“Our power, our planet” is the motto of World Earth Day on 22 April. With HydroSolid, IMC alumnus Lukas Renz is making a major contribution to the energy transition – and celebrating Earth Day in a very practical way.
Story
HydroSolid and World Earth Day
A brief look back: HydroSolid stores green hydrogen – in other words, energy – without producing CO2, and makes it usable over longer periods. Lukas Renz has successfully put his promising start-up on a growth path and is turning what is still a vision for many into reality. With his green deep tech company HydroSolid, he is now one of the most visible young entrepreneurs in the European energy transition. Just one year after our last alumni story, one thing is clear: his impact has grown dramatically.
From Krems to the global stage
Lukas Renz holds two degrees from IMC Krems University of Applied Sciences and is the founder and CEO of HydroSolid – the company that addresses one of the key questions of the energy transition: How can we store renewable energy safely, decentralised and sustainably?
HydroSolid develops and markets low-pressure hydrogen storage systems as well as island-capable energy systems that make industry, critical infrastructure and entire sites independent of fossil fuels. This is exactly where the World Earth Day 2026 motto, “Our power, our planet”, gets to the heart of his entrepreneurial mission.
“Our power means responsibility”
For Lukas, the motto is not just a slogan: “It is a direct call to finally use the power we have, both economically and politically, consistently for our shared future.”
While companies like HydroSolid are ready to invest, scale and transform, Lukas sees clear responsibilities for policymakers: faster approval processes and less bureaucracy when expanding energy and grid infrastructure; greater planning certainty for companies, for example through a long-term reliable CO2 price; and strengthening local energy communities so that energy is used where it is generated.
His conclusion: energy sovereignty is not idealism – it is economic common sense and a foundation for geopolitical stability.
Community instead of isolated projects
What matters most to Lukas is this: the energy transition only works together. Technology alone is not enough – distribution, access and local use are just as important. “When companies, municipalities and infrastructure invest in energy together, real resilience is created.”
This idea is also embedded in HydroSolid’s systems, which are decentralised, modular and designed for shared use: ideal for business parks, critical infrastructure or autonomous sites.
Looking ahead
Over the next twelve months, the focus is clearly on growth with impact: the market ramp-up of the HIVE hydrogen storage systems and HYPER energy modules; the expansion of reference projects in industry and critical infrastructure; further internationalisation and industrialisation; and strengthening the organisation for the next phase of growth.
“Our power, our planet” is not only the motto of World Earth Day – it fits Lukas Renz’s company HydroSolid perfectly. The energy transition can only succeed with ideas that gain momentum within communities, just like this start-up.
Our IMC alumnus impressively shows what is possible when knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit and responsibility come together. His journey from Krems to the global stage is not just a personal success story – it is also an example of how IMC Krems alumni actively contribute to shaping the future of our planet.
A year that changed everything
Since our last alumni story, HydroSolid has achieved remarkable progress:
- Selected for Expo 2025 in Osaka – HydroSolid represented Austria on one of the world’s largest international platforms for future technologies
- Accepted into the European Commission’s “Young Energy Ambassadors” programme (2025/26) – Lukas brings the perspective of young entrepreneurs directly into European energy policy discussions
- Completion of a seven-figure pre-seed funding round – a key step towards scaling and industrialisation
- Strategic partnership with SUMIDA, an international industrial partner for the serial production of HydroSolid technology
- Granting of the European patent EP4436912B1 – a technological breakthrough and protection of the core innovation
- Market launch of the “HYPER” energy module – on sale since January 2026
- Large-scale international projects, including a seven-figure project in the Middle East
- Numerous awards, including the EY Scale Up Award “Rising Star Energy” and “Start-up of the Year”
Today, HydroSolid is no longer just a start-up – it is a scale-up with international relevance.
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