Prasanta Sarkar: Revolutionizing Green Hydrogen Production with Innovative Electrolysis

When Prasanta Sarkar embarked on an extended backpacking journey across India, little did he know that he would end up staying to work on a ground-breaking solution. His decision to tackle a critical issue in the clean energy sector led to the founding of Newtrace in 2020, alongside co-founder Rochan Sinha. Together, they are on a mission to develop “membraneless” electrolysers that could revolutionize the green hydrogen market in India. The production of green hydrogen is gaining traction worldwide as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-derived hydrogen. However, in India, the green hydrogen market remains a tiny fraction of the overall hydrogen production, which primarily relies on fossil fuels. Sarkar and Sinha recognized the need to reduce the cost of green hydrogen, making it more competitive with grey hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas. Currently, green hydrogen is approximately six times more expensive, with electrolysers accounting for a significant portion of the cost.

In traditional electrolysis, membranes are used to prevent the mixing of hydrogen and oxygen, as they can create explosive combinations. Sarkar and Sinha adopted a pioneering approach by developing “membraneless” electrolysers. In their design, they eliminated the need for a membrane altogether, relying on the flow of water to separate the gases safely. This innovative solution not only enhances safety but also simplifies the production process. One of the key strengths of Sarkar and Sinha’s venture is their profound engineering expertise. The duo brings years of experience in diverse fields, ranging from aerospace engineering to nanomaterials and electrochemistry. This deep understanding of complex engineering principles positions them well to address the challenges associated with developing advanced hardware products.Sarkar and Sinha’s ultimate goal is to drive down the cost of green hydrogen production to a level that can compete with grey hydrogen. They recognize that affordability is a critical factor in accelerating

the adoption of clean hydrogen technologies. Currently, electrolysers used in green hydrogen production can cost upwards of $2,000 per kilowatt-hour capacity. Newtrace aims to significantly reduce these costs, making green hydrogen more accessible and economically viable. In their pursuit of affordable green hydrogen, Sarkar and Sinha are designing their membraneless electrolysers to utilize locally available materials and components in India. This approach not only reduces production costs but also aligns with sustainability goals by minimizing the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and supply chain logistics.

Newtrace is actively working towards its vision by planning to execute an industrial pilot demonstration of its innovative electrolysis technology. This crucial step will validate the feasibility and effectiveness of their solution in real-world applications. Following a successful pilot, the company anticipates moving into full-scale commercial production later this year.

In conclusion, Prasanta Sarkar’s journey from backpacking enthusiast to clean energy innovator exemplifies the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to address pressing global challenges. Through Newtrace, he and his team are poised to make a significant impact on the green hydrogen market in India, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy future. Their pursuit of affordable and efficient green hydrogen production has the potential to transform the energy landscape, aligning with India’s growing commitment to clean and renewable energy sources.