Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
What began as a discussion inside the dormitories of IIT Bombay in 2023 between three friends has grown into a deep-tech startup working on improving the way energy is used across vehicles and industrial systems.
Rhygen, founded by IIT Bombay graduates, has spent nearly two years building and testing its technology before making its public debut this week. The company said it started with a simple question: where is energy being lost every day, and how can those losses be reduced?
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The founders assembled a small team to work on the problem.
Today, Rhygen has 12 members and is focused on developing systems that reduce energy losses during transmission and conversion. “Energy Saved is Energy Gained,” the startup said, describing the idea behind its work.
Its first product is a series hybrid powertrain for light commercial vehicles. The company chose the segment because delivery vans and cargo vehicles operating in cities spend much of their time in stop-and-go traffic, where repeated braking and acceleration reduce engine efficiency.
Rhygen developed and integrated its prototype into a Tata Ace. The startup said its system continuously switches between the engine and battery depending on operating conditions, allowing the vehicle to use power more efficiently.
According to the company, the prototype improved overall system efficiency from 13-15% to 27-30%, resulting in almost twice the mileage under similar conditions.
The startup said it opted for a series hybrid architecture instead of a fully electric vehicle because commercial operators need to maximise payload and minimise downtime.
A smaller battery pack reduces weight while avoiding long charging breaks, it said.
While commercial vehicles are its first application, Rhygen said the technology can also be adapted for diesel generator sets, ships, defence platforms and range-extended drones. The company is developing a modular hardware and software stack that can be used across different power systems.
Looking ahead, Rhygen said its focus is on building systems that reduce energy waste rather than chasing announcements.
“The road ahead won’t be measured by announcements or headlines, but by systems that consume less, waste less and achieve more,” the company said in its post.
From an idea discussed in an IIT Bombay hostel room to a startup building energy management systems, the founders say their goal remains unchanged: improving efficiency wherever energy is generated, transmitted or converted.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
