June 4, 2024 – New Energy Nexus is supporting LG Energy Solution’s launch of its fourth Battery Challenge, a global startup competition to discover and support innovative early-stage startups to develop next-generation battery technologies.

The Battery Challenge is LG Energy Solution’s mainstay open innovation initiative. While helping the growth of the distinguished companies, LG Energy Solution also aims to pioneer next-generation technologies through partnerships.

As the manager and facilitator of this program, New Energy Nexus is supporting overall operation.

This year’s Battery Challenge is recruiting early-stage battery startups in: battery materials, battery management system, battery manufacturing and quality control, battery maintenance, battery recycling and reuse technology, smart factory solutions, and newly added metal sourcing, as well as ‘New to LG’. The new category called ‘New to LG’ has been established to encourage participants to explore various novel energy-related ideas, not necessarily linked to batteries.

The winners will be selected through comprehensive business plan evaluations, in-depth interviews, and technology verification, and will receive up to US$30,000, an increase of US$10,000 from the previous program. Awardees will also be reviewed by LG Energy Solution for potential investment.

New Energy Nexus is uniquely positioned in sectors and regions critical in the global battery supply chain. Our “Just Batteries” initiative aims to build an interconnected ecosystem to support a more inclusive and resilient battery sector. In the past ten years, we have operated seven programs across five countries or regions globally. We aim to build more equity into the battery supply chain – wealth, social benefits, jobs, among others – for all regions of the world that will benefit from this growing industry.

“At New Energy Nexus, we are dedicated to not only growing the EV industry but also accelerating the development of integrating cutting-edge battery solutions into the broader energy ecosystem. By collaborating with LG Energy Solution, we aim to drive global advancements in battery technology, support the adoption of EVs, and ensure a sustainable and resilient clean energy future.” said Andrew Chang of New Energy Nexus, who manages the global partnership with LG Energy Solution.

The Battery Challenge 2024 application window is from June 4 to June 30. For more information and to apply, please visit www.lgesbatterychallenge2024.com

Berkeley, California, USA – New Energy Nexus announces today that social impact expert Henri van Eeghen will become CEO effective 15 August 2024. He will assume leadership from outgoing CEO Danny Kennedy, who, after eight years of service, shaped New Energy Nexus into the world’s leading organization supporting clean energy entrepreneurs.

Henri van Eeghen has extensive international experience, both in the private sector and as a director of non-profit organizations such as the Dutch development organization Cordaid, Mercy Corps, and the New York-based Synergos Institute, an international philanthropy network.

Henri van Eeghen, incoming CEO of New Energy Nexus.

“Danny and the New Energy Nexus team have built a global organization that is at the forefront of supporting entrepreneurs to address climate and energy challenges. I am deeply impressed by everything New Energy Nexus has achieved so far and am energized to lead it in its next stage of growth and impact,” said Henri van Eeghen, incoming CEO of New Energy Nexus.

“My priority will be to build on this success, leveraging my experience in forging collaboration between private and public sectors around the world, and navigating ways to expand our support for clean energy entrepreneurs in new geographies. I’m looking forward to working alongside our team in over a dozen countries, as well as our partners and donors who are so critical to our vision of 100% clean energy for 100% of the population.”

Henri van Eeghen brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this role, with substantial experience setting up private and public joint ventures, as well as investment funds through his work with Cordaid, IFC, and Rabobank. He has lived and worked across Asia, Africa, and North America, and is currently based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where he most recently served as CEO of KIT Royal Tropical Institute. In this role, he led the creation of deeply collaborative partnerships with institutes across Africa, Asia, and South America.

“After an extensive global search, we are delighted to welcome Henri van Eeghen as our incoming CEO at New Energy Nexus. Henri’s experience building businesses and organizations uniquely positions him as a champion of clean energy entrepreneurs,” said Julie Blunden, Chair of the Board.

“After Danny Kennedy’s tremendous success, New Energy Nexus is marking 20 years of accelerating the clean energy transition. Henri joins at a moment of great opportunity to rapidly grow the clean energy ecosystem New Energy Nexus has built. Our planet needs more businesses and startups driving inclusive climate solutions, and we are fortunate to have Henri’s experience and leadership.”

Henri assumes leadership of New Energy Nexus from Danny Kennedy, the outgoing CEO. In 2015, Danny accepted the role of Managing Director of the California Clean Energy Fund, which was renamed New Energy Nexus in 2018 to align with the expansion of its vision and mission around the world.

“New Energy Nexus, and its tremendous team and community, is poised for the next stage of growth and impact under Henri’s leadership. He will be supported by over 150 wonderful staff across the world, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve together,” said Danny Kennedy.

