Sylfen

Sylfen, founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), is at the forefront of developing distributed energy systems to enhance building energy autonomy. The company was established by Nicolas Bardi and Caroline Rozain, who were later joined by Marc Potron in 2016. Their foundation is built upon more than a decade of R&D at the CEA, leveraging a portfolio of patents to address the challenges of energy transition.

The core of Sylfen's offering is the Smart Energy Hub, an integrated solution for energy storage and co-generation. This system uniquely combines a reversible solid oxide electrolyzer with a fuel cell, allowing it to perform multiple functions. In electrolyzer mode, it converts surplus renewable electricity, such as from solar panels, into hydrogen for storage. In fuel cell mode, it uses this stored hydrogen, or alternatively biogas or natural gas, to produce both electricity and heat. This dual capability is designed to smooth out the intermittency of renewable sources, providing a stable power supply. The system is hybridized with batteries to manage rapid power fluctuations and ensure immediate energy availability.

Sylfen's business model encompasses the full lifecycle of its product, from initial building analysis and system design to manufacturing, installation, and ongoing maintenance. This full-service approach aims to maximize the return on investment for its clients. The company targets a diverse market, including commercial and public buildings like offices, logistics facilities, schools, and subsidized housing, typically ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 square meters. By recovering and utilizing the heat generated during its processes, the Smart Energy Hub can achieve an overall energy efficiency of up to 90%, significantly reducing CO2 emissions and energy costs for building owners. To date, Sylfen has raised a total of $10.5 million, with a notable Series A round in May 2022 that brought in investors such as IDEC GROUP, Supernova Invest, and CEA Investissement.

Keywords: energy storage, hydrogen fuel cell, reversible electrolyzer, cogeneration, smart buildings, distributed energy, building energy autonomy, CEA spin-off, renewable energy integration, solid oxide fuel cell, hydrogen storage, on-site power generation, cleantech, greentech, energy efficiency, sustainable buildings, Nicolas Bardi, Caroline Rozain, Smart Energy Hub, energy management system