EDP and other six companies, all of them leaders in the energy sector and operating at a global level, are searching for startups that may contribute to construct a more sustainable and innovative planet. Registrations are already open for the 6th edition of Free Electrons, the biggest global program in innovation in the electricity sector. The applications can be made until April 18 through https://freeelectrons.org/

This edition is open to startups with solutions or products that may have an impact in energy transition, in areas like renewable energies, smart networks, energy management, sustainable mobility, energy storage, flexibility, green hydrogen or decarbonization. The technology proprieties include artificial intelligence, advanced software, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, automation robotics, cybersecurity, AR/VR and 3D/4D printing.

To EDP, open and collaborative innovation with the various stakeholders is a priority in order to develop the technologies and solutions required in the sector to give an urgent answer to energy transition.

The candidates selected for the 2022 edition will have access to the different business units of the EDP Group, present in 28 markets, as well as to specialized teams, in which they can test their solutions. This is also an opportunity to polish their commercial strategy.

The results of the previous editions proof the success of Free Electrons and its impact in EDP’s business. In five years, the company has already invested more than 37 million euros in pilot projects, investments, and businesses.

In this year’s edition, the work modules between the selected startups and the utilities are coming back to the on-site format, starting from June. After three stages of ideas acceleration, the final stage of this edition, organized by EDP, will be taking place in October in São Paulo, one of the cities in which the company has developed the most its open innovation strategy. This is, furthermore, the first time that a Free Electrons module is carried out in Brazil.

Apart from EDP, the companies taking part in the global committee are American Electric Power (USA), CLP (Hong Kong, China), E.ON (Germany), ESB – Electricity Supply Board (Ireland) and Origin Energy (Australia). The support to the management shall be borne by the innovation consultant Beta-i.