Free Electrons, the first energy global accelerator is ready to kick off its Bootcamp phase. In total, the program received 481 applications, from 62 different countries, a ‘spread’ that talks volumes about the international reach of the program.
The program only had a 10% repeat rate, and that means 90% of the startups we attracted are new entries, and that talks to the global visibility of the program, and its growing appeal.
The bootcamp
The bootcamp, held in Dublin (Ireland) from 2nd to 4th, will be critical for the success of the program, since this is when utilities and startups meet for the first time, to discuss the challenges and what the solutions to meet those challenges will look like.
This is also when the terms for the pilots are first set, and this will pretty much define the final quality of the pilots and the program as a whole.
The selected startups
These are the innovators that will be flying to Dublin to meet the 10 Free Electrons’ partners and join the Bootcamp activities (click the tab to get to know them better):
Akselos SA
Akselos, armed with the most advanced engineering simulation technology developed at MIT, has brought forward a means to use data to protect the world’s critical infrastructure by bringing top predictive power to digital twins.
AmbiClimate is the world’s first AI powered accessory for air conditioners. The proprietary artificial intelligence engines control the air conditioner/heat pump based on not just temperature alone, but also other key factors such as humidity and changing weather.
Anyware Solutions helps Energy Utilities, Insurance companies and Telcos to create effective Customer Engagement and new revenue streams, through targeted and personalized customer interaction and cross-selling of Smart Living Services.
Breezi is a new kind of home security company. They build connected devices and software that work like fitness trackers for some of the most expensive equipment in the modern home.
Chargetrip’s routing algorithms and intuitive trip planner make it easy to take any electric car beyond the range of the battery or use EV’s commercially with high intensity.
DEXMA is a top energy management solution provider in Europe, with several years of demonstrated capacity to innovate in a highly competitive global market.
Energyworx offers an Intelligent Meter Data Management SaaS solution. It’s the only cloud native MDM. Energyworx helps Energy and Utility companies monetize their rapidly growing volumes of diverse data.
Enging allows to monitor electrical motors and power transformers, even the ones that do not allow easy access, through an intelligent asset condition monitoring platform – ePreditMntc -, based on the latest IoT technologies related to Industry 4.0.
ev.energy is an electric vehicle (EV) charging software platform that allows driving with the cheapest and greenest energy available while controlling the time at which EVs charge when at home, to smooth out the peaks in electricity demand.
GridBeyond simplifies the complex energy landscape with a single, unified platform. By connecting energy intensive equipment, embedded generation and storage to GridBeyond’s intelligent energy platform.
Heila has developed a decentralized hardware and software solution to coordinate a collection of distributed energy resources (DERs), in which the bulk of the DERs’ control and optimization is performed at the asset level.
HypeLabs developed the Hype SDK, an interoperable mesh networking software that improves connectivity on all kinds of devices, from mobile to desktop to IoT.
The Innovus breakthrough is the use of its proprietary software and power converters to control power quality; frequency, voltage and waveform instead of Synchronous Generation which was invented in 1890.
Keewi solves the problem of energy inefficiency in commercial buildings due to plug loads, through hardware, software, and behavioral gamification components.
A machine learning based non-invasive load monitoring (NILM) system to inspire households for positive behavioral change and engage households towards sustainable energy consumption.
Powerpeers aims to accelerate the energy transition bottom-up. Powerpeers digitizes every kWh, creating an energy marketplace and community offering unrivaled transparency of provenance.
A digital platform that drastically reduces transactions’ costs for energy services, enabling customers to achieve a ~1000x reduction in proposal time, unlocking the potential of the SME market.
Solandeo provides AI as a digital service (SaaS) for energy traders and grid operators, supporting better decision making by human experts – and, eventually, fully automated trading and grid management under AI supervision.
Synvertec helps facilitate high levels of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Distributed Energy Resources (DER) within diverse electricity grids, while also significantly enhancing grid stability.
Treverity integrates the data from core enterprise systems (CIS, OMS, ERP, GIS, DMS, etc.), providing a unified view for all employees, along with purpose-built applications to enhance productivity and communications.
