Today, it is evident that clean hydrogen holds the key to unlocking a sustainable, decarbonized future. And as Asia’s first clean hydrogen technology accelerator, Energy Leap is forging a path toward this vision by uniting industry leaders, innovative start-ups, and forward-thinking investors. We invite you to meet three of the six brilliant start-ups in our inaugural cohort, engaged in driving the production of clean hydrogen across the value chain.
Prasah: Leading the way in fuel cell-powered drones
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Pune, India, Prasah is an R&D company dedicated to developing cost-competitive fuel cells to replace internal combustion engines. Pankaj Kumar, the founder and a passion- ate engineer, is leveraging 15+ years of deep technical expertise in fuel cell technology to build India’s first fuel
cell-powered high payload drone. This drone is de- signed for applications in construction, agriculture, and mining industries, addressing the lack of reliable power sources for heavy payload drones.
Key highlights of Prasah’s journey include collaborations with esteemed institutes like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, College of Engineering Pune Technological University (COEP), and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) for indigenizing critical components and lowering raw material costs. Prasah has also designed and developed an indigenous bi-polar plate for fuel cells and built a 12 kW fuel cell stack capable of powering an 80 kg drone. Currently in the development stage, with their technology validated in lab settings, Prasah has established strategic partnerships to scale up the manufacturing of fuel cells for drone applications.
Visit www.prasah.com to learn more
Hydrovert: Innovating clean power solutions
Hydrovert, established in 2021 and based in Pune, India, is developing hydrogen fuel cell-powered stationary power generators as a clean alternative to diesel generators. The start-up, founded by Dr. Satyajit Phadke and Supriya Patwardhan, focuses on creating advanced hydrogen powertrains for mobility and energy storage applications.
Dr. Phadke specializes in material science and electro-chemistry, and has a PhD from University of Florida. Hydrovert’s innovative hydrogen-battery hybrid powertrain is a promising solution for de- carbonizing built environments and powering a range of mobility applications, including last-mile logistics.
Hydrovert has garnered significant support, being awarded multiple grants such as the Nidhi Prayas Grant, Startup India Seed Grant, Cummins Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Grant, and the RM Tulpule Charitable Trust Grant. The start-up was also a finalist in the Bharat Petroleum Innovation Challenge. With their technology tested in relevant environments, Hydrovert is poised to revolutionize hydrogen mobility and energy storage use-cases.
Visit www.hydrovert.in to learn more
Suzhiyam Industries: Transforming waste to hydrogen
Suzhiyam Industries, headquartered in Chennai, India, was founded in 2018 by Vivekanandan J, who is a passionate combustion engineer. This innovative start- up is focused on increasing the efficiency and reducing the cost of hydrogen production from biomass sources. By improving processes in the biomass supply chain and gasification technology, Suzhiyam aims to address the pressing issue of municipal waste management while producing clean hydrogen.
The company employs a process that involves gasification of municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural waste through oxygen and steam, followed by steam reformation to produce synthesis gas. This is then con- verted into hydrogen using the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. Suzhiyam Industries has been recognized for its groundbreaking work, being the winner of Energy Leap’s inaugural Innovation Challenge and a runner-up at Venturise 2022.
Currently, their technology is validated in lab environments, and they continue to seek ways to scale their solutions.
Visit www.eesan.in to learn more
The Path Forward
Energy Leap’s mission is fuelled by the belief that collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable progress. By fostering synergies between industry titans, agile start-ups, and visionary investors, we are cultivating an ecosystem that transcends traditional boundaries. This convergence of diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources is igniting a powerful wave of innovation, poised to reshape the energy landscape for generations to come.
To our inaugural cohort of start-ups, we extend our deepest gratitude and unwavering support. Your pioneering spirit, relentless pursuit of excellence, and unwavering commitment to a sustainable future inspire us daily. To read more about the rest of our cohort, watch this space next quarter.
To learn more about Energy Leap, visit us below.
Learn moreThis article first appeared in Hydrogen India, July 2024, Vol I, Issue 3
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