The winners of the international SET Award 2019 for the most innovative and effective business models in the areas of energy transition and climate protection have been selected: Enapter (Germany) in the category Low-Carbon Energy Production; Planet Ark Power (Australia) in the category Intelligent Grids, Platforms & Cyber Security; Blixt (Sweden) in the category Energy Efficiency, Smart Devices & Storage; Bodawerk (Uganda) in the category Innovative Mobility and Divine Bamboo (Uganda) in the category Special Prize: Quality Access & SDG7.
The award-winning start-up companies prevailed in the final round of the SET Tech Festival on April 9th in Berlin, an event for start-ups, established energy companies and investors. More than 450 companies from 80 countries had applied, 15 of which made it to the final and presented their ideas. Start Up Energy Transition (SET) is an initiative of the German Energy Agency (dena) in cooperation with the World Energy Council.
Andreas Kuhlmann, dena Chief Executive: “The winners of the SET Award 2019 show, together with many applicants, how we can advance energy transition and climate protection with fresh ideas. This is the spirit we need for the future. Our global network is growing. All founders who want to make the world a better, smarter and greener place are cordially invited to join us.”
Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the World Energy Council: “The SET Award 2019 illustrates the depth of experience, commitment, and vision driving the innovators who will transform the future of energy. All the finalists should be proud of their achievements and the winners have a bright future to look forward to.”
About the winners of the SET Award 2019
Enapter, Germany (Category 1: Low-Carbon Energy Production): Enapter designs and manufactures highly efficient hydrogen generators. The core technology is an Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM), which enables the safe and low-cost production of hydrogen. Hydrogen can be used in a versatile and flexible way, as energy storage, as fuel in vehicles, as raw material in industry or as fuel for heating, especially in areas and regions where direct electrification is difficult to realize. The goal is to make hydrogen cheaper than natural gas. www.enapter.com
Planet Ark Power, Australia (Category 2: Intelligent Grids, Platforms & Cyber Security): Planet Ark Power has developed a technology that allows more solar power to be integrated into the distribution grid. With a high proportion of decentralised photovoltaic systems, voltage fluctuations can occur which endanger grid stability. The Planet Ark Power system, a combination of power converter and artificial intelligence, manages the voltage at the source. This is an important element in optimising the distribution grid and paves the way for the further expansion of decentralised solar power generation. www.planetarkpower.com
Blixt, Sweden (Category 3: Energy Efficiency, Smart Devices & Storage): Blixt develops circuit breakers that enable numerous smart metering and smart grid solutions. Conventional miniature circuit breakers mechanically protect electrical circuits from overload. The Blixt breaker can also communicate digitally, collect data and measure and control current flows. It combines the functions of a breaker, remote control and smart meter all in one. It has great potential for the energy transition. The increasing electrification in many areas will thus become more efficient, safer and digitally controllable. https://blixt.tech/
Bodawerk, Uganda (Category 4: Innovative Mobility): Bodawerk develops solutions for sustainable e-mobility in East Africa, based on the most common means of transport there: the motorcycle, called Boda Boda. This responds especially to the high fuel costs and increasing air pollution in cities such as Kampala. Bodawerk produces E-Bodas and converts used motorcycles to electric drives. In addition, they rent batteries and offer other motorcycle services. Bodawerk is thus facilitating the entry into e-mobility in East Africa. www.bodawerk.com
Divine Bamboo, Uganda (Category 5: Special Prize: Quality Access & SDG7): As a social enterprise, Divine Bamboo operates and promotes the sustainable cultivation of fast-growing bamboo for the sale and production of clean charcoal and briquettes. The training is particularly focused on women. So far, Uganda has used almost exclusively wood and charcoal for cooking. Bamboo briquettes cost less, burn longer and produce less smoke. The aim is to make sustainable bioenergy accessible and to stop deforestation. The model could also be applied to other regions. www.divinebamboo.com
Further information on the SET Award 2019 with its winners and finalists is available at www.www.startup-energy-transition.com.
About Start Up Energy Transition
SET is a global initiative that identifies leading start-ups in the fields of energy transition and climate protection and brings them together with companies, investors and other start-ups. It includes the SET Award, the SET Tech Festival and the SET Network. Across the globe, more than 100 partners from politics, industry, science and non-government organisations are getting involved. The present round of the competition is being supported by partner countries Canada and Sweden, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, plus many other partners and sponsors.
More information on the SET initiative can be found at www.www.startup-energy-transition.com.
The 100 best start-ups from the SET Award 2019 (#SET100) will have the opportunity to present themselves in September in Abu Dhabi at the 24th World Energy Congress, the flagship triennial event of the World Energy Council.
More information on the 24th World Energy Congress can be found at: www.wec24.org.
About Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue
The SET Award 2019 was presented on April 9th at the evening reception of the “Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue”. Hosted by the Federal Government, the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue is a joint initiative of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar), the German Energy Agency (dena) and eclareon.
More information on the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue and the Berlin Energy Week can be found at: https://2019.energydialogue.berlin/.
