EDP selects eight startups with solutions for customers in the Energy Starter programme
Startups that develop solutions to support consumers on the path to decarbonisation have moved to the third and final phase of the 8th edition of EDP's innovation programme and participate in a bootcamp to work on potential pilot projects
Energy Starter, an open innovation programme created by EDP to accelerate the energy transition globally through co-innovation with startups and scaleups, is entering the final phase of its 8th edition. Between December 3rd and 5th, at EDP's headquarters in Lisbon, the programme received the eight chosen startups that presented innovative technologies dedicated to solutions for customers. These initiatives stand out for supporting consumers, including families and companies, in their decarbonization processes, promoting the development of solutions for local energy production, energy storage and flexibility, among other solutions.
To select the best startups, EDP organised last October an online pitch and follow-up meetings that allowed startups to present their solutions to be evaluated, thus receiving feedback from various business units and innovation teams in EDP's different geographies. Now, during the bootcamp, the selected startups had the opportunity to work together with several experts from the group to accelerate the development of pilot projects and businesses. In addition, the startups were also evaluated by EDP Ventures, the company's venture capital area, for access to potential financial support. After the bootcamp, the focus will be on validating and implementing the potential projects discussed.
"Energy Starter is more than an open innovation programme – it is an engine to accelerate the energy transition, finding the most disruptive startups and scaleups that respond to the main challenges of the sector, and in particular EDP, giving them a platform to validate and scale their innovative technologies globally. In the Lisbon edition, the focus is on moving forward with potential pilot projects, responding to challenges and developing innovative solutions aimed at decarbonizing clients' energy consumption”, says Tomás Moreno, director of EDP's Innovation Ecosystem.
In addition to this module, the 8th edition of Energy Starter also included initiatives aimed at innovative solutions for the future of electricity grids, as well as green hydrogen and renewable energies.
“We closed 2024 with excellent results, consolidating our role as drivers of innovation in the energy sector. This year alone, we developed 16 pilots from initiatives such as Energy Starter and other global programs, reinforcing our commitment to open collaboration and the scalability of technologies that drive a more sustainable and efficient energy future”, concludes Tomás Moreno.
In this customer solutions module, EDP sought to develop — in partnership with startups — projects and technologies able to reduce costs and accelerate the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems, promote decentralized production for business customers, implement industrial heat and air electrification technologies, and improve energy efficiency management for residential customers. In addition, storage, flexibility and electric mobility solutions were explored. Currently, EDP's customer solutions area has, globally, more than 2 GW of installed capacity, more than 34 TWh of energy supplied, around 10 GW of PPAs (long-term power purchase agreements) already entered into, and more than six thousand public charging stations.
Considering all of EDP's innovation projects with startups, in addition to the Energy Starter programme, the results are remarkable: 143 pilot projects, 42 rollouts, 30 investments and a total of 82 million euros generated in business have been successfully completed.
Learn more about the 8 startups selected for the 3rd Energy Starter module
- Aegeus: Automated robotic solar panel cleaning system.
- Build to zero: Thermal storage system for industrial heat electrification.
- Dustoss: Aerodynamic strips for cleaning and preventing dust and dirt on solar panels.
- Latimer Controls: A software solution for flexible operation of solar assets.
- Molecule: An ETRM platform for improved management and trading of commodities.
- Pegasus: Innovative solar panel mounting systems.
- Plentify: Smart energy management solutions for homes and businesses.
- SunOyster: Advanced Solar Solutions: Low-intensity photovoltaic, trackers and more.
To learn more: www.theenergystarter.com.