Sydney, 16 May 2024 – The second annual Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge, “Retrofit Nation”, is launching today in Sydney during Climate Action Week. The Challenge is calling on startups to rapidly convert half the Australian vehicle fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), which is over 10 million vehicles.

One of the immediately viable opportunities lies in retrofitting existing heavy vehicles with lithium batteries to support the move to an electric vehicle fleet. In 2022 the  transport sector contributed to 19% of Australia’s emissions. Trucks, buses and light commercial vehicles account for about 40% of the total transport figure and the industry comprises a relatively small group of decision makers that can accelerate change.

A recent report from Beyond Zero Emissions shows that battery technologies are emerging as one of the most promising sectors for Australia’s economic growth and decarbonisation efforts, potentially creating up to 20,000 jobs and AU$114 billion revenue by 2035.

The Challenge is open to startups, entrepreneurs, scientists and researchers are to develop and present solutions to questions such as:

• What are the next-generation drivetrain solutions and battery technologies we can apply and how do we produce them at scale?
• How do we invent and apply advanced manufacturing techniques?
• What are the software solutions to integrate drivetrain upgrades with existing vehicle technology, to add advanced driver-assist technologies and to maximise their energy storage benefits (Vehicle-to-Grid)?
• How do we most efficiently train and upskill the workforce required to complete the retrofits and adhere to safety compliance?

Startups receive prizes, support, networking and mentoring to accelerate their success.

“Transport is an obvious target for reform, particularly in Australia with our reliance on road freight and use of mining vehicles. We need to encourage the supply of more EV’s sooner into the Australian and global markets. Putting electric motors and batteries into existing vehicles at scale and massively increasing Australian battery demand is a sure-fire and fast-track way of getting it done,” said Danny Kennedy, CEO New Energy Nexus.

“The mass EV retrofit opportunity can help to upskill the Australian workforce including electricians, mechanics, software developers with critical skills in advanced manufacturing, batteries and EV’s – essential for our economy in the future. The Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge will unleash innovation from the startup community  and capture ideas that show how we can make this mass EV retrofit opportunity a reality,” said Megan Fisher, CEO EnergyLab.

“Australia produces half of the world’s lithium yet retains less than 1% of the value it produces. We can’t just keep sending our lithium offshore where others capture its value. It’s time we change this, together,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager Supercharge Australia.

“We’d need AU$181 billion worth of batteries to retrofit half the Australian vehicle fleet, or 20x our current near term forecast demand to 2030. This quantity would de-risk and incentivise lithium battery and cell production in Australia, in the best case using our world-class renewable energy resources.

“So, in support of the Prime Minister’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ initiative, there’s even broader advanced battery manufacturing ecosystem advantages as reasons to proceed and we look forward to seeing the innovative solutions that we know Australian startups are so good at.”

Participants in the inaugural Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge raised over AU$40 million in funding subsequent to the first challenge. The second Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge will uncover more opportunities for rapid support and growth for Australian solutions.

The second annual Supercharge Australia Innovation Challenge, “Retrofit Nation”, will launch on Thursday 16 May at 3pm (AEST) at EnergyLab Sydney: 4-12 Buckland St, Chippendale NSW 2008, Australia. Journalists are welcome to attend.

Oakland, 26 de marzo de 2024 – California está captando sólo el 2.4% de los empleos previstos en las operaciones planificadas en la cadena de suministro de baterías de litio de la nación, y la mayoría van a parar a estados que ocupan puestos bajos en términos de protección laboral, salud y seguridad de los trabajadores, y leyes salariales.

Las conclusiones publicadas hoy en un nuevo informe de New Energy Nexus, en colaboración con el Instituto para la Transformación Social de la Universidad de California en Santa Cruz, y socios del Centro Laboral de la Universidad de California en Berkeley, detallan cómo la propia iniciativa estatal del “Valle del Litio” en la región del mar Salton no aprovechará el creciente auge del litio, donde menos del 1% de los empleos están asociados con la extracción de litio. Se prevé que la inmensa mayoría de los más de 100.000 nuevos empleos serán en la fabricación de baterías y vehículos eléctricos (VE)..

El informe – “Generando prosperidad: Creando una cadena inclusiva de suministro de litio en la región del mar Salton de California” – analiza los datos de empleo en la cadena de suministro a través de una plataforma interactiva en línea, “Lithium Battery Supply Chains of North America,” (Cadenas de suministro de baterías de litio de Norteamérica), que por primera vez traza un mapa de los empleos en relación con los indicadores laborales, climáticos y de justicia económica. También recomienda cómo la región podría captar más empleos “de alto nivel” y beneficios comunitarios de la extracción de litio con un mayor enfoque político, inversiones públicas específicas y asociaciones sólidas entre la industria, los trabajadores, las comunidades y las tribus.

