SHIFT

Over het initiatief / About the initiative

SHIFT

In welke fase zit jouw initiatief? / In what stage is your initiative?

Ideefase

Heb je jouw initiatief al gevalideerd? / Did you validate your initiative?

Yes, SHIFT has had several conversations with potential end-users (farmers), development companies, and business developers.

Meer informatie over jouw initiatief / More info about your initiative

Problem

Energy production by means of sustainable energy sources is inherently intermittent and fluctuating. This results in an offset in energy demand and energy production, which causes the electricity grid to be congested, forcing these sustainable energy sources to be temporarily disconnected from the grid.

This waste of green energy is especially prevalent in the agricultural sectors. Farmers with large stables cannot put solar panels on their roofs, prohibiting them from generating additional income, and severely limiting the sustainable energy generation in the Netherlands and internationally.

Solution

The solution is storing the excess energy in hydrogen. This form of energy is abundant in the world and is completely green. SHIFT is developing a small-scale energy system that converts the solar energy into green hydrogen which can then be used for various purposes in sectors such as mobility, agriculture, energy, and industry. The stored hydrogen functions as an energy buffer, solving the offset problem and relieving the strain on the energy grid.

With SHIFT’s energy system, everyone can put solar panels on their roofs, using their sustainable energy production to its full potential. Such an energy system also enables the decentralized production and storage of green energy, kickstarting the hydrogen transition.

Mission

SHIFT is kickstarting the use of hydrogen as a sustainable energy carrier by developing a complete small-scale hydrogen energy system. Initially, this will be done in the agricultural sector, in collaboration with farmers, and it will be powered by the solar panels on their roofs. By using hydrogen as the storage solution, we create new partnerships with companies that require green hydrogen, also making use of the waste heat that is produced to warm up their houses and stables.

Vision

SHIFT envisions a future where green hydrogen is being used and produced everywhere. The decentralized production of sustainable energy, combined with the production of hydrogen and a reliable distribution network, enables the widespread use of hydrogen as an energy carrier.

Furthermore, SHIFT foresees that hydrogen energy carriers will have taken the place of fossil fuels in the fields of mobility, (chemical) industry, construction, and energy production, storage and transportation. Hydrogen will be used in synergy with green electricity, resulting in a fully sustainable energy network.

Wat zijn jouw volgende stappen om het verder te ontwikkelen? / What are your next steps to develop the initiative?

A technical paper study must be carried out to validate the technical feasibility of the concept. The dimensioning and costs will be considered, as well as a simulation of the system. Next, a business paper study must be made, further shaping the business model, estimating the market size, defining the marketing strategy and further validating the customer need.

Furthermore, a small-scale prototype of SHIFT’s energy system will be developed. This prototype is used for visualization, and technical validation and can be iterated on. Additionally, it serves as a minimum viable product (MVP) with sufficient functionality to attract early-adopter customers, investors and expert partners. The MVP also serves promotional and demonstration purposes.

Lastly, in order to really make an impact, SHIFT aims to build a consortium of companies / industry experts to start a subsidy project with. The consortium’s combined knowledge and resources form a fertile ground for innovation and allow the project to be realized.

Wat heb je nodig om (nog meer) impact te maken met dit initiatief? / What do you need to make (more) impact with this initiative?

In order to make a big impact, SHIFT aims to demonstrate the potential of green hydrogen. To achieve this, our product needs to be realized. This will be done in close collaboration with development partners, and end-users (in this case farmers). SHIFT’s next step is to formally establish partnerships with industry experts, and end-users. This will enable us to realize the small-scale energy system.

Additionally, SHIFT is a relatively new student team. We started in September of 2021. In order to effectively and quickly reach our goals, the team must grow. SHIFT is currently working hard to recruit new students. We are looking to collaborate with the TU/e Honors Academy to potentially get new members this way.

Lastly, SHIFT is continuously making new connections with parties in the hydrogen sector. Their advice and knowledge is valuable to us and we intend to keep expanding our network to get as much input as possible. Participating in this competition will help us to further expand our network, and connect with more people.