The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as industries, governments, and consumers seek cleaner, more sustainable solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Among the leading innovators in this movement is 1S1 Energy, a pioneering company focused on developing and scaling next-generation hydrogen technologies. Their mission is to make clean hydrogen more accessible, affordable, and efficient, positioning it as a cornerstone of the world’s decarbonized energy future. 

Hydrogen has long been recognized as a promising energy carrier due to its ability to produce zero carbon emissions when used. However, conventional hydrogen production methods often rely on fossil fuels, which can undermine its environmental benefits. 1S1 Energy aims to change this by advancing high efficiency electrolyzer systems that use renewable electricity such as solar, wind, or hydropower to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This process, known as green hydrogen production, generates fuel without releasing carbon dioxide, making it one of the cleanest energy solutions available today.

1S1 Energy was founded in 2019 by a group of seasoned entrepreneurs and academics. These include Daniel Sobek, Sukanta Bhattacharyya, Thiago Figueiredo, and T. Don Tilley. All share a common vision of transforming hydrogen production through advanced materials science and scalable innovation. Unlike conventional hydrogen companies that primarily focus on incremental efficiency improvements, 1S1 Energy stands out for its research-driven approach aimed at drastically reducing the cost and complexity of green hydrogen generation. The company leverages novel boron-based materials and proprietary electrochemical processes to enhance energy efficiency, durability, and scalability in hydrogen systems, positioning itself at the intersection of scientific innovation and industrial application.

Since its inception, 1S1 Energy has demonstrated a consistent trajectory of growth and technological achievement. In 2021, the company secured funding from Asiri and CSN Inova, executed 15 Letters of Intent (LOIs) with European partners, and was invited to participate in the prestigious Hy2Tech IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) program, underscoring its strategic relevance within Europe’s hydrogen ecosystem. The following year, 2022, marked a major breakthrough with the granting of a USPTO patent (No. 11,331,631) for its boron-based materials. The company’s Hy2Tech project was officially approved by the European Commission, and it established key research collaborations with the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). That same year, 1S1 Energy also expanded its investor base, attracting new funding from Asiri, Faber Ventures, Aquarius Capital, Ecoa Capital, and Gibson Lane.

In 2023, 1S1 Energy strengthened its intellectual property portfolio with another USPTO patent (No. 11,594,747) on boron-based materials and began piloting its electrolysis stack in collaboration with Enel Green Power, signaling the transition from laboratory research to industrial-scale validation. Additional funding rounds from Faber Ventures and Course Corrected further supported this scale-up phase. The year 2024 was marked by geographic and organizational expansion: the company established a new laboratory in Lisbon, Portugal, doubled its core team from five to ten members, and successfully closed its Seed round to fuel ongoing R&D and commercialization efforts.

Continuing its international momentum, in 2025 1S1 Energy inaugurated a second laboratory in Campinas, Brazil, a strategic move that not only reinforces its global research network but also enables deeper engagement with Latin America’s emerging renewable energy markets. With a growing portfolio of patents, strong institutional partnerships, and a clear focus on making hydrogen technology both accessible and economically viable, 1S1 Energy is rapidly establishing itself as a key innovator in the global clean energy transition.

1S1 Energy is pioneering a new generation of hydrogen technologies that hold strong potential for maritime decarbonization. By rethinking electrolyzers and fuel cell components from the materials science level, the company is addressing one of the maritime industry’s most pressing challenges, reducing emissions without compromising performance or reliability. Unlike conventional hydrogen systems that depend on legacy materials, 1S1 Energy utilizes unique boron-based chemistries to create electrochemical cells with superior efficiency, durability, and cost-effectiveness. This innovation translates directly into practical advantages for shipowners, operators, and port authorities seeking cleaner propulsion solutions and onboard power generation systems that can withstand the demanding marine environment.

For the maritime sector, 1S1 Energy’s technology offers several compelling applications. Its advanced electrolysis stacks can be deployed at ports to produce green hydrogen using renewable electricity, enabling the development of hydrogen bunkering infrastructure and fueling hydrogen-powered vessels. Onboard, 1S1 Energy’s next-generation fuel cell components featuring optimized ion-exchange membranes and catalysts can power main propulsion systems or auxiliary engines, significantly cutting greenhouse gas, SOₓ, and NOₓ emissions while maintaining operational efficiency. The materials’ robustness against corrosion and performance degradation also makes them ideally suited for harsh marine conditions, where reliability and long service life are essential.

Beyond vessel integration, 1S1 Energy’s scalable solutions support port electrification and offshore applications, including supply vessels and crew transfer operations in emission-controlled zones. By enhancing the performance of hydrogen systems and lowering the total cost of ownership, the company enables marine stakeholders to meet tightening IMO decarbonization targets while gaining an operational edge in sustainability. Through collaborations with leading research institutions and global clean energy partners, 1S1 Energy is shaping a pathway where hydrogen becomes a practical, dependable, and economically viable fuel for the maritime world turning the vision of zero-emission shipping into a tangible reality.

References

1S1 Energy. (2025). 1S1 Energy official website. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://1s1energy.com

International Energy Agency. (2022). Global hydrogen review 2022. IEA. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org 

U.S. Department of Energy. (2023). Hydrogen shot and clean hydrogen strategy. Energy.gov. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov 

H2 View. (2024). Hydrogen technology market insights. H2 View. Retrieved from https://www.h2-view.com 

International Maritime Organization. (2023). IMO GHG strategy 2023. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org