“Las decisiones que se tomen ahora determinarán si el auge de las baterías de litio será una carrera hacia la cima o una carrera hacia el fondo”, afirmó Rebecca Lee, coautora del informe y Directora General de New Energy Nexus California.

“California ha sido líder mundial en innovación de vehículos eléctricos y baterías, y para mantenerse a la vanguardia, necesita apoyar a las empresas que tomen la vía alta, y que se queden y fabriquen sus tecnologías en el estado. Esto podría ser un modelo global de prosperidad compartida, generando empleos que sustenten familias y beneficios para las comunidades locales, y al mismo tiempo descarbonizando la economía.”

La región del mar Salton en California es un rincón del estado en el que no se ha invertido lo suficiente, y donde una cuarta parte de la población total y la mitad de la población nativa americana de la región vive por debajo de los índices de pobreza. También alberga algunas de las mayores reservas de litio del mundo, lo que ha dado lugar al nombre de “Valle del Litio”.

La Ley Bipartidista de Infraestructuras y la Ley de Reducción de la Inflación crearon importantes incentivos financieros para la producción nacional de baterías de litio y vehículos eléctricos. Crear una cadena nacional de valor del litio – desde el procesamiento, la fabricación de baterías y el reciclaje- podría crear buenos empleos, nuevas oportunidades comerciales y beneficios significativos para las comunidades locales.

“Tenemos que asegurarnos de que los empleos en la extracción de litio en el condado de Imperial sean buenos empleos, pero un beneficio mayor para la región podría surgir de la ubicación conjunta de la fabricación de baterías y vehículos eléctricos”, afirmó Chris Benner, coautor del informe y profesor y director de la facultad del Instituto para la Transformación Social de la Universidad de California, Santa Cruz.

“Las empresas de baterías y vehículos eléctricos que se instalen aquí obtendrían beneficios en términos de reputación y de mercadotecnia por estar vinculadas a una de las fuentes de litio más limpias del planeta, así como un acceso cercano a un gran mercado de consumidores concienciados con el medio ambiente – la base de consumidores de vehículos eléctricos más grande del país.”

Conclusiones clave:

• California es actualmente el núcleo de la industria nacional del vehículo eléctrico, con aproximadamente el 19% de los empleos existentes en toda la cadena de suministro de litio y vehículos eléctricos, es con diferencia el mayor porcentaje de todos los estados.
• California, Arizona y Nevada representan casi un tercio (31%) de los empleos en toda la cadena de valor de las baterías de litio y los vehículos eléctricos, pero solo el 10% de las nuevas inversiones previstas. (1).
• Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama y Georgia representan en la actualidad aproximadamente el 16% del empleo total existente a lo largo de la cadena de valor, pero representan casi el 34% de los empleos previstos en nuevas instalaciones. Estos estados ocupan los últimos puestos en cuanto a protección laboral, salud y seguridad y salarios de los trabajadores..
• De los más de 150.000 empleos existentes en la cadena de valor del litio en EE.UU., el 43% corresponde a la fabricación de VE, el 26% a la fabricación de los componentes, baterías y paquetes de pilas, y solo el 6% de los empleos corresponde a la minería o a la extracción de minerales críticos.
• En la región del mar Salton, el número de empleos directos derivados de la extracción directa de litio será relativamente modesto: unos pocos cientos de empleos al principio, que aumentarán a unos 2.000 empleos en curso cuando se proyecte su pleno desarrollo dentro de muchos años.
• La gran mayoría de los empleos relacionados con el litio de la región del mar Salton se crearán a lo largo de la cadena de valor: unos 1.600 empleos en la fabricación de cátodos, 20.000 empleos en la fabricación de pilas y baterías, y más de 100.000 empleos en la fabricación de vehículos eléctricos (2).  Actualmente no existen acuerdos para traer estos empleos a la región del mar Salton, y mucho menos para garantizar que estos empleos sean de alta calidad o se destinen a residentes locales (3).

Noemí O. Gallardo, Comisionada de la Comisión de Energía de California: “La visión del Valle del Litio tiene el potencial de proporcionar una tremenda oportunidad económica que eleve simultáneamente a la industria, los trabajadores y los residentes. Basándose en los esfuerzos estatales existentes, las recomendaciones descritas en este informe pueden ayudar a hacer realidad esta posibilidad e impulsar la región del mar Salton.”

