Image credits: Perpetual Next
A new wave of startups across the globe are working on energy transition – the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. This shift is necessary to combat climate change, and startups are leading the way with innovative technologies, making renewable energy more affordable and accessible.
What is energy transition?
In the context of energy production, energy transition refers to the process of moving from polluting and carbon-intensive energy sources to cleaner, renewable ones.
Well, it’s a big challenge, but one that startups are increasingly taking on.
There are many reasons for wanting to make this transition. For one, it’s becoming increasingly urgent in the face of climate change. Additionally, renewable energy sources are often more cost-effective in the long run than traditional fossil fuels.
So how are startups tackling this challenge? One popular approach is to develop new technologies that make renewable energy sources more efficient and affordable. Another is to create business models that make it easier for consumers and businesses to switch to cleaner energy options.
Energy transition in the Netherlands
In this process, numerous European startups are playing their part in helping the EU achieve a sustainable future, with notable examples in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands aims to rapidly transition to a carbon-neutral economy to help its economic growth and energy security. The country has made significant progress on its transition to a carbon-neutral economy and has set targets to reduce emissions by 49% by 2030 and by 95% by 2050.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ capital city, is home to notable energy startups, thanks to its strong support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Gilles Dillen, Senior Manager Foreign Investments: Renewable Energy & Cleantech, amsterdam inbusiness, says, “The Amsterdam startup ecosystem is essential in achieving the energy transition as young and intrinsically motivated entrepreneurs enhance the width and depth of solutions available to businesses and consumers to decarbonise deeply.”
He continues, “Startups in the climate and decarbonisation space are located in Prodock, The Green Village, and Edge Olympic, and there they collaborate to optimise renewable energy technologies, enhance the energy efficiency of the built environment, and bring forward new and innovative solutions for climate adaptation and nature restoration.”
“Amsterdam is providing continued support to these startups to enhance their profiling and visibility, and Amsterdam assists in the internationalisation of the companies. Furthermore, Amsterdam bolsters a thriving ecosystem with universities, living labs, and investors. These actors collaborate closely to increase the potential and technical savviness of the startups,” he adds.
Transitioning to renewable energy will ensure that we have a reliable energy source for future generations. In this regard, we have listed five Amsterdam-based startups working on making this energy transition seamless.
Perpetual Next
Founder/s: Martijn van Rheenen
Perpetual Next aims to reduce climate change by upgrading organic waste streams to valuable raw materials and products for sustainable use.
The Amsterdam-based company does this by reusing residual flows and upgrading organic residual flows into high-quality raw materials and products while contributing to the circular economy. In addition, the company works with low-grade, regional, organic residues to minimise the environmental impact.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals, the ESG standards, and the EU Green Deal are part of Perpetual Next’s goal. The company’s production facilities are in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, and Estonia.
In June, the Dutch company raised €320M in a Series A round of funding for technology acquisitions and projects aimed at carbon removal.
Thorizon
Founder/s: Sander de Groot, Lucas Pool
Thorizon spun-off from the Nuclear Research and consultancy Group (NRG), which operates the High Flux Reactor in Petten.
The company is dedicated to advancing the creation of next-generation nuclear reactors and positively impacting current energy problems.
It aims to create a dependable nuclear reactor that uses fuel effectively, reduces radioactive waste, and doesn’t produce CO2 while operating to keep the earth clean.
Thorizon raised €12.5M in a round led by Positron Ventures to build a new generation of power plants.
Woon Duurzaam
Founder/s: Rense van Dijk
Woon Duurzaam provides a one-stop-shop cloud platform that clarifies the home renovation business for consumers. The platform connects customers requiring a sustainable home with energy-saving & generating equipment suppliers and high-quality installers.
It claims to be the first company in the Netherlands to offer an integrated solution at a national level to get rid of gas in homes. In August, the startup raised €2.2M from OnePlanetCrowd and others to develop and automate its solution for home improvement.
GoodFuels
Founder/s: Dirk Kronemeijer
GoodFuels is a Netherlands-based pioneer in sustainable marine fuels.
The Amsterdam company has created a one-stop shop for marine industry customers, integrating the entire supply chain for sustainable marine biofuels.
From feedstock to tank, GoodFuels’ proposition covers elements of sourcing feedstock and ensuring its 100 per cent sustainability, production, global distribution, quality assurance, and marketing programmes with ports, governments, and end clients.
Zonnepanelendelen
Founder/s: Matthijs Olieman and Sven Pluut,
ZonnepanelenDelen aims to accelerate the energy transition by making solar energy financing simple and accessible to all. The platform finances small-scale solar power projects by offering financial leasing, bank loans, and bond issues through its online platform. Through digitalisation, the Amsterdam startup aims to make it possible for smaller projects to obtain attractive financing. Earlier this year, ZonnepanelenDelen raised €20M from ING Business Banking for sustainable project financing.
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