In 2023, a team of engineering students from the University of Toronto—Yifei Yan, Yvonne Liu, and Aleisha Cerny—founded Serenity Power, focusing on sustainable and compact power solutions through an innovative fuel cell design. Their goal is to contribute to the transition towards clean energy by prioritizing grid resilience. Aleisha Cerny, the CEO, shared in a discussion how their collective journey reflects a deep-seated belief in the importance of asking the right questions alongside developing technical solutions.
Cerny’s interest in clean technology began during her engineering education, where she was captivated by the real-world applications of math and science in climate action. An internship in Germany at a solar research institute provided her with practical insights into fuel cells, particularly witnessing their innovative use in hydrogen-powered vehicles. This experience shifted her perception of clean energy to one grounded in practical systems and real constraints.
Returning to Toronto for her master’s degree in 2021, Cerny encountered solid oxide fuel cells that could operate on multiple fuels, including hydrogen and natural gas. This sparked a belief in the potential of fuel cells to reduce emissions without waiting for a fully-fledged hydrogen economy to develop. She connected with Liu during this time; both were driven students who engaged deeply with their coursework and research discussions.
Post-graduation, Cerny, Liu, and Yan joined a startup incubator where they aimed to improve fuel cell technology specifically for Class 8 trucks, driven by the environmental impacts of diesel-fueled freight. They crafted a business plan and laid out initial technical assumptions, even securing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Volvo for a potential study. Their journey to raise funds was challenging but fruitful, as they reached out to around 1,000 investors, securing close to 70 callbacks.
However, by late 2024, the team reassessed their strategy, especially after an invitation to a New York-based hard-tech incubator. Engaging with various industries including healthcare and oil and gas revealed a common reliance on diesel generators. These discussions illuminated the pressing environmental issues companies faced and reshaped their approach. Instead of focusing solely on high-power mobility solutions, they pivoted towards designing smaller systems that could provide immediate power solutions while gathering data to support larger-scale deployment in the future.
Through collaborations with companies like CNRL and TC Energy, they translated their theoretical discussions into real operational insights. Cerny's participation in Startupfest allowed her to pitch Serenity Power multiple times, marking a transition in her identity from student to founder, which also brought with it a newfound sense of purpose and the inherent challenges of entrepreneurship.
As Serenity Power prepares for upcoming pilot projects in 2026, including with partners in Ontario, Alberta, and Italy, Cerny envisions a future where energy access is rooted in resilience and responsibility. Her conversations with remote communities have highlighted the practical impacts of energy systems on daily life, particularly where dependency on diesel can limit access to essentials like heating and water.
Corralling these experiences, Serenity Power does not aim to disrupt energy systems for the sake of disruption; rather, they ask critical questions regarding who benefits from energy innovations. As they refine their strategy and seek to fund their growth, lessons from their journey emphasize the value of a community in navigating the complexities of building capital-intensive innovations. Their story reflects a commitment to equitable solutions that prioritize access and reliability, appealing to broader principles as they innovate towards a cleaner energy future.
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