Brigette Browning, Secretaria General Ejecutiva del Consejo Laboral de los Condados de San Diego e Imperial: “Este informe muestra que California debe consolidar urgentemente su liderazgo en energías limpias y asegurarse de captar y conservar empleos que sustenten familias en el auge de las baterías de litio. Tanto en la fase de construcción de los proyectos como en las operaciones y el mantenimiento en curso, el sector debe apoyar buenos empleos sindicales y vías profesionales en los nuevos empleos de las industrias verdes, especialmente para los residentes locales.”

Sanjiv Malhotra, fundador y director ejecutivo de Sparkz: “Hemos visto un verdadero valor en adoptar el enfoque de “alto nivel” en el Valle del Litio, enfocándonos en la innovación, invirtiendo en nuestra fuerza laboral y generando buenos empleos. Estamos orgullosos de asociarnos con el sindicato United Auto Workers para asegurar al trabajador estadounidense un lugar en la nueva economía de la energía, y al mismo tiempo desarrollar la cadena de suministro de baterías a nivel nacional.”

California podría proporcionar un modelo global del desarrollo económico inclusivo y favorable al medio ambiente de las cadenas de suministro de litio y baterías. Las recomendaciones incluyen:

• Apoyar el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral “de alto nivel”. Esto incluiría imponer condiciones para la financiación pública de las empresas, basándose en Acuerdos de Beneficios Comunitarios negociados, así como la capacitación de trabajadores de la construcción, obreros y profesionales y técnicos en el condado de Imperial.
• Reforzar la “canalización de la innovación a la implementación”: proporcionar beneficios a las empresas de ” alto nivel” que desarrollen y fabriquen tecnologías en el Estado. Esto debería incluir un aumento en la financiación a organizaciones de apoyo para emprendedores de energías limpias que apoyan vías de alto nivel para la comercialización de empresas emergentes.
• Invertir en infraestructuras locales. Esto incluye infraestructuras físicas y sociales como servicios de salud pública, transporte público, viviendas resistentes al cambio climático y restauración medioambiental relacionada con la gestión del mar Salton y la calidad del aire.
• Abordar los obstáculos a la concesión de permisos. Por ejemplo, se podría acelerar la obtención de permisos para proyectos que hayan formalizado acuerdos y cuenten con el apoyo de las comunidades.
• Transparencia de la cadena de suministro de baterías. Deben existir mecanismos que controlen, midan y respeten los estándares medioambientales, laborales y de la calidad del aire, tales como el Pasaporte Global de Baterías.

El informe y el mapa Lithium Battery Supply Chain (Cadena de Suministro de Baterías de Litio) cuentan con el apoyo de una subvención de la Fundación James Irvine, y representan la culminación de más de un año de investigación, que incluye aportaciones de una amplia gama de partes interesadas de los sectores laboral, comunitario, industrial, público y tribal.

Notas para los redactores:

Resumen del informe (en español)

(1) California ocupa el primer lugar, Arizona el 18 y Nevada el 20, según el Índice de Mejores Estados para Trabajar de Oxfam. Best States to Work Index.

(2) Este cálculo se basa en la cantidad anual de litio extraído de todas las plantas geotérmicas existentes y utilizado para fabricar baterías

(3) Al menos dos empresas promotoras han firmado acuerdos de proyectos laborales (PLA por sus siglas en inglés) con sindicatos del sector de la construcción para la fase de construcción de los proyectos.

Acerca de New Energy Nexus:

New Energy Nexus es una organización sin fines de lucro que lucha por una economía 100% de energía limpia para el 100% de la población en el menor tiempo posible. Con 20 años de experiencia, ofrecemos aceleradores, financiación y capacitación de primera clase para ayudar a diversos emprendedores a desarrollar una transición energética limpia, más justa y equitativa..

New Energy Nexus comenzó en California en 2004 y ahora opera programas en Nueva York, China, India, Sudeste Asiático, África Oriental y Occidental, y Australia. Desde 2016, hemos apoyado a 1.200 empresas emergentes, más de 8.000 emprendedores y movilizado más de 3.700 millones de dólares en inversiones. Más información en: www.newenergynexus.com/california

Acerca del Instituto para la Transformación Social de UC Santa Cruz

El Instituto, integrado en la División de Ciencias Sociales de UC Santa Cruz, el Instituto apoya la investigación innovadora que cambia al mundo. El instituto es un centro intelectual y social crítico, que conecta a académicos de toda la UC Santa Cruz y a socios de fuera de la universidad, creando soluciones basadas en la investigación de urgentes problemas sociales, medioambientales y políticos del mundo. La investigación del instituto tiene como objetivo comprender y transformar las causas sistémicas subyacentes de los problemas en estas áreas, y aporta la experiencia basada en la investigación y los recursos de UC Santa Cruz a colaboraciones con otras entidades comprometidas con la creación de sociedades locales y globales que se basan en la equidad, el acceso y las oportunidades para todas las personas, la regeneración del medio ambiente y la revitalización democrática. https://transform.ucsc.edu/

