Blockchain has long been misunderstood as a cryptocurrency, which caused many to shun the technology and even react badly to its mere mention. Now more are realizing that blockchain was just a new security methodology that cryptocurrencies used. Since then, we have Chevron and other oil company set up procurement projects using blockchain communication and data transfer rather that the historical model for procurement, which could take hours, days and weeks for the invoices, shipping requirements, payments and other parts of the supply chain to all clear. Projects reported savings of 30%+ on these projects with greater security and surety of payment and delivery. Application and use are spreading and deservedly so.

Climate, the “hottest” topic in the world today, is looking for solutions to reduce emissions. Carbon offsets and credits trade in several markets around the world but very inefficiently, with valuations varying widely on many factors. Many are looking for the holy grail of some global carbon credit trading market. That might be years away but the “marrying” of pragmatic and secure exchange channels in the very quickly developing world of carbon credits and offsets could produce some interesting results. Many are trying. Some will succeed.

For this Company Spotlight, we interviewed ClimateTrade’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (Francisco Benedito). ClimateTrade uses blockchain technology to help businesses and individuals reduce their environmental impact. For more information on ClimateTrade, please visit www.climatetrade.com.

Background: In 2017, sustainability initiatives and carbon offsets were increasingly in demand. However, it was difficult to verify the claims from offsets that could be purchased across disparate channels. During this same time period, blockchain technology started being applied to areas ...............READ MORE

Energy Exemplar is a leader in the technology of optimization-based energy market simulation. Energy Exemplar’s cloud software suite, headlined by PLEXOS® and Aurora, is used across every region of the world for a wide range of applications, from short-term analysis to long-term planning studies. Utilities, power producers, grid system operators, and others in the energy transition ecosystem use the software to forecast market operations, drive long-term investments, and optimize ongoing operations across their assets and systems. The investment will help accelerate growth and drive platform innovation to support grid reliability and the energy transition.

Founded in 2019, Element has developed proprietary hardware and software algorithms applicable to both first and second life batteries to improve visualization, battery safety, and efficiency. Element's technology is being validated on a large scale with a 50 MWh pilot project in the United States, which is expected to be completed in early 2024. Element will collect necessary data through its pilot project, obtain UL certification, and proceed to commercialize the product. The investment will support the deployment of Element Energy's adaptive battery management systems as battery storage market soars.

Gridmatic uses AI to optimize renewable energy participation in wholesale markets by forecasting energy supply, demand and pricing. Leveraging market-proven algorithms, Gridmatic is able to provide stability, predictability and automation for energy buyers, sellers, and storage owners amid increasing volatility. The fund is earmarked to oversee the management of up to 500 MW of battery capacity in the ERCOT and CAISO markets.

Through its innovative, climate-focused financial platform designed to accelerate the mainstream adoption of home electrification, Tenet leverages the unique attributes of EVs, chargers, and battery storage, among other technologies, to offer lower monthly payments for consumers and businesses. The Series A funding round will be used to fuel the growth of Tenet’s industry-leading EV financing product and also scale TenetConnect, Tenet’s newly launched digital renewable energy platform, which reduces charging costs on EV owners’ utility bills.

Talus Renewables (“Talus”) locally produces lower-cost, carbon-free ammonia at or near the point of use, creating value for multiple industries. The talusOne and talusTen operate on intermittent renewable power and are fully containerized and modular, enabling rapid deployments and scaling. The funding will be used to ramp up production of its green ammonia technology, using water, air, and renewable power to revolutionize production of fertilizer, and enable on-site operations that significantly reduce the carbon footprint of historically difficult-to-decarbonize industries.

Ambyint is a leading provider of AI-powered optimization software for the energy industry. The platform helps oil and gas producers increase production, reduce operating costs, and minimize their environmental footprint. This capital will be focused on accelerating customer growth, increasing Ambyint’s sophisticated energy and tech talent, and optimizing product enhancements including expansion of its proven emissions mitigation capabilities.

Related Press Release: Ambyint Secures Capital to Accelerate Sustained Customer Growth

OCOchem is a clean tech start-up commercializing its proprietary technology to electrochemically convert carbon dioxide and water into sustainable platform molecules, which can then be used to make other less expensive and more environmentally friendly chemicals, fuels, and materials, including clean distributed hydrogen. OCOchem will use the newly raised funds to scale its modular carbon conversion technology to industrial proportions and build a pilot plant for commercial demonstration operations.

Related Press Release: OCOchem Raises $5 Million in Seed Funding Led by TO VC

Energy Technology Musings

Blockchain Could Solve Carbon Credit Market Inefficiencies