Utility-led “Free Electrons” accelerator programme selects 12 innovative energy startups.
Opportunities for innovation in the energy sector have never been greater.
The changes the sector is undergoing with energy decentralisation and the ability of consumers to manage and automate their environment is opening up new prospects, especially for new entrants unconstrained by the day to day operations of a utility business…..
Perhaps one of the most significant of the innovation initiatives, certainly the most international, is named Free Electrons, which was launched earlier in January this year.
It involves eight major utilities, which have created a global accelerator programme for innovative energy-related startups.
These are AusNet Services and Origin Energy from Australia, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Electricity Supply Board of Ireland, Energias de Portugal, innogy from Germany, Singapore Power and Tokyo Electric Power Company.
Alongside them is a network of energy organisations worldwide, currently numbering 50.
The aim of the programme is to enable startups to further refine their products and services, with the potential of testing, developing and offering them into a global customer base of 73 million.
The utilities will offer expertise, resources and access to their respective customer bases in exchange for investment and partnership opportunities.
Indicative of the interest in the programme, the first announcement for participation resulted in 450 applications across 51 countries – and from these 12 startups have been selected.
So who are these companies at the pinnacle of innovation?…source: Engerati – Full article HERE.