Acerca del Centro Laboral de UC Berkeley

El Centro de Investigación y Educación Laboral de UC Berkeley es un programa de servicio público y divulgación del Instituto de Investigación sobre Trabajo y Empleo. Fundado en 1964, el Centro Laboral lleva a cabo investigación y educación sobre temas relacionados con el trabajo y el empleo. Los currículos del Centro Laboral y las capacitaciones de liderazgo sirven para educar a una nueva generación diversa de líderes laborales. El Centro Laboral lleva a cabo investigaciones sobre temas como la calidad del empleo y el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, y trabaja con sindicatos, gobiernos y empleadores para desarrollar programas y perspectivas políticas innovadoras. El Centro también ofrece una importante fuente de investigación e información sobre los sindicatos y la evolución de la fuerza laboral para estudiantes, académicos, legisladores y el público en general. https://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/

Contacto para los medios de comunicación:

Tristan Tremschnig, Director de Global Communications, New Energy Nexus, correo electrónico:  tristan.tremschnig@newenergynexus.com (con sede en San Francisco)

Oakland, 26 March 2024 – California is capturing only 2.4% of projected jobs in planned operations in the nation’s lithium battery supply chain, with most going to states that are ranked low in terms of labor protection, worker health and safety, and wage laws.

The findings released today in a new report from New Energy Nexus, with partners at the Institute for Social Transformation at UC Santa Cruz and the UC Berkeley Labor Center, detail how even the state’s very own “Lithium Valley” initiative in the Salton Sea region is projected to miss out on the growing lithium boom, where less than 1% of jobs are associated with lithium extraction. The vast majority of the more than 100,000 expected new jobs are projected to be in battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.

The report – “Powering Prosperity: Building an Inclusive Lithium Supply Chain in California’s Salton Sea Region” – analyzes employment data in the supply chain through an interactive online platform, “Lithium Battery Supply Chains of North America,” which for the first time ever maps jobs in relation to labor, climate, and economic justice indicators. It also recommends how the region could capture more “high-road” jobs and community benefits from lithium extraction with greater policy focus, targeted public investment, and stronger industry, labor, community and tribal partnerships.

“The decisions taken now will determine whether the lithium battery boom will be a race to the top or a race to the bottom,” said Rebecca Lee, co-author of the report and Managing Director of New Energy Nexus California.

“California has been a world leader in EV and battery innovation, and to stay ahead of the curve, it needs to support companies that take the high-road, and that stay and manufacture their technologies in the state. This could be a global model for shared prosperity, generating family-supporting jobs and benefits for local communities, while also decarbonizing the economy.”

California’s Salton Sea region is an underinvested corner of the state where a quarter of the total population, and half of the region’s Native American population, live below the poverty line. It is also home to some of the largest lithium reserves in the world, which has given rise to the name “Lithium Valley.”

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act created major financial incentives for domestic lithium battery and EV production. Building out a domestic lithium value chain – from processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling – could potentially create good jobs, new business opportunities, and meaningful benefits for local communities.

“We need to ensure that the jobs in lithium extraction itself in Imperial County are good jobs, but a larger benefit to the region could come from co-locating battery and electric vehicle manufacturing,” said Chris Benner, co-author of the report and Professor and Faculty Director at the Institute for Social Transformation, UC Santa Cruz. 

“Battery and electric vehicle firms locating here would gain reputational and marketing benefits of being tied to one of the cleanest sources of lithium on the planet, as well as close access to a large environmentally conscious consumer market – the largest consumer base for electric vehicles in the country.”

Key findings:

• California is currently the core of the nation’s electric vehicle industry, accounting for roughly 19% of existing jobs in the full lithium and electric vehicle supply chain, by far the highest share of any state.
• California, Arizona and Nevada account for nearly a third (31%) of jobs in the full lithium battery and EV value chain, but only 10% of planned new investment. These states rank highly in the nation for policies that support good jobs and wages (1).
• Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia currently account for approximately 16% of total existing employment along the value chain, but represent nearly 34% of projected jobs in new sites. These states are low-to-bottom ranked in terms of labor protection, worker health and safety, and wages.
• Of the more than 150,000 existing jobs in the lithium value chain in the USA, 43% are in EV manufacturing, 26% are in battery component, cell, and pack manufacturing, and only 6% of jobs are in mining or critical minerals extraction.
• In the Salton Sea region, the number of direct jobs from direct lithium extraction will be relatively modest: a few hundred jobs initially, rising to roughly 2,000 ongoing jobs at projected full build-out many years from now.
• The vast majority of jobs associated with the lithium from the Salton Sea region will be created further along the value chain: roughly 1,600 jobs in cathode manufacturing, 20,000 jobs in battery cell and pack manufacturing, and over 100,000 jobs in EV manufacturing (2).  There are currently no agreements in place to bring these jobs to the Salton Sea region, much less ensure these jobs are high-quality or will be targeted for local residents (3).

