ENTICE 2023: Game-Changing Solutions For People-Positive Energy Transitions

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) recently partnered with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) to organise 'The Energy Transition Dialogues' (TETD) in New Delhi. The event highlighted the success of GEAPP's annual flagship initiative - ENTICE, which recognized and awarded four promising solutions that can catalyse the progress towards net-zero goals. ENTICE aims to encourage innovation in sustainable energy solutions and support entrepreneurs driving positive change in the energy sector. Why was the ENTICE program created? ENTICE is designed to foster innovative and scalable solutions in clean energy space and facilitate access to Series A funding, provide market linkages and mentorship for the innovators.

Currently more attention is typically given to Series B and C funding stages. ENTICE steps in to bridge this gap, ensuring that promising energy solutions don't languish in the early planning phases and have a better chance of becoming a reality.

https://entice.org.in/ (backlink)

Winners of the ENTICE program 2023:

-  AmpereHour Energy

- Cancrie

VFlowTech

REConnect Energy

WINNING SOLUTIONS

AmpereHour Energy

In the realm of battery reutilization, AmpereHour Energy is poised to significantly ramp up energy production, targeting an impressive 112 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually. Nevertheless, the company grapples with formidable challenges, such as the divergent degradation rates of batteries and the susceptibility to overheating in warmer climates.

Addressing these hurdles head-on, AmpereHour Energy has embarked on strategic initiatives:

1. Collaboration with leading car manufacturers stands as a pivotal step in acquiring crucial battery history data. Concurrently, a collaborative trial with a Swedish entity is underway, aimed at refining and optimizing their operational approach.
2. The development of a sophisticated prototype for a smart battery management system marks a significant milestone. Plans are in motion to seamlessly integrate this cutting-edge technology on a larger scale within the coming years.
3. A pioneering cooling methodology centred around immersion is in progress. This innovative approach entails submerging batteries in a specialized liquid, eliminating the necessity for bulky, energy-intensive cooling systems.
4. Prioritizing safety as a cornerstone of their operations, AmpereHour Energy has engineered an advanced detection system. This system serves as an early warning mechanism, pre-emptively identifying and preventing potential issues before they escalate into significant concerns.

With an unwavering commitment to innovation and safety, AmpereHour Energy is actively pursuing multifaceted strategies to surmount the challenges inherent in battery reutilization. These concerted efforts aim to revolutionize the industry while ensuring the efficient and sustainable utilization of battery resources.

Cancrie

In a ground-breaking stride towards advancing battery efficiency, Cancrie leverages nanomaterials sourced from waste, achieving remarkable energy efficiency gains of up to 125%.

Key highlights of their pioneering approach include:

1. Significantly slashing greenhouse gas emissions by a staggering 13 times when juxtaposed with fossil fuel-based sources, Cancrie utilizes sustainable biomass feedstock, underscoring their commitment to environmental sustainability.
2. Cancrie's nanomaterial boasts an expansive surface area of up to 2000 square meters per gram, featuring interconnected pores that facilitate enhanced electrolyte penetration and charge transfer. This attribute substantially bolsters battery performance, optimizing overall efficiency.
3. The applicability of their cutting-edge technology extends across diverse sectors encompassing consumer electronics and electric vehicles. It adeptly resolves persistent issues such as permanent sulfation in lead-acid batteries, enhancing the reliability and longevity of these energy sources.
4. Cancrie's innovative methodologies significantly extend battery life cycles by a minimum of 50%, effectively curbing maintenance expenses while ensuring prolonged functionality.
5. Notably, their patented technology seamlessly integrates into existing battery manufacturing processes, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective transition for widespread adoption.
6. Specifically tailored for Li-ion batteries, Cancrie's nanomaterial delivers an unparalleled blend of higher energy density, reaching up to 200 watt-hours per kilogram, and exceptional power density of 7000 watts per kilogram, all at an affordable price point. This surpasses conventional options, offering a substantial leap forward in battery technology capabilities.

Through these ground-breaking strides, Cancrie emerges as a frontrunner in revolutionizing battery technology, offering not only heightened efficiency and performance but also a sustainable, cost-effective solution poised to transform the landscape of energy storage systems.

