At the Hydrogen Forum in Monaco, HSL Technologies won the Monaco Prize for Innovation in Renewable Hydrogen and Transportation – “Most-Disruptive Potential” category.
Pierre-Emmanuel Casanova, co-founder and CBO of HSL Technologies, answers our questions and presents his innovations!
Can you introduce HSL Technologies?
HSL Technologies has developed and patented an innovative hydrogen vector called HydroSil, a liquid derivative of silicon hydride that is stable, non-toxic, non-explosive, non-hazardous and infinitely recyclable. HydroSil allows hydrogen to be released at its place of consumption on demand and without energy input.
Thanks to its properties, HydroSil is easily transported and stored, leveraging existing logistics infrastructures used for conventional fuels. Since its handling is similar to that of conventional liquid fuels, large-scale deployment of HSL Technologies’ technology will be quick and easy.
What is the main innovation developed by HSL (ex-Hysilabs) and how is this technology considered revolutionary?
HydroSil is a new, patented molecule that allows hydrogen to be released at the point of consumption easily, on demand and without external energy input. Furthermore, it can be reused as many times as desired. It can be safely transported at room temperature and atmospheric pressure using the same logistics infrastructure as existing fossil fuel, revolutionizing the hydrogen delivery market. HydroSil’s high hydrogen content allows 7 times more hydrogen to be transported in a single truck than with high-pressure H2 gas, significantly reducing operational costs of transport and related emissions. Our innovation will have a positive impact on hydrogen logistics as it has the potential to remove the main barriers that currently prevent a wide deployment of hydrogen-based applications by addressing safety, regulatory and supply chain issues. Furthermore, HydroSil is a unique carbon-free solution, suitable for on-board applications in heavy-duty mobility (trucks, trains, ships, etc.).
How does the liquid discovered by your team act as a “liquid sponge” in the process of loading, transporting and unloading hydrogen?
Our solution includes two key processes developed by the company: loading hydrogen into the liquid and releasing hydrogen from the liquid. Loading process: Once the hydrogen is produced, it is loaded into HydroSil using an innovative chemical process. This operation is carried out in the industrial plant right after the hydrogen production.
Release process: Hydrogen is easily released by a chemical reaction in a reactor, without any external energy being required. This operation requires only a small installation, which allows easy deployment. The release of hydrogen can be done on demand at the consumption site (e.g. gas station), or on board large vehicles (ships, trains).
What are HSL’s plans for transforming its pre-industrial demonstrator into a production “mini-factory”, and when does the company envisage reaching industrial scale?
In June 2022, we inaugurated our first pre-industrial demonstrator allowing us to produce HydroSil on a kilogram scale and to address the molecule’s certifications as well as regulatory aspects. We are now entering a phase that will allow us to move from the kilogram scale to the ton. In collaboration with engineering companies, we are preparing the design and construction of industrial pilots for the charging and release of hydrogen by 2025, which will be located in the South Region. This is a first step towards the industrialization of HydroSil production by 2028.
The HydroSil produced via these pilots will be used in concrete use cases, with partners in the three targeted applications (hydrogen transport, long-term storage and maritime sector).
