ABB: AI and Startups Play Key Role in Energy Transition

ABB Electrification continues to promote the importance of startups and technology in securing a positive energy future through encouraging the development of AI solutions to help transition to a low carbon future. 

The fifth annual instalment of ABB Electrification’s Startup Challenge saw 164 entries from more than 36 countries, with 12 finalists selected.

The four eventual winners are awarded a collaboration project with ABB worth US$30,000 to develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and the opportunity to launch a common solution for ABB’s customers.

Anton Kotov, Head of Corporate Strategy and M&A at ABB, said: “The judges were hugely impressed by the calibre of entrants and the solutions they brought to this year’s contest. All the entries showcased how AI could enable the energy transition and demonstrated the fresh new thinking that is needed to help tackle the issues facing the energy sector.”

How can AI enable the energy transition?

Here are a number of ways AI plays a significant role in enabling and accelerating the energy transition.

This is thanks to the fact that AI enables the energy sector to make data-driven decisions, optimise operations and adapt to the evolving energy landscape and, as a result, accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

The role of startups in decarbonisation

The decarbonisation process is enriched by startups as although established industry giants can leverage decades — and even centuries — of expertise, startups are known drivers of innovation, disrupting traditional industries and developing new technologies and business models that prioritise sustainability — all elements that ensure the industry can put its best foot forward as it works toward a greener future.

Speaking with Energy Digital earlier this year, Stuart Ferguson of Sustainable Ventures — which has launched more than 500 green firms that are ‘optimistic solutions’ to climate worries — said that now is the time investing in startups has been the most exciting.

“Climate change is the number one existential crisis we're facing,” he says. “It's a huge challenge and there is no one silver bullet to solve it. But, with a huge challenge there's a huge opportunity.

“What we've seen over the last few years is an increased appetite from really clever, smart founders with lots of incredible qualifications coming out and actually wanting to apply that expertise to try and solve climate change. We've seen a huge increase in the number of great technologies and innovations coming through, and it's just incredibly exciting to be part of that and be part of the solution that helps to solve climate change.”

Stuart is also exceptionally excited by the prospect of AI in accelerating green technologies for the benefit of the planet. 

He adds: “I think this is going to be a big year for grid optimisation and grid solutions, a mix of hardware and software starting to bring the grid networks into the 21st century.”

Startups to watch

The winners of ABB Electrification’s Startup Challenge 2024 are:

• Enline
• Edgecom Energy
• KUGU Home GmbH
• Xaba Inc.

Other startups disrupting the energy landscape and worth keeping an eye on are:

• Rebel Energy
• Liquid Wind
• Common Energy
• Piclo
• Purpose Energy
• Moment Energy
• EH Group
• Freyr Energy
• Ecoflow
• Enpal

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