IIEST start-up unveils clean-energy cooking system

Kolkata: A Kolkata-based clean energy start-up, incubated at Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, on Friday unveiled its ‘Hydrogen Cooking Solution’ that aims to provide a sustainable alternative to conventional LPG-based cooking and heating systems, used in commercial kitchens, hotels, institutions and industrial facilities.Developed with a vision of making clean energy affordable, practical and accessible, HyVen generates hydrogen and oxygen directly from water for immediate combustion. The system operates on demand, eliminating the need for hydrogen storage cylinders and fuel transportation, enhancing safety and operational convenience. Snehangshu Patra, founder of the start-up, ET-Hyven, said, “ET- Hyven has developed India’s first on-demand hydrogen cooking oven, eliminating the high costs and safety risks of gas storage and transportation.

Our system uses a low-cost electrolyser to generate hydrogen only while cooking, making it entirely storage-free and safe. This zero-emission innovation is commercially viable and ready to transition domestic and commercial kitchens from fossil fuels.”ET-Hyven received a grant of Rs 7.5 lakh under the Startup India Seed Fund scheme through IIEST Shibpur. The firm is founded by Patra, a PhD from IISc Bangalore and a former IIEST professor, with over 20 years of expertise in electrochemistry and hydrogen systems, and Abhisek Deb, an IIM Calcutta alumnus with over 18 years of industry experience.

Deb shared, “Clean energy should not be a privilege. Our vision is to bring affordable, green cooking to mid-day meal schemes, Anganwadi centres and community kitchens, helping serve nutritious meals while building a cleaner future.”IIEST director VMSR Murthy said, “This green, hydrogen cooking solution will help organizations reduce emissions while supporting India’s net zero goals and the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.”