Introducing the Categories for Free Electrons 2025

As the energy landscape evolves, Free Electrons is committed to leading the change in industry innovation. In 2025, we are introducing new categories that address the most pressing challenges and opportunities within the energy sector. These categories are designed to serve as pivotal focal points for startups and utilities to collaborate and work together as well as guide startups in their application process.

In the following section, we will provide a concise overview of each category, outlining its significance and relevance to the energy industry today. By aligning with these emerging areas, we aim to facilitate partnerships that not only enhance operation efficiency but also advance the global transition towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.

Next Generation Renewables

The rapid advancement of next-generation renewable technologies is essential for meeting escalating global clean energy trends. As of 2023, renewable sources contribute approximately 30% to global electrification, with projections indicating this will increase to 46% by 2030, largely driven by advancements in solar and wind technologies¹. Notably, solar photovoltaic (PV) are expected to triple their share of global energy production, while wind power will nearly double, overtaking hydropower and nuclear energy in several regions by 2030².

Innovative technologies such as floating solar, modular solar systems, and distributed wind solutions are critical for addressing growing energy demand while minimising environmental impact. Investment in renewable energy has reached unprecedented levels, with over £227 billion allocated to clean energy infrastructure, including offshore wind and geothermal projects³. The integration of these technologies not only enhances energy security but also plays a vital role in achieving sustainability goals, making it crucial for startups to engage with emerging solutions in these technologies.

Next Generation Renewables subcategories:

• Offshore and Onshore Wind Enabling Technologies
• Distributed Wind Solutions
• Solar Distributed Generation
• Floating solar; novel solar cell types; modular solar systems
• Geothermal Technologies
• Novel Hydro Systems

Energy Management / Data

As the demand for energy continues to escalate, driven largely by electrification and urbanisation, the imperative for effective energy management becomes increasingly apparent. Global energy demand is projected to surge by 50% by 2050, primarily due to population growth and urbanisation, which underscores the necessity for innovative solutions within the sector⁴. In this context energy management and data analytics play crucial roles in enhancing operational efficiency, sustainability, and reliability across energy systems.

By leveraging technologies like generative AI or cloud computing, utilities can optimize operations, improve decision-making processes, and effectively respond to real-time energy demands. These innovations facilitate a data-driven approach that not only enhances productivity but also aligns with sustainability goals, essential for addressing the sector’s significant carbon emissions that are now responsible for 73,2% of global emissions⁵. The integration of energy management solutions is vital for utilities to adapt to evolving market conditions, ensuring resilience while meeting the challenges posed by increasing energy consumption and the urgent transition towards cleaner energy sources.

Energy Management / Data subcategories:

• Digital Trust and Cybersecurity
• Planning, Simulation and Forecasting Tools
• Cloud and Edge Computing
• Datacentre Optimization
• Generative AI for Business Operations and LLMs
• Demand Response and VPP Platforms
• Trading Tools
• Advanced Connectivity Solutions; the Internet of Energy

Asset Optimisation

 Maximising the performance and longevity of energy infrastructure has become a strategic priority for utilities facing dual pressures of aging grids and rising energy demands. Asset optimisation, which focuses on the efficient use and monitoring of infrastructure, helps to prevent costly failures while reducing operational expenses. For example, with over 70% of the US grid now being more than 25 years old⁶, and global investments in grid updates expected to surpass $8 trillion by 2030⁷, finding innovative ways to extend asset life cycles and improve performance is vital for both reliability and sustainability.

By leveraging technologies like drone robots, and digital twins, utilities can achieve better precision in monitoring, predictive maintenance, and infrastructure control. These advancements are driven by key innovations in several specialised areas, which are transforming the way utilities approach asset optimisation.

Asset Optimisation subcategories:

• Drones, Robots and Sensors for Monitoring and Maintenance
• Condition Monitoring, Control or Optimisation
• Lifetime Extension Technologies
• Digital Twins
• Image Analytics

Thermal Solutions

 Thermal solutions play a crucial role in the energy sector, accounting for nearly 50% of energy consumption⁸, particularly in heating and cooling applications. As governments and industries push for net-zero emissions, decarbonising thermal energy systems has become increasingly urgent. The need for efficient thermal solutions is further underscored by projections indicating a significant increase in global energy demand by 2040⁹. This surge emphasises the importance of optimising existing thermal systems to manage peak loads and enhance grid performance. In fact, heating and cooling contribute to approximately 40% of energy-related CO₂ emissions, highlighting the critical impact of transitioning to sustainable thermal technologies¹⁰.

