Heliogen develops concentrating solar energy and thermal storage systems that provide carbon-free heat, steam, or power for industrial operations. Their AI-powered technology delivers reliable, round-the-clock clean energy solutions to decarbonize heavy industry.
Funding
$165M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Many industries, such as cement and steel manufacturing, rely on high-temperature heat generated from burning fossil fuels, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Traditional renewable energy sources often struggle to provide the consistent, high-intensity heat required for these processes, especially during nighttime or cloudy conditions.
Solution
Heliogen offers a concentrating solar thermal system that delivers carbon-free heat, steam, or power for industrial operations, enabling decarbonization of heavy industries. The system uses an array of mirrors (heliostats) controlled by AI-powered computer vision to precisely focus sunlight onto a receiver, generating high-temperature heat. This thermal energy can be stored in a thermal energy storage system, allowing for dispatchable energy on demand, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. The stored heat can be used directly in industrial processes, to generate electricity via a turbine, or to produce green hydrogen through water splitting.
Target Audience
Heliogen's primary customers are industrial companies in sectors such as food and beverage, mining, transportation, chemicals, metals manufacturing, oil and gas, and cement, seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and achieve sustainability goals.
Features
- AI-powered computer vision system for precise heliostat control and solar energy concentration
- Modular design for scalable implementations across various industrial applications
- Thermal energy storage for dispatchable heat and power, addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources
- High-temperature heat generation suitable for steel-melting, cement production, and other energy-intensive processes
- Ability to produce green hydrogen for transportation, heating, and industrial feedstock
- Automated heliostat manufacturing for cost-effective and reliable mirror production
- Wireless, self-powered heliostats reducing cabling needs and installation costs
- Direct steam generation receivers for efficient heat transfer to thermal energy storage or customer facilities