Free Electrons: American Electric Power Joins Global Energy Startup Accelerator
2018年2月27日 - 11:00AM
JCN Newswire
The Governing Board of Free Electrons, the first global energy
startup accelerator program that connects the world's most
promising energy startup companies with leading utility companies,
is pleased to announce that American Electric Power (AEP) will
become its first North American utility member.
AEP, based in Columbus, Ohio, has an asset base of 65 billion USD.
In 2017, AEP's electricity sales were approximately 194 million
megawatt hours with 15 billion USD in revenue. Between 2018 and
2020, AEP plans to invest nearly 18 billion USD through its
regulated and competitive companies to modernize the power grid,
expand renewable energy resources and deliver cost-effective,
reliable energy to customers in the U.S. market.
"Joining the Free Electrons accelerator program gives us access to
the world's most innovative technology entrepreneurs in the energy
space," said Nicholas K. Akins, AEP chairman, president and chief
executive officer. "Our long-term strategy includes building
smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and
custom products and services to our customers. We're excited to
help cultivate the cutting-edge energy solutions that are being
developed around the globe."
TEPCO is a co-founder of the accelerator, which now includes 9
electric utilities from around the world. The other Free Electrons
utility members are Ausnet Services (Australia), DEWA (Dubai), EDP
(Portugal), ESB (Ireland), Innogy (Germany), Origin Energy
(Australia) and SP Group (Singapore), with the program being
supported by Beta-i (Portugal).
"We are thrilled to have American Electric Power join Free
Electrons and contribute a US perspective to our global
acceleration program", says Hirokazu Yamaguchi, Executive General
Manager, Global Innovation & Investments at Tokyo Electric
Power Company Holdings (TEPCO).
Structure
Three international modules held across the globe are the
cornerstone of Free Electrons. During the course of the program
participants will work closely with local players, utilities,
mentors and other resources in order to accelerate their company's
growth.
After the applications close, a one week Bootcamp will be held in
Lisbon (Portugal) from April 3 to 6. It will be followed by the 1st
Module, in Sydney/Melbourne (Australia). The 2nd Module will take
place in Silicon Valley (USA), with the final stage moving to
Berlin (Germany), in October.
The utilities backing Free Electrons are leading innovation in the
energy sector. This project is a testimony of their commitment to
work together with startups in building the future of the sector
with clean, smart and widely accessible energy.
Free Electrons 2017 generated an overall financial value of
contracts signed between the 12 startups and the 8 utilities of
about 2 million dollars, with a pipeline of ongoing opportunities
surpassing 12 million dollars.
About TEPCO
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc. (TSE:9501),
headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is the largest utility in Japan
serving millions of homes and businesses. Worldwide the company has
more than 34 subsidiaries and 32 affiliates in 8 countries and
employs approximately 42,060 people. Consolidated revenue for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, totalled 5.3 trillion Japanese
yen. The company was established in 1951 and is listed on the First
Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. For more information, visit
http://www.tepco.co.jp/en/corpinfo/index-e.html
About Free Electrons
The Free Electrons Program is the best opportunity for startups in
the energy space to grow and develop their businesses. The energy
market has seen rapid changes in recent years with the rise of
renewables, decentralization of the energy system, regulatory
uncertainties and disruptive new technologies. To stay ahead, there
is a strong need for utilities to source more innovation externally
and consider the 'beyond utilities' business models.
Source: TEPCO
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