Creating affordable, clean hydrogen on Earth, despite its status as the most abundant element in the universe, remains a challenging endeavor. Siva Yellamraju, the co-founder and CEO of Fourier, discussed the persistent difficulties surrounding hydrogen production and distribution in an interview with TechCrunch.
Recent startups in the hydrogen sector have focused on developing modular electrolyzers for mass production. Yellamraju’s company, Fourier, has amplified this approach by aiming for a compact system no larger than two standard server racks. This innovation has attracted attention from investors, with General Catalyst and Paramark Ventures leading an $18.5 million Series A funding round, alongside contributions from Airbus Ventures, Borusan Ventures, GSBackers, MCJ Collective, and Positive Ventures.
The server analogy extends to the interior of Fourier’s module, which contains approximately 20 small electrolyzers nicknamed blades. These blades share water from a centralized pump, and utilize electricity from modified power supplies adapted from data centers. Yellamraju explained that Fourier reprograms and retrofits these components for electrolysis, benefiting from their widespread availability.
To optimize their operation, software manages each blade within the hydrogen production module, drawing inspiration from the technology behind lithium-ion batteries. Yellamraju highlighted that companies like Tesla began with small battery cells, using a combination of standard components and advanced computing for management. Tesla’s battery management system oversees charging and discharging, monitoring cell degradation to ensure efficiency.
Similarly, Fourier’s system tracks the performance of each electrolyzer blade, adjusting output and identifying degradation. This approach aims to transform efficiency and production challenges into data optimization opportunities.
Fourier has conducted two lab-scale pilots generating about one kilogram of hydrogen per hour, collaborating with a pharmaceutical and a solar energy company. The next phase involves two commercial-scale pilot plants at a petrochemical plant in Ohio and an airline parts manufacturer in Fremont, California, both expected to commence operations by June. These projects target customers requiring six to 20 kilograms per hour, demanding an electrolyzer capacity of approximately 300 kilowatts to 1 megawatt.
Targeting industries such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and ceramics, Fourier offers hydrogen at $6 to $7 per kilogram, as opposed to the current $13 to $14 per kilogram, excluding government incentives. According to Yellamraju, this pricing structure results in significant savings for their customers.
