# Andrei Klochko: Reversible Heat Pumps, Decarbonization, and Earth vs Mars | Hard Tech Podcast #6

- Show: [Hard Tech Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast)
- Published: 2023-06-14
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech
- Listen: https://rss.com/podcasts/hardtechpodcast/996384

## Summary

Andrei Klochko, founder and CEO of Airthium, explains his company's reversible heat pump technology, which converts electricity to heat and vice versa using a modified Ericsson cycle with fast near-isothermal compression. He argues that decarbonizing industrial processes, particularly by replacing natural gas in food and agro-industry steam generation, is critical for fixing Earth rather than focusing on Mars colonization. Klochko discusses the economic drivers of carbon taxes in Europe, the technical advantages of his engine over Stirling cycles, and the need for long-term energy storage solutions like hydrogen in salt caverns to balance intermittent renewable sources.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech#t=0) Introduction: Andrei Klochko and Airthium's Background
- [1:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech#t=109) Airthium's Reversible Heat Pump Technology
- [3:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech#t=194) The Case for Decarbonization and Industrial Heat
- [8:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech#t=499) Thermodynamics: Ericsson vs. Stirling Cycles
- [18:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech#t=1097) Energy Storage, Hydrogen, and Grid Reliability
- [24:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2023-06-14-andrei-klochko-reversible-heat-pumps-decarbonization-and-earth-vs-mars-hard-tech#t=1463) Earth vs. Mars and Airthium's Crowdfunding Campaign

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Airthium (company)
- WeFunder (other)
- Spark (company)
- Quaise (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The story of steam](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-06-19-the-story-of-steam) (Catalyst)
- [Turning Air, Water, and Sunlight into Natural Gas: Casey Handmer’s Vision for Sustainable Energy Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-12-05-turning-air-water-and-sunlight-into-natural-gas-casey-handmers-vision-for-sustai) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Decarbonizing Industrial Heat with John O’Donnell, CEO at Rondo Energy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-05-11-decarbonizing-industrial-heat-with-john-odonnell-ceo-at-rondo-energy) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Decarbonizing Heating and Housing Spaces: A Conversation with Jane Melia, Co-Founder and CEO of Harvest](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2023-08-03-decarbonizing-heating-and-housing-spaces-a-conversation-with-jane-melia-co-found) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Solving the Hydrogen Storage and Transport Challenge with Natasha Kostenuk, Founder and CEO of Ayrton Energy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-07-04-solving-the-hydrogen-storage-and-transport-challenge-with-natasha-kostenuk-found) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

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