The Battery Alternative
Built to Last 30+ Years
Deep Discharge Distributed Compressed-Air Long Duration Energy Storage D3CALES (CAES)
YAFA Technologies has patented a deep discharge, distributed, long duration compressed air energy storage system. The first Deep Discharge CAES for distributed energy with modular units of (5–200 KWe) where conventional CAES has not been viable. It delivers longer storage duration, lower Levelised Cost of Storage (LCOS), hence lower cost per kWh, higher RTE, and multi-vector energy output (combined power, heat and cooling from a single system). Unlike lithium-ion, it uses no rare earth minerals, uses a non-flammable storage medium with no thermal runaway risk, and maintains full capacity for 30+ years with no electrochemical degradation.
This is not the industrial-scale compressed air storage you may have seen before. YAFA's patented CALEG generator operates at low pressure in compact, modular units, deployable at data centres, urban, commercial and industrial sites, farms, and hospitals. As a multi-vector system, it delivers both electricity and cooling simultaneously, making it uniquely suited to the booming data centre market.
Stage
Seed
Raising
£1.5M
Valuation
In investor pack
Equity
15% (up to 20%)
Focus
Deep Discharge CAES
Status
Round Open
2 Patents Granted
US & EU (China & India pending)
Innovate UK Funded
Smart Grants & Energy Catalyst programme
PoC Completed 2024-25
Proof of concept validated
TRL 4
Laboratory validation
EIS Eligible
30% tax relief for investors
The Problem
Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Failing
the Energy Transition
Fire Risk
Over 60 major lithium-ion battery fires globally since 2018. The Moss Landing facility in California, the world's largest, caught fire twice. Insurance costs for battery storage are rising sharply.
Short Storage Duration
Storage and discharge duration of lithium-ion batteries beyond 4 hours is quite prohibitive.
High Cost
The cost of lithium-ion batteries doubles and triples with doubling and tripling of storage and discharge duration.
Short Lifespan
Lithium-ion batteries degrade with every charge cycle. After 10 years, capacity typically drops to 70–80%. Replacement costs undermine the economic case for long-duration storage.
Environmental Damage
Lithium mining requires approximately 2.2 million litres of water per tonne. Cobalt mining in the DRC has well-documented human rights concerns. End-of-life recycling recovers less than 5% of materials.
Supply Chain Fragility
China controls approximately 60% of lithium processing and 80% of battery cell manufacturing. A single geopolitical disruption can affect the entire global energy storage supply chain.
Global Battery Fires
60+
major incidents since 2018
£10B+
Behind-the-meter energy storage market by 2030. The world needs a safer, longer-duration, longer-lasting, more sustainable alternative to lithium-ion. That alternative is compressed air.
Source: DNV, S&P Global, Bloomberg NEF
Why Now
Five Forces Creating Urgent Demand
Grid Constraints & Rising Need for Distributed Energy
Global and UK grid connection delays now exceed 10 years. Safer and more stable grid-independent power supply for critical infrastructures and industries is essential. Distributed behind-the-meter storage bypasses the queue entirely and provides an optimal alternative.
Long Duration Energy Storage is a Must
Renewables penetration is constrained by the short duration storage of existing energy storage solutions.
Battery Insurance Crisis
Insurers are restricting cover for lithium-ion installations. Some facilities cannot obtain fire insurance at any price.
Data Centre Demand
AI is driving unprecedented data centre growth. Cooling accounts for 30–40% of energy costs. Operators need sustainable alternatives.
Net Zero & Recyclability Mandates
UK and EU regulations are tightening. Large energy users face mandatory decarbonisation targets that require non-lithium storage solutions. There are currently no viable recycling solutions for electrochemical batteries at end of life, creating an additional environmental burden.
