Story
Pakistan
Built Environment
Climate entrepreneurs are powering Pakistan’s solar momentum – here’s how

Pakistan is experiencing a solar boom unlike any other. In just the first half of 2024, the country imported over 13 GW of solar panels – more than the total installed capacity of some entire countries (The Great Solar Rush in Pakistan, 2024). This unprecedented growth could push it ahead of its 2030 renewable energy targets years in advance.

The impact is already rippling through communities: farmers are swapping diesel pumps for solar-powered tubewells, industries are securing their own reliable power, and families are reducing their reliance on an overstretched grid. Clean energy is reshaping daily life, and climate entrepreneurship is multiplying its benefits across the country.

From waste-to-energy ventures in Karachi to e-mobility startups in Lahore, Pakistan’s climate innovators are finding practical solutions to real problems. But without stronger support systems, many promising ideas struggle to scale.

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From left: Zeeshan Ashfaq, CEO of Renewables First, and Stanley Ng, Global Partnerships Director at New Energy Nexus

That’s why New Energy Nexus has partnered with Renewables First to launch Climate Innovation Pakistan (CLIP): a national platform designed to empower entrepreneurs, develop a skilled workforce, and shape policies that unlock clean energy innovation for the long run.

Through CLIP, we’re building the kind of ecosystem that helps climate entrepreneurs move from idea to impact:

  • CLIP Incubator – Turning early-stage ideas into market-ready solutions.
  • New Energy Academy – Training the solar workforce powering Pakistan’s transition.
  • ThinkLab – Publishing actionable insights on what’s working or not in Pakistan’s climate innovation landscape, informing smarter policy and investment decisions.
CLIP Incubator: From idea to traction

Inside the CLIP Incubator, founders spend 12 weeks transforming their vision into traction. The program helps them validate products, test solutions with real customers, and refine their go-to-market strategies.

With guidance from mentors who have built and scaled in challenging markets, startups gain not only technical advice but also access to pilots, partnerships, and investors across Pakistan’s growing climate ecosystem.

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The Clip Incubator journey. Photo from Climate Innovation Pakistan

This is a space designed for entrepreneurs who want to move faster, smarter, and stronger – without giving up equity, and with support tailored to Pakistan’s realities. Learn more and apply here.

New Energy Academy: Building the solar workforce

Pakistan’s solar boom cannot succeed without skilled workers ready to deliver it. That’s why CLIP is launching the New Energy Academy: Solar Fundamentals Training in Islamabad this September.

Developed by New Energy Nexus, GSES Global Sustainable Energy Solutions, and OpenSolar, and implemented in collaboration with Renewables First and the Pakistan Solar Association, the program blends online and in-person learning to train young people for jobs in installation and maintenance. Participants will gain hands-on skills, mentorship, and connections with employers in a sector that’s growing faster than ever.

By preparing the next generation of solar professionals, the Academy ensures Pakistan’s clean energy transition is powered by people as well as panels. Find out more and sign up by August 22.

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A solar installation in Karachi, Pakistan. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, User: Crosji

Breaking down barriers

Pakistan is one of the world’s most populous countries and one of the most climate-vulnerable. At the same time, it holds enormous potential for clean energy to drive inclusive growth. Yet for many entrepreneurs, barriers to progress persist: limited financing, scarce data, and policy barriers.

CLIP aims to change that. By combining New Energy Nexus’s global expertise in building startup ecosystems with Renewables First’s deep local insights, the platform will help unlock new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, and communities alike.

At New Energy Nexus, we support diverse climate entrepreneurs worldwide, giving them the accelerators, funding, skills, and connections to thrive. Through CLIP, we’re expanding that mission in Pakistan, helping climate tech founders transform a historic solar rush into long-term impact for communities and industries across the country.

The path is clear: Build on this clean energy growth in Pakistan and carry it over to the rest of the world. Now it’s time to give innovators worldwide the tools to carry it further.

Ready to scale your own innovation? Check out our programs here.

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News
Philippines
Renewable energy tech
Cebu City solar industry gathers in bid to fast-track clean energy adoption

Cebu City, Philippines, 20 August 2025 — Clean energy leaders revealed how Cebu City is an emerging hub for solar energy at a convening today of government and industry leaders, highlighting the massive potential to scale if financing, supply chain constraints, and bureaucratic delays in net metering are addressed.

“Our [New Energy Nexus Philippines] goal is not just to convene, but to strengthen the solar community by helping set standards, address bottlenecks, and connect stakeholders across the value chain. What we saw in this meetup is that Cebu has the workforce, demand, and commitment—it just needs the right ecosystem support. That’s where NEX Philippines comes in.” said Sheryl Estella, Academy Manager of the New Energy Academy, a learning platform for clean energy professionals and entrepreneurs – powered by New Energy Nexus, GSES, and OpenSolar.

Key leaders in government, utilities, finance, and the local solar industry came together for New Energy Nexus Philippines’ Solar Community Meetup, its second run in the city. The event included panels and breakout discussions on scaling the local clean energy economy and the adoption of renewables in the Central Visayas.

