Hydrogen energy startups

One of the most promising green alternatives to fossil fuel is hydrogen, not only as energy source but most importantly as energy storage solution. It seems that solar energy would not solve energy problems for the shipping and aviation industries, so R&D efforts are on compressed hydrogen storage tanks.

This post is about startups developing hydrogen energy solution for different category of customers:

- modular: single module or combination of many,

- heavy industry, chemical, food and beverages,

- heavy-duty transportation vehicles,

- pumps in logistics sites.

Modular

On the 17 October 2021, earthshotprize.org published a post announcing ENAPTER as the winner of THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE in the FIX OUR CLIMATE category. ENAPTER turns renewable electricity into emission-free hydrogen gas.

Green energy for the industry sector

On the 29 October 2021, newenergychallenge.com published a story announcing SUPERCRITICAL SOLUTIONS as the start-up track runner-up of the NEW ENERGY CHALLENGE. SUPERCRITICAL is a developing the world's first ultra-efficient high-pressure electrolyzer to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water, without emissions. This done by using heat and pressure.

Heavy-duty vehicle

On the 15 April 2021 Massachusetts institute of technology organised the CEP@MIT 100k, later on they announced VERNE as the winner of the CLIMATETECH & ENERGY PRIZE. VERNE is developing high-density, lightweight hydrogen storage systems for use onboard trucks at low-cot.

VERNE hydrogen storage is intended for use on fuel cell heavy-duty vehicle, like trucks, ships and planes.

Verne product technical design is attempting to provide:

- 2x volumetric density,

- 50% lower weight,

- cheaper storage tank,

- cheaper hydrogen fuel,

- safer and more reliable.

Refill station

One of NEXT CANADA's NEXT AI 2021 cohort member is HYDROLUX, it's a green hydrogen production company distributing to warehouses looking to transition towards fuel cell powered forklifts. They aim to offer their services for trucks, buses and car fleets in the near future.

Lower cost

On the 28 April 2021, south Dakota chamber of commerce & industry published a press release announcing HYDROLYST LLC as the 2021 GIANT VISION first place winner with $20k prize. HYDROLYST is a process to reduce the production cost and life span of electrocatalysts used in hydrogen fuel cells, their main focus is developing an electrocatalyst that offers superior corrosion resistance.