[Press release] Grenoble, France – 16^th June, 2017 – InnoEnergy-backed HySiLabs, the on-demand hydrogen solutions venture, has appointed Jean-Paul Reich, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at ENGIE, the global electricity, natural gas and energy services operator, as an advisory board member. Reich joins the board at a crucial time ahead of HySiLabs’ €2M funding round in summer to support its technology development for industry.

With over 30 years’ experience in the energy field, Reich is a renowned French hydrogen expert and currently heads up hydrogen R&D at ENGIE. The appointment comes as a direct result of HySiLabs and ENGIE’s involvement with InnoEnergy, having been introduced through Europe’s largest sustainable energy accelerator’s partner network, which provides start-ups with exclusive access to industry experts.

Reich says: “Hydrogen will play a vital role in the future of the energy mix and HySiLabs’ technology has the potential to transform the market. I’ve watched HySiLabs’ journey from the beginning and I’m looking forward to supporting it to take vital next steps to develop the technology for industry.”

HySiLabs has developed an emission-free liquid hydrogen-carrier enabling to release hydrogen on-demand, with no energy input required. The liquid hydrogen-carrier is safe, non-toxic, and enables the same logistics as conventional fuels.

Pierre-Emmanuel Casanova, President at HySiLabs, says: “It’s a real coup to have such a prestigious figure in the hydrogen world join our board who recognises the potential of the technology. HySiLabs will benefit Reich’s expertise to bring the technology to the industry. InnoEnergy made that happen. We’ve gone from strength to strength on its Highway programme and are excited to see how this funding round will propel our technology towards commercialisation.”

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About HySiLabs

HySiLabs has developed a revolutionary process to facilitate the deployment of hydrogen. The company introduces its expertise in the hydrogen delivery sector with its unique liquid hydrogen carrier solution.

The know-how of HySiLabs is built from two innovations:

• The “Power-to-Liquid” solution which enables synthesis of a liquid hydrogen carrier from green energy. This liquid is stable at ambient conditions and safe, with a similar handling as existing liquid fuels.
• The “Hydrogen on demand” solution which allows the release of hydrogen from this liquid carrier, on site, without energy input and emission-free.

Thus HySiLabs’ technology maintains the advantages of an energy-dense hydrogen vector without any storage or transportation issues encountered for other hydrogen storage methods.

HySiLabs has been founded by Vincent Lôme and Pierre-Emmanuel Casanova in 2015. The company is now supported by Technopole de l’environnement de l’Arbois, the French government and InnoEnergy.