Xenotta provides data hosting solutions for the co-location, edge computing, private cloud and disaster recovery markets located on strategic sites with a planned global roll-out.
Free Electrons is a truly global accelerator backed up by an alliance of energy utilities, committed to supporting energy entrepreneurs and startups to transform the energy market with next-generation ideas.
Energias de Portugal (EDP)
EDP is an energy producer, distributor and retailer with around 12 million customers in Portugal, Spain and Brazil. EDP has 25GW of power production capacity of which 5GW is hydro and 10GW is wind. This makes EDP the 4th largest wind power producer in the world. The renewable power business is present in 14 countries including the US, Brazil, Spain and the UK.
What are they looking for?
Renewable power and distributed energy resources;
Electric cars;
Data management and AI;
Digitization processes.
Opening up the utility world to the startups, providing them with a global customer base, accelerating deal execution with the utilities, that’s what Free Electrons is all about. I can’t think of a better opportunity for a startup operating in this space.
Luis Manuel
Executive Board Member,
EDP Innovation
innogy New Ventures LLC
innogy SE is a European energy company, offering sustainable and innovative energy solutions. With its three business areas of renewables, grid & infrastructure as well as retail, it addresses the requirements of a modern, decarbonized, decentralized and digital energy world.
What are they looking for?
Solutions active in the data space.
We started Free Electrons because there is a deep need in our industry to access and source innovation. Free Electrons, therefore, has a very transaction-oriented approach – generating deals between startups and corporates is the prime objective of Free Electrons. We assembled a unique consortium of innovative utilities that spend billions every year in running and transforming energy systems globally.
Florian Kolb
Managing Director,
Innogy New Ventures LLC
Origin Energy
Origin is an Australian integrated energy solutions provider with leading positions across energy retailing, power generation and natural gas production. Origin has a rapidly growing renewable energy portfolio and was the world’s first energy company to adopt all seven ‘We Mean Business Coalition’ initiatives, joining a worldwide group of non-government organizations, signatory companies and institutional investors committed to leadership on climate change. Origin is also scaling up its capabilities in digital metering and data and analytics to create more innovative and differentiated energy solutions for its millions of customers.
What are they looking for?
Renewable energy;
Data-based technology.
Origin sees the enormous potential of combining the best ideas with those companies capable of delivering them at significant scale. By leveraging all the expertise of the many partners involved we are confident extraordinary outcomes will be reached.
Anthony Lucas
Executive General Manager, Future Energy and Business Development,
Origin Energy
SP Group
SP Group is a leading energy utility group in the Asia Pacific. It owns and operates electricity and gas transmission and distribution businesses in Singapore and Australia, and district cooling businesses in Singapore and China. SP Group is committed to providing customers with reliable and efficient energy utility services. More than 1.4 million industrial, commercial and residential customers in Singapore benefit from SP Group’s world-class transmission, distribution and market support services. These networks are amongst the most reliable and cost-effective worldwide. For more information, please visit spgroup.com.sg follow us on Facebook
What are they looking for?
New areas of energy transformation and transition;
New technologies and new business models for their customers, that allow them to reduce costs.
SP Group is committed to providing high quality, sustainable lifestyle for customers. We are excited to partner respected international utilities and experienced accelerators, who have extensive innovation and R&D experience, to support promising start-ups around the world. Together we can develop transformational energy solutions to provide customers with more choices, and help them to save energy and costs.
May Liew
Vice President, Strategic Development,
SP Group
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO)
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TSE: 9501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is the largest utility in Japan serving millions of homes and businesses. Worldwide the company has more than 43 subsidiaries and 19 affiliates in 4 countries and employs approximately 41,525 people. Consolidated revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018, totaled 5.8 trillion Japanese yen. The company was established in 1951 and is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
What are they looking for?
New technologies;
New business models;
Transmission and distribution;
Renewable energies.
TEPCO is excited to work with all of the global utilities and startups participating in the Free Electrons program. We value the opportunity to learn from their innovative business models and technologies, and hope to leverage these learnings for the benefit of our customers.
Free Electrons is a truly global accelerator backed up by an alliance of energy utilities, committed to supporting energy entrepreneurs and startups to transform the energy market with next-generation ideas.