Noemí O. Gallardo, Commissioner, California Energy Commission: “The Lithium Valley vision has the potential to provide tremendous economic opportunity that simultaneously uplifts industry, workers, and residents. Building on existing state efforts, the recommendations outlined in this report can help realize this possibility and boost the Salton Sea region.”

Brigette Browning, Executive Secretary-General, San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council: “This report shows that California must urgently build on its clean energy leadership, and ensure it captures and retains family supporting jobs in the lithium battery boom. Both in the construction phase of projects and ongoing operations and maintenance, the sector must support good union jobs and career pathways in new green industries jobs, especially for local residents.”

Sanjiv Malhotra, Founder and CEO, SPARKZ: “We’ve seen real value in taking the “high-road” approach in Lithium Valley, focusing on innovation, investing in our workforce, and generating good jobs. We are proud to partner with the United Auto Workers to secure the American worker’s place in the new energy economy, while also growing the battery supply chain domestically.”

California could provide a global model for the inclusive and environmentally friendly economic development of lithium and battery supply chains. Recommendations include:

• Support “high-road” workforce development. This should include conditional public funding for businesses based on negotiated Community Benefits Agreements, as well as training for construction trades, blue collar, and professional and technical workers in Imperial County.
• Strengthen the “innovation to implementation pipeline”: provide benefits for “high-road” companies that develop and manufacture technologies in the state. This should include an increase in funding to clean energy entrepreneur support organizations that support high-road pathways for startup commercialization.
• Invest in local infrastructure. This includes physical and social infrastructure such as public health services, public transportation, climate resilient housing, and environmental restoration related to Salton Sea management and air quality.
• Address permitting barriers. For instance, expedited permitting could be made available for projects that have formalized agreements and support from communities.
• Battery supply chain transparency. Mechanisms must be in place that monitor, measure, and uphold environmental, labor and air quality standards, such as the Global Battery Passport.

The report and the Lithium Battery Supply Chain map are supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation, and represents the culmination of more than a year of research, including input from a wide range of labor, community, industry, public sector and tribal stakeholders.

Notes to editors:

(1) California comes in first, Arizona at 18th, and Nevada at 20th according to Oxfam’s Best States to Work Index.

(2) This calculation is based on the annual amount of lithium extracted from all existing geothermal plants and used to make batteries.

(3) At least two developers have signed project labor agreements (PLAs) with building trades unions for the construction phase of the projects.

About the Institute for Social Transformation, UC Santa Cruz

Rooted in the Social Sciences Division at UC Santa Cruz, the institute supports innovative scholarship that changes the world. The institute is a critical intellectual and social hub, connecting scholars across UC Santa Cruz and partners beyond the university, developing research-based solutions to urgent social, environmental and political problems in the world. The institute’s research aims to understand and transform the underlying systemic causes of problems in these areas and brings the research-based expertise and resources of UC Santa Cruz to collaborations with others committed to building local and global societies that are rooted in equity, access and opportunity for all people, environmental regeneration and democratic revitalization. https://transform.ucsc.edu/

Jakarta, 18 January 2024 – Three climate tech startups from New Energy Nexus Ventures’ (NEX Ventures) portfolio in Indonesia – Swap Energy, SolarKita, and Synergy Efficiency Solutions – have secured additional investments totalling US$31 million for 2023, including follow-on funding.

“Despite a 40% decrease in global funding across the climate tech sector last year, these three startups have demonstrated their resilience by achieving success in fundraising,” said Yeni Tjiunardi, Managing Director at NEX Ventures.

“We are committed to supporting disruptive and agile startups and founders that can accelerate the clean energy transition. Our optimism extends to the potential opportunities for emerging early-stage ventures in addressing climate challenges, not only in Indonesia but also in other Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.”

The three startups are deploying solutions critical to Indonesia’s climate and energy goals, ranging from solar to energy storage:

• SolarKita is a solar energy company that provides end-to-end solar services for the residential market in order to build an integrated community of rooftop solar users in Indonesia.
• Synergy Efficiency Solutions (SES) is mainstreaming energy efficiency  in Southeast Asia by designing, financing, and implementing a range of energy efficiency solutions.
• Swap Energy is rolling out swappable battery technology that allows riders to effortlessly exchange depleted batteries, propelling the EV revolution of two-wheelers in Indonesia.

