Sylfen

France-based Sylfen develops a reversible electrolyzer that works both as 1) an electrolyzer to store excess electricity in the form of hydrogen, and 2) a fuel cell to produce electricity and heat from the same hydrogen. The company combines its reversible electrolyzer with batteries to offer a modularized and a ready-to-use solution known as the Smart Energy Hub (SEH). SEHs can be installed in residential and commercial buildings to store excess electricity during off-peak hours for use during peak hours.

First, Sylfen performs a dynamic analysis of a building’s needs. Once this is complete, Sylfen works with design and engineering offices to plan the integration of SEHs into the building. Modularized SEHs can be combined to meet specific energy needs. The company claims that by using SEHs, users can achieve a 50%–70% reduction in emissions and 70%–100% energy autonomy for a building.

Sylfen has an exclusive worldwide license to its technology and claims to have invested USD 40 million in its development. Sylfen’s last known funding event was in April 2018, when it raised an undisclosed amount in a Seed round.

Key competitors: None comparable (Sylfen is the only startup that develops reversible hydrogen electrolyzers)