Deadline: 31-Jan-22
Nominations are now open for the Start Up Energy Transition Award 2022, an international competition for start-ups and young companies worldwide who are working on ideas affecting global energy transition and climate change.
In the last four years, the award has received more than 2,300 applications from 102 countries. SET is powered by the German Energy Agency (dena), in cooperation with the World Energy Council.
Categories
- Clean Energy Generation: While renewable energy resources may be abundant in some areas, the required technology mix or supporting infrastructure may be lacking. Take for instance, the vast amounts of heat generation used for buildings in industrial processes. Decarbonising this sector is particularly challenging and poses a large problem for the energy transition. In addition, how do they most effectively use hydrogen-based technologies and build the necessary capacities for it? How can they move faster and further away from conventional emission intensive forms of energy generation in a sustainable way? In this category, they are looking for start-ups who are developing clean energy generation solutions that could help to decarbonise their most energy-intensive sectors, as well as on those accelerating the adoption of new solutions through capacity building.
- Demand-side Innovation: Today the ways in which energy is consumed are shifting fast and fundamentally. For a long time, three global drivers of change – decarbonisation, digitalisation, decentralisation – were shaping energy systems developments in all world regions. In response to the faster pace of technology innovation and increasing uptake of climate policies, one new global driver has emerged – demand-side disruptions, which reflect the rise of digitally empowered prosumers and new demand for clean and efficient energy services. End-users want ideas, which help them do more with less.
- Energy Distribution and Storage: There have been significant changes in the transmission and distribution of energy as traditional grid management becomes increasingly complex. The dissemination of information and decentralization of energy systems has the potential to empower and enable citizens globally. However, one must consider integrating infrastructure beyond the energy sector by coupling with adjacent sectors to offer effective solutions with overall lower carbon footprints.
- Smart Mobility & Transportation: While decarbonising the transport sector is no easy task – there is no shortage of real and effective solutions. More and more cities are implementing policies that aim at reducing pollution and GHG-emissions, meaning that the era of smart mobility and transportation is not far off.
- Quality Energy Access & SDG-7: To achieve a global energy transition, they cannot ignore the matter of energy poverty. UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 is all about “ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”. While action is needed from the side of policymakers to maintain the Energy Trilemma balance, the entrepreneurial community has a role to play in ensuring access to energy for all – in a sustainable and equitable way.
Award Details
- Up to EUR 10.000 per winner
- Intimate meet-and-greet with the Jury
- Flights & accommodation to Berlin
- Promotional Video
- Access to exclusive partner events globally
- Finalist pitches at SET Tech Festival
- Winners of each Category: up to 10.000 Euros prize money; Profile of start-up celebrated across the World Energy Council’s global energy network in 99 countries.
Eligibility Criteria
- National and international companies that contribute to the success of the energy transition with their products can apply for the ‘Start Up Energy Transition Award’ (‘SET Award’).
- The company must have been founded no more than 10 years beforehand. The object of the application must be an already implemented project, manufactured product, or existing prototype. It is not possible to apply with just an idea for which no concrete steps have been taken.
- The founding of a company and the development of a business plan are not sufficient in and of themselves. Participation in other start-up initiatives or competitions is possible
Participation Guidelines
Applicants may only apply to one category. All subsequent applications to other categories will be disqualified.
- The start-up must not have been founded longer than ten years ago. In other words, the date of foundation cannot exceed 2010.
- The application, including any attached documents, must be in English.
- The start-up must be able to present a functioning prototype. In addition, the company must be registered or be in the process of becoming registered and the applicant must be able to present a proof of concept or a client, and/or an industrial/corporate/institutional partner.
- The applicant must fill out the entire form. Partially completed applications will not be accepted.
For more information, visit https://www.startup-energy-transition.com/set-award/