The region’s solar landscape has seen promising yet modest growth over the past few years. Notably, Visayas now hosts around 472 MW of rooftop solar capacity, according to the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities’ SPECTRUM platform, which is still only a fraction of the Philippines’ total potential. Cebu Province is also home to pioneering projects such as the country’s first megawatt-scale floating solar facility in Toledo City – which has a capacity of nearly 5 MW. Meanwhile, battery storage integration is starting to emerge, while interest from households and SMEs continues to grow.

Despite this momentum, barriers persist. A recent report highlighted challenges such as high upfront costs, limited financing access, bureaucratic delays in net metering, and supply chain constraints, which threaten to slow down solar adoption across the country.

“To make the solar adoption easier, Cebu City will ensure, with the new administration, that the Office of the Building Official streamlines net metering requirements by minimizing red tape. Cebuanos should expect changes that will make the process faster and simpler, with more incentives for those who choose renewable energy,” said Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera.

One solution is the formation of the Clean Energy Advocates Association of the Philippines (CEAAPI), which emerged from the 2024 Solar Community Meetup in Cebu City. CEAAPI is a network of installers, service providers, and advocates working together to accelerate clean energy adoption in the region. By promoting certifications, transparency, and quality standards, the organization also helps address the growing issue of fly-by-night installers and low-quality systems that undermine consumer zhetrust. CEAAPI is also the official hub partner for the 2025 run.

This year’s meetup comes at a pivotal moment, with a large-scale floating solar project starting in the city and local government buildings being upgraded to solar. Establishing strong relationships between the solar industry, local government, and other key stakeholders can be a powerful catalyst for solar adoption – streamlining permitting processes, improving access to financing programs, and integrating solar into public infrastructure plans.

New Energy Nexus Philippines is set to conduct another SCM in the CALABARZON Region on August 28, part of their ongoing and future programs equipping the local solar community with the tools to scale their solutions. More information can be found here.

Media contacts:

Dayther Manubag, Communications Lead, New Energy Nexus Philippines. dayther.manubag@newenergynexus.com (based in Mandaluyong City)

Maverick Flores, Senior Content Producer, New Energy Nexus. maverick.flores@newenergynexus.com (based in Quezon City)

About New Energy Nexus

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international organization that strives towards a 100% clean energy economy for 100% of the population. It does this with a laser focus on diverse entrepreneurs, supporting them with accelerators, funds, skills, and networks they need to thrive. NEX has accelerated 1,500+ startups, empowered over 10,400+ entrepreneurs, and mobilized over US$4.7 billion in investment. Since its founding in California in 2004, NEX now operates programs or advisory services in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, the UAE, Uganda, the USA (California and New York), and Vietnam.

Follow NEX on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube

Story
California
Renewable energy tech
From prototype to powerhouse: how CalSEED helped spark Antora Energy’s growth
antora

Antora thermal battery on a crane.

Antora Energy is no longer a startup to watch; it’s a force to be reckoned with in the race to onshore American manufacturing and decarbonize industry. But before it raised $150 million in Series B funding, partnered with industrial giants, or landed on the pages of Fast Company and The Wall Street Journal, Antora was an early-stage startup facing a very familiar challenge: proving that the tech worked.

Back in 2019, that’s where CalSEED stepped in.

The Innovation: Turning Heat into Electricity

Antora’s core innovation is a thermal battery system that stores renewable energy as heat in inexpensive, earth-abundant materials. While Antora’s first product outputs that energy as industrial heat to drive manufacturing processes, its second product will also convert that heat back into electricity using thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cells. These cells function like solar cells designed to capture the wavelengths of light from Antora’s glowing-hot carbon blocks inside the battery.

This approach unlocks cost-effective, long-duration energy storage—the solution California and other clean energy leaders need to power the industry and ensure grid reliability as they deploy more intermittent energy resources, such as wind and solar.

But when Antora applied to CalSEED, the concept was still early. The company needed to prove that its TPV cells could reliably deliver electricity at the required efficiency, durability, and scale.

The Support: What CalSEED Made Possible

With support from the CalSEED Concept and Prototype awards, Antora conducted critical engineering validation and reliability testing of its TPV technology.

Throughout the grant in 2019, Antora:

  • Characterized over 100 TPV cells, measuring reflectance, electrical performance, and power density
  • Tested complete module prototypes at 1500°C conditions to simulate real-world battery operation
  • Ran thousands of hours of reliability tests, de-risking failure modes, and validating lifespans
  • Improved design and manufacturing processes, incorporating feedback from stress tests and failure analysis

This work helped establish that Antora’s TPV technology could convert heat to electricity at efficiencies of 40%+ and operate under extreme conditions with minimal degradation. More importantly, it laid the foundation for scaling production and building investor confidence.

“The work of this project, including the thousands of hours of reliability that have already been demonstrated, has greatly de-risked the commercial viability of TPV in long-duration energy storage.”
— Antora Energy, CalSEED Final Report

The Results: Rapid Growth and Real-World Impact

Since completing the CalSEED project, Antora has:

The company’s technology is now seen as a leader in powering industry with clean, low-cost energy. Antora’s batteries can keep industry running 24/7, even during extreme heatwaves and wildfire shutdowns.