For utilities, adopting innovative thermal solutions is essential not only for regulatory compliance but also for ensuring reliability and resilience in energy supply. As they navigate the complexities of integrating renewable energy sources, effective thermal management can stabilize the grid and reduce operational costs. Additionally, these solutions enhance customer satisfaction by providing reliable heating and cooling services, further solidifying the utility’s role in a decarbonised energy future.

Thermal Solutions subcategories:

• Heat Pumps and Novel Hot Water Systems
• Decentralized Geothermal Systems
• Thermal Energy Storage
• Process Heat Alternatives
• Industry Electrification
• District Heating

Grid Planning, Optimisation, and Stability

 With the increasing adoption of renewable sources and the rise in electricity demand, effective grid planning, optimisation, and stability have become imperative for utilities. By 2050, global demand for electricity could surge by over 50% compared to today¹¹. This underscores the urgency for agile grid infrastructure capable of integrating diverse energy sources. The growing complexity of distributed generation systems, such as solar and wind, challenges traditional centralized grid models, necessitating advanced tools for enhancing grid flexibility and ensuring reliable energy supply.

To navigate these challenges, utilities are leveraging innovations such as microgrids, advanced grid modelling, and field service management. These technologies are crucial for optimising network performance, enhancing once again, operational efficiency and maintaining grid stability amid rising demands and climate-related disruptions. The integration of energy storage systems alongside renewables is vital for stabilising the grid, allowing for a more resilient and sustainable energy future.

Grid Planning, Optimisation, and Stability subcategories:

• Accelerating T&D Roll-Out including Construction Improvements
• Tools for Planning Optimization
• Integrating Renewables and Storage in the Grid
• Ancillary Services Enablers / Flexibility Services
• Low Voltage Network Adequacy and Stability
• Micro Grids including Community Batteries
• Network Modelling and Field Service Management
• Satellite Applications in Grid Management

Energy Storage

 As renewable energy sources like wind and solar increasingly dominate the energy ecosystem, the demand for effective energy storage solutions has intensified. By the end of 2022, lithium batteries represented 80% of the US utility-scale battery capacity, roughly 9GW. However, these batteries typically offer only four hours of discharge, which limits their effectiveness in addressing seasonal demand peaks and transmission congestion. This gap has led to growing interest in alternative technologies such as iron-air and sodium-ion batteries, which promise longer-duration storage and enhanced grid resilience.

For utilities, bolstering energy storage capabilities is essential for maintaining grid reliability and meeting future energy demands.

Energy Storage subcategories:

• Long Duration Solutions including Pumped Hydro
• Lithium-Ion Battery Alternative Chemistries
• Supply Chain Efficiencies & Ethical Sourcing of Materials
• Lifetime Extension and/or Second Life Options
• Residential Solutions

Connected & Engaged Customers (B2B & B2C)

 In today’s energy landscape, connected and engaged customers represent the evolution of customer relationships with utilities, driven by the rise of digital platforms and data-driven technologies. This evolution reflects a shift towards greater transparency, participation, and personalised experiences where energy customers, considering both businesses and households, seek to manage their energy use more actively. This is made possible by tools like smart meters, IoT-based home solutions, and advanced customer management platforms, allowing for real-time insights and efficient energy consumption.

Utilities are now recognising that enhancing customer engagement is crucial for optimising energy usage and ensuring grid stability. Advanced engagement solutions such as demand response programs, have shown the potential to reduce peak energy demand by as much as 15%, which not only benefits consumers through lower bills but also helps utilities avoid costly infrastructure investments¹². As this trend accelerates, it becomes clear that the integration of innovative customer engagement strategies is essential for creating a more resilient and efficient energy landscape.

