Future Energy Landscape Towards A More Sustainable Future
Mar 05, 2024
About Techstars Sustainability Paris
Techstars Sustainability Paris, launched in early 2022, focuses on investing in impact-oriented companies. With a tech-agnostic approach, we aim to accelerate businesses in alignment with sustainability goals. Our portfolio companies are committed to decarbonizing various sectors of the economy.
In our journey toward a cleaner future, the way we produce and use energy is changing. Thanks to new technologies and a growing concern for the environment, we're seeing big shifts in how we power our lives. Let's take a look at some important trends shaping this change, based on what we've learned from the innovative startups in Techstars Sustainability Paris.
1. Renewable Energy Dominance
Solar and wind power are becoming more common sources of energy. They used to be seen as alternatives, but now they're becoming mainstream. This shift is partly because solar panels and wind turbines are getting cheaper. Plus, there's a bigger push to fight climate change, which means more investments in clean energy.
HelioRec (France) is building floating solar power plants for near-shore locations to provide a clean, affordable energy source to people worldwide.
Windcredible (Portugal) is tackling the need for decentralized energy generation in urban environments using wind energy.
2. Electrification of Transportation
Cars, trucks, and other vehicles create a lot of pollution. To help the planet and reduce our use of fossil fuels, more people are looking at EVs. These cars run on electricity instead of gasoline, so they don't produce emissions. The electrification of these vehicles presents a substantial opportunity for carbon reduction. Indeed, despite buses and trucks constituting only 10% of the total vehicles in operation, they contribute to 30% of the sector's worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.
With better batteries and more places to charge them, EVs are becoming a real option for many people. However, adopting EVs requires addressing charging infrastructure and grid management challenges.
Pelikan Mobility (France) is a digital platform for the electrification and optimisation of the fleet.
3. Energy Storage Revolution
Sometimes the sun isn't shining, and the wind isn't blowing, but we still need electricity. That's where energy storage comes in. It's all about finding better ways to save energy when we have too much and use it when we need it. Whether it's better batteries or new ways to store hydrogen, startups are finding clever solutions to this problem.
Another compelling aspect concerning energy storage revolves around energy optimization, encompassing efficiency improvements, peak load management, and peer-to-peer electricity trading within both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets.
StackEase (France) is developing an ML-optimized battery trading for clean energy.
Bioesol (Mexico) is an energy intelligence software and AI-driven energy storage system for enterprises.
Batteries
In 2021, the worldwide battery market reached $112 billion, with expectations to surge to $424 billion by 2030, fueled by the expansion of EVs and energy storage systems. As batteries progress along the learning curve and become increasingly prevalent in electrified devices such as homes and vehicles, there will arise opportunities for enhancing efficiency and reducing costs.
BiB Batteries (France) is an AI-powered end-to-end solution to extend the life cycle of batteries.
4. Decentralization and Energy Independence
More and more, people want to take control of their energy. Microgrids, which are small power networks that can work on their own, are becoming popular. This means communities, businesses, and even individual homes can produce their own energy. It gives them more control and can even save them money. Monetizing the energy produced via flexibility services increases the engagement and efficiency.
Enreport (Finland) creates an energy management system based on AI gamification.
5. Critical Minerals
Minerals play a crucial role in the majority of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, batteries, and related products like EVs. However, essential minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, manganese, and other rare earth metals are facing a growing scarcity due to rising demand. For instance, the demand for lithium alone is projected to surge between 13 to 42 times by 2040. To address this challenge, it's imperative to explore new and diversified sources for these minerals while also emphasizing the importance of recycling to meet the escalating demand.
Miners AI (US) is a geological data marketplace for the minerals exploration industry powered by AI.
Lisus (US) identifies better sites to source materials for batteries and reduces the environmental impact of its production.
6. Energy Management System
When we transition our primary machines, such as buildings and vehicles, to run on electricity, we effectively cut our overall energy consumption in half while increasing our electricity usage approximately threefold. However, unlike traditional energy sources, many renewable options like wind and solar lack dispatchability. To address this, a dual approach is necessary: firstly, the development of short-term (e.g., batteries) and long-term energy storage solutions, and secondly, implementing dispatchable demand systems capable of efficiently managing energy usage and distribution during optimal grid conditions.
Avrio (Netherlands) is a decarbonization platform for small buildings.
7. Industrial Heat
The industrial sector, responsible for the conversion of raw materials into valuable products, contributes substantially to global emissions. Numerous processes involved in the production of essential materials like cement, steel, chemicals, and plastics necessitate significant amounts of process heat and result in emissions that are challenging to mitigate. That’s why breakthrough technologies are needed to electrify industrial processes.
Propellane (France) works on the optimisation of industrial heating processes.
Why apply to Techstars?
With 4,120 startups in its portfolio, a cumulative market cap of $108.7B, and over 50 accelerator programs worldwide, Techstars is today one of the most powerful early-stage investors globally.
At Techstars Sustainability Paris, we look for impact-driven founders willing to build a better future thanks to technology. By becoming one of our portfolio companies, founders become part of a global network made of investors, mentors and alumni. By investing up to $120K and providing a three-month mentorship-driven accelerator program, we enhance our companies to grow and scale at international level.
Our applications for September 2024 are now open until May 22nd. If you are an impact driven founder building a sustainable venture or you know an entrepreneur in your network that could be suited for this program, visit our page and apply for our program.
About the Authors
Rebecca Ravenni
