Ecolectro builds modular electrolyzers that fit inside shipping containers, aiming to produce hydrogen on-site to cut transportation and storage costs. The company uses a membrane that combines features of PEM and alkaline electrolysis—avoiding PFAS—and employs nickel as a catalyst instead of iridium or platinum. Its prototype 10-kW unit produces about 5 kg of hydrogen per day and is being tested by Liberty Utilities in Upstate New York for blending into natural gas. Ecolectro is constructing a 250-kW commercial electrolyzer capable of roughly 125 kg per day, which Rodriguez-Calero said will be available in the first quarter of next year. Founders Gabriel Rodriguez-Calero and Kristina Hugar developed the technology after Rodriguez-Calero's doctoral work at Cornell University. The startup emphasizes smaller, modular systems aimed at customers who order roughly one truck of hydrogen per week, as a lower-risk entry point. Financially, Ecolectro raised a $10.6 million Series A led by Toyota Ventures to scale to commercial units and pursue aggressive cost targets.

Total raised

$11M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Nov 2024