European sustainable energy innovation engine EIT InnoEnergy has announced Europe’s most pressing energy challenges: the circular economy and mobility.
Transport of goods and people account for around 25 per cent of carbon emissions within the EU; and InnoEnergy defines the reduction of transport emissions – the EU aims to reduce its emissions to net zero by 2050 – as a “critical success factor” in achieving climate targets. By investing more widely in circular economy initiatives, meanwhile, it is hoped the EU can make significant progress toward a more integrated, sustainable energy use and storage programme.
InnoEnergy has implemented two new “thematic fields” for its innovation investment projects in reflection of its new focus on the circular economy and mobility: energy for transport and mobility; and energy for circular economy. Both of these fields are intended to solicit the input of innovators and developers, entrepreneurs; and representatives of industry and academia, with the goal of producing the “next big innovations” across the energy sector. Other key themes overseen by InnoEnergy include smart cities, smart grids and energy storage, energy efficiency and technologies for producing renewable energy.
Businesses with proven energy concepts which they believe have the potential to transform the future of the EU’s energy industry are invited to apply for InnoEnergy’s ongoing Investment Round, which is designed to reduce the time to market for pioneering energy innovations. InnoEnergy offers funding and investment for businesses providing innovation; as well as support with product research, development and marketing.
InnoEnergy CEO Diego Pavia said: “Our Investment Round initiative supports start-ups that can address some of the most pressing challenges facing our energy system today such as mobility and sustainable lifecycles. Since launching the Round in 2011, InnoEnergy has invested €222 million in 120 projects – resulting in €4 billion of forecasted sales. Building on successes such as NorthVolt, EOLOS and Bio-Eco-Matic, we’re now looking to hear from the next wave of innovative energy start-ups who we can support to market with a mix of funding, and technical and commercial resources.”
