Iron Energy: The Venture Leader Cleantech developing low-cost, sustainable iron-based energy storage

08.09.2025 11:30, Rita Longobardi

Meet Samuel Heiniger, CEO of Iron Energy. The Cleantech startup employs iron ore to cut hydrogen storage costs by up to 90%, offering a cheap and sustainable solution for renewable energy storage. In November, Samuel and the other nine Swiss National Cleantech Team members will travel to Munich on a business development and investor roadshow.

Name: Samuel Heiniger
Location: Zürich
Nationality: Swiss
Graduated from: ETH Zürich (B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD)
Job title: Founder and CEO
Number of employees: 4
 

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Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
Iron Energy develops solutions for seasonal energy storage, allowing excess summer power production to cover winter demand. We store energy chemically using a safe, low-cost, and abundant material: iron ore.

What market are you addressing and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
We target renewable energy developers and industrial companies with high energy needs. The potential lies in enabling cost-effective, large-scale storage to support the global energy transition.

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
The project began in 2016 when my PhD supervisor noticed the future challenge of excess PV production in summer. I later joined to further develop and scale the technology.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders roadshow, and how do you think it will help you achieve your vision?
I hope to connect with like-minded people passionate about the environment and engage with stakeholders in the German energy sector to advance our vision.

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
> Developed robust technology with three successful scale-ups and three patents
> Secured media coverage in national and international outlets
> Signed a committed customer for our first commercial unit

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
Hire great people and trust them to get the job done.

What is your favorite productivity hack or tool and why?
Self-isolate and go to a park with all documents printed out—it helps me focus completely.

What was your dream job when you were a child?
I always wanted to be a train driver—I’ve loved the idea of moving things efficiently and seeing the bigger picture in motion.