Why It Matters: A Clear Path to Grid Decarbonization

Thermal energy storage, like Antora’s, could save California $1.5 billion annually, improve grid reliability, and reduce 25 million metric tons of CO₂ annually. That’s equivalent to taking nearly 6 million cars off the road. [Source]

And it all started with a prototype.

Antora’s success is a textbook example of how CalSEED helps bridge the “valley of death” for climate tech startups—de-risking early innovations, validating performance, and clearing the path from lab to market.

From Concept to Commercialization with CalSEED’s Spark

Every major clean energy company was once a concept seeking support. Antora’s journey demonstrates that targeted, early-stage funding and validation programs, such as CalSEED and CalTestBed, make the difference between promising ideas and scalable solutions.

Antora is now powering toward a clean future, and CalSEED helped light the way.

CalSEED Story: Antora


This story was originally posted by CalSEED.fund, our program in California.

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Story
Built Environment
Youth
Clean energy’s momentum runs on youth innovation
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Photo from New Energy Nexus Thailand

Across the globe, young people aren’t simply waiting for change: they make it happen. Under‑35 entrepreneurs are now two times more likely to run businesses with environmental or social missions compared to older founders. This surge in purpose-driven innovation comes as the renewable energy sector continues to grow, bringing massive opportunities for young people to shape its future.

According to the International Labour Organization, a fully embraced green transition could deliver up to 8.4 million jobs for youth worldwide.

Despite this projection, many young people in the Global South actually struggle to access clean energy careers, in part because of insufficient access to skills training. LinkedIn’s research shows that only 1 in 20 Gen Zs globally have the skills they need to tackle the climate crisis, compared to 1 in 8 of the wider workforce.

This gap between youth interest and actual readiness could slow down the clean energy sector’s momentum – but it could also be an opportunity.

Growing the youth clean energy pipeline

At New Energy Nexus, we recognize the urgency of closing this gap. That’s why we’re equipping young people around the world with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities they need to step into the clean energy sector.

Here are five of our programs and joint initiatives doing just that:

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Participants in the NEXGen program. Photo from New Energy Nexus Vietnam

The NEXGen – Vietnam

The NEXGen is building a strong pipeline of future clean energy leaders by enabling them to thrive in Vietnam’s clean energy transition. Designed for youth aged 18 to 30, it combines online learning, in-person mentorship, internships, and incubation to accelerate their success in the country’s growing clean energy sector. In 2024 alone, the NEXGen reached participants across 29 provinces, delivered over 100 hours of expert mentorship, and awarded 15 full scholarships to a regional climate conference.

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Participants in the Youth Entrepreneurial Accelerator. Photo from New Energy Nexus California.

Youth Entrepreneurial Accelerator (YEA!) – California, U.S.

YEA! is California’s first program dedicated to preparing the next generation of clean energy innovators, with a focus on the Imperial Valley: a region brimming with entrepreneurial talent and home to one of the most promising lithium reserves in the U.S. Created in partnership with the Center for Social Innovation at UC Riverside, Imperial Valley College, and local workforce boards, the program connects students with clean energy career pathways and supports their growth within the emerging battery innovation economy. A key highlight is the Youth Innovation Summit, where hundreds of students met with energy experts, social impact leaders, and local startups to explore real opportunities in the clean energy space.

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[RE]Power participants present their pitch during the energy policy ‘hackathon.’ Photo from New Energy Nexus Indonesia

[RE]Power – Indonesia

[RE]Power is Indonesia’s first youth-led clean energy policy hackathon, created to empower young people to take an active role in shaping national energy strategies. The program brings together university students and early-career professionals to co-develop solutions to real-world energy challenges. With guidance from industry mentors and support from government stakeholders, participants sharpen their policy knowledge and leadership skills. Finalists then present their proposals directly to decision-makers, giving youth not just a voice, but real influence in advancing Indonesia’s clean energy future.

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Participants of Ready, Spark, Charge: Hacking the Future of Energy discuss the local clean energy challenges and solutions. Photo from New Energy Nexus Philippines

Ready, Spark, Charge – The Philippines

Ready, Spark, Charge: Hacking the Future of Energy is the Philippines’ first clean energy startup hackathon, created to address the gap in climate-focused innovation within the country’s growing startup ecosystem. The program brings together students, developers, and early-stage entrepreneurs to design solutions to real-world energy access challenges. With support from industry mentors, participants develop working prototypes and pitch their ideas to clean energy leaders, building a stronger pipeline for climate and energy innovation in the Philippines.

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Photo from New Energy Nexus Vietnam

Youth Internship Pilot – Vietnam & Uganda

In Vietnam and Uganda, New Energy Nexus is piloting youth internship programs in partnership with Student Energy to give young people hands-on access to the clean energy sector. In Vietnam, students aged 12 to 24 take part in training, mentorship, and real internships with local startups. The program culminates in a national summit that recognizes standout interns. In Uganda, fellows support rural energy enterprises by contributing to business development and launching community-based solutions. Both pilots aim to turn early interest into tangible skills, strong networks, and clear career pathways in clean energy.

Building ecosystems for the next generation

At New Energy Nexus, we believe the clean energy shift needs a constant pipeline of fresh ideas and capable leadership. That’s why we don’t just train young people, we work to integrate them into the clean energy ecosystem itself. Over the past 20 years, we’ve supported more than 10,000 entrepreneurs worldwide through 125 programs – and as we keep this up, we are looking to get more young people involved.

