It has been an exciting few weeks for the renewable energy sector and it looks like the momentum is continuing. On Friday, Plug and Play, a global innovation platform for startups, corporations, and investors, announced it would be partnering with Siemens, a global technology powerhouse, to identify and work with startups that have the potential to disrupt the energy industry.
Plug and Play’s new Energy and Sustainability Platform will work to develop key collaborations between startup companies developing innovative energy technologies, and in turn, bringing them together with a network of corporations and venture capitalists.
The focus will be on technical areas that include digital platforms and new business models in the energy market, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources; wind, solar, energy storage and microgrids, electric mobility, alternative energy, and more.
“The collaboration with Plug and Play as a member in the new energy program is a key initiative for Siemens to develop the relationship with leading startup companies in the energy and adjacent markets. We are passionate about this partnership and the opportunities that come with the connection to this global ecosystem,” says Zuozhi Zhao, Chief Technology Officer of the Power and Gas Division of Siemens.
Wade Bitaraf, Director of Plug and Play Energy & Sustainability, points out that the platform will aid in finding “new technologies in artificial intelligence, predictive maintenance, blockchain, data analytics, machine learning, supply chain optimization, Industrial IoT, asset tracking, cybersecurity, and more” in order to adapt them to the energy sector.
Plug and Play will run two 12-week business development programs a year, with up to 20 participants per class. The program is stage-agnostic and does not require equity or fees from the startups to participate. Startups and corporations interested in the program are asked to contact wade@pnptc.com.
