Innovative German Company Challenges Solar Contenders with Energy-as-a-Service Business Approach
In the heart of the EU tech scene, a new player is making waves in the energy sector. German startup Enerkii, founded last year, has launched an innovative Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model, designed to optimise energy management for industrial customers. This groundbreaking approach promises green, cost-efficient, and risk-free energy solutions on-site at industrial premises.
Henrik Abel, co-founder of Enerkii, has stated that the 'era of "solar-only" energy solutions is over'. The company's model shifts from simply installing or leasing solar panels to providing a turnkey (or 'ener-key') energy management system. This comprehensive approach includes software, financing, and operational services, all geared towards reducing energy costs and CO2 emissions for industrial sites.
At the core of Enerkii's model is their in-house operating system (OS), enerkii OS. This sophisticated software platform analyses a customer's energy demand profile and site conditions to calculate the ideal configuration of renewable energy systems. In about 15 minutes, it can determine the optimal combination of solar PV, battery storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and residual power management for any company.
Enerkii takes on the complex task of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy systems, acting as an independent operator by financing, installing, running, and maintaining the customised energy systems. This removes financial and operational risks from industrial clients, making the transition to renewable energy economically attractive.
The benefits of Enerkii's model are significant. On average, industrial customers can reduce their electricity expenses by up to 50%, with other reports noting savings around 30%. Furthermore, by shifting away from fossil fuels towards renewable, self-generated, and efficiently managed energy, hundreds of tons of CO2 emissions can be cut annually per client.
Enerkii doesn't stop at the initial setup. They manage and optimise the energy system over time, including potential expansions or adaptations to further improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness based on real-time energy usage and market conditions. This continuous optimisation ensures that the energy system remains tailored to the customer's needs.
By deploying tailored renewable solutions directly at industrial sites, Enerkii enhances energy independence and resilience against grid instabilities or price fluctuations. This decentralised, resilient energy supply is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future.
Enerkii's approach has already gained traction, with the company signing 18 contracts with unnamed German industrial leaders, representing a total capacity of 87 megawatts. The fresh funding secured in a round led by World Fund will fuel the rollout of Enerkii's energy-as-a-service model across Europe.
With around 80% of industrial plants in Germany still relying on dirty energy, according to research from Deutsche Bank, Enerkii's model could significantly advance climate goals in Germany and Europe. By enabling industrial companies—traditionally heavy fossil fuel consumers—to decarbonise effectively while reducing their energy costs and operational risks, Enerkii is leading the charge towards a greener industrial sector.
- Henrik Abel, co-founder of Enerkii, asserted that the era of solar-only energy solutions has ended, and their new Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model moves beyond just installing or leasing solar panels.
- At the heart of Enerkii's model is their in-house operating system, enerkii OS, which calculates the ideal configuration of renewable energy systems like solar PV, battery storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and residual power management based on a customer's energy demand profile and site conditions.
- Enerkii offers industrial clients a comprehensive approach that includes funding, installation, operation, and maintenance of the customised energy systems, minimizing financial and operational risks associated with transitioning to renewable energy.
- Enerkii's model shows promising results, with industrial customers able to reduce their electricity expenses by up to 50%, and by decarbonizing effectively while reducing energy costs and operational risks, Enerkii could significantly contribute to advancing climate goals in Germany and Europe.
