EIT Community
As nations grapple with reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, addressing the complexities of carbon storage and transport has emerged as a critical frontier - and HSL Technologies, supported by EIT Community Supernovas, is leading the charge in the world of hydrogen innovation.
HSL Technologies - which recent changed their name from Hysilabs - had undergone an enormous transition of their own as they developed their cutting-edge carbon transport solution.
The name change reflects a significant shift in our organisation's direction. Hysilabs, as the former name implied, was strongly associated with laboratory work. However, the transformation was necessary because our technology has evolved beyond lab settings and is now focused on the industrialisation of hydrogen storage. In essence, our new name, 'technologies,' signifies our transition from the confines of the laboratory to making hydrogen storage practical and feasible on a larger scale.
Belén Moreno, HSL Technologies CEO
A hydrogen revolution coming to your living room
The hydrogen economy is rapidly becoming a focal point of the global energy transition, with HSL Technologies positioning themselves at the forefront of this transformation with their ground-breaking innovation. Elaborating on this game-changing technology, which took eight years to develop, Belén says, "This was no easy task. Hydrogen storage has immense potential as an energy carrier and to transport energy efficiently from regions where it's abundant and inexpensive to areas where energy is scarce and expensive."
What sets their technology apart is its remarkable ability to transform gaseous hydrogen into a liquid state, a process which simplifies storage and transportation, eliminating the need for complex and energy-intensive compression or liquefaction methods.
"The key innovation here is that we can store hydrogen at ambient temperature and pressure in a stable liquid form,” Belén saysEIT. “Importantly, this liquid is safe for both humans and the environment. When we need the hydrogen, it's readily available; we merely require water and a catalyst to extract it from the molecule.”
Rawad Habre, Engineering Coordinator at HSL explains further. “Hydrosil is a silicon hydride with unique properties. Its low viscosity and easy handling at ambient conditions will scale up the hydrogen market around the world as never seen before. This is a revolution for the hydrogen logistics and storage, but also for the chemical world as a chemical process like this hydrogenation and dehydrogenation has never been done before.”
This technical leap in hydrogen storage makes it a highly accessible and versatile energy carrier, one that can address the very core of the energy transition challenge.
By using the same infrastructures that we use for transporting gasoline, we can transport our molecule and deliver it in a safe way, which is something that hydrogen is struggling to do today.
Belén Moreno, HSL Technologies CEO
Belen emphasises that HSL Technologies doesn't just focus on technological breakthroughs, but that their vision extends beyond the laboratory walls. The company, Belén says, is breaking down the barriers of hydrogen transport, making it a practical choice for energy needs across the globe.
“It's about providing equal opportunities for a greener, more sustainable future,” she says. “We set out with the goal of making hydrogen transport more accessible and economical. We anticipate that our system will empower less-developed regions and parts of the world that currently lack access to advanced energy solutions."
The efficiency of renewable energy sources depends on various factors, including location and climate conditions, proving a challenge for the scientific community. Hydrogen storage and transport could be the missing link in this conundrum. Belén notes, "By simplifying hydrogen storage and transport, our technology can enable renewable energy to be harnessed where it's abundant and then transported to areas with higher energy demands. In doing so, we effectively overcome some of the key challenges associated with the green energy transition."
When looking at their grandest ambitions, it's clear that HSL Technologies envisions nothing short of a hydrogen revolution.
Breaking the roadblocks to progress in Europe
In regions like the United States and Australia, where hydrogen production is already taking place, political and logistical issues related to energy use and storage infrastructure can pose significant challenges. HSL Technologies has a pragmatic solution, Belén elaborates. "As our technology can effectively bypass the need for cryogenic tankers and allows for hydrogen storage and transport under less stringent conditions, it can help resolve some of the political and logistical issues tied to hydrogen storage, making it a more viable and attractive energy carrier."
Aligning themselves with the broader goals of the green energy transition, HSL’s approach can address some of the major political roadblocks in the sector, ultimately making renewable energy more accessible and practical for a wide range of applications.
“Right now in the EU, we don’t have the technology to match our political ambitions of a greener future," explains Belén. "Renewables are fantastic but remain limited in availability and can be counterproductive in terms of pollution - viable solutions are possible, but it requires working across sectors and organisations, and implementing good policy.”
HSL Technologies' journey is marked by their collaborations and grants that have significantly contributed to their development. They've partnered with major industry players, including Equinor, who provide not only financial support but also invaluable insights into the energy sector. Additionally, grant programs like the one run by EIT Community’s Supernovas programme have helped HSL Technologies expand their international presence and gain recognition in the sector.
The EIT Community invested in the beginning, back in 2017, at the seed fund raising. Ever since they've accompanied us in terms of business development and connected us with the Supernovas Innovation Community. We were part of the Rocket Up program that helped us grow in terms of our international reach, thanks to Celeste Reglá and the team. So, we’re very happy with this and hope it's not the end of our collaboration.
Belén Moreno, HSL Technologies CEO
Such collaborations underline the company's commitment to shared innovation and their dedication to pioneering a new era in energy. In the evolving drama of Europe’s green energy transition, HSL Technologies is undoubtedly positioning itself as one of the main protagonists, forging a path towards a sci-fi future of affordable green energy. Their impressive work goes beyond just technical innovation; it's about catalysing a worldwide shift towards cleaner and more accessible power and making the dream of a sustainable future a vivid reality for people globally.
HSL Technologies is a clear example of how the EIT Community's Supernovas supports start-ups to grow and scale by reaching out to key stakeholders and receiving expert support from knowledgeable and connected figures in the relevant market. In the case of HSL, understanding different regulations and contextual factors is key to their success.
Amparo San José, the Entrepreneurship Programme Manager at EIT Community
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