Reverion secures $62 million to turn manure into pure energy for small farmers

Stephan Herrmann’s journey from a PhD student in Munich to a pioneering entrepreneur is marked by a significant milestone with Reverion, the company he co-founded, securing $62 million in Series A funding. The funding will boost the industrial-scale production of its novel biogas power plants. These plants are designed to be vastly more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional models.

Reverion’s technology harnesses biogas—derived from agricultural waste like food scraps and manure—to generate power. What sets it apart is the integration of hydrogen fuel cells and a unique system architecture that Herrmann developed. This design significantly enhances efficiency, with the company claiming an 80% improvement over existing biogas plants. This efficiency leap means Reverion’s plants can produce double the output of standard gas engines, creating renewable natural gas or green hydrogen in a process that is essentially reversible.

The series A funding round was led by Energy Impact Partners and received participation from notable investors such as Honda and the European Innovation Council Fund (EIC Fund). The capital infusion allows Reverion to commence large-scale production and delivery of its backlog of orders, which currently stands at $100 million.

Reverion’s units are primarily aimed at farmers and industrial plants. The technology not only doubles the output of existing biogas facilities but also creates an additional revenue stream through the sale of liquefied CO2. This byproduct can be used in various industries, including chemicals, or can be sequestered to further reduce carbon footprints.

Herrmann highlighted the benefits of Reverion’s system, emphasizing its ability to help farmers comply more easily with stringent environmental regulations, thanks to its ultra-low emissions. The system’s reversible function also enables it to use excess power to produce green hydrogen, an alternative to the more environmentally harmful ‘gray’ hydrogen derived from fossil fuels.

Despite facing competition from established companies like Bloom Energy, Reverion distinguishes itself through its unique technology that not only captures but also directly removes carbon from the atmosphere. This innovative approach positions Reverion as a leader in the emerging climate tech landscape, contributing significantly to the reduction of global carbon emissions.