14 Startups That Are Impacting the World with Renewable Energy

The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, with renewable energy sources playing an increasingly important role in the fight against climate instability.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) report, Renewable Energy 2023, highlights the significant increase in renewable energy capacity additions, which are estimated to reach 507 GW in 2023 – an impressive 50% increase compared to 2022.

This growth is largely attributed to strong political support in more than 130 countries, signaling a significant shift in trends in the global energy sector.

China in particular was the driving force, where the photovoltaic market grew by 116% and the wind energy market by 66%.

Looking ahead, the report predicts that solar and wind will dominate renewable capacity additions over the next five years, accounting for a record 96% of new installations.

This dominance is driven by falling energy production costs, which in many countries are already lower than the costs of alternative energy sources, both fossil and non-fossil.

Furthermore, supporting policies continue to strengthen these sectors, ensuring that renewable energy remains a key part of the global energy transformation.

A leader in renewable energy expansion

China’s renewable energy capacity growth is expected to triple over the next five years compared with the previous five years, accounting for 56% of the global expansion.

The country’s ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2060, supported by the 14th Five-Year Plan, and the wide availability of locally manufactured equipment and cheap financing are driving this rapid growth.

During this period, China is expected to build almost four times more renewable energy than the European Union and five times more than the United States.

Global Forecast and Regional Highlights

The report notes that renewable energy capacity additions will continue to grow, with significant contributions from regions such as the United States and the European Union, driven by policy incentives such as the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and various EU measures for decarbonisation and energy security.

India is also showing promising growth thanks to gradual policy improvements, while Latin America is benefiting from higher retail prices and policies supporting utility installations in countries like Brazil.

Overcoming challenges for faster growth

Despite optimistic forecasts, the report points to a number of challenges that need to be solved to accelerate the development of renewable energy.

These include political uncertainty, insufficient investment in network infrastructure, delays in permitting and financial difficulties in developing countries.

The IEA highlights that meeting these challenges could enable a 21% increase in renewable energy capacity by 2028, enabling a smoother and faster transition to a sustainable energy future.

Startups are at the forefront of this green revolution, developing innovative solutions that harness the power of the sun, wind, water and other sources to create sustainable energy sources.

Renewable energy startups are not only solving environmental problems, but also creating economic opportunities and promoting energy independence.

In this post, we highlight startups that are making a significant impact through their pioneering work in renewable energy.

From advanced solar panels to bioenergy solutions, these startups are driving the transformation towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, showing the enormous potential of renewable energy technologies.

Renewable energy startups

Nodal power

Mission: Turning waste into renewable energy

Technology: Uses advanced technology to convert waste into renewable energy.

Hit: It reduces waste going to landfill and generates clean energy, contributing to environmental sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Nodal Power raises $13 million in seed funding to create renewable energy facilities at landfills – Read more

Nodal Power Website

Clover

Mission: Revolutionizing Energy Efficiency

Technology: Develops intelligent energy management systems using artificial intelligence and IoT.

Hit: It optimises energy use, cuts costs and reduces carbon emissions for businesses and homes, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Cloover raises $114M to connect 1 billion people to renewable energy – Read more

Cloover website

Zeno’s Power

Mission: Providing reliable energy with innovative nuclear technology

Technology: Develops radioisotope power systems (RPS) that convert nuclear decay into electrical energy for off-grid applications.

Hit: It provides continuous and reliable power to remote locations, space missions and other critical areas, reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels and increasing energy resilience.

Zeno Power Website

Bladeless vortex

Mission: Innovative wind energy with bladeless technology

Technology: Develops bladeless wind turbines that generate energy through oscillation.

Hit: It provides a safer, quieter and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional wind turbines, reducing threats to wildlife and visual impacts, and contributing to sustainable energy production.

Vortex Bladeless Website

Enapter

Mission: Hydrogen for a Clean Energy Future

Technology: Produces AEM electrolyzers for green hydrogen production.

Hit: It facilitates the transition to hydrogen-based energy systems, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Enapter website

Pavegen

Mission: Generating energy from steps

Technology: Generates electricity from kinetic energy generated by pedestrian traffic.

Hit: It turns everyday human movement into renewable energy, promoting a sustainable urban environment.

Pavegen website

Delta Green

Mission: Sustainable energy solutions

Technology: Develops methods for producing green hydrogen.

Hit: It is a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Delta Green raises €2.2 million to revolutionize household energy management in Europe

Delta Green Website

Biology

Mission: Bioenergy from plants

Technology: Develops technology that enables the generation of electricity through photosynthesis.

Hit: Provides a renewable energy source that integrates with natural ecosystems.

Bioo website

Fast Solar

Mission: Revolutionizing Solar Energy Technology

Technology: Develops advanced perovskite photovoltaic cells that deliver higher efficiency and lower production costs.

Hit: Increases the use of solar energy by providing more efficient and affordable solar panels, contributing to significant reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable energy use.

Swift Solar raises $27 million in Series A funding to transform solar technology

Swift Solar Website

Energy of form

Mission: Long-term energy storage

Technology: Develops innovative battery technology that enables the storage of renewable energy for longer periods.

Hit: Enables a stable and reliable renewable energy network.

Form Energy website

Heliogen

Mission: Concentrated solar energy

Technology: Uses artificial intelligence to increase the efficiency of solar power plants.

Hit: Generates high temperature heat for industrial processes, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Heliogen website

Ocean Grazer

Mission: Harnessing ocean energy

Technology: Develops technologies that enable the collection and storage of energy from ocean waves and tides.

Hit: Provides a constant and reliable source of renewable energy.

Ocean Grazer Website

Echogene

Mission: Converting Industrial Waste Heat into Clean Energy

Technology: He develops advanced solutions that use waste heat to power systems using supercritical CO2 technology.

Hit: Converts industrial waste heat into electricity, increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable industrial sector.

Echogen website

Dandelion Energy

Mission: Making Geothermal Heating and Cooling More Affordable for Homeowners

Technology: Develops high-efficiency heat pump systems using geothermal energy.

Hit: Reduces household energy bills and carbon emissions by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional heating and cooling methods, contributing to a greener and more energy-efficient home environment.

Dandelion Energy Website