Advanced materials to double the yield and lower the cost of green hydrogen from electrolysis
Responding to the crucial demand for affordable emissions reduction, SunGreen offers a solution crucial for meeting maritime decarbonization targets, as noted by CEO & Co-Founder Tulika Raj. SunGreen’s goal is to convert at maximum yield and efficiency the increasingly abundant, low-cost renewable electrons to deliver the most affordable green molecule (hydrogen) to accelerate the energy transition.
The production of hydrogen through electrolysis (separating water into hydrogen and oxygen) is the answer to producing “green” hydrogen. However, this process is energy-intensive and traditionally relies on scarce and expensive elements like platinum for the catalysts and membranes within modern electrolyzer cells. This dependency makes green hydrogen significantly more costly and complex to manufacture than conventional, or “dirty/grey,” hydrogen.
SunGreen is committed to change this with a major breakthrough: an improved electrode for these cells. The company’s innovation doubles hydrogen production while reducing overall cost, and significantly reduces the reliance on platinum and other rare elements.
According to CEO and co-founder Tulika Raj, “We are nanostructuring a proprietary alloy-based electrode that dramatically increases the surface area available for the reaction.” This design results in more than doubling the current density, which is directly linked to hydrogen output, for a given size of active area. Crucially, the technology is designed to be scalable and manufacturable without the use of precious metals, leading to a 30-fold reduction in precious metal usage.
SunGreen’s modular, high-production system significantly lowers the expense of establishing on-site green hydrogen production, catering to both alternative fuel generation and port operational needs.
This modular design is highly space-efficient, requiring approximately half the area of traditional electrolyzer systems. This compact footprint allows for easier integration with on-site renewable energy sources and energy storage solutions. By enabling high-capacity hydrogen production on-site, the system facilitates the refuelling of hydrogen and hydrogen-electric machinery. Furthermore, it complements battery electrification efforts, thereby easing the load on the electrical grid and enabling the necessary electrification of heavy-duty port equipment, such as cranes and forklifts.
The improved electrode is designed to be compatible with all modern electrolyzers, enabling broad adoption across the industry. As Raj stated, “The idea is to lift the entire industry.”
“The PortXL Acceleration Programme was excellent and very well curated, offering truly valuable assets for startups looking to begin activities in Rotterdam. For SunGreenH2, the biggest impact was the opportunity to build meaningful technology connections, especially with TNO, where we were able to discuss a potential pilot project. The workshops were highly useful, and the programme provided strong support in navigating the Rotterdam startup ecosystem.” – Azat Kabdrashitov, Vice Commercial President SunGreenH2
