Israel’s reputation as the “Start-Up Nation” is no accident. It is a product of relentless innovation, cross-disciplinary research, and a hunger for solving complex global challenges. The clean energy sector is one such industry that faces a variety of challenges including increasing global emissions, energy prices and finite resources. In the race toward clean energy, three Israeli startups H2Pro, QD-SOL, and GenCell are carving out their own niches in the hydrogen sector, each attempting to push the boundaries of research and development in ways that could propel the industry forward.
H2Pro – Redefining Electrolysis Efficiency
Website: https://www.h2pro.co/
Many current methods used to obtain hydrogen is a process called electrolysis. Electrolysis uses electricity to split a substance into its basic components. In the case of hydrogen production, it means running an electric current through water (H₂O) to break it apart into hydrogen gas (H₂) and oxygen gas (O₂). The result: pure hydrogen that can be stored and used as clean fuel, and oxygen that’s usually released into the air or captured for other uses. The caveat with electrolysis is that, while it is a clean way to make hydrogen, it is not yet the cheapest or most efficient.
H2Pro is currently on a mission to improve the design to curtail the current drawback of electrolysis from water. H2Pro’s breakthrough lies in its E-TAC (Electrochemical–Thermally Activated Chemical) process, a two-step, membrane-free form of electrolysis. By separating hydrogen and oxygen generation in time rather than space, H2Pro’s system enhances safety, improves efficiency, and integrates seamlessly with renewable power. Backed by heavyweight investors like Breakthrough Energy and Hyundai, H2Pro is targeting green hydrogen at under US $1 ($0.69 AUD) per kilogram, a potential tipping point for global adoption.
QD-SOL – Harnessing the Sun, No Wires Attached
Website: https://qd-sol.com/
QD-SOL has taken a radically different approach, sidestepping the need for electricity altogether. Its quantum-dot nanoparticle panels split water into hydrogen using only sunlight, no membranes, rare materials, or external power required. Born out of 15 years of academic research at the Technion, QD-SOL’s method promises modular, off-grid hydrogen production that could make clean energy accessible to communities far from power infrastructure.
GenCell – Fuel Cells for a Zero-Emission World
Website: https://www.gencellenergy.com/
While H2Pro and QD-SOL focus on producing hydrogen, GenCell focuses on the application of hydrogen energy. The company develops fuel-cell systems that convert hydrogen or ammonia into electricity, providing resilient, zero-emission backup power for critical infrastructure. From telecom towers to disaster-response sites, GenCell’s technology allows the for the implementation of clean energy to be used in real word applications.
Impact on the Global Hydrogen Landscape
Individually, each of these companies is tackling a different bottleneck; cost, accessibility, and application. This holistic approach strengthens Israel’s position as one of the leaders in green hydrogen technology and offers a blueprint for how startups can accelerate the clean-energy transition.
As the world pivots toward decarbonisation, these companies are proving that smart R&D, bold engineering, and a problem-solving mindset can turn the hydrogen economy from a distant dream into an imminent reality.
Sources:
- https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/05/16/green-hydrogen/h2pro
- https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-775815
- https://www.haaretz.com/haaretz-labels/innovation2024/2025
For more information, please contact Lachlan Corne: Lachlan.Corne@israeltrade.gov.il
israeltrade.org.au 