About HyGen4
24 years of deep R&D into hydrogen production and clean power generation.
HyGen4 was created to fund the building of the Founder's fourth prototype, which is basically an electrolyser with bells and whistles. It's a new type of electrolyser designed to replace the 237-year-old electrolyser technology that is still used today. Based on the design, it should produce substantial volumes of hydrogen and oxygen while using minimal power.
By combining this electrolyser with a gas separator and fuel cell, onboard hydrogen generation power plants become a reality as drop in replacements for power systems designed to power heavy duty vehicles, including planes, locomotives, trucks and ships. This approach has the potential to reduce reliance on large, dedicated hydrogen-storage tanks traditionally used to supply fuel cells.
Working alongside partners, our plan is to integrate one of these power plants into a heavy vehicle for proof of concept.
We are based in Geraldton, Western Australia.
Geraldton, Western Australia
24 years, 3 prototypes
Local talent & technology
HyGen4 has a strong focus on building an advanced technology centre in the regional city of Geraldton, supporting local talent, creating local jobs, and developing the next generation of clean energy engineers and tradespeople.
The Founder
Around 2001, the Founder set out to decode the mysteries of water. What followed was a deep exploration of its unique polar structure and the intrinsic properties that may hold the key to a new era of energy.
As his research progressed, he encountered the work of numerous pioneers investigating methods to manipulate and dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen. He studied their work in depth, built on their discoveries, and developed his own understanding of the physical principles involved.
His curiosity-driven journey evolved into a focused pursuit: exploring how water's properties could enable a more efficient and practical method of dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen for sustained energy production.
Drawing on the knowledge of quantum physics, materials science, electromagnetics, and engineering, he began designing and building energy-production prototypes in 2008.
With his third prototype, he managed to “fire” a highly modified internal combustion engine using water as a fuel and a custom designed electronics controller and various other “bits”.
Unfortunately, the “firing” was very random and not at all stable.
More thought was needed as to “how” this discovery could be controlled.
…so he worked out a solution.
Our Team
The HyGen4 team is committed to supporting the local Geraldton community and establishing an advanced technology centre in this Western Australian regional city. Key to this vision is getting local talent and trainees involved — showing them techniques and machines they have never encountered before. This includes acquiring local facilities and local support, to promote the development of technology and the creation of jobs in the town and the broader region.
Erron Criddle
CEO and CTOErron Criddle is a 7th generation Australian, his ancestors landing in Geraldton in 1837.
My lifelong passion is leveraging innovative technology to create products that genuinely serve humanity.
Over the past 24 years, my work has centred on deep R&D across water, hydrogen, and clean power generation.
Currently leading a new startup to build and validate compact hydrogen-generation power plants.
Powered by a novel electrolyser design, the technology produces higher volumes of fuel from lower energy input.
To complement the power plants, WorkflowPoint ERP & Telematics software will be directly integrated — creating an ecosystem of real-time data, immediate alerts, faster operational responses and maximum uptime.
Christopher Strauss
COOChristopher Strauss has designed, built and worked on many complex mission critical projects, with diverse knowledge in mechanical and electrical engineering, specialising in energy flow, power, heat and cooling. He has developed ideas including reducing effects of refrigerants on the ozone layer, building mobile chillers for regional dialysis patients, and designing zero water regional data centres.
Christopher is a 6th generation Australian, his ancestors were carpenters, builders and architectural draftsmen, sailing from Germany on the Ceasar Godeffroy, landing in Grafton NSW in the Clarence River region in March 1856, establishing a builder dynasty, with one being elected a local community Alderman.
Multiple generations moved to the Western Australian goldfields, bringing building skills with them, working on mines, shafts and batteries, becoming mine owners and managers in the Wiluna and Leonora regions, at Beria and the Lancefield gold mine, before moving to the Perth metropolitan area.
One grandfather was a blacksmith, the other a farmer, with family connections to farming in the South West and the Wheatbelt including Kulin, with up to 14 children and occupations of farmers and bricklayers and in business. Christopher is trade and tertiary qualified, and has operated business for many years.
Multiple family members contributed to community: one grandfather a member of the Legislative Assembly and Minister in the state government, mother a local councillor and Deputy Mayor, father a prominent sportsman in state and national teams and an architect building state government buildings.