The team behind Hydrogen Solutions Ltd has sought to acquire the original technology developed by an Australian Public-Private JV, Direct Energy, which was acquired by global energy company NRG in 2021. Hydrogen Solutions aims to set up operations in the UK to complete its development.
Direct Energy had previously been given a cash injection of AUS $10M by the Australian Government to develop a solution to current hydrogen production problems, which has led to zero carbon forms of clean energy being fast-tracked for development.
Now Hydrogen Solutions Ltd, headed up by American entrepreneur James Busche, will move to Bristol next month and will be on the lookout for new talent to join the team and make inroads into hydrogen production power.
James said: "This latest move is super exciting for our team here. Our current HQ is based in London's Victoria, but there are numerous centres in Bristol which are supporting the transport industry in the transition to net zero, and we want to be a part of that. We are in the process of securing premises in the city."
The development of hydrogen power is notoriously problematic because a high percentage of the energy value is lost in the process of making it. The team at Hydrogen Solutions Ltd are developing a Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell (SOEC)—an advanced technology that efficiently splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Compared to current electrolysers like PEM and alkaline systems, our SOEC is 35-45% more efficient, reducing energy consumption and cutting costs for large-scale hydrogen production.
The team at Hydrogen Solutions Ltd, has been paving the way in using a ceramic seal technology in the development of electrolysers and has now created a Solid Oxide Electrolyser Stack (SOEC) that could change the face of hydrogen power for good.
Ceramics can not only withstand high temperatures, but it does not degrade like other materials -– solving the biggest reliability problem and allowing for higher temperature operation.
James said: "We have a highly ambitious project on our hands, but we are determined to succeed in our mission to reduce carbon emissions."
The team has raised £600k within the first three months of initiating the first investment round by selling shares in the company. Hydrogen Solutions Ltd is keen to attract further investors throughout 2025, especially those interested in the rewards offered by the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).
James added: "Despite the rapid development of electric batteries, there are still huge issues with their energy density and how green they actually are.
"If every person in the UK suddenly decides to invest in an electric car, the roads simply would not take it, because they weigh around 300 kilograms more than the average petrol car, the UK electricity supply still utilizes coal, natural gas and other non-zero emissions energy sources and there isn’t the electricity supply or charging infrastructure to power the cars. Our team believes that the future isn't electric- it is much more 'fluid' than that."
For more information, please visit Hydrogen Solutions Limited