Beetron

Beetron is a disruptive power converter that revolutionizes the way any type of fuel is converted into electricity. It combines the efficiency of a fuel cell with the flexibility of diesel generators.

Beetron has designed a modern power generator that is efficient and multi-fuel compatible. Beetron has signed partnership agreements with the most renowned engine experts in Italy and Switzerland to turn this digital prototype into a running physical prototype. Beetron is in possession of a unique free-piston engine from the 1950s and created a full digital twin. This engine test bench allows the validation of all simulations and optimizations. Other innovations have been tested with sub-scale models.

- Telecom towers
- Smart Microgrids
- Hybrid drones and helicopters
- Security & Defense
- Auxiliary Power Units (APU) for demanding applications

Electricity is required for the modern society and industry to function. For many demanding applications, however, the requirements far exceed the capabilities of batteries as a viable alternative to combustion engines. Fuels from renewable sources, such as biogas or e-fuels (hydrogen/ methane), promise a climate-neutral solution but are often not compatible with the engines that are embedded in countless systems today. There is no drop-in replacement technology that bridges the gap between legacy fossil fuels and sustainable alternatives without demanding too many compromises.

The Beetron technology combines the efficiency of a fuel cell with the flexibility and robustness of conventional generators. It adjusts to legacy fossil fuels and sustainable alternatives, like hydrogen, biogas, or synthetic fuels. The conversion process offers a revolutionary >50% energy efficiency at minimal emissions. The Beetron electrical converter is significantly lighter, smaller in dimensions, and less maintenance intense.

The market needs innovative solutions and the conditions for this disruptive solution are very timely. Many industry sectors face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint and require sustainable alternatives. Many of those solutions, however, require a different approach to operations, utilization, and resupply. There is no drop-in replacement technology that bridges the gap between legacy fossil fuels and sustainable alternatives without demanding too many compromises. Conventional diesel generators in the range of 5-100 kW typically have poor efficiencies (<30%) causing inevitable CO2 and other emissions. Fuel cells, on the other hand, offer high efficiency but require complex cooling. The precision manufacturing requirements and platinum electrodes make them very expensive.

The vision of Beetron is to become the innovation pioneer for renewable energy and sustainable power generation. The Beetron team is convinced that its impact goes beyond merely selling solutions, but to transform power generation and have a lasting positive impact on society and the environment.

The Beetron converter increases efficiency and reduces cost in all industrial sectors where energy conversion into electricity is needed. Initally, Beetron will sell the generator to commercial end users via its channel partners. The customer pays a premium for Beetron’s ultra-efficient converter but enjoys significant fuel and maintenance savings over the product’s lifetime.
In a future step, the company envisions an “electricity- as-a-service” turnkey model that allows to retain more of the product’s benefits (efficiency, longevity, low maintenance cost) within the company.

Design and manufacturing of a working prototype (technology readiness level 6) that will have 100kW of power output. This prototype will be ready for testing in the beginning of 2025.

Selected as participant for the RUAG Startup Accelerator. RUAG is the technology partner of the Swiss Armed Forces.

The free-piston principle itself was patented in the last century and the original IP rights have expired. According to our patent research, this leads to Freedom to Operate. Due to fortunate circum- stances, Beetron SA was able to take exclusive possession of a plethora of technical drawings, calculations, and personal notes of the Swiss engineer Robert Huber (1901–1995), a key influencer in the development of the free-piston principle. Beetron SA also took possession of an historic free-piston engine and turned it into a test bench for measurements to learn from the existing engine.

Beetron SA is continuously building up know-how in the free-piston technology and plans to file for several patents based on its optimizations and improvements. In-depth knowledge of the free-piston technology is necessary to design a free-piston engine. The company has developed several state- of-the-art technologies related to the free-piston principle. Other inventions will be treated as trade secrets.