CYRUS

Greece-based CYRUS has developed a metal hydride compressor to store hydrogen using thermal energy (as an alternative to mechanical compressors). The compressor is made of special alloys (metal hydrides) that can chemically store hydrogen in their metallic lattice. The compressor absorbs hydrogen at low pressure and temperature and desorbs it at high pressure and temperature. The thermal energy required for the process is provided by either industrial waste heat or renewable sources. The company claims that its technology has slightly lower capital costs, significantly lower operating and maintenance costs, and uses a fraction of the electricity compared to mechanical compressors.

As of February 2024, 200-bar, 350-bar, and 500-bar compressors are available for custom design.

Funding and financials

In December 2019, CYRUS raised an undisclosed amount from Uni.Fund in a pre-seed round. The company has also received funding from the Ministry of Development and Investment (Greece) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (under the EIT regional innovation program).