Ways2H just secured a $2.5M investment from Pacific6 Enterprises. The company uses a thermochemical process to convert waste into renewable hydrogen with a net zero-carbon footprint and without incineration.
Why does this matter?
- 2B metric tons of municipal solid waste are produced globally each year, ending up in landfills and oceans.
- Ways2H solves 2 problems with their technology – an abundance of waste and an increased demand in energy.
- Ways2H would allow governments to manage their trash and cut disposal costs.
- Ways2H’s production units are modular, transportable, and easily installed onsite.
- This is a solution for the global $400B+ solid waste management market and the hydrogen economy, which is estimated to reach $2.5T by 2050.
What’s next?
- Ways2H is currently developing commercial facilities in Tokyo and California that convert waste biomass into clean hydrogen fuel. This round of funding will be used to develop more renewable hydrogen production projects in the US, Europe and Asia.
- Ways2H expects to begin supplying hydrogen to customers by early 2021.
- As microgrids grow, it is possible and likely that they will integrate renewable hydrogen. This means that there will be less energy demand from the grid, and therefore would reduce carbon footprint.
- Broadly speaking, clean hydrogen can replace fossil fuels.
Thoughts
Industrial processes are innovating, disrupting the current market for the better. We need new technology that is not only more efficient, but also implements sustainability practices. Companies tackling these problems are prime candidates for companies with net zero commitments.
About The Author
Daniel currently works at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. His original assignment was to maintain and update facility safety documentation for all facilities on-site, and perform risk analysis. Over time, his role has expanded to leading continuous improvement efforts through product management.
Concurrently, Daniel volunteers with Techstars, helping organize startup weekends, and with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, organizing events on the local and national levels of the organization. He also volunteers with One World, and previously with Powerhouse Ventures, to source and screen startups for potential investment.
Daniel holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from UC Davis, and recently completed coursework in energy innovation from Stanford. His passion is at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and business.