Elcogen’s roots trace back to Estonia’s post-independence period in the early 1990s. With the country newly liberated from Soviet rule, Estonia faced a major challenge in reorganizing its energy infrastructure. Energy prices soared, and the need for energy independence became critical. Enn Õunpuu, who had helped establish the Estonian Power and Heating Association, recognized an opportunity to innovate in this space. “We were facing huge challenges. Energy conservation was a massive issue, and we needed new solutions. I started thinking about what the game-changer for Estonia could be.”
He found his answer in Estonia’s rich history of electrochemistry, a field that dates back to the 19th century. “We are lucky that Estonia has a strong tradition in material science and electrochemistry,” Õunpuu explains. “One of the key figures in modern electrochemistry, Wilhelm Ostwald, studied at Tartu University. His work laid the foundation for what we now call fuel cell technology.” What is a fuel cell? It’s an electrochemical device that directly converts the chemical energy of a fuel (like hydrogen or hydro-carbons) into electrical energy without any moving parts nor harmful emissions. This direct conversion is more efficient and extremely cleaner than combustion-based power generation methods, such as those found in engines or power plants.
The idea of fuel cells – their high efficiency and low environmental impact– had intrigued Õunpuu for years. The challenge was to commercialize this technology, making it scalable and accessible. “I wasn’t a scientist myself,” Õunpuu admits. “But I knew that if we could combine academic research with commercial interests, we could create something remarkable.” Elcogen was born in 2001.
Today, Elcogen develops and supplies world-leading solid oxide fuel cell and electrolysis technologies that enable the production of affordable green hydrogen and emission-free electricity across diverse sectors, from residential to large-scale industrial applications. The firm has advanced manufacturing facilities in Tallinn and R&D Centers of Excellence in both Estonia and Finland. Serving a growing global customer base, Elcogen’s products are integrated into third-party systems, delivering exceptional performance and reliability. In addition to the supply of components, the company offers comprehensive engineering services to support technology integration, ensuring seamless adoption and optimal functionality of its solutions in various applications.
Looking ahead, Õunpuu sees fuel cells as the perfect solution to support the intermittency of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. “We have plenty of wind and solar energy, but these sources are intermittent. To address this, we need fast, responsive energy systems. Battery storage is an option, but it’s expensive and only provides limited backup. For example, if you need 10 hours of backup power, you would require ten times the battery storage capacity– an expense that would cause energy prices to skyrocket. Fuel cells, on the other hand, can generate electricity quickly when wind and solar output drops. They can help stabilize the grid and ensure that we have reliable power when we need it most,” he says, continuing, “If we want to change our energy systems, we need to rethink how we store and generate power. Fuel cells provide an excellent solution, especially when paired with renewable energy sources. The key is to integrate them into existing systems and create a more resilient, sustainable energy infrastructure”.
As countries and industries grapple with energy transitions, fuel cells offer a way forward. The challenge now lies in ensuring they are embraced on a global scale. Elcogen offers an exciting solution. The firm took a significant leap forward in 2024 with its transition to manufacturing at scale. “This strategic move, marked by the establishment of our new 14,000 m² facility in the Loovälja Industrial Park in Tallinn, Estonia, represents a major step forward in our commitment.
”Elcogen’s state-of-the-art factory, scheduled to commence operations by mid-2025, will increase manufacturing capacity from 10 MW to 360 MW and will serve as a blueprint for others. This will not only deliver meaningful significant benefits to their customers, but also to the broader industry as Elcogen strives to make its solutions more accessible and efficient. “Together with our strategic partners such as Baker Hughes, and HD Hyundai, we are developing real world solutions to the challenges of moving away from combusting fossil fuels.”