0+
Year Lifespan
No electrochemical degradation
0%+
Round-Trip Efficiency
Overall efficiency with thermal recovery
£40-65/MWh
LCOS
Levelised cost of storage
0
Rare Earth Minerals
Zero dependency
0
Granted Patents
US & EU (China & India pending)
Core Technology
Patented CALEG Generator:
Energy Storage Without Batteries
How It Works
D3CALES stores (renewable) energy by compressing air at low pressure into standard storage tanks. Heat generated during compression is recovered and stored separately in a heat storage unit. When electricity is needed, the compressed air drives CALEG, YAFA's patented linear electric generator, to produce electric power at high efficiency and power density. The waste heat from compression is captured and reused, pushing electric round-trip efficiency to 80% and overall (electric + thermal) efficiency above 90%. The expanded air cools down providing cooling power for cooling purposes.
Why This Is Different From Other CAES
Working Prototype: CALEG Generator
Control system, valve motor, and linear generator assembly
Intellectual Property
US Patent
US11,384,681
Granted
EU Patent
EP3580451
Granted
China Patent
CN117203413 A
Pending
PCT Application
PCT/IL2022/050208/WO2022/180620A1
Filed
Market Opportunity
One Technology. Multiple Markets.
CAES: Energy Storage
£10B+
Behind-the-meter storage market by 2030
Behind-the-meter energy storage is the fastest-growing segment of the energy storage market. These are systems installed at the point of use: commercial buildings, industrial sites, farms, hospitals, and military bases, rather than at grid scale.
YAFA's CAES system is designed specifically for this market. A deep discharge, distributed CAES technology operating at the 5–200 KWe scale required for behind-the-meter deployment, where conventional CAES cannot reach.
Sources: DNV Energy Transition Outlook, S&P Global, Market & Markets Research
Data Centres: Multi-Vector Advantage
£40B+
Data centre cooling addressable market
The global data centre market is projected to exceed £100 billion by 2030, driven by AI, cloud computing, and digital transformation. Cooling accounts for 30–40% of total data centre energy consumption.
As a multi-vector energy storage system, YAFA's CAES delivers both electricity and cooling simultaneously. A fundamentally different approach that eliminates the energy cost of conventional cooling systems.
Sources: EUDCA, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
How YAFA Compares
| Feature | YAFA CAES | Lithium-Ion | Grid-Scale CAES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10+ hours | < 6 hours | > 6 hours |
| Lifespan | 30+ years | 8–12 years | 30+ years |
| LCOS | £40-65/MWh | £125-250/MWh (up to 6 hours) | £80-180/MWh |
| Degradation | No electrochemical degradation | 20–50% capacity loss over life | No electrochemical degradation |
| Round-Trip Efficiency | 80%+ electrical, 90%+ overall | 85–95% | 40–65% |
| Multi-Vector Output | Electricity + heat + cooling combined | Electricity only | Electricity only (cooling typically unused) |
| Module Scale | 5–200 KWe (micro) | Variable | 100+ MWe only |
| Flexibility | Separate sizing of power and storage capacities | Poor | Separate sizing of power and storage capacities |
| Fire / Thermal Runaway Risk | Non-flammable medium | Significant | Non-flammable medium |
| Rare Earth Minerals | None required | Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel | None required |
| Footprint | Reduced (underground storage tanks) | Large | Reduced (underground salt caverns) |
| Deployment | Compact modular units for distributed energy | Any site | Utility-centralised |
The Investment
2026 Seed Round Open
Raising
£1.5M
Seed round
Equity Offered
15–20%
Valuation detailed in investor pack
EIS + Innovate UK: Exceptional Risk/Return Profile
YAFA is eligible for the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), and is backed by Innovate UK through the Energy Catalyst programme. When stacked together, these create one of the most compelling risk-adjusted investment opportunities in UK cleantech:
30%
Income Tax Relief
Immediate 30% tax relief on investment via EIS
100%
CGT Exemption
No Capital Gains Tax on returns if held 3+ years
1:1
IUK Grant Leverage
YAFA is positioned to access Innovate UK non-dilutive Investor Partner grant funding alongside private investment
70%
R&D Grant Funding
Energy Catalyst covers up to 70% of R&D costs
What This Means for a £50,000 Investment
Invest £50,000 → Receive £15,000 back immediately (30% EIS tax relief) → Your net cost is £35,000
YAFA is backed by Innovate UK and is well positioned to leverage non-dilutive grant funding alongside private investment, subject to programme eligibility and competition outcomes
If the investment succeeds → No Capital Gains Tax on returns (if held 3+ years)
If the investment does not succeed → Claim loss relief at your marginal tax rate, significantly reducing your actual downside risk
Development Milestones
2022
Company founded / PCT patent application filed
2024
US patent granted (US11,384,681)
2025
EU patent granted (EP3580451)
2024-25
CALEG proof of concept completed
2026
Seed round (current raise)
Q2 2027
Working prototype (TRL 5–6)
2028
Pilot deployments (TRL 7-8)
Q4 2031
Commercial scale, ~£95M revenue target
Revenue Target
~£95M
by Q4 2031 at 0.1% market share
Conservative estimate based on behind-the-meter CAES market projections
Use of Funds
Where the £1.5M Goes
Seed capital funds the path from proof of concept to working prototype and first pilot deployments. With up to 70% of R&D costs covered by Innovate UK Energy Catalyst grants, investor capital is leveraged significantly.
