London, 6 October 2022 – Audible, a world-wide leader of spoken-word entertainment, has today announced the return of Climate of Change with Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy (CEO of New Energy Nexus), as the long-term friends explore anxiety and optimism in the face of the climate crisis for a second series, launched today.

The podcast follows the pair – award-winning actor, producer and environmental advocate, Cate Blanchett and climate entrepreneur and activist, Danny Kennedy – as they speak directly to visionaries and trendsetters who are making innovative strides to turn the tide on climate change.

Across six new episodes, the duo delves into a fresh round of eye-opening topics, with Series 2 travelling to a Jordanian refugee camp where its first solar plant is revolutionising the lives of its inhabitants, to Delhi, where electric rickshaws are dramatically reducing the bustling city’s pollution, and to Northern Australia, where indigenous know-how is transforming fire management.

Following hot on the heels of the first series that welcomed HRH The Prince of Wales, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson and director Adam McKay, Series 2 will welcome renowned special guests* such as the diplomat and climate change leader Christiana Figures, environmentalist and activist Bill McKibben, anthropologist Tim Ingold and author Lucy Siegle (Turning the Tide on Plastic), alongside people on the ground who are transforming lives through their innovations.

Co-hosts and co-creators of Climate of Change, Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy, said: “So much has happened since we first recorded the first season of Climate of Change, but what remains consistent is the relentless march of clean energy solutions. Nearly US$1 trillion has now been invested in climate tech and the clean energy transition, and one of the challenges will be making sure that the 770 million people without electricity are not left out of this transition. That’s why we need more innovators from all corners of the world to be part of this movement. From Uganda to Australia, this season of Climate of Change will fill you with hope that it’s possible and point you in the direction we need to move the world towards.”

Those captivated by the podcast may be interested to hear that companion podcast, Reflections on Change, is also available now. Featuring compositions originally created as the soundtrack to Series 1 of Climate of Change, Reflections on Change takes wildlife and environmental sounds hand-picked by filmmaker and biologist Dan O’Neill and turns them into a musical landscape through the skilled hands of Grammy award winner Imogen Heap.

Reflections on Change carries an impactful message and hopes to provide an immersive space for audiophiles to do just that – reflect – as its creators compel audiences to appreciate the variety and magnificence of the environmental sounds at risk from climate change.

Both Audible Originals, Climate of Change with Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy Series 2 and Reflections on Change are available from Thursday 6th October, exclusively on Audible.* See full list of contributors to Series 2 in the notes to Editors.

— ENDS —

For further information please contact:

Camilla Mosley, for Audible cammosc@audible.co.uk

Climate of Change with Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy Episode Descriptions

Episode 1: In a “Persistence of Positivity” Canny and Cate hear from Christiana Figueres on why she is a “stubborn optimist”, anthropologist Tim Ingold on how everything is connected, and we go to Northern Australia to hear how indigenous know-how is transforming fire management.

Episode 2: In ‘A Mayhem of Cars’ Danny discovers he is rather good at imitating the sound of a horse while Cate consults her book on collective nouns for inspiration as the duo delve into the world of transport and look at how we are going to be getting around in the future. They find out about electric rickshaws in Delhi and all about India’s first solar ferry. How parents and school kids in Barcelona are taking over the streets and they discover the first city in the world where all the public transport is already electric.

Episode 3: In ‘Fire in a Wire’ Cate and Danny discover how simple and straightforward it can be to provide clean, green energy to everyone. In Nigeria the answer is to use solar and batteries to power generators. Another innovator is helping remote communities in Cambodia who aren’t even connected to the grid. And the first solar plant is built in a refugee camp in Jordan revolutionizing the lives of those now living there.

Episode 4: In ‘The Buffalo in the Room’ Cate and Danny address the climate question that nobody ever seems to talk about – how do we pay for the fossil free future we need today? The answers are surprising. Professor Eric Beinhocker explains why we could all be richer

if we switch quickly. Find out how to own your own wind farm and how small loans can create huge change.

