Bill Gates visited Modern Hydrogen, a Seattle-area climate tech startup, where he filled a parking lot pothole with a new carbon trapping asphalt. The company has developed a device that cracks natural gas molecules to produce hydrogen fuel and carbon black, which is used in various industrial applications, including in asphalt. Gates was hands-on during the visit and checked out a demo version of the company’s methane pyrolysis reactor, which produces pure hydrogen from natural gas or biogas. Modern Hydrogen has deployed demo reactors to customers in Portland and Miami and is working on a larger, second-generation reactor at their new facility in Woodinville.
Modern Hydrogen originated in 2015 at Intellectual Ventures, an innovation hub backed by Bill Gates. Initially focused on capturing wasted heat from home appliances, the company pivoted to hydrogen fuel. Gates has been a founding investor and has visited the company multiple times, showing a keen interest in the technology. He has been a strong advocate for hydrogen fuel, calling it the “Swiss Army knife” of clean energy due to its versatility. Despite its many benefits, hydrogen fuel still faces challenges in terms of transportation costs and carbon emissions.
One of the key advantages of Modern Hydrogen’s reactors is their small size, allowing them to be placed at the location where the fuel is needed. The reactors are also self-powered, with a quarter of the hydrogen produced being recycled to generate more fuel. Additionally, the carbon black produced by the reactors can be used in various applications such as tires, ink, rubber, and asphalt. The use of carbon black in asphalt helps cut the climate impact, sequester carbon, and save money. Modern Hydrogen has raised $100 million in venture capital funding and has a team of 60 employees working on developing their technology further.
Washington has other hydrogen fuel initiatives underway, with the Pacific Northwest chosen to become one of seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. These hubs, supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, aim to accelerate the growth of the hydrogen fuel sector and will be eligible for significant federal funding. Modern Hydrogen’s focus on producing clean hydrogen fuel and utilizing carbon black in asphalt showcases the potential for innovative solutions to combat climate change. With the backing of investors like Bill Gates, the company is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the clean energy industry.
Overall, Modern Hydrogen’s technology has the potential to revolutionize the way hydrogen fuel is produced and utilized. By addressing key challenges such as transportation costs and carbon emissions, the company is paving the way for cleaner and more sustainable energy alternatives. With ongoing support from investors and government initiatives like the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs, the future looks promising for hydrogen fuel innovation in Washington and beyond. The success of companies like Modern Hydrogen highlights the importance of investing in clean energy solutions to combat climate change and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.