VFlowTech

In a revolutionary leap within the realm of energy storage, VFlowTech has introduced a game-changing Vanadium Redox flow battery, outperforming traditional counterparts in efficiency, energy density, and overall lifespan.

The company's breakthrough innovation encompasses several key elements:

1. VFlowTech offers a diverse range of products tailored to different energy needs:

a). Batteries ranging from 30 to 100 kilowatt-hours cater to the requirements of telecom towers or households.

b). Batteries with capacities between 100 and 500 kilowatt-hours are optimized for commercial, industrial, and microgrid applications.

c). For extensive energy demands, VFlowTech presents larger utility-scale systems designed to meet substantial power requirements.

2. The hallmark of VFlowTech's innovation lies in their Power Cubes, modular devices featuring a cluster-based design. This architecture not only conserves electricity at lower power levels but also enables effortless scalability for accommodating larger capacities.

3. Notably, VFlowTech's Power Cubes boast an impressive lifespan of 20,000 cycles, equivalent to over three decades of continuous operation. This robust longevity ensures reliability and unwavering energy storage capabilities.

4. Backed by a portfolio of seven filed patents, VFlowTech's technology stands as a testament to its cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and adaptability across various operating temperatures. This adaptability makes it suitable for deployment in regions characterized by hot and humid climates, such as India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

5. The versatility of VFlowTech's technology makes it suitable for a wide spectrum of energy needs, ranging from individual household applications to large-scale utility deployments.

6. The combined advantages of a prolonged lifespan and a modular design ensure a steadfast and uninterrupted power supply throughout the battery's operational lifespan, underscoring its reliability across various energy consumption scenarios.

VFlowTech's pioneering advancements represent a significant leap forward in the energy storage landscape, promising not only heightened efficiency and adaptability but also an enduring solution capable of meeting diverse energy demands with unwavering reliability.

REConnect Energy

In a pioneering stride within India's renewable energy sphere, REConnect Energy has streamlined Distributed Energy Resource (DER) aggregation, offering a simplified, scalable, and impactful approach that significantly contributes to the country's renewable energy landscape.

Key facets of REConnect Energy's approach include:

1. Acting as a unifying force for diverse energy resources, REConnect Energy effectively aggregates over 500 megawatts (MW) of energy, showcasing their prowess in harmonizing multiple energy streams.
2. With an eye on continued expansion, REConnect Energy sets ambitious targets, aiming to achieve a capacity of 100 MW within the next 1-2 years. This commitment to scalability underscores their dedication to advancing renewable energy integration.
3. Managing a staggering 22 gigawatts (GW) of Renewable Energy (RE) Assets across 12 states, REConnect Energy holds a pivotal role as a Qualifying Coordinating Agency, solidifying their influential position within the renewable energy sector.
4. Leveraging their GRIDConnect platform, which harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Grid Automation, REConnect Energy collaborates with 15 transmission operators. This collaboration spans an impressive 76 GW of RE Assets nationwide, establishing a profound impact on the renewable energy infrastructure.
5. The comprehensive capabilities of REConnect Energy's platform extend from seamless grid integration to adept outage management, fortifying critical aspects of the energy grid and ensuring its reliability.
6. Embarking on an ambitious digitalization initiative, REConnect Energy is poised to transform wholesale energy markets in Haryana and Kerala through their SAMAST software. Encompassing around 18 GW and 800 grid substations, this endeavor signifies a significant step toward digital transformation in key energy sectors.

REConnect Energy's strategic initiatives and pioneering technological advancements not only exemplify their commitment to advancing renewable energy integration but also underscore their pivotal role in shaping the future of India's energy landscape through innovation and efficiency.

Conclusion

Climate change presents an undeniable reality demanding collective action. Although the magnitude of the challenge is formidable, it is not insurmountable. Entrepreneurs, through their pioneering ideas and innovative use of technology, are demonstrating a pathway towards achieving India's climate goals at an accelerated pace. Their initiatives serve as global examples, showcasing the immense possibilities that innovative solutions can offer in expediting progress towards our climate objectives. While the task ahead remains significant, the ingenuity and dedication of these entrepreneurs underscore the potential for meaningful change and provide hope for a more sustainable future.