Singapore Power unveils global programme for energy startups

It has partnered with seven other utilities including Japan's TEPCO and UAE's DEWA.

Singapore Power (SP) announced the launch of Free Electrons, a global accelerator programme in partnership with a global consortium of utilities and accelerators.

The programme aims to recruit energy start-ups to drive the next generation of ideas and solutions that address emerging and future energy trends in clean energy, energy efficiency, e-mobility, digitisation, and on-demand customer services.

Free Electrons is the first-of-its-kind in the energy sector that is initiated by eight international utilities – SP, AusNet Services, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
(DEWA), ESB (Electricity Supply Board), EDP (Energias de Portugal), innogy, Origin Energy, and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). These utilities are leaders in clean energy transition, and have extensive experience in driving technological innovation.

Together, the eight utilities represent a global footprint covering 73 million end customers across more than 40 countries, with a combined net income of USD $148
billion (more than SGD $211 billion).

The programme is supported by two accelerator partners from Silicon Valley – New Energy Nexus and swissnex San Francisco, who have extensive networks in the
innovation ecosystem and have the experience and expertise in connecting innovators. Twelve start-ups will be selected to participate in the six-month long accelerator
programme, consisting of three separate week-long „customer adoption‟ modules in Silicon Valley (San Francisco), Lisbon and Dublin, and Singapore.

At the modules, the start-ups will gain exposure to various markets all around the world by collaborating with major utility companies.

The programme is designed for energy start-ups to further refine their products and services, with the potential of testing and developing them on a global customer base.