Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has participated in selecting 15 start-ups in the energy sector out of 515 companies from 65 countries that applied for the 2nd Free Electrons Programme, is a global energy accelerator programme.

The programme that includes nine of the most prominent energy companies in the world. It helps start-ups to develop innovative energy solutions and enables them to develop effective solutions that meet energy needs in the future.

The programme organised a week-long boot camp in Lisbon, Portugal, as part of preparations for the 3 phases of the programme that will take place in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, the Silicon Valley in the US, and Berlin in Germany.

“The programme is a unique opportunity for energy start-ups to develop their businesses and enter new markets around the world. The start-ups that have been selected for the 2nd programme will develop solutions in areas such as renewable and clean energy, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things," said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dewa.

Dewa is one of the most prominent members of the coalition that supports the programme. It includes 9 major international energy companies. These are AusNet from Australia, ESB from Ireland, EDP from Portugal, Innogy from the European Union, Origin from Australia, Singapore Power, TEPCO from Japan, and American Electric Power from the US. It also includes Beta-i from Portugal, which specialises in supporting entrepreneurship.

The first Free Electrons programme saw a large turnout from start-ups around the world. The programme received 450 applications from 51 countries. The programme selected 12 start-ups and signed contracts with them to develop innovative and pioneering solutions in future energy areas including energy management, clean and renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, infrastructure development for electric vehicle charging, sustainability and the reducing carbon footprint.

The Stanford University Business School, the University of Melbourne and the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland used the Free Electrons accelerator programme as an academic case study for graduate studies focused on the methodology and approach of the programme in research and development.  – TradeArabia News Service