NEX Ventures aims to catalyze early-stage investments in the clean energy and climate sector by investing and collaborating with other investors, and providing strategic guidance to support its portfolio companies. Indonesia 1 Fund has co-invested with Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia (SEEAA) in SolarKita and with Southeast Asia Clean Energy Facility (SEACEF) in SES. Additionally, Swap Energy secured US$22 million investments for their Series A round by the end of December 2023.

NEX Ventures, through its Indonesia 1 Fund, has invested in seven climate tech companies and deployed four follow-on investments since 2020. These companies have been performing strongly, attracting over US$70 million of investments from other investors since joining the fund while also tackling climate and energy challenges. To date, Indonesia 1 Fund’s portfolio companies have reduced over 165,000 tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting almost eight million trees.

SolarKita

“The funding received from Indonesia 1 Fund and SEEAA allows more rapid penetration into the residential market. This milestone marks the initial phase of SolarKita’s overarching expansion plan to reach 18MWp solar PV installations equivalent to 6000 houses by the next three years,” said Amarangga Lubis, CEO of SolarKita.

The funding will strengthen the company’s fundamentals, refine product quality, and expand its network of installers and sales partners across Indonesia.

“As part of SEEAA’s mandate to accelerate the transition towards renewable energy and net-zero, we are excited to support SolarKita in their mission to make solar rooftop solutions accessible for residential homeowners and small businesses. Sustainability calls for collective action and we believe this joint investment from SEEAA and New Energy Nexus will be a critical catalyst in helping more people be part of the energy transition journey,” said Gilles Vermot Desroches, President of Schneider Electric Energy Access Asia (SEEAA).

Synergy Efficiency Solution

Synergy Efficiency Solutions (SES) intends to utilize the funding from Indonesia 1 Fund and SEACEF to fund capital expenditures for its growing portfolio of energy-saving projects. The timing of this follow-on investment coincides with the award of the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) Grant to SES.

Swap Energy

Swap Energy has successfully raised a total of US$22 million in its Series A round in December 2023. This latest round was led by Qiming Venture Partners, with participation from GGV Capital and existing investor Ondine Capital. The company has more than 1300 battery swapping stations across Indonesia. They have also partnered with many companies such as Grab to develop an integrated EV ecosystem in Indonesia.

Oakland, USA, 13 December 2023 – New Energy Nexus’ Board of Directors today announced it has launched its global search for a successor to its outgoing CEO, Danny Kennedy, who will continue in his role into 2024 and support an orderly leadership transition. 

In 2015, Danny accepted the role of Managing Director of the California Clean Energy Fund, renamed New Energy Nexus in 2018 to align with his vision and, with the Board’s support, extend its mission around the world.

From a small team focused on supporting the success of clean energy entrepreneurs in California, New Energy Nexus, under Danny’s leadership, has grown to support more than 6000 entrepreneurs and over 1000 startups. The team has also raised more than US$100 million to deliver as grants, debt, and equity into these companies, which has driven billions of dollars of value creation, jobs and climate solutions globally. New Energy Nexus now has offices in 12 countries, with a team of more than 150.

“Danny Kennedy’s vision and passion to accelerate the drive and reach of global clean energy entrepreneurs has succeeded well beyond our expectations,” said Julie Blunden, Chair of the Board. “His leadership of our outstanding global team supporting clean energy entrepreneurs from the Philippines to Uganda and California to India has created lasting impact, incubating businesses and accelerating them to drive climate solutions around the world.”

“New Energy Nexus is ready for the next stage of growth and impact,” said Danny Kennedy, New Energy Nexus CEO. “I have been incredibly lucky to work with 150 amazing champions of climate solutions as their Chief Energy Officer across New Energy Nexus. My heroes are this team and the thousands of entrepreneurs we seek to support, who are driving deployment of  solar, wind and batteries and doing the hard work of electrifying everything.”

“Launching the Clean Fight in New York; partnering with Tsinghua University in China to start the Energy Internet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center in Chengdu; building Third Derivative with RMI; hosting New Energy Nexus’ ReSpark Festivals in Indonesia; and launching our recent COP28 Accelerator and program in the UAE – all these milestones and more will be hard to beat in my professional career,” said Kennedy. “It is now time for a new leader to take the organization to the next level. I cannot wait to see what New Energy Nexus achieves next as I move into my next phase of leveraging innovation for climate solutions.”

“New Energy Nexus enables clean energy entrepreneurs and their technologies, solutions, and businesses to benefit the entire planet, with a focus on programs to attract underrepresented entrepreneurs,” said Blunden. “Replacing Danny Kennedy will be a challenge, and we will seek diverse candidates globally that have expertise aligned with our intersection of not-for-profit management and entrepreneurship.”