Because the clean energy transition won’t be won in boardrooms or labs alone; it will be driven by young innovators who are ready to build and scale the solutions we need.

We’ve seen it firsthand: young people are ready and eager to act. With the right support, they will shape the clean energy transition – and what comes after.


Want to get involved in clean energy innovation, in the Philippines and beyond? Check out our programs here.

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DTS 2025 – Summary Report

August 8, 2025
Story
Indonesia
Built Environment
Rooted in reality: Kuantek’s community-driven climate solutions

In the vast and varied landscapes of East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur or NTT), innovation doesn’t just mean new technology. It means survival. For many communities across this archipelagic province, daily life is shaped by scarcity: of water, electricity, and reliable infrastructure. But it’s also shaped by resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of adaptation.

This is where Kuantek, short for Kuan Timor Technology (Teknologi Kampung Timor), is planting its roots and building climate solutions that emerge not from abstract theory, but from the lived experiences of the people they aim to serve.

Co-founders Ben Vasco Tarigan, Abraham Talluta (CEO), and Abdi Nenotek (CTO) do not claim to have all the answers to NTT’s struggles. But they do have one thing that many technology companies overlook: they listen.

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Kuantek Co-Founders: Abraham Talluta (CEO), Abdi Nenotek (CTO), and Ben Vasco Tarigan.

“We always ask our users: Apa yang paling menyakitkan? What’s the most painful part of your day?” says Ben. “We design our products from there.”

To Kuantek, listening isn’t just a design principle – it’s their business model.

Three years after its founding, Kuantek connected with New Energy Nexus Indonesia through the IKEA Foundation-funded Smart Energy Incubation Program and the [RE]Spark Hackathon. At the time, they had a clear target – addressing NTT’s lack of access to clean water. Their solution was to build an affordable seawater desalination system to produce drinkable water for coastal communities.

From this one idea, Kuantek kept evolving. They began developing a range of environmental technologies designed to address the needs of rural and remote populations, from preserving produce with little energy cost to making water out of air.

The three innovators weren’t siloed in labs. Instead, they co-created their products with the very communities that will reap the benefits. Each innovation started with a simple premise: Making life easier, using what the community already has.

The dehydrator that changed the game

One of Kuantek’s most talked-about products is their low-power dehydrator, a tool that’s now helping farmers in Timor dry and preserve chili and vanilla crops for longer shelf life and higher selling prices.

Getting dehydrators is a smart economic move for farmers. It allows farmers the option to dry and store fresh produce, instead of having to sell it quickly to avoid spoilage. This gives them more control over pricing and market timing.

However, commercial dehydrators often require up to 1000 watts to operate, and in rural areas such as those in Nusa Tenggara Timur, the power capacity per household only reaches up to 500 watts. That’s where Kuantek came in.

“We designed ours to run at just 270 watts,” says Ben. The secret is a combination of energy-efficient lighting systems and localized materials. “It’s not just about being energy-efficient. It’s about making sure people can actually use it.”

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Kuantek’s low-watt food dehydrator

Harvesting water from thin air

Another of Kuantek’s solutions is a system that converts humidity from the atmosphere into potable water, using solar energy. This technology is particularly suited for some areas in NTT, where air humidity is high, but water sources are often inaccessible or unsafe.

Ben envisions installing these atmospheric water systems in schools and highland tourism areas, especially in places where groundwater is either unavailable or requires expensive and unsustainable drilling.

“We want to eliminate the need for groundwater wells in hard-to-reach areas,” he said. “Instead, let’s use what we already have: heat, air, and sunlight.”

In a pilot project, they installed a solar thermal-powered water station in a coastal village. Three months later, the local pastor reported something profound: for the first time, they had no trouble getting clean water. “That’s when we knew we were doing something right,” Ben said.

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Solar-powered water harvesting system

Designing through constraint

While their ideas may be bold, implementation is often difficult, as NTT’s geography presents a host of logistical barriers.

Some islands can only be accessed by small boats that can’t carry heavy machinery. Roads are narrow, winding, and poorly maintained. In many villages, bridges don’t exist, and rivers swell during the rainy season, cutting off access altogether.

This makes even the most well-designed product a challenge to deliver. Kuantek had to rethink their seawater desalination system when they realized the original version was too large for local transport networks.

“So we redesigned the whole thing to be smaller, but with the same capacity,” Ben explains. “It wasn’t just about making it small, it was about making the technology mobile, modular, and manageable.”

A culture of listening

For Kuantek, the job doesn’t end at innovation. Often, it begins long before product design, and continues well beyond delivery.

Their team frequently plays the role of advocate, helping villages navigate complex systems like reporting power outages to PLN, the state-owned power company. They also introduce basic feedback mechanisms so that communities feel empowered to ask for improvements or raise concerns.

“Sometimes our work is as simple as showing people how to talk to PLN,” Ben said, laughing. “Other times, we’re advocating for completely new systems to be built.”

They are also aware of the challenges of behavior change. Many people in rural NTT have adapted to unreliable electricity and limited water access, often without realizing it. That makes introducing new technologies tricky.

