SurreyH2 is a UK-based hydrogen technology company spun out of the University of Surrey that develops a hybrid water-splitting system designed to produce green hydrogen using renewable electricity and a proprietary looping mechanism. Founded to commercialize research conducted over many years within the university, the company focuses on a process that generates hydrogen from water without relying on fossil fuels as a feedstock, creating a pathway for lower emission energy across industrial sectors.
Hydrogen plays a growing role in global energy strategies because it can store surplus renewable electricity and serve as a fuel or feedstock for applications that are difficult to electrify. Steel production, chemical manufacturing, heavy transport and large-scale heating systems require high energy input, and hydrogen offers an alternative to conventional fuels while producing no carbon emissions at the point of use. Traditional hydrogen production methods often depend on natural gas reforming or energy intensive electrolysis, both of which introduce cost and infrastructure considerations. SurreyH2 developed its system to address those constraints with a different technical design.
A Hybrid Water Splitting System
SurreyH2’s technology centers on a closed loop process that alternates between thermochemical and electrochemical stages. In the first stage, water interacts with a metal within the system to generate hydrogen gas and a metal oxide. The hydrogen exits the reaction chamber at elevated pressure, which can reduce the need for additional compression before storage or transport. The second stage regenerates the metal by reversing the chemical change through an electrochemical process powered by renewable electricity. The regenerated material returns to the system, allowing the cycle to repeat continuously.
This looping design reduces material consumption because the active medium circulates through repeated cycles rather than being consumed. The system uses water as the sole input and renewable electricity as the energy source, creating hydrogen without direct carbon emissions during operation. The process operates with high efficiency, and the company reports performance levels that position the technology as a competitive option among emerging green hydrogen solutions.
Because hydrogen is generated at pressure, the output can be directed into storage tanks, industrial pipelines or onsite use without relying on large external compression systems. This feature can reduce equipment requirements and simplify integration for facilities that want to adopt hydrogen as part of their energy strategy. The design also supports modular deployment, allowing systems to be scaled to match customer demand.
Academic Roots and Commercial Development
SurreyH2 originated from research conducted at the University of Surrey, where scientists studied fuel cells, renewable energy systems and electrochemical processes for many years. That academic foundation supported the development of patents covering aspects of the hybrid water-splitting cycle, including the regenerative mechanism and system configuration. The transition from research laboratory to commercial enterprise allowed the technology to move beyond experimental stages and toward real-world applications.
The company continues to maintain connections with academic expertise while developing commercial installations. Collaboration with engineers and researchers helps refine performance metrics, validate operational stability and assess integration opportunities with renewable energy systems. Pilot projects and demonstration units support testing under controlled conditions and provide data that informs system improvements.
Investment and innovation support have enabled SurreyH2 to expand development efforts and prepare for larger scale deployments. Funding allows the company to advance manufacturing processes, enhance system durability and explore partnerships with industrial users that require reliable hydrogen production. These resources contribute to efforts aimed at bringing the hybrid technology into broader commercial use.
Applications Across Industries
Green hydrogen produced through SurreyH2’s system has potential applications in multiple sectors. Industrial heating processes, chemical synthesis and power generation can utilize hydrogen as a fuel source that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned or converted to electricity. The material also serves as a key ingredient in ammonia production, which supports fertilizer manufacturing and agricultural supply chains.
Heavy transport represents another potential market for hydrogen fuel. Trucks, ships and other vehicles that require long operating ranges may benefit from hydrogen energy systems because they provide high energy density and rapid refuelling capabilities. By producing hydrogen onsite at industrial facilities or energy hubs, the technology may support localized fuel generation without requiring extensive transportation networks.
The system can integrate with renewable energy sources such as wind, solar or hydroelectric power. When renewable electricity production exceeds demand, surplus energy can drive the electrochemical stage of the cycle, converting electricity into stored hydrogen. The hydrogen can then be used later for industrial processes or reconverted into electricity when needed, creating flexibility in energy management.
Efficiency and System Design
SurreyH2’s technology is designed for high efficiency. The hybrid process operates through a closed loop cycle that reduces energy losses common in conventional hydrogen production while avoiding rare catalysts and unnecessary chemical inputs. The metal medium moves repeatedly between oxidation and reduction within this cycle, which supports sustained operation and consistent hydrogen output.
Because the system generates hydrogen at pressure, it can simplify downstream handling and reduce additional compression steps. That characteristic may help lower infrastructure costs for industrial users who want to adopt hydrogen without extensive modifications to existing facilities. Modular configurations allow installations to scale in response to demand, which provides flexibility for both small facilities and larger industrial sites.
Durability and operational stability remain important considerations for any hydrogen technology. SurreyH2 continues to evaluate long term performance through testing and demonstration projects that assess system reliability, output consistency and maintenance requirements. These efforts support the transition from research prototype to commercially viable product.
The Role of Green Hydrogen in Energy Systems
Green hydrogen has attracted global attention as governments and industries work to reduce emissions while maintaining economic growth. Because hydrogen can be stored and transported, it functions as both an energy carrier and a fuel, supporting integration of intermittent renewable power into broader energy systems. Technologies that produce hydrogen efficiently from water and renewable electricity may help address energy storage challenges while supporting decarbonization goals.
SurreyH2’s hybrid water-splitting platform contributes to this broader movement by offering a method for hydrogen production that operates with renewable inputs and high-pressure output. The company’s design reflects research-driven innovation and focuses on compatibility with industrial requirements. As interest in low emission fuels expands, hydrogen production technologies that deliver reliable performance and scalable operation may find increasing opportunities across energy and manufacturing sectors.
With continued development, testing and collaboration, SurreyH2 seeks to position its hybrid system for deployment in markets where green hydrogen plays a role in reducing emissions and supporting renewable integration. The company’s work demonstrates how academic research can transition into commercial technology that addresses real world energy needs while relying on water and renewable power as foundational inputs.
Dakota Johnston, Founder & CEO, SurreyH2