A Californian-born Australian, Kennedy has been working for climate and energy solutions since the 1980s. He served in senior roles at Greenpeace and other nonprofits before a successful career as a solar entrepreneur, helping to start several companies including Sungevity, Mosaic, Powerhouse, Sunergise, Powerhive and Solar Philippines.

5 December 2023, Abu Dhabi – New Energy Nexus (NEX) today announces new opportunities for climate tech startups to grow in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

New Energy Nexus is the Program Operator for Hub71’s new program to support early stage climate tech companies from around the world, and is partnering with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to help growth and later stage climate tech companies set up and land in Abu Dhabi.

Danny Kennedy, CEO at New Energy Nexus, said: “One thing we’ve learnt from building entrepreneur support ecosystems in 12 countries for nearly 20 years is that good ideas and talk are not enough. We need capital, talent and demand. Diverse entrepreneurs are essential elements to the clean energy transition due to their ability to innovate quickly, disrupt industries, and launch and scale rapidly. And for its part, the UAE is a good place for clean energy startups to land and to find capital; as well as mentors, partners and customers. With ADIO and HUB71, we have well established partners to support startups around the world to access this huge potential and accelerate climate solutions across the region.”

Jamie Levy, Senior Advisor at ADIO, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be working with COP28 to host the New Energy Nexus COP28 Climate Tech Startup Accelerator to support 100 global climate tech startups. We’re attracting the world’s leading climate tech companies to Abu Dhabi to benefit from the Emirate’s positive and enabling investment environment. We empower companies by accelerating their growth, amplifying their impact and providing access to strategic opportunities across key markets and sectors.”

Ahmad Ali Alwan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hub71, said: “As the world demands urgent climate action, we recognize the future hinges on innovative solutions. Startups are at the forefront of harnessing breakthrough technologies, so we created Hub71+ ClimateTech. This collaborative ecosystem offers a platform for climate innovators to thrive, with the support of world-class partners committing substantial capital and expertise. ClimateTech is not just a pathway to decarbonization but offers a solid foundation to contribute to a sustainable future for our planet. We are not only investing in the success of environmentally focused entrepreneurs but collectively empowering ClimateTech startups to scale globally from Abu Dhabi while making a positive impact that will further promote a net zero future.”

With ADIO, New Energy Nexus aims to strengthen capacity building of startups and increase their access to capital, strategic investors and the wider Abu Dhabi ecosystem.

Hub71 has launched with several partners a program called Hub71+ ClimateTech of which NEX is an implementing partner. Other partners of Hub71+ ClimateTech have committed over AED12 million (US$3.26 million) in 2024 to support the growth of climate tech startups, which will be able to leverage the knowledge and expertise of more than 25 corporate and investment partners and policymakers. This access will enable startups to explore commercial opportunities and tap into venture capital partners and investors looking to make impactful investments in climate tech.

Startups will also enroll in a customized and sector-specific three-month course to receive expert mentorship, tailored advice and critical support. Additionally, the supporting partners will collaborate to explore the future of climate tech, funding availability for climate ventures and pathways for startups to play a more significant role in the journey to Net Zero.

About Hub71

Hub71 is Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem that enables founders to build globally enduring homegrown tech companies in any sector by providing access to global markets, a capital ecosystem, a global network of partners, and a vibrant community filled with highly skilled talent, governed by forward-thinking regulation.

Backed by the Government of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Investment Company, Hub71 is growing its vibrant community of tech startups, investors, government, and corporate partners to ensure the availability of investment, commercial activities, and incentives from the public and private sectors. Through Hub71’s entrepreneurial infrastructure, value-add programs, enabling services and support packages, founders can build and scale widely adopted technologies with purpose and impact. Hub71 is on a mission to introduce new minds and technologies to Abu Dhabi, finding new ways to build globally enduring technology companies and sustain the nation’s continuous economic development.

For more information visit www.hub71.com and follow us on @Hub71AD #Hub71.

About Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO)

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) enables local, regional and international investors to thrive and grow in the UAE capital through its close collaboration with government partners, sovereign investors, and national champions. ADIO is Abu Dhabi’s premier platform that empowers the private sector to grow, partner and compete globally by providing access to growth opportunities, strategic partnerships and new markets across key sectors that range from real estate and infrastructure, to industries and agribusiness, enhancing the nation’s investment in talent, innovation and sustainability.

With a growing network of global offices, investors can contact ADIO by visiting its head office in Abu Dhabi or international offices located in Beijing, Frankfurt, London, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Seoul, and Tel Aviv.

Visit https://www.investinabudhabi.gov.ae for more information.