“It’s incredibly difficult to ask someone to adopt new behaviors,” Abraham said. “So instead, we look at the things they’re already doing, and we design from there.”

This empathetic approach ensures that technologies don’t feel foreign or intrusive, but intuitive.

When it comes to criticism of their business, Ben sees it as very valuable insight. Rather than resisting feedback, they see it as an invitation to collaborate.

This philosophy has allowed Kuantek to keep improving, even with limited resources.

“Disagreements and pushback are something I see as gifts. When people tell us what’s wrong, they’re actually helping us make the product fit better,” he reflects. “It’s our job to listen, iterate, and make it real.”

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Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

A data-driven dream

Looking to the future, Kuantek is embarking on an ambitious initiative: mapping the infrastructure, climate, and behavioral patterns of every district in NTT.

They want to build a data bank – a library of regional insights that can guide future innovations and help them develop tailored, low-emission technologies suited to each community’s unique needs.

“Some areas are hot, dry, and windy. Others are humid or rich in seawater. Every place is different,” says Ben. “But if we know the conditions, we can create the right solutions.”

Beyond the benefit to their business, Kuantek wants the database to be an open reference point for governments, entrepreneurs, universities, and other innovators who want to build effective, community-centered technology in rural Indonesia.

Their dream is to make technology accessible and replicable. “Even if it’s simple, if people understand how it works, they can build it themselves,” Ben says.

Kuantek sums up their entire approach in five words: “Datang, Duduk, Diskusi, Design, Diseminasi (5D),” which translates to “Come. Sit. Discuss. Design. Disseminate.

More than a method, it’s a mindset that values patience over speed, trust over disruption, and purpose over profit.

“Where there are a thousand problems, there are also a thousand solutions,” says Ben. “Our job is to figure out how to tackle them.”

For all the challenges NTT presents, the people soldier on every day to live on to the next. They are what inspires each small invention at Kuantek. In turn, the company’s technologies seek to ease their burdens and build a cleaner future, in NTT and beyond.


Want more clean energy stories and opportunities in Indonesia? Check out New Energy Nexus Indonesia here.

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Story
Australia
Renewable energy tech
These early-stage startups are shaping Australia’s battery future

Ten pioneering startups from across the lithium battery value chain presented their vision of Australia’s battery sector to an engaged audience of investors, policymakers, and industry participants at the inaugural Supercharge Australia Incubator Pitch Day.

After three months of tailored support from EnergyLab and New Energy Nexus, these founders now stand poised to accelerate the country’s battery manufacturing capabilities –  with solutions ranging from raw material innovation, marine applications, embedding safe energy storage into our living spaces, to cell reuse and repair.

Here are the participating startups and their lithium battery value chain focus:

  • Adoxima, Carbophite, Voltavate: Carbon emissions-free, better, and cheaper lithium battery materials
  • InnovoltIQ: Cell production
  • Li-ion Energy and Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia: Reuse, repair, and recycling
  • Naut: Marine electrification
  • Net Zero Energy Solutions: V2G adoption acceleration
  • Noizend: Enhancing battery energy storage system (BESS) community livability via intelligent noise-cancellation
  • Powerblocks: Embedded energy storage

The completion of the first Incubator marks a key milestone in Supercharge Australia’s broader mission – to support over 150 startups in the lithium battery value chain and catalyse a thriving, interconnected lithium battery innovation sector – by adding a second program focused on supporting earlier-stage startups. The new program provided mentorship, expert advice, pilot opportunities, early customer connections, investor engagement, and international exposure, helping the teams to build the foundations of Australia’s battery future. We thank all of the experts for their generous contributions.

Launched in 2022, Supercharge Australia has now completed two Innovation Challenges. With the addition of the Incubator, it is now supporting 31 startups that have raised over AU$71 million in funding since they participated in its programs.

Building a circular battery value chain

Australia has a generational opportunity to move beyond exporting lithium ore and build a competitive, homegrown battery value chain. The startups in this year’s Incubator show how this is already taking shape: connecting technologies across the life cycle of a battery, from production to application to reuse. Their innovations don’t just solve isolated problems; they strengthen each link in the chain, multiplying impact along the chain to make the entire system cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient. This is how Australian batteries can compete.

Together, they demonstrate what a circular, high-value battery ecosystem could look like:

  • Producing battery components with higher performance, many times lower costs, CO2 emissions, and up to 99% less production wastage – thanks to Adoxima, Carbophite, and Voltavate
  • Manufacturing lithium battery cells at scale – with InnovoltIQ facility producing their first 500 MW per annum
  • Deploying batteries in end-use applications – such as marine electrification (Naut) and vehicle-to-grid systems (Net Zero Engineering Solutions)
  • Integrating batteries into communities – through quieter energy storage (Noizend) and attractive, modular battery systems for shared spaces (Powerblocks)
  • Recovering value at end-of-life – with smart reuse and recycling solutions from Li-ion Energy and Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia

With coordinated support, these early-stage innovations can accelerate Australia’s transition from resource supplier to battery technology leader.

