ATOM H2

What it does

Our hydrogen storage system efficiently stores excess renewable energy, solving the issue of intermittent energy supply. It uses safe, solid-state hydrogen storage, reducing energy waste and ensuring a reliable, and sustainable energy supply.

Your inspiration

What inspired us was realizing the critical need to transition to renewable energy. Without action, future generations may face an energy crisis due to environmental degradation. As young industrial design engineers, we recognized the key role of energy storage in ensuring a stable renewable energy supply. This urgency drove us to create our solution. Our participation in the Imagine Planet Challenge allowed us to incubate our project in Silicon Valley, helping it grow. Since then, we have raised nearly 300,000 euros to further our vision and tackle this pressing issue.

How it works

Our hydrogen storage system is designed to store excess renewable energy efficiently and safely. The process begins with renewable energy, like solar or wind, being used to generate hydrogen through electrolysis, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then stored in a central tank using metal hydrides, which allow the hydrogen to be stored in a solid state. This method is safer and more efficient than storing hydrogen as a gas or liquid. When energy is needed, the hydrogen is released from the metal hydrides and converted back into electricity using a fuel cell. This process generates clean energy, with water as the only by-product. The system is modular, meaning additional storage units can be added as needed to meet varying energy demands. Our technology ensures a stable and reliable energy supply by reducing waste and utilizing renewable energy more effectively. Making it a practical solution for sustainable energy storage.

Design process

Our journey began when the two co-founders sat in a car overlooking the beautiful city of Barcelona, planning their future. They identified renewable energy as a key focus, sparking the inception of our project. Initially, we conceptualized a small-scale hydrogen model for on-site generation. Our first pilot focused on hydrogen generation, providing crucial learning experiences. The second pilot advanced to include energy storage. With private funding, we developed our most advanced pilot, featuring solid-state hydrogen storage, a custom heat exchanger, and a modular circuit system. Continuous improvement in each phase has brought us closer to revolutionizing renewable energy storage. Support from initiatives like the Imagine Planet Challenge and incubation in Silicon Valley helped us raise the necessary capital to further our vision, with a clear focus on design to create significant leverage.

How it is different

Our hydrogen storage system stands out for several key reasons. Firstly, we use metal hydrides to store hydrogen in a solid state, which is significantly safer and more efficient than the traditional gas or liquid storage methods. This solid-state storage reduces risks associated with high pressure and extreme temperatures, making it safer for residential and industrial applications. Secondly, our system is modular, allowing for easy scaling. Users can add or remove storage units to meet their specific energy needs without major redesigns. This flexibility is ideal for both small-scale residential setups and large industrial applications. Thirdly, our technology focuses on sustainability. The system produces only water as a by-product, contributing to a cleaner environment. By efficiently storing excess renewable energy, it also helps reduce energy waste and promotes the use of renewable sources.

Future plans

Our next steps involve implementing two pilot installations: one with Estabanell an energy company in Catalonia and another with Cellnex's telecom towers. We will evaluate the performance and metrics from these pilots to refine and improve our design continuously. Based on these insights, we aim to optimize our product for excellence and commercial viability. In the future, we plan to scale our technology, expand our market presence, and form strategic partnerships to drive further innovation and adoption of our hydrogen storage solution.

Awards

Our first recognition came from the Imagine Planet Challenge, allowing us to develop our idea in Silicon Valley with mentors. We later won the IF Design Student Award for our innovative design. Recently, we received award from Fundación La Caixa, providing funding and mentorship to boost our project's development.