Despite the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing economic uncertainty, 2020 still managed to produce thousands of startups. To introduce you to 7 emerging startups founded in 2020, we analyzed 2.835 energy startups. All of them develop innovative solutions spanning from renewables to battery-storage and energy management solutions.
The 7 promising energy startups you should watch in 2021 were hand-picked based on our data-driven startup scouting approach, taking into account factors such as location, founding year, and relevance of technology, among others. The 2.835 companies that were analyzed for this report are identified using the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering 1.379.000+ startups & scaleups globally. When you are looking for up-to-date energy solutions for your innovation units, R&D, or product development department, the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform gives you the most exhaustive collection and ensures you continuously discover new startups, scaleups, and technologies.
Global Startup Heat Map: 7 Energy Startups to Watch in 2021
The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 7 energy startups, established in 2020, developing technology-driven solutions for the energy industry. Moreover, you can explore global hotspots for energy startups and even download this graphic to include in your next presentation.
Windbreak – Weather Analytics for Renewables
Because of the nature of wind and solar energy, generation predictions based on weather increase energy efficacy. The application of AI to energy generation further increases the efficiency of renewables. Startups develop solutions for smart renewable energy generation to increase the sustainability of the industry.
Israeli startup Windbreak develops weather-based AI solutions for renewable energy generation prediction. The startup applies machine learning, deep neural networks, and advanced forecasting for power generation. Increasing the efficacy of wind and solar assets, these solutions lower power generation costs and enhance environmental sustainability.
Goodway Energy – Fuel Combustion Optimization
High carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions drive research and development (R&D) teams to optimize fuel combustion processes. Emerging energy startups are also developing technology-driven solutions for energy optimization and sustainability. In particular, the use of activator technology for hydrogen, natural gas, and carbon combustion processes allow to increase the amount of generated energy and reduce emissions.
Goodway Energy is a Polish startup offering activator technology solutions for energy industry organizations. The startup applies the principles of quantum chemistry and molecular physics to increase energy generation. The process allows energy producers to lower fuel consumption and the resulting CO2 emissions.
Last Energy – Nuclear Energy
The use of nuclear power has been limited by high construction costs and the need for design standardization due to safety concerns. Construction design solutions accelerate the deployment of nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels. The highly functional and cost-effective engineering solutions help make nuclear power an affordable and available source of energy.
US-based startup Last Energy develops a framework for a pressurized water reactor construction for nuclear power plant development. The startup offers the OPEN100 platform solution for plant schematics and design. Last Energy helps reduce plant construction costs, making clean nuclear energy more accessible.
Surge Analytics – Energy Storage System Design
Lack of efficient battery storage solutions prompts companies and research organizations to develop their own prototypes. The energy storage sector finds a lot of traction because of its revolutionizing potential in the industry. A durable solution will allow renewable energy stored during peak conditions to be effectively used or sold later. However, R&D for energy storage solutions is currently costly and time-consuming.
Surge Analytics is a Singapore-based startup providing artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for battery original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The startup applies machine learning models to production outlier detection and analysis. The AI solutions further support R&D and quality assurance and maximize the efficiency of new battery storage designs.
Enkumo – Energy Consumption Management
A part of energy-as-a-service (EaaS), consumption management is an effective tool for procurement teams to assess and regulate energy consumption. Digital platforms enable full visibility of a company’s energy portfolio. Data visibility and energy analytics help managers make informed decisions about energy procurement.
Enkumo is a UK-based startup developing digital portfolio solutions for energy procurement teams. The startup’s platform offers energy analytics and risk management solutions. Additionally, it can help managers visualize the influence of various factors on energy consumption. Enkumo helps companies efficiently manage and control energy procurement.
PowerD – Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging
Because electric vehicles are often charged during peak hours, they mostly use the energy produced from fossil fuels. Taking sustainability initiatives a step forward, startups develop solutions for charging EVs with green energy. For instance, such solutions help reduce EVs emissions to near-zero levels.
Dutch startup PowerD provides a smart charging solution to electric fleet owners. The startup offers an app that helps schedule sessions for renewable energy charging. Such a solution improves fleet sustainability and lowers costs through the maximization of home charging.
enspired – AI-Powered Energy Trading
Power storage and power generation trading solutions allow companies to maximize the value of their flexible assets. The integration of AI to the trading process further increases the automation, execution, and profitability of the processes. To help this transition, startups develop energy trading solutions to give companies direct market access and data-driven trading models.
enspired is an Austrian startup providing AI-based energy trading services to companies without access to the intraday power market. The startup offers strategy optimization and power generation dispatching. Additionally, enspired specializes in short-term storage, renewable energy, and e-mobility. The startup works with thermal power plants, virtual power plants (VPP), as well as combined heat and water assets (CHP). The startup’s solutions help companies optimize trading profitability and secure transparency of operations.
What does 2021 bring for the Energy Industry?
To stay ahead of the technology curve, it is important that you know which technologies and industry trends will impact your company in 2021. You can explore our report on the Top 10 Energy Industry Trends or let us do the work for you. To keep you up-to-date on the latest technology and emerging solutions, we provide you with actionable innovation intelligence – quickly and exhaustively.