Backing Australia’s battery future

Australia remains the world’s leading lithium producer, supplying over one-third of global demand. With the global lithium battery market still forecast to be significantly undersupplied by 2030, Australian producers are seeking efficiency improvements and are investing in downstream opportunities to secure vertical capacity and greater profitability.

Each startup in the Incubator cohort is developing a critical piece of the emerging ecosystem and the kinds of investment opportunities the sector is seeking. Their solutions highlight the scale of opportunity when early-stage innovation is backed with intent, speed, and coordinated support.

While early traction for the cohort members was strong – from prototypes to paid pilots – the startups were all facing the same uphill challenge: securing capital, facilities, and support to go from validated concepts to scalable commercial impact. The Incubator addresses this gap by de-risking particularly early innovation, reducing barriers to commercialisation, and helping Australia retain its battery IP rather than lose it offshore.

Powering the clean energy transition

As global warming trends continue toward a 3°C pathway, and the risks of overshoot, consequent tipping points, and heavy reliance on unproven carbon capture and storage technologies rise, building a high-functioning cleantech sector that can dramatically accelerate decarbonisation becomes a strategic, global imperative.

Batteries power the clean energy transition, making it an important piece of this response – and battery startups have tremendous potential to pave the way, especially when supported early.

To further develop this economic opportunity, Australia can adopt proven models like our CalTestBed program in California, which turned US$22 million in early-stage testing access into over US$438 million in follow-on investment by offering non-dilutive, non-matching grants to startups solving big climate problems. If a similar system were applied here, it would rapidly increase the volume and readiness of battery startups ready to attract private capital or integrate into gigafactory supply chains.

“Building Australian lithium battery capability begins with supporting innovation at its earliest stages — with non-matched and non-dilutive funding to produce prototypes, pilots and real-world testing opportunities,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager at Supercharge Australia.

Australia has a generational opportunity to do the same: Supercharge Australia is calling for new initiatives to:

  • Provide non-dilutive, non-matching seed funding for early-stage lithium battery value chain startups.
  • Open access to testing, certification, and demonstration facilities.
  • Support pilot customers and fleet procurement to validate new tech.
  • Connect investors and government with the pipeline of founders building the sector.

To continue building the momentum for this sector, our next program is launching now. This will be our third Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge – applications are open.


The inaugural Supercharge Australia Incubator cohort
adoxima
carbophite
innovolt
li ion
naut
net zero
noizend
powerblocks
sustainable lithium
voltavate
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Story
Philippines
Renewable energy tech
How entrepreneurs address rooftop solar challenges in the Philippines
ph rooftop solar

Rooftop solar panel. Stock photo

A recent study by Ateneo de Manila University, published in Challenges in Sustainability, sheds light on the persistent barriers preventing the widespread adoption of rooftop solar power (RTSP) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Led by Professor Rosalina Palanca-Tan, the study surveyed 403 respondents to understand why households remain hesitant to invest in solar technology despite its clear economic and environmental benefits.

The study’s findings were recently featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, sparking a public discussion on its Facebook post, which highlighted several recurring concerns: high upfront costs, lengthy return on investment (ROI) periods, bureaucratic hurdles, technical challenges, and a lack of government support. Let’s look into the key challenges raised around rooftop solar adoption, and explore potential solutions.

wordcloud (3)

A word cloud generated from people’s responses on the Facebook post.

Why aren’t more Filipinos switching to solar?

1. High cost of installation and ROI concerns

Many consumers cited the high initial cost of installing solar power systems as a major barrier. The upfront investment often matches several years’ worth of electricity bills, making it difficult for households to justify the expense. Additionally, long return-on-investment (ROI) periods discourage adoption, particularly in the absence of accessible financing options.

2. Lack of financing options

Access to financing remains a significant barrier to rooftop solar adoption. With limited options for low-interest loans or flexible payment schemes, households struggle to afford the initial investment, making solar installations less accessible to the broader public, especially to residential consumers.

3. Regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles

The slow and complex application process for net metering was another major concern. Many consumers reported waiting over six months and encountering excessive requirements that hindered their ability to connect their solar systems to the grid.

4. Service and maintenance issues

Some consumers highlighted issues related to improper system sizing, inefficiency, and high maintenance costs. Concerns included roof leaks due to poor installation, the lifespan of batteries, and the disposal of solar panels. These barriers make the transition to solar more challenging for prospective users.

5. Quality of solar technologies & local manufacturing

The absence of local solar manufacturers results in reliance on expensive imported components. Concerns about substandard or inefficient technologies make consumers hesitant to invest.

6. Lack of government support and incentives

Unlike countries such as Australia and Canada, which offer tax breaks, subsidies, and no-interest loans, the Philippine government provides minimal financial incentives for residential RTSP. This lack of support further discourages households from making the switch to solar energy.

7. Limited competition in the market

The industry is still dominated by a few major players, limiting consumer choices and competitive pricing. More players entering the market could drive innovation and lower costs through competition.

Who’s addressing these gaps?

At New Energy Nexus Philippines, we recognize that overcoming these barriers requires a multi-faceted approach—one that not only enhances technical expertise but also builds trust within communities. This is why it’s important to empower the solar industry, especially smaller players, with the right tools and knowledge to drive solutions forward. Our programs, particularly the Solar Innovation Program (SIP) and Solar Community Meetups, are designed to do just that.

