Electrochaea is commercializing a grid-scale energy storage solution. Our proprietary power-to-gas (P2G) process converts renewable energy and carbon dioxide into grid-quality renewable methane for storage and distribution. Our pilot plants have injected renewable methane into commercial gas grids in Switzerland and Denmark.

Using our process, renewable methane is synthesized from CO₂ and H₂ by our patented biocatalyst, a selectively evolved microorganism – a methanogenic archaea. Pipeline-grade methane is produced in our scalable and robust methanation system for injection into the gas grid or immediate use. CO₂ can be up-cycled from any source such as anaerobic digestors, landfills, dairies, fermentation facilities or industrial processes. And, renewable H₂ can be generated from renewable electricity by electrolysis, or from other wasted sources.

The high efficiency and robust nature of our biocatalyst enables our patented BioCat methanation technology to operate at lower capital and operating costs and with greater flexibility than conventional thermochemical methanation processes. The biocatalyst is compatible with variable duty cycles and common impurities in CO₂ sources. P2G energy storage enables practically unlimited storage capacity via existing gas grid infrastructure. And the scalable process enables a broad range of applications (1 to > 100 MW power input). 

Electrochaea GmbH is a dynamic growth stage company with headquarters, engineering and development teams in Munich, Germany. Electrochaea’s subsidiaries are located in Denmark and in California.

Milestones

2006: Basic research and four years of “proof of concept” research. Prof. Laurens Mets and his colleagues at the University of Chicago recognize the potential of archaea for methane production and isolate a highly efficient strain.

2011: First major laboratory-scale field tests with raw biogas at a brewery digester in St. Louis, MO, USA.

2013: Pre-commercial field tests demonstrated scalability (5000L bioreactor) in Foulum, Denmark.

2014: Electrochaea GmbH established as part of Series A financing by Munich Venture Partners, btov, Sirius Venture Partners, KfW, Focus First Holdings, Energie 360°and Caliza Holding. Headquarters and laboratory space are secured in Munich, Germany. Funding received from Energinet.dk to design, build and operate the BioCat Project, a 1 MW commercial-scale field trial at a wastewater treatment plant outside Copenhagen, Denmark. Partners include Hydrogenics, Audi, HMN Gashandel, NEAS Energy and BIOFOS. 

2016: The team grows/go-to-market: To establish the company’s market position, an international team of 20 engineers and scientists was formed around Mich Hein (CEO) and Doris Hafenbradl (CTO) in Munich, Germany. The world’s first 1 MW P2G plant (BioCat Project) was commissioned in Denmark, with support from Energinet. Initiated second grid scale pilot project in Switzerland with Horizon 2020 Project STORE&GO. 

2017/2018: Accelerated development of high efficiency microbial electrolysis cell and laboratory pressure reactor with grant and equity funding.

2019: Storengy invests in Electrochaea. Commissioning and inauguration of the BioCat plant in Solothurn, Switzerland. Inauguration of ORBIT pilot reactor in Regensburg. First grid-injection of renewable methane produced by the BioCat system in Solothurn, Switzerland and in Avedøre, Denmark. Commissioning of BioCat plant in Golden, CO, USA. 

2020: Establishment of Electrochaea Corporation, currently located in Sacramento, CA, USA.