Invest in Smart Grids: Think Smartgrids supports the development of smart energy startups & SMEs

On September 22th, Think Smartgrids organized the 5th edition of Invest In Smart Grids, meetings between smart energy startups/SMEs and specialized investors, to support innovative projects that contribute to the energy transition.

Despite the health crisis, Think Smartgrids did not want to give up this annual event, at a time when SMEs and startups more than ever need to be accompanied by investors and when the acceleration of the energy transition also requires support for innovative projects by clean tech players.
To conclude the event, a roundtable discussion on energy consumption data during the pandemic and their consequences on energy networks then brought together Chantal Genermont Laplantif, Enedis’ Digital Director, Olivier Grabette, member of the Executive Board of RTE, the transmission system operator, Emmanuel Blanchet, co-founder of Deepki, a fast-growing SME specializing in managing consumption in large housing estates, and Sophie Paturle-Guesnerot, President of the Climate Commission of France Invest, a partner of the event.

The speakers were unanimous in their opinion that the health crisis has accelerated the necessary convergence between the energy and digital transitions. The French electricity system has demonstrated its resilience in the face of a historic drop in consumption, of the order of 15 to 20%, but the crisis has also highlighted a growing need for network flexibility to adapt to fluctuations in energy demand on the one hand, and the integration of intermittent renewable energies on the other.
The contribution of digital technology to increase the responsiveness and flexibility of networks will indeed be essential. The French distribution and transmission system operators, Enedis and RTE, are already working on joint projects, for example around the use of Linky smart meters, which can be one of the interesting levers of flexibility to be mobilized.

The use of energy data can also lead to significant energy savings, particularly for buildings. According to Emmanuel Blanchet from Deepki, intelligent monitoring and control of usage must therefore be planned as early as the design stage of buildings and be an integral part of renovation projects. With a relatively small investment, this strategy also makes it possible to effectively lower a building’s operating costs and enhance its potential, with a direct impact on long-term ROI (Return On Investment).

The digital boom is a real challenge in ensuring the resilience of the electrical system. The major acceleration of the digital transition during the crisis was already the path taken by many clean tech entrepreneurs, and as Sophie Paturle-Guesnerot confirms, investors are expecting to see more and more breakthrough technologies emerge. This outlook confirms the usefulness of organizing recurring meetings between innovative project owners and investors!