Atom H2: Solid hydrogen storage powering sustainable futures
- Ravi Chen
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
As the world accelerates its transition towards clean energy, innovative solutions that address energy storage and accessibility have become essential. Among these, Atom H2, a breakthrough technology developed by Anna Martín, Marcel Rovira, and Lucas Vicén — a multidisciplinary team of young engineers and designers from the Elisava School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona — stands out for its potential to contribute significantly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The team’s expertise spans industrial design, mechanical engineering, and sustainable systems, and their collaborative vision has gained international attention. Recognised with the James Dyson Award 2024 (Spain), Atom H2 is being further developed with institutional support from IQS Tech Factory and through international platforms such as Prototypes for Humanity in Dubai.
Access to reliable energy remains a major barrier in many remote regions. In such areas, dependency on fossil fuels like diesel generators not only increases emissions but also limits economic and social progress. Atom H2 offers a viable solution, enabling self-sufficiency and resilience through sustainable hydrogen storage, and moving the world a step closer to universal energy access.
Solid-state hydrogen: Compact, clean, and secure
The core innovation behind Atom H2 lies in its solid-state hydrogen storage using metal hydrides. Traditional hydrogen storage methods, whether gaseous or liquid, often pose safety concerns and require large infrastructures due to high pressures or cryogenic temperatures. In contrast, solid storage significantly reduces volume and risk.
The process begins with the electrolysis of water powered by renewable sources such as solar or wind, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then safely embedded within a metal hydride matrix, allowing storage at low pressure in a compact modular unit. When electricity is needed, the hydrogen is extracted and converted into energy via a fuel cell, producing zero-emission power with only water as a by-product.
This closed-loop cycle aligns with the principles of a circular economy and enables an efficient response to the intermittency of renewable generation, a major hurdle in energy transition scenarios.
Real-world impact and scalability
Designed as a plug-and-play, hipermodular system, Atom H2 supports scalability. Each installation can stack up to five vertical storage modules and expand horizontally through base module extensions. This adaptability makes it ideal for off-grid applications, such as telecommunications towers, rural electrification, and isolated microgrids.
According to the International Energy Agency, approximately 770 million people still lack access to electricity, with the majority residing in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Technologies like Atom H2 can offer decentralised solutions tailored to local needs, reducing reliance on centralised infrastructure investments.
Moreover, the global energy storage market is expected to grow from 20 GW in 2020 to over 500 GW by 2030, according to BloombergNEF. Atom H2, with its lightweight, secure, and efficient design, is well-positioned to capture a portion of this emerging demand — especially in climate-sensitive and infrastructure-poor regions.
Recognition and collaboration
The project earned the James Dyson Award 2024 in Spain, underlining its innovation and potential for global impact. Founders Anna Martín, Marcel Rovira, and Lucas Vicén have secured mentoring and funding through initiatives such as IQS Tech Factory and the Prototypes for Humanity programme in Dubai. These platforms provide not only technical and business support but also international exposure, helping the team to scale Atom H2 and adapt it to diverse contexts and energy demands.
This recognition not only supports the development of Atom H2 but also underscores the value of investing in youth-led climate innovation, a key priority of the Global Society. In a rapidly warming world, such grassroots projects exemplify how collaborative, cross-sectoral efforts can address systemic challenges.
A global society-driven transition
Achieving net-zero emissions requires more than policy shifts — it demands technological innovation, community empowerment, and global collaboration. Atom H2 encapsulates these elements, offering a replicable, climate-resilient model for energy transformation.
Organisations and alliances within the Global Society, including non-profits, research institutions, and public agencies, play a vital role in supporting technologies like Atom H2 through incubation, investment, and knowledge exchange. Their collaboration is essential to scale these solutions across regions where energy poverty, climate vulnerability, and infrastructure deficits intersect.
Atom H2 is more than just a new energy technology — it is a symbol of progress, an example of how engineering, sustainability, and global vision can converge. As the world confronts mounting environmental and energy challenges, solutions like Atom H2 represent the type of transformative innovation needed to deliver on the 2030 Agenda.
By investing in such technologies and supporting their deployment globally, the international community can pave the way towards a cleaner, more equitable, and resilient energy future.
Explore more
For further information on global clean energy efforts and sustainable hydrogen technologies, explore:
