{"id":13771,"date":"2018-11-06T11:00:03","date_gmt":"2018-11-06T19:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.palada.net\/index.php\/2018\/11\/06\/news-7538\/"},"modified":"2018-11-06T11:00:03","modified_gmt":"2018-11-06T19:00:03","slug":"news-7538","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.palada.net\/index.php\/2018\/11\/06\/news-7538\/","title":{"rendered":"All in on Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Credit to Author: Emmanuel Lagarrigue| Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2018 23:18:15 +0000<\/strong><\/p>\n

More than ever, the world needs bold ideas for reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable resources. A recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change special report<\/a> stressed the need to cut global emissions by 45 percent by 2030 to minimize the risk of irreversible changes to our environment.<\/p>\n

The good news: Bold ideas are brewing. AI is helping optimize building energy use. Blockchain should soon allow energy \u201cprosumers\u201d to buy and sell electrons. And EV\u2019s will be doubling as storage capacities to help stabilize electricity grids when the demand for energy peaks.<\/p>\n

Funding for clean energy companies has reached $7.5 billion in the first nine months of 2018[1]<\/a>, which means the year is on track to be the strongest for investment and innovation since at least 2011. As the impacts of climate change and other macro trends such as urbanization continue to grow, new products and business models are the key to a more stable, sustainable energy future.<\/p>\n

Now is the time to go all in on innovation.<\/p>\n


Bringing bold ideas to market
<\/strong>
At Schneider Electric, we are supporting the transition to a digitized, decentralized and decarbonized energy landscape. We provide needed capital and resources to accelerate worthwhile ideas \u2014 whether they\u2019re our own or not. In this way, we can galvanize energy innovation around the world.<\/p>\n

For example, we\u2019re partnering with venture capital firms Energize Ventures<\/a>, Clear Vision Ventures<\/a>, Stalagnate Capital and Work-Bench<\/a> to support the development of digital solutions \u2014 such as automated energy transaction settlements and real-time cyber security \u2014 that drive affordability, reliability and security for energy and industry. Our investment in Clipsal<\/a> Solar\"\u2122\" will also enable homeowners in Australia to use solar energy while reducing their utility bills. And we are working intensively with eIQ<\/a> Mobility and DST<\/a> to create new solutions for electric fleets charging.<\/p>\n

We also recently teamed with Greentown Labs, the largest cleantech startup incubator in the U.S. to host a Bold Ideas Challenge<\/a>. Innovators from across the globe were encouraged to submit proposal for new technologies, processes and business models that could transform the way humans use energy. The challenge generated 155 applications and four promising ideas were selected to enter a 6-month accelerator program that includes grant funding, along with assistance from Greentown Labs and Schneider Electric. The winning concepts include electricity transmission to promote clean energy access, distributed energy networks, high-efficiency off-grid solar charge controllers and advanced battery management systems.<\/p>\n

Hear from Greentown Labs Entrepreneurs: VIDEO<\/strong><\/p>\n

https:\/\/blog.schneider-electric.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/998-20406457_GMA-US_SE-Ventures_Post_02_v1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n


Keys to innovation<\/strong><\/p>\n

With technology and services that range from our EcoStruxure platform<\/a> to solar<\/a> and energy storage<\/a>, to advanced microgrids<\/a>, to renewable energy power purchase agreements<\/a>, our own portfolio is oriented around innovation too. And whether fostering entrepreneurs or our own engineers, we have learned some vital lessons along the way. There is more to evolving an industry than a good idea; execution and speed to market are equally important.<\/p>\n

Here are four key success factors when developing an innovation program:<\/p>\n