What This Raise Achieves
Milestone Unlocked
Working CAES prototype (TRL 5–6) with independent performance validation. This is the critical de-risking step that moves YAFA from laboratory proof of concept to a demonstrable, testable system.
Risk Removed
Technical risk: third-party validated performance data. Commercial risk: pilot-ready system that potential deployment partners can evaluate. IP risk: extended patent protection across key markets.
Path to Series A
Validated prototype + pilot deployment data positions YAFA for a Series A raise to fund manufacturing scale-up and commercial rollout. 18-month runway to reach this inflection point.
Traction & Validation
Early-Stage, Independently Validated
YAFA is pre-revenue at TRL 4, but the technology has been independently validated through competitive grant processes and patent examination.
Innovate UK Smart Grant
Participated in the programme. Independent technical review confirmed commercial potential.
Innovate UK Energy Catalyst
Participated in the programme. Independent technical review confirmed commercial potential.
EU Eureka Grant Award
Selected for the prestigious EU Eureka programme. Independent European validation of the technology's commercial viability and multi-vector energy storage potential.
US & EU Patents Granted
Full patent examination completed by USPTO and EPO. Both offices independently confirmed novelty and inventive step. The technology is genuinely new.
Proof of Concept Completed
CALEG generator proof of concept completed in 2024-25. Core operating principles validated in laboratory conditions. TRL 4 achieved.
Manufacturing Partnerships
Established partnerships with LVP Factories and key component suppliers. Asset-light manufacturing model with no need to build production facilities.
Horizon Europe COMPETENT Consortium
Selected for the Horizon Europe COMPETENT consortium, a multi-partner European research programme validating next-generation energy technologies.
IIT India CAES Collaboration
Working with the Indian Institute of Technology through the Energy Catalyst programme. IIT is a leading institution in CAES research, providing independent technical validation.
Future Applications
Additional Long-Term Upside
Beyond energy storage and data centre cooling, YAFA's core compressed air platform has validated applications in sustainable transport, including compressed air hybrid electric vehicles (CA-H/EV) and compressed air range extenders for e-mobility. These represent additional long-term commercial upside beyond the primary investment thesis and are detailed in the full investor pack.
Leadership
The Team Behind YAFA
Dr. Salih Manasra
Inventor & CEO
Inventor of the CALEG technology. PhD in Mechanical Engineering with over 20 years of experience in energy and power systems, compressed air technology, and renewable energy integration. Named inventor on all YAFA patents.
Vic Saad
Co-Founder & CBDO
Finance executive with extensive experience in technology commercialisation and business development across the energy and infrastructure sectors.
Husam Ghanem
Co-Founder & CTO
Engineering lead with deep expertise in electromechanical systems design and power electronics. Responsible for leading CALEG from patent to working prototype.
Get Started
Interested in Investing?
We welcome enquiries from EIS fund managers, angel investors, family offices, as well as institutional and private investors. Request the full investor pack for detailed due diligence materials, or book a meeting directly with the YAFA team.
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