Hypnetic GmbH

Energy storage solutions have become attractive tools to support grid electrical supply, transmission and distribution systems. They help optimize self-consumption of locally generated electricity and limit the peak load of the local grid connection, ensuring economic benefits. Though the storage of excess energy from solar and wind power is a significant challenge of the energy transition, the current solutions mainly based on chemical processes are still costly.

Hypnetic designed an innovative technology to build a cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable energy storage solution. Using high-pressure hydraulic and pneumatic components, it built the first decentralized and modular scalable compressed air energy storage (CAES) system for industrial and commercial applications. The technology allows storing electrical energy by efficiently compressing Nitrogen in a unique hydraulic process. This energy can be discharged at any time by using the same, bidirectional power components.

Beside the innovation of the hydraulic-bidirectional energy conversion Hypnetic designed a low-cost heat recovery concept that ensures a high energy efficiency, using the heat generated during compression for the expansion during the discharge process. The technology can be deployed in applications currently served mainly by lithium batteries. The main economic advantage is the long service life, caused by the high cycle stability of the Hypnetic-Storage. Furthermore the power and the capacity are independent from each other. The capacity has no degradation effect and critical resources, rare minerals, and toxic chemicals are not used.

The Hypnetic Storage is designed for cycle-intensive, industrial Multi-Use , including self-consumption and feed-in optimization, peak load shaving, and grid-serving applications such as balancing energy or black start capability. Solar and wind power operators can reduce energy costs and CO2- emmissions by simultaneously increase their security of supply.

For example, a medium-sized manufacturing company with its own photovoltaic system could drive cost-efficiency using the Hypnetic-Storage. In addition to PV self-consumption optimization and peak load shaving, the Hypnetic-Storage will be operating in a virtual power plant and in this way additionally sells its flexibility on the various spot markets.

Focused on sustainability, the company uses established components used in other industries. The hydraulic motor used for electrical energy storage is a part of big excavators or aircraft carriers, guaranteeing uninterrupted operation. Since there are no degradation effects, the components can be used 24/7 for around two decades. In addition, Hypnetic is developing the support of machine learning in its storage management system in the field of control and maintenance, ensuring the most efficient operating point and maintenance processes.

“Our solution has the highest energy density and efficiency in the field of CAES-Technologies, and we will continually improve our innovation to offer a viable alternative for lithium batteries in stationary, industrial applications” says Alexander Borgel, CEO, Hypnetic.

Hypnetic has been developing this system since 2019 and has participated in various accelerator programs and win several startup competitions at an early stage. The company has managed to build a prototype to test the innovations. It is the only compressed air energy storage device capable of withstanding pressures of up to 350 bar and discharge efficiently afterwards. Commitment to pushing boundaries has resulted in it securing early adopters and substantial projects, each in the six-digit range. Successfully closing a seed financing round with well-established financing partners, Hypnetic is all set to enter the market.