Episode 5: One word can really cause Cate to explode in fury – plastic. We find out how to tackle the scourge of the planet and how decreasing plastic production would also dramatically reduce emissions from fossil fuels. Two big problems with some very clever solutions. Refill deliveries from Chilean start-up Algramo, Econyl fabric made from the nylon nets and fishing gear left in our oceans and two activists on a mission to stop cucumbers or anything else being wrapped in pointless plastic.

Episode 6: ‘Is Anyone Listening’ is the final episode and Cate and Danny are on fire. Leading activist Bill McKibben gives us reasons to hope in dark times, Professor Saleemul Huq offers proof that we can adapt to a changing climate from Bangladesh and Oluwadabira Abiole-Awe brings positive energy and innovation from the youth movement now working on climate solutions. All the hope you can handle in real world technicolour… hopefully.

Climate of Change series 2 guest list and contributors:

• Christiana Figueres – Diplomat, climate change leader and member of the Earthshot Committee – Costa Rica
• Tim Ingold – Social anthropologist – Aberdeen
• Dean Yibarbuk – Warddeken Land Management, helps develop and deliver carbon projects through savanna fire management – Northern Australia
• Terrah Guymala – Ranger with Wardekken Land Management – Northern Australia
• Shaun Ansell – CEO of Wardekken Land Management– Northern Australia
• Anna Boustead – coordinator of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network
• Mireia Boix – co- founder of Bicibus the “Bike Bus”- Barcelona
• Silvia Valero – expert in sustainable mobility with Barcelona Metropolitan government
• Rupinder Singh – drives e-rickshaw – Delhi
• Palash Roy Chowdhury – SmartE co-founder/MD electrifying India’s iconic three-wheeler
• Sandith Thandassery – founder/CEO of NavAlt solar/electric boats – Kochi
• Mia Gu – works at BYD in Shenzhen where all public transport are EVs (16,000 buses, 22,000 Taxis) – China
• Ugwem Eneyo – Engineer, inventor, and entrepreneur at Shyft Power – Nigeria
• Rebekah Shirley – Director of Research, data & innovation, at World Resource Institute – Sub Saharan Africa
• Afnan Hannan – delivering electricity to rural households with Okra Solar – Cambodia
• Andrew Harper – UNHCR Special Advisor Climate Action
• Dave Mozersky – Energy Peace Partners, energy credits support those affected by climate
• Professor Eric Beinhocker – Professor of Public Policy Practice, University of Oxford
• Sarah Merrick – CEO Ripple Energy – Wales
• Simon Peltonberg – Chief Project Office, Ripple Energy – Wales
• Mackline Banaga – incubator and accelerator for sustainable clean energy enterprises at New Energy Nexus – Uganda
• Rosemary Nakasanga – Women’s Support Initiative assisting women with microfinance
• Lucy Siegle – Author of ‘Turning the Tide on Plastic’
• Delphine Levi Alvares – Explains how plastic impacts climate at every level from production to disposal
• Guilio Bonazzi – CEO of Econyl that use regenerated nylon made entirely from ocean and landfill waste – Italy
• Fred Nunn – Volunteer diver at Ghostfishing – UK
• Jose Manuel Moller – Algramo CEO creating a refillable solution for all our basics groceries – Chile
• Cristobal Underraga – demonstrates Algarmo delivery system – Chile.
• Bill McKibben – author, educator, environmentalist written extensively on the impact of global warming and Co-founder of 350.org
• David Harland – Eden Project CEO innovating tech promote biodiversity and
  Education – UK
• Gus Grand – Eden GeoThermal Executive Director a company trailing tech to heat and power the biomes – UK
• Professor Saleemul Huq – Director of the International Centre for Climate Change & Development – Bangladesh
• Qasa Alom – BBC Asian Network Correspondent – UK
• Oluwadabira Abiola-Awe – Student Energy representative discussing the energy of the global youth movement.

