Elhytec develops solutions for energy and operational autonomy, for civilian and defence applications, based on safe, local and economically viable access to hydrogen. This new approach relies on a breakthrough process: decoupled electrolysis.
Why now: autonomy is becoming critical
The demand for energy and operational autonomy is growing, particularly at remote or poorly served sites, critical infrastructure, and defence or scientific operations in challenging locations.
The challenges:
- Reduce dependence on cumbersome and vulnerable supply chains.
- Replace fossil fuels that have traditionally been easy to store and distribute.
- Secure energy supply in intermittent or constrained environments.
Hydrogen autonomy
Hydrogen plays a central role in this transition in two ways.
As a gas with unique chemical, thermal and buoyancy properties, it serves specific applications that need straightforward, autonomous and ideally low-carbon supply.
As an energy carrier, it can link gas, heat and electricity, enable long-duration storage and help decarbonise energy systems.
In theory, hydrogen meets these needs: it can be produced locally from available resources with low carbon emissions. In practice, access remains difficult. Conventional on-site production, combining standard electrolysis with high-pressure storage, is costly, inflexible and technically demanding. It is poorly suited to intermittent, smaller-scale or variable demand.
Elhytec: simplifying access to hydrogen
Elhytec is developing a hydrogen storage and generation module for applications where autonomy is essential and delivers immediate operational value.
It addresses three groups of needs:
1. Decentralised use of hydrogen gas (radiosonde balloons, surveillance aerostats, medium-scale industry, hydrogenation).
The need is to generate hydrogen on site, with assured availability, without a demanding supply chain or technical complexity.
Benefits include simpler logistics, more secure supply and costs, fewer constraints associated with cylinder storage, the ability to use surplus electricity when available, and a reduced heat and noise signature.
2. Energy storage for assured electricity supply (backup power, remote sites, tactical posts)
The operational need is reliable, controllable and discreet clean power.
Benefits include long autonomy, inherent safety, separately optimised stored energy, charging power and discharge power, and optimised capital and maintenance costs.
3. Access to pressurised hydrogen for critical missions (long-endurance surveillance drones)
The need is to increase energy autonomy dramatically (fourfold) compared with batteries by using pressurised hydrogen gas.
Benefits include high-pressure hydrogen supply without a compressor, mobility, robustness and safety.
See Target ApplicationsApplication focus: inflating meteorological radiosonde balloons and surveillance aerostats
Elhytec inflation stations replace H₂ or helium cylinders for both meteorological balloon launches and tethered surveillance aerostats. This approach ensures gas availability, makes operations safer through gas-free storage and generation when needed, provides short inflation times and enables operation at remote or lightly equipped sites.
→ A reference solution for launch sites, in two configurations: transportable and stationary stations.
Elhytec and its Technology
What sets us apart: decoupled electrolysis
Elhytec’s solution is based on a patented process that decouples water electrolysis. In a cycle, it separates electricity consumption from on-demand hydrogen generation by creating an intermediate store that is stable and safe. It offers a simpler, more robust and more economical approach than conventional chains combining electrolysis, compression and high-pressure storage. It also enables safer, more flexible and cost-effective industrial configurations.
A new way to access hydrogen: local, safe and straightforward, with safety always a priority.
Elhytec: a vision behind the technology
Elhytec’s approach is led by founders and managers with extensive industrial and technical experience in energy and materials.
The vision represents a deliberate break with established approaches. It draws on experience in hydrogen electrolysis, fuel cells and storage while moving beyond existing technical models.
The innovation has received the Solar Impulse label from the Bertrand Piccard Foundation, recognising solutions that combine environmental performance with economic viability. Elhytec has also been recognised as a DeepTech company, won Bpifrance’s i-Lab innovation award and was selected for the Defence “Cohort Booster Access Defense & Tech” programme in the Netherlands. A demonstrator protected by seven patents has been operational since March 2026. It allows the Elhytec team to demonstrate the technology under real conditions at operational sites, supporting its positioning at TRL 7.
