Energy for Everyone
Imagine a world where anyone at any time has access to clean, circular energy. For student team SOLID, that future is not just a dream, but a mission. Since 2016, we have been working from the Eindhoven University of Technology on building a sustainable future for energy systems by developing innovative energy carriers.
Building the Energy System of Tomorrow
In the energy transition, we see energy carriers as the key to accessible and reliable energy. But building the future requires more than just technological expertise. That’s why our team consists of students from diverse studies, cultures, and disciplines – from engineering to business, and from system design to R&D – because true innovation arises where collaboration, diversity, and vision come together.
From Dream to Tangible Impact
We work on long-term and large-scale projects in which we bring energy carrier technology from academia to commercial viability. In doing so, we bridge the infamous “Valley of Death” – the stage where many promising innovations fail. This makes our work not only exciting, but also socially relevant.
A great example is our first project: the development of iron powder combustion as a sustainable heat source. It led to a world premiere – the first iron powder flame. The technology proved so promising that in 2020, the start-up RIFT was founded by former SOLID members. For more information on RIFT visit: https://www.ironfueltechnology.com/
After this milestone, we shifted towards a new promising technology: iron-based hydrogen storage. This makes it possible to store hydrogen in a safe, compact, and energy-efficient way – a crucial step for the large-scale deployment of hydrogen in the energy transition. This project is also proving to be quite interesting for industry.
A Place Where We Grow as a Team and as Individuals
At SOLID we also focus on personal development. We are challenged to take responsibility, think critically, and be inventive. Through our large grant-funded projects, we learn to collaborate with a wide range of organisations. In this way members gain knowledge about the high-tech energy industry and attain valuable professional skills, like stakeholder management.
SOLID is a community where enterprising students come together, exchange ideas, and commit to a sustainable future. Where we build a culture with room for initiative, learning, and of course, fun. A place where you get to know yourself better, develop leadership skills, and discover how your talent can make a difference. To us, SOLID is a place where we make an impact, for the world and for ourselves.