Strengthening the Solar Industry

SIP provides targeted support for solar PV installers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies, and solar equipment suppliers to improve their competitiveness in the market. Through learning sessions and workshops, participants gain essential knowledge in:

  • Addressing common challenges in closing deals with clients;
  • Effectively promoting and marketing their services;
  • Exploring financing mechanisms with financial institutions to make solar more affordable for households; and;
  • Expanding business opportunities beyond residential installations.

By empowering solar entrepreneurs, SIP tackles concerns related to business growth, financing gaps, and limited competition in the market. A stronger and more competitive solar industry ultimately leads to better installation quality, reduced costs, and more accessible financing options for households.

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SIP 2024 graduates during the culminating activity in Cebu City.

Building Trust in the Industry

Beyond technical training, shifting public perception is crucial for accelerating RTSP adoption. Our Solar Community Meetups serve as a bridge between solar entrepreneurs, technical experts, policymakers, and consumers by fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. These gatherings provide a space for entrepreneurs to exchange insights and share best practices, address bureaucratic challenges with government stakeholders, streamline net metering processes, and advocate for stronger policy support. Additionally, they highlight success stories from early adopters, encouraging more households to consider solar power.

By fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and trust, Solar Community Meetups contribute to addressing skepticism and misinformation surrounding RTSP. The insights gathered from these discussions also help inform future policy recommendations, ensuring that the needs of solar entrepreneurs and consumers are effectively addressed.

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DOE Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol presenting the Department of Energy’s renewable energy plans at the SCM in Davao.

A collective effort for solar growth

The concerns raised in the Facebook post reflect the frustrations and aspirations of many Filipinos when it comes to solar energy adoption. While challenges such as high costs, bureaucratic red tape, and technical difficulties persist, programs like the SIP and Solar Community Meetups provide platforms that empower solar entrepreneurs to drive industry-wide improvements.

Panel discussion during the SIP 2024 culmination featuring Hon. Nestor Archival (Cebu City Government), Engr. Titus Ragrario (Jinko Solar), Engr. Richard Alfafara (Visayan Electric Company – VECO), and Engr. Woodrow Pino (Woodrow Solar Power), sharing insights on accelerating rooftop solar adoption. Photo

Ultimately, expanding the adoption of RTSP in the Philippines requires a collective effort from businesses, the government, private companies, and Filipino communities. By equipping solar entrepreneurs with knowledge and resources, and by fostering trust through community engagement, we can create a more inclusive and resilient solar industry that benefits both consumers and the environment.


Want to get more involved in the Filipino clean energy space? Learn more about our programs in the Philippines here.

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Built Environment
Building bridges for climate innovation: Meet 10 Japanese startups reaching for global impact

Japan has long been recognized as a global leader in precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. Yet in the race to decarbonize, its climate tech startup ecosystem is only beginning to accelerate. While government support is growing and university spinouts are gaining traction, Japanese climate innovators often face a key barrier: access to international markets, capital, and deep networks to support their growth.

At the same time, the U.S.—and California in particular—remains a global hub for climate innovation. With its dense investor networks, policy leadership, and cutting-edge R&D institutions, California offers fertile ground for scaling climate technologies that can help the world meet net-zero goals.

To unlock this potential, New Energy Nexus, Third Derivative, and Japan Energy Fund have partnered with JETRO to launch the Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP). This initiative is more than an exchange—it’s a bridge between two ecosystems with complementary strengths. By bringing Japan’s deep tech ingenuity into conversation with California’s fast-moving entrepreneurial culture, we aim to accelerate climate solutions that the whole world needs.

Below, meet 10 startups selected for the inaugural GSAP cohort. Each brings a unique approach to decarbonization—from fusion to algae, electronics to rare metal recycling. Together, they represent a new wave of Japanese climate innovation ready to go global.


Meet the Startups
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The inaugural GSAP cohort of startups.

Planet Savers
Planet Savers is Japan’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) startup, spun out of the University of Tokyo. They’re developing a scalable CO₂ adsorbent-based DACCU system, aiming to lower capture costs to around $100–400 per ton. The team recently secured a significant NEDO grant to pilot their high-efficiency DAC technology, supporting their goal to “halt climate change and leave a beautiful Earth for the next generation.”

miibio
miibio develops light-switchable protein technology that allows precise optical control of biological processes. Based in Tokyo and rooted in synthetic biology research from the University of Tokyo, the company is commercializing this technology for use in research reagents and biomanufacturing, offering greater control over protein behavior.

Aqua Theon
Aqua Theon creates seaweed-based biomaterials for use in food, packaging, and medical products. By working with marine biomass, the company is developing renewable, circular alternatives that reduce reliance on conventional plastics.

Helical Fusion
Helical Fusion is working on fusion energy systems with new reactor designs aimed at delivering safe, scalable, and low-carbon power. The company’s approach focuses on making fusion a practical part of the future energy mix.

Rhinoflux
Rhinoflux develops bioenergy systems that capture carbon while generating power. By extracting CO₂ from biomass, their technology enables simultaneous energy production and carbon removal—useful for industries seeking low-emission, resilient energy solutions.