American Electric Power
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy.
Joining the Free Electrons accelerator program gives us access to the world’s most innovative technology entrepreneurs in the energy space. Our long-term strategy includes building smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom products and services to our customers. We’re excited to help cultivate the cutting-edge energy solutions that are being developed around the globe.
Nicholas K. Akins
Chairman, President and CEO, AEP
AusNet Services
A major player in the Australian energy industry. We are Victoria’s largest energy delivery service business owning and operating approximately $11 billion of electricity and gas distribution assets that connect into more than 1.3 million Victorian homes and businesses. The energy landscape is transforming and so are we. We are looking for new ways to move energy with significant investment in creating energy solutions to meet tomorrows.
What are they looking for?
Ways to make the core business more efficient: ways to run the networks, particularly in distribution, more efficiently, and the ways the business can commercially benefit from new opportunities;
New business models.
We are passionate about helping entrepreneurs bring their technologies, ideas and products to the global marketplace, and look forward to mentoring them as they turn their energy start-ups into viable businesses that enable us to transform the energy industry globally.
Chad Hymas
Executive General Manager,
AusNet Services
CLP
CLP was founded in Hong Kong in 1901, at a time when electricity was still a novelty worldwide. Today we power millions of homes and businesses across the Asia Pacific regions. In Hong Kong, we operate a vertically-integrated electricity supply business providing a highly-reliable supply of electricity to 80% of the city’s population. Outside Hong Kong, we invest in the energy sector in Mainland China, India, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Australia. Our business includes power generation, transmission and distribution, and electricity and gas retail activities. Our goal is to meet Asia-Pacific’s energy challenge in a sustainable manner from one generation to the next.
What are they looking for?
Microgrids, energy storage, distributed energy, solutions for the home for consumers;
Energy management in buildings today – so that developers, management, tenants can have visibility and control of how they consume energy and how they move to lower carbon intensity and a better sustainability footprint.
The Free Electrons Accelerator Program enables CLP to work with some of the world’s smartest and most dynamic innovators on solutions to the 21st century’s digital energy challenges. With our industry leadership across the Asia Pacific markets, spanning Greater China to Australia, CLP is excited by the opportunity to partner with the best start-ups to create transformative new energy technologies and applications for individuals, businesses, cities and governments.
Austin Bryan
Senior Director – Innovation,
CLP Holdings Limited
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
DEWA is committed to promoting Dubai’s vision through the delivery of sustainable electricity and water services at a world-class level of reliability, efficiency and safety in an environment that nurtures innovation with a competent workforce and effective partnerships; supporting the sustainability of resources.
What are they looking for?
New revenue streams;
AI, data-based services.
Dubai is at the centre of a region that is emerging as a major force in the global economy, and it is seen as a leader in promoting innovation, sustainability and economic diversity. Dubai is keen to encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve a green economy. Public-private partnerships are key to this, as is the goal to make Dubai a global hub for green finance and a green economy
His Excellency Saeed Mohamed Al Tayer
MD & CEO,
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Electricity Supply Board (ESB)
ESB is Ireland’s leading energy company, operating across the full spectrum of the electricity market: from generation, through transmission and distribution to supply. In addition, ESB extracts further value at certain points along this chain: supplying gas, using our networks to carry fiber for telecommunications, developing electric vehicle public charging infrastructure and an international consultancy arm which has worked in 120 countries globally.
What are they looking for?
Decarbonization;
Finding new smart solutions for their customers.
We are excited about the prospect of working with a pool of startups from across the world, learn from them and offer them the opportunity to trial and develop their products/services in Ireland and the UK. At ESB we are very focused on bringing new cutting edge solutions to our customer base.
SOLshare came into Free Electrons programme with a bold mission: to create networks, share solar electricity & eliminate poverty. And they actually proved they can do it – that’s how they became the winners of a $200.000 prize of Free Electrons World’s Best Energy Startup 2018.
Who is SOLshare
A Bangladeshi social enterprise founded by Sebastien Groh in November 2015, it is now a diverse group of people working from Bangladesh, Bogotá and Berlin, to change the way people consume and pay for energy around the globe.
