Pune-based startup Hydrovert Energy has developed hydrogen fuel cell-based stationary power generators ranging from 5 kVA to 50 kVA for long-duration backup power in commercial and industrial applications.
Supriya Patwardhan, co-founder of Hydrovert Energy, told pv magazine that the systems use hydrogen as the sole fuel input, irrespective of whether the hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, renewable energy-powered electrolysis, or nuclear energy pathways. The generators combine proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells with battery storage in a hybrid architecture designed to improve efficiency and fuel cell durability while reducing capital costs.
Hydrovert manufactures key components in-house, including fuel cells, battery packs, power electronics, fuel cell controllers and electronic control units (ECUs), with 95% component indigenisation, she added.
Patwardhan said that the gensets produce zero emissions and operate without noise pollution, positioning them as clean alternative to diesel generators. The systems also generate hot exhaust air at around 45 C, which can be used for indoor space heating in colder climates.
The gensets include integrated hydrogen leak detection sensors, remote monitoring capabilities and multiple protection systems, including temperature, overcurrent and short-circuit protection. Users can remotely monitor hydrogen levels, battery status and power generation.
The systems can supply either 230V AC single-phase, 415V AC three-phase, or 12V/36V/48V DC output, depending on application requirements.
According to the company, operating costs are lower than diesel- and natural gas-based generators, although capital expenditure remains around six times higher than comparable diesel gensets due to the early stage of the technology. Hydrovert expects costs to decline with manufacturing scale-up and automation.
Hydrovert Energy commissioned its first commercial deployment at an NTPC facility in Greater Noida in April 2026.
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