VERBUND, Austria's leading energy company, has launched the VERBUND X Accelerator, a program that promotes innovations in the energy and infrastructure sectors through partnerships.

In 2020, by activating the ÖBAG network for the focus area "Energy & Infrastructure," four ÖBAG subsidiaries were successfully persuaded to participate in such a cross-industry initiative. In the second round of the accelerator in 2021/22, the corporate partners Alperia, BIG, ASFINAG, OMV, ANDRITZ, Voestalpine, and VERBUND, supported by a strong mentoring network including ÖBAG, Raiffeisenbank, Post, the Austrian Institute of Technology, the Green Tech Cluster, Google Austria, and Speed ​​Invest, attracted hundreds of startups from around the world.

Achim Kaspar, VERBUND COO, explains why the company is relying on initiatives like the VERBUND X Accelerator right now: "We are currently experiencing a disruptive phase of change across the entire industrial and energy sector. Until the war in Ukraine, the focus was solely on climate change, green energy deals, and how we can reduce emissions to achieve our climate goals. Since the outbreak of the war, we have also faced the challenges of security of supply and energy independence. Energy is a fundamental currency for society and the economy, and we at VERBUND have a great responsibility to the Republic of Austria – we must expand our renewable energy production to become truly independent of fossil fuel imports. And innovation and digitalization are key factors for this. We are very proud of the VERBUND X Accelerator and the project teams that have brought us closer to a sustainable future in the energy and infrastructure sectors."

Energy is a fundamental currency for society and the economy, and we at VERBUND have a great responsibility for the Republic of Austria – we must expand our renewable energy production to become truly independent of fossil fuel imports. And innovation and digitalization are key factors for this. We are very proud of the VERBUND X Accelerator and the project teams that have brought us closer to a sustainable future in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

VERBUND COO Achim Kaspar

Corporate partners and start-ups contribute to a sustainable future in the energy and infrastructure sector with proof-of-concept projects

The collaboration has the shared goal of developing technologies and solutions for a more sustainable future. Topics such as hydrogen, energy data management, thermoelectric power generation, energy communities, carbon dioxide as a raw material, and micro-wind turbines were among the search fields in this round.

The accelerator's application phase began last summer with more than 400 applications from 45 countries. After a careful selection process, the thirteen best startups moved on to the acceleration phase, where they worked with company experts to develop concrete solutions to the challenges and demonstrated the feasibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of their proof-of-concept projects.

Nine projects are pleased about the joint development

Not only the VERBUND X Accelerator's broad partner network with infrastructure companies from the ÖBAG portfolio, but also the program's broad search fields provide an ideal breeding ground for collaborative work on innovation projects. This was also evident at the program's Demo Day at the end of March 2022. The partner network and startups gathered online and in-person at the ASFINAG Austro Tower to present the results of the past months. Nine of the presented projects were impressive with their successes and are pleased about the cooperation and further development with the various companies from the energy and industrial sectors.

Supported by VERBUND, the Austrian IBD Group TU Wien on an alternative, nature-based way to produce green hydrogen through technical photosynthesis. VERBUND also cooperated with two other Austrian start-ups, Gnista.io and eFriendsTogether, ideas for a data insight tool and a local energy community were further developed.

The Dutch company also works RGS Development is working with Voestalpine to store the heat used in steel production and convert it into energy. The technology will soon be tested at Voestalpine sites.

The corporate partner Alperia from South Tyrol found Accurate Battery Intelligence and Predictive Layer exciting cooperation partners. Both companies use artificial intelligence in their projects with Alperia to enable predictive maintenance for batteries and energy management forecasts.

ASFINAG cooperated with the German start-ups in the VERBUND X Accelerator LuvSide and Mowea, which develops innovative micro wind turbines. Soon, the micro wind turbines will be producing green electricity at various ASFINAG locations. With the Austrian start-up, Dreamwaves, another team from ASFINAG was able to test a functioning application for locating traffic signs using the young company's software.

Innovation through collaboration will also be the focus of the next round

The VERBUND X Accelerator will enter its next round this summer. Applications from startups around the world will soon be open again. The urgency of the energy transition has gained further momentum due to geopolitical developments in 2022 and will therefore also be a focus of the next round of the VERBUND X Accelerator. By joining forces, partner companies from various sectors will work with startups to develop the necessary solutions and quickly initiate implementation.

Start-ups & Tech Champions of the VERBUND X Accelerator 2021:

• Gnista (AUT)
• Exnaton (CH)
• Efriends (AUT)
• IBD Group (AUT)
• Applied Bioplastics (USA)
• RGS Development (NL)
• Accure Battery Intelligence (EN)
• Predictive Layer (CH)
• VieAR (AUT)
• Dreamwaves (AUT)
• LuvSide (DE)
• Flower Turbines (USA)
• Mowea (DE)

Community Partners of the VERBUND X Accelerator 2021:

• Raiffeisenbank (AUT)
• ÖBAG (AUT)
• Post (AUT)
• Austrian Institute of Technology (AUT)
• Green Tech Cluster (AUT)
• Google Austria (AUT)
• Speed ​​Invest (AUT)

Use Case Partners of the VERBUND X Accelerator 2021:

• Alperia (IT)
• ANDRITZ (AUT)
• ASFING (AUT)
• BIG (AUT)
• OMV (AUT)
• ASSOCIATION (AUT)
• Voestalpine (AUT)

Further information on the VERBUND X Accelerator can be found at the following Link.

________________________________________

Katharina Muskat is responsible for the Innovation Community & Services in the Innovation & New Business division at VERBUND AG and plays a leading role in the implementation of the VERBUND X Accelerator. With her many years of experience in innovation management and the energy industry, she provides important input for the further development of the cross-sector innovation program and drives collaboration and exchange among partners.