Fuel cell technology: Halliburton Labs backs Proof Energy’s low-carbon transport solution

Earlier this month, Halliburton Labs shook things up by welcoming four fresh faces into its Houston accelerator: Proof Energy, Nandina REM, Noon Energy and Tidal Metals. Since launching in 2021 under the guidance of Andres Cabada, the program has been handing out lab benches, engineering know-how, networking perks and funding to startups chasing game-changing energy breakthroughs.

It’s a clever move for a company best known for oilfield services, but one that highlights Halliburton’s shift toward sustainable energy. By corralling innovators working on everything from battery-heating systems to next-gen metal-air batteries, the Labs team is spreading the risk and scaling multiple paths to industrial decarbonization all at once.

Proof Energy joins the accelerator

Headlining this cohort is Proof Energy, a U.S.-based startup determined to reshape fuel cell technology for commercial transport without demanding a brand-new hydrogen network. At Halliburton Labs, Proof Energy will tap into specialized reactors, prototyping gear and industry contacts to fine-tune its stack design and gear up for fleet demonstrations.

Fuel cell technology without the hydrogen infrastructure hurdle

The secret sauce of Proof Energy’s approach is its metallic solid oxide fuel cell (M-SOFC) platform, born at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Rather than betting everything on compressed hydrogen—and the still-nascent hydrogen infrastructure that goes with it—these cells run on liquid or gaseous carriers like ethanol, methanol, ammonia or natural gas. Think of them as high-density hydrogen piggybackers that offer more energy per tank and simplify logistics.

Thanks to a metallic design that trims supply-chain complexity, M-SOFCs can cost less per kilowatt than many high-temperature ceramic cells and ramp up production faster. Fleets could pull into any existing fueling station, top off with a liquid feedstock and head right back out—no waiting years for dedicated pipelines or high-pressure storage sites.

Supplementary heating for BEVs in winter

On the side, Proof Energy is rolling out the ClearTherm Range Defender, a zero-emissions catalytic oxidation heater built for battery electric vehicles. Debuting at the 2024 ACT Expo, it tackles the winter cabin-heating drain that drivers dread—keeping folks warm without gobbling up traction power. Already in commercial deployment with several truck and bus OEMs, it’s a neat fix for cold-climate fleets.

Strategic implications for transport decarbonization

Plugging into Halliburton Labs accelerates Proof Energy’s go-to-market runway by offering:

• Hands-on access to pilot-scale reactors and validation labs
• Mentorship from energy services veterans
• Connections to potential customers and backers

For Halliburton, backing a tech that leans on existing fuel networks is a savvy hedge against the slow roll-out of green hydrogen pipelines and beefed-up EV charging—while still pushing the envelope on hydrogen fuel cells and low-carbon transport.

Broader impact and collateral benefits

Proof Energy isn’t flying solo. Fellow cohort member Noon Energy is cooking up backup-power systems for data centers, showing how the accelerator’s ripple effects can boost resilience across different sectors. In trucking, M-SOFC setups could deliver instant emissions cuts, and the ClearTherm heater smooths the path for BEV adoption in frigid temperatures.

These practical fixes demonstrate how clean tech can slot into today’s energy landscape instead of waiting for some perfect future grid. It’s a pitch that resonates with fleet managers focused on total cost of ownership and uptime—and regulators hungry for steady emissions wins.

Looking ahead: trials, scale-up and market adoption

In the coming months, Proof Energy plans to hit the road—running fleet trials with early adopters to prove real-world performance and reliability. Meanwhile, Halliburton Labs will keep teeing up introductions to strategic customers and potential co-development partners. If those pilots deliver on expected cost and efficiency gains, we could see fuel-cell powertrains roll into heavy-duty applications sooner than you’d think.

At the same time, policymakers tracking hydrogen infrastructure may take note of M-SOFC’s knack for sidestepping distribution bottlenecks. By lowering the bar to entry, this approach could reshape incentive programs and grant schemes, steering support toward hybrid solutions that bridge existing fuels with zero-emission targets.

About the Company

Halliburton Labs is the innovation accelerator launched by Halliburton, a global energy services leader founded in 1919. Based in Houston, the Labs program hooks up early-stage energy ventures with lab facilities, expert mentors and access to Halliburton’s global network and funding. Its goal is simple: fast-track scalable technologies that push the sustainable energy transition forward.