Electrochaea is commercializing a disruptive, scalable technology to convert electric power into methane, the principal component of natural gas. Using CO2 as a feedstock gas, power can be efficiently converted to renewable natural gas for power storage, for transportation fuels, or for transmission via a natural gas network. The company licensed technology from the University of Chicago and is led by the Nidus Partners, a St. Louis investment group specializing in renewable energy. Mich Hein, a Nidus Managing Partner, serves as CEO.
Electrochaea has developed a commercially viable and disruptive solution for utility-scale energy storage, grid balancing, and carbon reuse. Their proprietary process converts low-cost and stranded electricity and carbon dioxide into pipeline-grade renewable gas for direct injection into the existing natural gas grid, a conversion process known as “power-to-gas”.