About Audible

Audible, an Amazon company, is a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day.  Audible.co.uk content includes more than 700,000 audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. Audible has millions of members around the world who subscribe to one of 10 localised services designed for customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. Audible members download nearly 4 billion hours of content annually and listen across a wide range of supported devices.

About Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, Academy award-winning actor, producer, artistic director, and humanitarian. She is a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and a lifetime member of the Australian Conservation Foundation. Blanchett is also a strong supporter of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and received a Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos for her work with UNHCR. In 2012, Blanchett was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture. She has presided over the festival juries in Cannes (2018) and Venice (2020). She has received Honorary Doctorates of Letters from the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, and Macquarie University as well as the Companion of the Order of Australia in the General Division in recognition of her continued advocacy for the arts as well as humanitarian and environmental causes. Blanchett plays the titular role and executive produces Todd Field’s highly anticipated feature film “TÁR,” which marks the writer-director-producer’s first film in over 15 years. This fall, Blanchett will appear in Guillermo Del Toro’s latest film, “PINOCCHIO,” and the mockumentary hit series “Documentary Now!” She will also begin production in Australia on Warwick Thornton’s “The New Boy,” in which she stars and produces via her production company Dirty Films. She most recently wrapped production on “Disclaimer,” directed by Alfonso Cuaron, in which she also stars and executive produces.

About Danny Kennedy 

Danny Kennedy is the CEO of New Energy Nexus (NEX), the world’s leading ecosystem of funds and accelerators supporting clean energy entrepreneurs. NEX started in Silicon Valley and now runs programs in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and the USA. Since 2004, it has accelerated over 600 clean energy startups, supported over 3000 entrepreneurs, and mobilised over US$1.5 billion in investment. Danny is also an advisor to clean energy companies in Australia, China, Kenya, the Philippines, USA and elsewhere. Danny co-founded Sungevity, a solar pioneer in 2007, was the first backer of a now US$6 billion solar loan provider Mosaic in 2011, as well as an author of a book on rooftop solar. He speaks regularly to media and at major conferences and is co-host of a forthcoming podcast on Audible.

New program will be essential in meeting New York State’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85 Percent by 2050

New York, October 4, 2022 — The Clean Fight today announced that it has been named the program administrator of the $10 million Empire Technology Prize (ETP) program by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The Clean Fight will lead the management and co-creation of the Empire Technology Prize, a challenge focused on advancing the decarbonization of tall buildings across New York State, working in partnership with RMI, an independent nonprofit dedicated to transforming global energy systems through market-driven solutions. The team will select a flagship partner to co-fund and co-present the prize, and with NYSERDA collectively create a blueprint for decarbonizing cold-climate buildings around the world.

New York city skyline (Manhattan)

Focusing on New York’s buildings, which are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in New York State and are responsible for one third of annual emissions statewide, the program will identify, support, and scale the best high-growth solutions to help achieve carbon-neutrality in existing multifamily buildings at least seven stories high or commercial buildings at least 15 stories high. The prize will be a combination of business acceleration support and $10 million in monetary awards to advance low carbon retrofit approaches that will help rapidly achieve New York State’s nation-leading climate agenda.

“At NYSERDA, we are dedicated to working with global innovators to advance Governor Hochul’s ambitious building decarbonization goals in alignment with New York’s Climate Act,” said John Lochner, Vice President of Innovation at NYSERDA. “We look forward to collaborating with The Clean Fight as we launch the Empire Technology Prize, a program we’re confident will accelerate innovation and give entrepreneurs yet another reason to grow and scale their ventures in New York State.”

“Buildings are responsible for approximately a third of global greenhouse house gas emissions. If we don’t decarbonize buildings, we don’t solve the climate crisis. And where better to start than in New York,” said The Clean Fight Managing Director Kate Frucher. “We are proud to serve as the program administrator and partner with RMI on this necessarily bold and ambitious initiative from NYSERDA that has the potential to radically and equitably enhance the sustainability and resilience of New York’s real estate infrastructure, at speed.”

