Ten teams pitch new energy projects

The Orion Energy Accelerator national competition teams are in Taranaki this week for a two-day intensive boot camp with the support of the new energy centre Ara Ake to refine their ideas to reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions.

Two start-up grants worth a combined $25,000 for individuals and start-up companies with energy innovative ideas to be guided through a programme to validate and commercialise their ideas are offered by the Orion Energy Accelerator.

Ten teams representing a range of New Zealand innovators pitch their new energy projects to a panel of local experts at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki on July 22.

The innovators and start-up companies have innovations across the energy sector, including EV charging, e-mobility, smart grids, energy storage, and affordable energy solutions.

These include an electric tractor utility platform, a zero-carbon tractor powered by crop residues or wood fuel, a scheme to install solar panels on at-risk homes and make excess solar energy available to the energy poor, a solar array and battery system for on-farm energy, and enabling commercial EV operators to optimise fleet electricity.

The programme is powered by Christchurch based start-up and innovation organisation the Ministry of Awesome.

“We’re pleased to have a raft of ideas for solutions to our planet’s biggest problem, the climate emergency,” Orion customer and stakeholder general manager Paul Deavoll says.

“We’re looking for leading-edge energy solutions that will help us move urgently towards a low-emission future.

“The Orion Energy Accelerator entrants are being given a helping hand to get their ideas off the ground, and it’s great that Ara Ake has given them the chance to refine their ideas here in Taranaki.”

Ara Ake chief executive Dr Cristiano Marantes says it’s a great opportunity to connect innovators with industry experts, investors and community representatives.

“Running a two-day intensive bootcamp in Taranaki is a testament to the wealth of knowledge, ingenuity and passion that this region has to offer in the energy innovation space.”

Ministry of Awesome chief awesome officer Marian Johnson says fostering connections between the energy industry and energy innovation is a key outcome for the success of the Orion Energy Accelerator.

The boot camp panel comprises Eric Pellicer from Powerco, Michelle Jordan from Venture Taranaki, John Snook from WITT, Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger, and Ian Frame from Launch Taranaki. I

Panellists provide their feedback on the finalists’ business cases before the public Demo Evening on September 16, where two start-up grants worth a combined $25,000 will be awarded.

Visit www.orionaccelerator.nz for more information.