Developing a low-cost green hydrogen production system

About Us

Who we are

We back technologies which aim to reduce the cost of hydrogen produced from renewable energy and provide hydrogen energy storage at a fraction of the cost of lithium-ion batteries.

What we do

Our most advanced system in development is a unique, highly efficient wind turbine, combined with a high-performance electrolyser, which aims to generate green hydrogen for under $2/kg.

Why we do it

Hydrogen is critical to combatting climate change. It is a clean-burning fuel and an efficient energy carrier with the potential to replace fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors. But the economics of green hydrogen remain challenging. Our business model is focused around reducing the cost of green hydrogen. $2/kg H2 relates to a cost of $0.06-$0.10/kWh.

Where we’ll do it

One commercialisation path is for modular independent hydrogen power systems for off-grid and remote energy supply for use in heavy industry and EV charging. On a larger scale our system could be used to establish offshore wind-to-hydrogen energy hubs.

Download our company snapshot

Hydrogen Future Industries was established to invest in projects within the Hydrogen Economy.

Our System

Wind turbine with advanced aerodynamics and rotor blade design

  • Smaller, quieter, safer, more efficient alternative to existing open rotor wind turbines
  • Proprietary rotor blade design with optimised cowling directs airflow across blades, creating multiple factor increase in wind speed
  • Years of numerical modelling and wind tunnel development indicated 3x increase in energy generation over existing open rotor wind turbines due to unique design spreading energy across rotor blades
  • No gearbox or generator required: reduces weight and cost of nacelle; simplified installation and maintenance; standardised transportation
  • IP around key features with potential wider commercial applications in the renewable energy sector

High-performance electrolyser – 97% efficiency

  • Developing an Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyser (AEMWE) without platinum group metal catalysts – using cheaper and more readily available materials
  • Features include:
    • 50% cheaper than Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM)
    • Variable Cell technology that optimises the electrolyser to the available energy, works with renewable energy
    • 7-10 year membrane life
    • Zero Gap
    • Carbonised material electrodes
    • No wash-off of catalysts provides exceptional electrode life without output efficiency depletion over time as with PEM
  • Completed build of two electrolyser test cells – achieved exceptional efficiency of up to 97%

Our Team

Alex Appleton

CEO & Director

Alex Appleton is an experienced CFO and board level leader, bringing over 25 years’ expertise throughout his career. Previously CFO of Argo Blockchain Plc (“Argo”), a UK and Nasdaq listed Bitcoin Mining company, Alex was pivotal in raising over $300 million in equity and debt. Alex was involved in Argo’s successful Nasdaq IPO in 2021.

Alex is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Alex brings governance, regulatory and operational expertise to the Company.

Sarah Gow

COO & Director

Sarah brings over 20 years’ experience in Senior roles within the Asset Management Operations industry, having worked for Citigroup, Salomon Brothers and Coutts & Co in London, New York and Jersey.

Sarah served as Non-executive Director of Argo (2021-2023). Sarah supported Argo through its Nasdaq IPO and was a member of the audit and governance committees and chaired the remuneration committee.

Pierre Villeneuve

CFO & Director

Pierre is a quantitative strategist and hedge fund founder with extensive experience in structuring investment products, portfolio construction and risk modelling. Pierre raised over $750m into hedge fund products working with clients such as Blackrock, Credit Suisse and large pension funds.

Some of Pierre’s work in systematic investing was featured in “Managed Futures for Institutional Investors” (2011), and he has held regulatory status with both the CFTC/NFA in the USA and the Ontario Securities Commission in Canada.

Pierre holds a BMath (Computer Science) from the University of Waterloo, an MBA in Finance and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.

Neil Ritson

Non-Executive Chairman

Neil Ritson is an energy sector professional with a career spanning over 40 years, including 20 years in various technical and managerial positions with British Petroleum. Neil was formerly International Vice President at Burlington Resources, which was acquired by ConocoPhillips, and Executive Chairman at Solo Oil plc (now Scirocco Energy plc).

Jonathan Colvile

Non-Executive Director

Previously Mr Colvile was Vice Chairman at Celsius Resources from 2022‐2023; he was employed at Mirabaud Securities Ltd from 2007‐2019 as head of mining and natural resources. Prior to this he was employed at Cannacord Genuity form 2000‐2007, and James Capel from 1983‐1998. Mr Colvile graduated from Bedford College, University of London in 1978 with a BA History and began his career as a stockbroker in Hong Kong in 1979.

Tim Blake

CTO (non-Board)

Tim Blake is Chief Technology Officer of energy B (non-Board position) and leads our development activities. Tim has considerable experience in the development of efficient turbine systems, an area in which he has specialised for over a decade and written multiple patents. Prior to working on the development of turbine systems, Tim spent numerous years, and built a niche and highly regarded network, in the motorsport and transportation industries, working alongside companies including Lexus/Toyota, General Motors, and Airbus.

Bitcoin Treasury Strategy

energy B Plc maintains a corporate treasury strategy that includes both traditional cash reserves and Bitcoin holdings.

Strategic Rationale

Our Board has adopted this approach based on Bitcoin’s characteristics as a finite digital asset with a capped supply of 21 million coins. We view Bitcoin as a potential hedge against monetary debasement and inflation over extended time horizons

Implementation

  • Systematic acquisition approach aligned with capital availability

  • Institutional-grade custody arrangements

  • Regular disclosure of material holdings changes

  • Risk-managed position sizing

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This strategy reflects our conviction that Bitcoin represents a monetary innovation suitable for corporate treasury allocation, while acknowledging the inherent volatility and regulatory considerations.

The Hydrogen Council estimates by 2050…

Global Hydrogen Market

Annual CO2 Abatement

Global Energy Demand Met By Hydrogen

Private Investors
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