SOLshare Team – image by SOLshare
What does SOLshare do
SOLshare is bringing sustainable, affordable energy access for low-income rural people Bangladesh. Their decentralized peer-to-peer microgrids deliver solar power to households and businesses and enable them to trade their (excess) electricity for profit.
The SOLbox
How are they doing it? Well, they created a peer-to-peer energy trading platform on blockchain technology.
Bangladesh, where more 10 million people are cut off from the electric power system, was already investing in domestic solar panels called Solar Home System (SHS). SOLshare created the SOLbox – a bi-directional DC electricity meter that enables peer-to-peer electricity trading, smart grid management, remote monitoring, mobile money payment and data analytics.
Through the Solbox, consumers can choose whether they wish to be a buyer of energy or a seller (if they have a solar panel installed), and even sell energy to homes that do not have a solar panel system installed.
By connecting several SHS to each other as well as to homes without electricity, the nano-grid can provide a consistent energy network for an entire village.
The plug-and-play nature of the technology allows the grid to grow dynamically from the ‘bottom-up’ as more users can dynamically connect over time.
The data is stored in the network and the digital platform integrates mobile money infrastructure for remote payment (payments are processed through a phone application via credit or debit) and lockout and provides data analytics and grid management services.
SOLshare’s journey through Free Electrons
Coming into Free Electrons, SOLshare had a lot to offer: with their nano-grids, they could provide to utilities certainty, with their distributed billing they were able to offer controlled systems, and also could provide distributed storage. By partnering up with global utilities, SOLshare had a chance to pilot their products in a long-reaching plan.
They didn’t waste any time partnering up and worked on pilots with both Innogy and Tepco, for a donation platform (Energy SOLidarity Token), where a donor can choose individual users or a predefined group of users (like a village) to donate energy to.
By the end phase of Free Electrons, SOLshare had raised a $1.66M A-series round of investment from utilities EDP and Innogy, and IIX (Impact Investment Exchange).
SOLshare wins Free Electrons World’s Best Energy Startup 2018
Leaving an impact
The peer-to-peer solar grids are changing lives in Bangladesh. They are reaching out to isolated, poor communities in Bangladesh and empowering them to upgrade their lives with the use of power in agricultural and day-to-day tasks and even turning them into business people by providing energy to their neighbors.
SOLshare pioneers a micro-energy transition model 3.0 by interconnecting solar home systems in peer-to-peer networks, monetizing excess solar energy along the value chain in real time with mobile money and empowering communities to earn a direct income from the sun.
They are opening up a path that can be used by utilities globally and the future of clean energy.
First Bangladeshi Startup to make it in the 2019 Global Cleantech 100
In its 10th edition, The Global Cleantech 100 is an annual guide to the leading companies and themes in sustainable innovation. It features the private, independent, for-profit companies best positioned to solve tomorrow’s clean technology challenges. SOLshare made it into the list, proving once again it is one of the most innovative and promising ideas in cleantech and that it’s best positioned to solve tomorrow’s clean technology challenges.
Join the Free Electrons community
If you too have a project that could change the energy industry, apply to Free Electrons – the leading global energy startup accelerator is looking for the brightest startups in the Energy scene to partner up with global utilities in accelerating change in this industry.
Applications are open for Free Electrons – the first truly global acceleration program, that connects the most promising startups with leading utilities in the energy sector. The program seeks to find solutions in the mobility, clean energy, smart grids, and digitalization.
On March 13th, the startups selected for the bootcamp (happening in Dublin) will be announced.
Just like the last edition, the program will have 3 modules: the first in Columbus, in the North-American state of Ohio, in May; the second in Hong Kong, China, in June; and the last module will happen in Lisbon, in September, when a winner will be announced – winning a $200.000 prize.
In its 3rd edition, Free Electrons already has a successful history: several pilots began business partnerships between the startups and the utilities and last edition’s winner, SOLshare, is revolutionizing the energy market in Bangladesh, where over 50 million people still can’t access the electrical grid.
These 10 utilities of the energy sector have, together, around 80 million clients and are located in more than 40 countries – which gives mature energy startups the chance to go global by accessing these partners.
