Modern Electron changes name to Modern Hydrogen; develops new methane pyrolysis reactor; raises millions in funding.
Here’s an article posted in Geek Wire.
According to the article,
- Clean energy startup Modern Electron has raised $32.8 million from investors to help fund and expand its transition to hydrogen fuel.
- The Bothell, Wash.-based company has stopped work on heat-to-electricity technology, its original focus, and shifted to making hydrogen fuel.
- Modern Electron is changing its name to Modern Hydrogen and is developing methane pyrolysis reactors that take natural gas from fossil fuels or biogas from sources like manure and strip off the carbon to make hydrogen fuel.
In contrast to large, centralized hydrogen production facilities, Modern Hydrogen is working on smaller, modular reactors for decentralized use. The goal is to lower costs and logistical hurdles related to hydrogen transportation. Also, the reactors are designed to be self-powered, with about one-quarter of the produced hydrogen being recycled back into the system to power the generation of more fuel.
The company intends to deliver demo reactors to utility firms by the third quarter of this year and has pilot projects scheduled with NW Natural and another utility. Modern Hydrogen plans to set up a pilot manufacturing facility in the Seattle area and anticipates having commercial products ready by late 2024 or early 2025.
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Their work on decentralized production addresses a major problem in the hydrogen value chain: transportation, which is so expensive that it does not support the building of any clean hydrogen project.
Decentralized hydrogen production offers several benefits compared to centralized systems:
- Energy Efficiency: Decentralized electrolysis is more energy-efficient because it requires less of the electricity-intensive compression and conversion steps required for transport.
- Lower Distribution Costs: Decentralized systems have lower distribution costs compared to centralized systems, which involve significant energy requirements for liquefaction and transportation.
- Local Resource Utilization: Decentralized hydrogen production can maximize the use of local renewable energy resources, reducing reliance on long-distance energy transmission and enhancing energy security.
- Reduced Waste: Decentralized systems can reduce waste by minimizing the energy required for compression and conversion, as well as by utilizing local resources.
- Flexibility and Resilience: Decentralized electrolysers can react flexibly to fluctuating renewable energy sources, making the energy system more resilient and cost-effective.
- Economic Viability: Decentralized hydrogen production can be economically viable under specific market conditions, particularly for small-scale applications.
- Regional Value Creation: Decentralized electrolysers can strengthen regional value creation and create economic benefits by supporting local renewable energy production.
- Improved Grid Stability: Decentralized electrolysers can contribute to grid stability and supply security by controlling signals from the grid and reacting to fluctuations in renewable energy sources.
- Potential for Large-Scale Production: Decentralized electrolysers can produce large volumes of green hydrogen, making them a viable option for meeting future renewable energy targets.