Atierra
Atierra uses microalgae bioreactors to remove atmospheric CO₂. Their systems convert carbon into algal biomass, offering a biotech-driven, nature-based approach to climate mitigation at scale.

E‑Thermo / Gentek
E‑Thermo Gentek captures industrial waste heat and converts it into electricity using thermoelectric technology. Their systems help industries recover energy that would otherwise be lost, improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

Emulsion Flow Technologies
Emulsion Flow Technologies provides rare metal recycling for batteries and electronics. Their proprietary emulsion process enables the recovery of valuable materials in a more sustainable way, contributing to circularity in fast-growing supply chains like EVs.

Sun Metalon
Sun Metalon integrates CO₂ reduction into metal recycling processes, with the goal of lowering emissions in heavy industry. Their approach combines carbon capture and resource reuse to support more sustainable industrial practices.

Elephantech
Elephantech manufactures printed circuit boards (PCBs) using a metal inkjet printing process. Their additive method cuts down on material waste and lowers environmental impact, offering a more efficient path for electronics production.


About the Program: JETRO Global Startup Acceleration Program (GSAP)

Co-hosted by New Energy Nexus, Third Derivative, and Japan Energy Fund, JETRO’s GSAP program supports 10 Japanese climate tech startups through a multi-phase program:

June (Tokyo Kick-off): Orientation, mentorship, and peer learning to shape business models and go-to-market strategies.

July–September (Virtual Acceleration): Group sessions and one-on-one mentoring with investors and industry leaders to refine pitches and partnerships.

October (US Immersion Week): In-person programming in San Jose, including curated business meetings, investor matchmaking, and participation in the VERGE Climate Tech Conference.

Nov 2025–Early 2026 (Follow-up Support): Ongoing mentoring and strategic guidance to deepen market entry, secure partnerships, and scale growth.

By building long-term connections between Japanese founders and global innovation ecosystems, the program aims to catalyze real, scalable climate impact.

Stay tuned as we follow these founders on their journey—from Tokyo labs to California boardrooms—and help usher in the next generation of global climate solutions.

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Thailand
Energy Access
Women
Thailand’s clean energy transition must have more women at the table

The clean energy transition is our chance to build a fairer future, yet women are still missing from the table. Around the world, only 15% of clean energy leadership roles are held by women.

Even in Thailand, a leader in the Asia Pacific region when it comes to women’s leadership in the energy sector, women occupy just 23% of leadership positions.

But when women are at the helm, the impact speaks for itself.

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Salinee Hurley. Photo from SunSawang

Salinee Hurley is proof that inclusive leadership powers inclusive solutions. A mechanical engineer specializing in solar, she founded SunSawang: a social enterprise bringing solar home systems and lanterns to off-grid villages along the Thailand–Myanmar border. She is also the Project Director at the Border Green Energy Team (BGET), an organization advancing clean energy access in the region.

Salinee’s journey into solar began when she pursued further studies in solar engineering in the United States. Returning to Thailand, she initially implemented solar projects through an NGO model, using grant funding to provide free installations in remote areas. Over time, she realized the approach lacked long-term sustainability.

To address this, Salinee transitioned to a social enterprise model, offering long-term payment plans that support both ongoing maintenance and local ownership.

“Free installations may help in the short term, but the real goal is to empower people to access energy independently in the long run,” she said.

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Solar installation at Maw Poe Kay High School. Photo from SunSawang

SunSawang now trains and hires local technicians and sales agents to serve their own communities. This localized model not only keeps systems functioning, but also supports economic activity—access to reliable electricity allows for evening work like weaving, increasing household income.

Salinee’s work also highlights the systemic barriers that persist in Thailand’s solar landscape: high upfront costs, inconsistent regional regulations, and limited financing options for low-income households. Recent steps, including draft laws to simplify rooftop solar permitting and new green loan products, are promising, but access remains uneven.

Last year, she joined New Energy Nexus Thailand’s SolarSTEP initiative, where she shared her expertise and connected with other women leading the shift to a cleaner energy future.

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Solar installation at Maw Poe Kay High School. Photo from SunSawang

Supporting women leading the way

SolarSTEP is designed to build skills and leadership among solar technicians and entrepreneurs, with a focus on women, to help accelerate Thailand’s clean energy transition.

This work is spurred on by Thailand’s ambitious target to reach 12,139 MW of solar capacity by 2037, as outlined in its Alternative Energy Development Plan (AEDP). Hitting this target will take more than policy; it requires investing in people, empowering women, and expanding access to rooftop solar across the country.

This is where SolarSTEP comes in. The program has already delivered seven trainings across Thailand’s Central, Northern, and Southern regions, reaching over 200 participants. These efforts have been strengthened through collaboration with key partners, including PEA Encom Smart Solution, PEA Encom International, and LONGi.

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Photo of the SolarSTEP 2024 Training program participants, including Salinee Hurley.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on scaling impact, broadening solar access, and building a sector that mirrors the diversity of the communities it serves.

If we want a just and resilient clean energy future, we need to break down the barriers that keep women on the sidelines and back those already leading the way. Empowering more women to participate and lead in clean energy isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do.

Want to be part of building an inclusive clean energy sector in Thailand? Learn more about our work here.

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