ZeroAvia, a developer of hydrogen propulsion systems and ground infrastructure, has announced a significant reduction in hydrogen production costs through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) software. The company claims its new software can cut the levelized cost of hydrogen production by at least 20%. This is achieved using algorithms similar to those managing electrical microgrids powered by renewable energy.
The Smart Hydrogen AI Production Software (SHAIPS) was tested on an energy microgrid at ZeroAvia's facilities in Hollister, California. The facility produces its own hydrogen fuel via electrolysis, utilizing electricity from renewable sources to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.
Val Miftakhov, founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, brought in engineers from his previous venture JuiceNet to develop optimization software for hydrogen production plants that rely on renewable energy. "Our innovation was around smart charging of electric vehicles to provide the energy-balancing capability for renewable energy," Miftakhov explained. He emphasized the need for storage when solar or wind power is unavailable.