The Smart Energy Hub is a hybrid energy storage and co-generation system using a hydrogen vector. It was designed by the startup Sylfen, using rSOC (reversible Solid Oxide Cells) technology developed by the CEA. It is used for the local storage in gas form of surplus energy generated, as an alternative to injecting it into the network (e.g. for a building fitted with solar panels). This local system can store enough energy to cover most of the building’s needs by supplying electricity and heat in co-generation mode, thereby significantly reducing its total consumption. Tests have shown that it is possible to reduce CO2 emissions by 26% to 75% depending on the type of building and country, while also reducing energy bills.
On 8 October 2019, during the EARTO Innovation Awards in Brussels to recognise the best innovations of the year, the Smart Energy Hub and its rSOC technology received first prize in the “Impact Expected” category. The potential global market for local storage solutions like Smart Energy Hub, is estimated at €10 billion in 2020.
EARTO 2019 Awards Ceremony: (left to right): Antti Vasara, (President of EARTO and CEO of VTT), Matthias Petschke (Director of EU Satellite Navigation Programs at DG-GROW, European Commission), Julie Mougin (Head of Hydrogen Technologies Laboratory, CEA), Nicolas Bardi (Co-founder and President of Sylfen) © EARTO
The rSOC technology developed at the CEA is integrated into the Smart Energy Hub (hybrid energy storage and co-generation system using a hydrogen vector) designed by the Sylfen startup. © Sylfen
Sylfen
Since 2015, the startup Sylfen has been developing integrated energy co-generation and storage solutions for buildings and eco-districts looking to cover their needs easily using local and renewable energy sources.