EDGECOM ENERGY AND HYPERHEAT WIN THE 2024 NEW ENERGY CHALLENGE
Helsinki, Finland – Edgecom Energy and HyperHeat have been selected as the winners of the ninth edition of the New Energy Challenge. This annual competition recognises startups and scaleups in the renewable energy sector.
Edgecom Energy specialises in optimising energy consumption through advanced AI-driven energy management systems. HyperHeat is designing an electric heater capable of reaching temperatures up to 2,000°C, intended for use in energy-intensive industries like steel, cement and chemicals.
The finals of the 2024 New Energy Challenge were held at Slush, an annual startup and tech event that gathers founders, investors, and tech enthusiasts from around the world to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
Selected from over 100 global entries, the top twelve finalists presented their technologies to an expert jury during the two-day finals. The New Energy Challenge judges aimed to identify innovative energy and battery technologies and solutions with the potential to enhance industrial demand-side flexibility and energy forecasting.
During the final phase, all finalists had the opportunity to work with investors and experts, gaining additional knowledge, contacts, and support. From these twelve finalists, Edgecom Energy and HyperHeat were chosen as the winners and now have the opportunity to collaborate with Shell to shape and execute their projects.
Winning innovations
Tanner Behrend, Edgecom Energy
Edgecom Energy has developed an AI-driven energy management system that helps customers optimise the energy consumption of their industrial assets and commercial buildings. Their technology reduces energy costs and carbon emissions by predicting and managing energy use in real-time, integrating renewable energy sources, and enhancing overall energy efficiency. Tanner Behrend, Strategic Growth Manager at Edgecom Energy, said: “Winning this competition is a major validation of our work and our ability to leverage market trends. This recognition from Shell highlights the alignment between our initiatives and Shell’s strategic priorities. It provides us with tangible proof of our progress and supports our vision of scaling our solutions globally.”
Frederick Lessmann, HyperHeat
HyperHeat is designing an advanced electric heating system capable of reaching temperatures up to 2,000°C. The heater employs oxide ceramic materials for resistive heating, which can operate at extreme temperatures without significant degradation. When powered by renewable electricity, this heater can help to decarbonise high-temperature processes in hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement and chemicals. Frederick Lessmann, Co-Founder of HyperHeat, said: “The New Energy Challenge was instrumental in helping us understand the industry’s requirements and needs, allowing us to adapt our collaboration proposal to be highly attractive. Working with experts who helped us fine-tune our concept was inspiring, and it was a great opportunity to meet other impact-driven startups and scaleups.”
About the New Energy Challenge
The New Energy Challenge is organised by Rockstart, Shell, Unknown Group, and YES!Delft. It is an annual open innovation competition that connects promising global startups and scaleups in the energy sector with stakeholders to accelerate the decarbonisation of energy systems, aiming to make a lasting global impact on the energy transition.
Since its launch in 2016, the NEC has provided dozens of innovative entrepreneurs with expert coaching and guidance, helping them to take their ideas to the next level.
Jury members’ quotes
Akilah LeBlanc, GM Commercial Innovation Partnerships at Shell: “Collaborating with startups that grasp the magnitude of the energy transition challenge is incredibly motivating. Together, we are making strides towards lower-carbon energy systems.”
Jermaine Saaltink, Investment Director at Shell Ventures: “Supporting startups that are committed to sustainability and innovation is at the heart of what we do at Shell Ventures. Edgecom Energy and HyperHeat exemplify the kind of impactful solutions that can drive change in the energy sector.”
Max ter Horst, Managing Partner of the Rockstart Energy Fund: “The New Energy Challenge is a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential of startups to drive change in the industry. It highlights the talent and creativity within the sector, helping to drive progress towards a more regenerative and sustainable future.”
Jan Geert van Hall, Investment Director, YES!Delft: “The participants of the New Energy Challenge have shown clear progress, with many of their solutions offering strong potential to advance the energy transition.”
Noah Paul, Investment Associate, Unknown Group: “We were thrilled to see 12 startups present a diverse range of innovations, from next-generation battery solutions to state-of-the-art energy management systems. Choosing the winners was no small challenge, but Edgecom Energy and HyperHeat stood out. Their professionalism and the real-world impact of their innovations made them impossible to ignore.”
AFTERMOVIE:
Watch the 2024 aftermovie here
