The global hydrogen market is experiencing rapid growth, fueled by increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions, supportive government policies, and advancements in hydrogen technology.
Startups in the sector are addressing critical challenges such as hydrogen production efficiency, storage, distribution, and application in industrial and mobility sectors, says GlobalData. The company’s latest Startup Series Report, “Hydrogen Revolution: Startups Powering a Clean Future”, highlights how startups are shaping the low-carbon hydrogen market and accelerating integration into diverse sectors, from industrial processes to transportation and renewable power generation.
Tejal Hartalkar, senior disruptive tech analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The urgent need to decarbonize industries, achieve net-zero emissions, and create sustainable energy systems is pushing advancements in the hydrogen sector. Startups are at the forefront of solving complex challenges in hydrogen such as high production costs, infrastructure scalability, and safety concerns.
“Their breakthroughs in technologies such as advanced electrolyzers, methane pyrolysis, and ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion are driving the cost of hydrogen down and improving efficiency.”
The innovative technologies from startups are crucial for meeting global energy transition goals and enabling the adoption of hydrogen across energy-intensive industries. Some of the key startups offering solutions by hydrogen type include:
Green Hydrogen
Hysata, an Australian startup, achieved over 95% system efficiency with capillary-fed electrolysis technology, reducing the production cost of hydrogen to below $1.50/kg.
The US-based startup Electric Hydrogen’s 100MW electrolyzer plant for large-scale green hydrogen production caters to industries like chemicals, steel, and fuels.
Turquoise Hydrogen
Modern Hydrogen, a US-based startup, provides a modular hydrogen generator that produces clean hydrogen on-site from methane sources and captures carbon in a solid form, allowing it to be repurposed for asphalt products.
Another US-based startup, C-Zero offers methane pyrolysis technology that generates clean hydrogen while capturing solid carbon as a byproduct.
Yellow Hydrogen
Switzerland-based startup, SoHHytec integrates solar power generation with hydrogen and thermal energy production, providing a sustainable energy ecosystem.
Redeem Solar Technologies, an Austrian startup, develops advanced photocatalytic reactors for eco-friendly solar-to-hydrogen production.
Gold Hydrogen
Gold H2, a US-based startup, leverages microbial processes to convert hydrocarbons into hydrogen at a low cost of $0.80/kg.
Hartalkar concludes: “While challenges such as regulatory hurdles, and scaling advanced technologies remain, startups are making low-carbon hydrogen more accessible and economically viable. Strategic collaborations, policy incentives, and growing investments in the sector highlight the growing momentum. However, addressing regional disparities in infrastructure and improving safety and standardisation frameworks will be key to unlocking hydrogen’s potential as a transformative pillar of a net-zero economy.”