Team SOLID | Circular energy for anyone, at any time
At Team SOLID, we are pioneering the energy transition. This transition is one of the greatest societal challenges of our time. Every student at Team SOLID is working to make a difference through action, innovation, and collaboration. We believe in leading by example by being at the forefront of this transition, as drivers of change.
I am Mick Gast, Team Manager of Team SOLID 24/25. Together with 35 motivated and talented students, we are working towards a sustainable future for everyone. The effects of climate change are already becoming tangible all over the world. Governments point to industry for change, and the industry immediately points back -- no one dares to take the first step. We’re tired of this, so we are taking matters into our own hands.
We do this by developing an innovative technology that enables energy storage and transport, called iron-based hydrogen storage (IRHYS). With this, we can make cheap and renewable solar energy, produced in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, and Brazil, accessible to energy-scarce areas such as Europe.
From vision to realization
To make our vision a reality, we have created a proof of concept in recent years that demonstrates the basic principle of our technology. Now, it is our task, as the current Team SOLID, to scale up and realize the first industrial pilot. That’s why my team and I have fully focused on designing a new and improved system – a crucial step toward practical, scalable application. After a year of technical calculations, safety requirements, and many iterations, we delivered a complete design for our pilot, which we presented at our event on July 3 at the High Tech Campus. This design and event together mark the starting signal for the hydrogen ecosystem to unite and start making an impact.
In addition to technical developments within our team, the business team and I have shared our story on (inter)national stages, in the media, and with companies and policymakers. The goal? To create awareness about the potential of iron as an energy carrier and the urgency of innovation in energy storage. We don’t just want to develop technology – we want to change the conversation.
To strengthen these conversations, we have conducted in-depth feasibility studies with industrial partners and research institutions into the technical, economic, and logistical aspects of IRHYS. These analyses confirm that our technology is not only innovative, but also realistic and relevant.
What’s next?
Although the work of my team and me is almost done, the journey of Team SOLID certainly is not. I’ve been frustrated, discouraged, and hopeful, but above all, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my team, our work, and the achievements we’ve made. It’s also incredibly motivating to see that another iron-strong (😉) team is already ready to carry on our work in the coming academic year. That’s also the strength of a student team: every year, a fresh perspective, new ideas, and dedicated students. This group has the privilege of being able to start building and truly take the step toward realization. So keep an eye on Team SOLID – big things are coming!