How bright will the future of global energy be? Read here to find out more about the most green and renewable options coming out of Germany.
As we seek a more sustainable future for our world’s energy demands, we need to consider all relevant and necessary information to better understand this fossil-to-renewable transition.
According to the UN, ‘’renewables (energy) are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels’’. As such, the benefits of renewable and/or green energy are not only environmental, but also economic.
Renewable energy sources include wind power, solar power, hydro power, tidal power, geothermal energy, ambient heat captured by heat pumps, biofuels and the renewable part of waste [United Nations].
The European contribution to renewable energy has been well documented. In [their] mission to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the EU reached a 21.8 % share of its gross final energy consumption from renewable sources in 2021, around 0.3 percentage points lower than in 2020’’, [EU Commission].
While energy and environmental policies are created through governmental bodies, the change to a cleaner, greener future has also been forged at a business level. Today, we’re checking out the Top 5 German Clean Energy Startups for 2023 and beyond.
Enpal is a photovoltaics leasing firm that provides solar power systems for homeowners. Founded in Berlin, in 2017, Enpal believes in ‘‘Green & affordable energy. From everyone, for everyone’’.
The German startup unicorn, now valued at approximately $2.4 bln (Reuters), allows homeowners to rent out solar panels for a ‘‘fixed price and use the sun’s free energy for decades’’.
With 30,000 customers and 230,000 MWh already produced, Enpal cares deeply for the future of the planet.
Enpal states that ”we dream that our children can grow up on the same beautiful planet as we do. That’s why we want to help supply all houses in the world with green and cheap energy. We have already brokered over 30,000 solar solutions in our companies’’.
Berlin-based startup, Thermosphr is driving ‘‘advanced engineering SaaS for optimal thermal management in real estate’’. According to their statistics, over 40% of a property’s energy consumption comes from HVAC, of which over a third is wasted. How’s that for market pain-point?
‘‘With optimal HVAC control requires constant monitoring and adjustment of hundreds of controls and devices, a task impossible for humans in dynamic buildings’’.
Formed in 2020, Thermosphr’s thermal solutions solve the complex equation of HVAC optimization with a unique predictive control technology, specifically developed for real estate – Thermosphr.
They offer to ‘‘level up your HVAC controls. Launching is as seamless as a plug and play, it requires no hardware installation and takes as much as 2 weeks’’.
Born in Munich, Cargo Kite’s impressive mission statement is to enable ‘‘flexible maritime logistics through 100% emission free micro cargo ships’’.
Cargo Kite is building the sailing ship of the 21st century. (Their) innovative concept utilizes high altitude winds as its only means of propulsion with efficiency that has never been seen before. In effect, (they) offer a fully sustainable option to transport goods that is efficient at the same time.
According to Cargo Kite, their industry’s pain-points are currently twofold. Firstly the ‘‘global shipping industry is emitting more CO2 than Germany. While regulations to enforce emission reductions are closing in,’’ the cost alternatives don’t seem to be.
‘‘Strong centralization’’ is also another issue. The pre-seed company states that the ‘‘ever-larger ships are cost-efficient but also depend on large central ports limiting flexibility profoundly. In effect, congestions become the new norm’’.
Cargo Kite is certainly a space to be watched this year and beyond.
Kowry energy’s mission is to ‘‘empower local, independent energy companies to accelerate their operations in serving businesses and communities with reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy access’’.
Founded in 2021, the African-German energy startup also received an undisclosed figure from Rolls Royce (Techinafrica.com) to scale-up its operational efforts.
Kowry currently boasts operations in Mali, Senegal and Nigeria, whilst remaining headquartered in Berlin. Staying off-the-grid, the energy startup serves electrification for both communities and SMEs at more affordable costs.
Kowry states that ‘‘energy is the indispensable prerequisite for enhancing economic development and improving quality of human life. With the provision of reliable and affordable energy, Kowry Energy is contributing to continued economic growth across Africa’’ – Kowry Energy.
The self-proclaimed “digital future of energy” – EnergyLabs turns buildings into active environmentalists.
Founded in Berlin, in 2020, their mission is “to make the energy sector more transparent, active and decentralized” by ‘‘offering a portfolio of energy-saving solutions to optimize and reduce energy consumption in buildings (and) thereby significantly lowering their carbon footprint.
EnergyLabs is currently at the forefront of Energy disruption with its scalable solution that ‘‘saves between 5-13% in energy and CO2 emissions’’.
EnergyLabs has “integrated monitoring and control solution that enables holistic, high-resolution data acquisition and effective analysis that provides realizable insights into energy savings”.
EnergyLabs is a European company with additional locations in Barcelona, Oslo and Prague.
Centurion Plus
Are you an entrepreneur, a start-up or a SME with the goal to start up between or in Africa and Germany? Then our team will happily assist you on the legal side! We are specialized both in supporting multicultural businesses in Germany, in supporting African businesses in Germany and in supporting businesses across various African jurisdictions. While our support starts with providing help on immigration and relocation matters, it does not stop there – taxes, tech, intellectual property…You heard us! Contact us today to find out more.
