ICT Labs reveals top energy start-ups
EIT ICT Labs has announced that an energy team from the UK has taken the top prize in the KIC’s Idea Challenge.
The academics from London win a prize of €40,000 for developing devices that allows the more efficient transfer of electricity to the grid from a wind turbine or renewable generator. The start-up NNGC will also benefit from coaching from ICT Labs experts and gain access to office space for six months in a Co-Location Centre. The start-up will become integrated into both the KIC’s action line activities and pan-European partner network of the ICT Labs.
The second prize goes to ICE Gateway from Germany for developing outdoor lighting that is integrated into the cloud, sensors and devices. They win €25,000.
The third place is awarded to Easy Smart Grid, also from Germany, which receives €15,000. The academics propose an easy and robust mechanism to activate every flexibility in mini-grids at low costs. Doing so, it can raise the share of renewable energy and lower energy prices.
Speaking about the winners, Klaus Beetz, business director at EIT ICT Labs said: “We had a great mix of ideas with a high quality. The three winning companies have great potential and very bright futures ahead of them. We are proud to provide them not only necessary resources to boost their businesses, but also the opportunity to gain international visibility.”
A total of 479 teams applied to the competition, which involves eight topics in the field of ICT, including the Internet of Things, cyber security and privacy, and future cloud; 62 applications were made to the smart energy systems topic. A further nine winners will be announced before the end of the year.
