen valley innovation clusters.

The Department of Science and Technology is supporting four green hydrogen valleys this year, one each in Kerala, Pune, Bhubaneshwar, and Jodhpur. These projects will be upgraded to commercial scale and will be managed by a new Section 8 company for operation sustainability beyond the five-year period. A hydrogen valley is described as a defined geographical area where hydrogen serves more than one end-sector or application, covering steps in the hydrogen value chain from production to storage and its transport and distribution to various off-takers.

The aim behind setting up such valleys is to boost the research, innovation, and capacity of scientific and industrial actors in the area and demonstrate clean hydrogen solutions with a view to local, regional, and nation-wide deployment.