Connected & Engaged Customers (B2B & B2C) subcategories:

• Customer Engagement Solutions
• Metering and Disaggregation Technologies
• Non-Energy Home Services – Water, Internet, Security, Banking
• Residential Demand Response and Orchestration
• Heating & Cooling Solutions
• Energy Efficiency Solutions

Mobility & Transport Electrification

 Mobility and Transport Electrification are often used to refer to the transition from conventional fossil-fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) and are a key component of the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency within the transportation sector. As the automotive industry embraces this shift, the demand for electric mobility solutions is expected to surge. It is currently estimated that the energy usage for transportation could increase by up to 15% by 2050 due to the growing demand for charging infrastructure to support the rapid adoption of EVs, particularly in fleet operations¹³.For instance, studies indicate that switching to electric fleets can lead to operational cost savings of up to £0.09 per mile compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, underscoring the financial benefits of electrification¹⁴.

The integration of telematics in EVs enhances operational efficiency by providing fleet managers with real-time data to optimize routing and energy usage. Additionally, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies facilitate a two-way energy exchange, allowing EVs to return excess power to the grid, thereby improving overall resource management. As the electrification of transportation accelerates, investments in innovative charging solutions, fleet management, and integration technologies will be essential to support sustainable mobility and capitalize on the emerging opportunities in this ever-evolving market.

Mobility & Transport Electrification subcategories:

• Novel Charging Solutions including Route and Bill Optimization
• Integration Solutions including Vehicle-to-Grid
• Fleet Management Solutions
• Advanced Mobility Technologies

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

The introduction of these new categories in the Free Electrons Program highlights the critical areas shaping the future of the energy sector. From optimizing assets to engaging customers, advancing energy management, enhancing storage solutions, ensuring grid stability, electrifying transport, and fostering next-generation renewables, each category presents significant opportunities for innovation and collaboration. The urgent need for thermal solutions further underscores the importance of sustainability in energy consumption.

As you consider your application, reflect on how your solutions can drive real change within these frameworks. Explore how Free Electrons can facilitate partnerships that not only boost operational efficiency but also contribute to a resilient and sustainable energy future.

References Cited:

¹ Our World in Data. (2023). Renewable Electricity 2023. Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/renewable-electricity-2023

² Power Info Today. “Leading Nations Look for Tripling Renewable Power by 2030.” Power Info Today, 15 June 2023. https://www.powerinfotoday.com/renewable-energy/leading-nations-look-for-tripling-renewable-power-by-2030/.

³ BloombergNEF. (2024). New Energy Outlook 2024. Retrieved from BloombergNEF.

⁴ International Energy Agency. (2021). World Energy Outlook 2021. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2021

⁵ International Energy Agency (IEA). (2021). “CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion.” Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/co2-emissions-from-fuel-combustion-2021

⁶  U.S. Department of Energy. (2023). What Does it Take to Modernize the U.S. Electric Grid? Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/gdo/articles/what-does-it-take-modernize-us-electric-grid

⁷ Fitch Ratings. (2021). Federal Infrastructure Funds Lessen Public Utility Operating Risk. Retrieved from https://www.fitchratings.com/research/us-public-finance/federal-infrastructure-funds-lessen-public-utility-operating-risk-10-11-2021

⁸ International Energy Agency (IEA). (2023). Heating in buildings. Available at: IEA Heating in Buildings.

⁹ International Energy Agency (IEA). (2023). World Energy Outlook 2023. Available at: IEA World Energy Outlook 2023

¹⁰ International Energy Agency (IEA). “Energy Efficiency 2023: Executive Summary.” 2023. IEA.

¹¹ International Energy Agency (IEA). “World Energy Outlook 2023. Retrieved from https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023

¹² National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2018). Demand Response Research Center: DR Potential and Benefits. Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy19osti/70630.pdf

¹³ International Energy Agency (IEA). (2024). Global EV Outlook 2024: Outlook for Electric Mobility. Retrieved from https://origin.iea.org/reports/global-ev-outlook-2024/outlook-for-electric-mobility

¹⁴ International Council on Clean Transportation. (2020). Cost-Effectiveness of Electric Vehicle Fleets: A Review of the Literature. Retrieved from https://theicct.org/publication/electric-vehicles-literature-review-of-technology-costs-and-carbon-emissions/