Critical to the success of the program is ensuring the prize is focused on solutions that meet gaps in the market with the greatest demand and emissions impact. The program will build on the market insight from the successful Empire Building Challenge, a public-private partnership designed to accelerate economic growth through the resource efficient decarbonization of tall buildings. The team will also be soliciting insight from the real estate and investment community to identify the most impactful areas of focus. To share your opinion, please visit www.thecleanfight.com/etp

“Achieving New York’s ambitious energy and climate goals requires massive decarbonization of tall and complex buildings that are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. NYSERDA’s Empire Technology Prize will jumpstart the market for Resource Efficient Decarbonization solutions and help rapidly and equitably scale integrative energy-saving technologies and services, drawing from both global state-of-the-art innovations and from homegrown entrepreneurship. RMI is thrilled to support NYSERDA and The Clean Fight in writing the next chapter of our combined history of innovative programs, prizes and accelerators and solve one of the most important climate challenges of our time.” said Stephanie Greene, Managing Director of Carbon-Free Buildings, RMI.

The Clean Fight was selected through a competitive application request. Proposals were evaluated on the basis of the applicant’s past track record of creating successful corporate challenges with activities including global recruitment, industry-focused convening, business acceleration support, strategic partnership facilitation, and leveraging private dollars.

The Empire Technology Prize program is supported through NYSERDA’s Innovation program which helps early-stage companies with technical assistance and business development resources through entrepreneurial support, and manufacturing scale-up. Applications to participate in the prize program will open in 2023.

Learn more about Empire Technology Prize at thecleanfight.com/etp, or contact Molly Dee-Ramasamy, technical consultant for the Empire Technology Prize program, at molly.deeramasamy@nyserda.ny.gov.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a flagship partner or partnership opportunities, contact Sagal Abshir: Sagal@thecleanfight.com

About The Clean Fight

The Clean Fight is a not-for-profit climate tech organization, powered by New Energy Nexus, designed to help the world’s best growth-stage startups significantly scale their business in New York State, while boosting economic opportunity and job creation for all. The core accelerator program is supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and an EPIC award grant from the Department of Energy. The Clean Fight is also a member of the winning coalition New Energy New York, who were awarded $113M as part of the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Regional Challenge. www.thecleanfight.com

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing. www.rmi.org

Media Contact

Phil Chinitz

BerlinRosen

cleanfight@berlinrosen.com

Sydney, 28 September 2022 – Supercharge Australia, a new initiative that aims to develop an ecosystem in Australia to support lithium battery innovation and capture more of the lithium value chain, launches today, backed by Boundless. This follows the recent Clean Energy Demand Initiative between the US and Australia, which aims to unlock  to unlock up to $US2.8 billion in funding for Australia’s clean energy sector, and the Australia–United States Net-Zero Technology Acceleration Partnership signed in July 2022. 

EnergyLab’s Megan Fisher (left) and NEX’s Danny Kennedy (right). Image: EnergyLab

Supercharge Australia is the first initiative of the recently announced partnership between global clean energy startup accelerator New Energy Nexus, and Australia and New Zealand’s largest climate tech startup accelerator EnergyLab.

Despite producing almost 60% of the world’s lithium, Australia retains less than 1% of the US$200 billion and rising annual product value, with 98% of the lithium mined in Australia being refined overseas.

“Australia can become a leader in lithium battery technology, from sourcing to advanced battery and EV manufacturing, and capture massive market opportunities as the world electrifies. But to do this, we need much more activity across all phases of the lithium battery value chain, and this requires more investment and more startups to meet the innovation challenge,” said Kirk McDonald, Project Manager of Supercharge Australia.

Supercharge Australia will bring the industry together to understand where innovation is required and leverage New Energy Nexus’ global expertise, including its role in the US Department of Energy’s Lithium Bridge project to accelerate the development of a robust and secure domestic supply chain for lithium-based batteries. EnergyLab’s Australian cleantech startup ecosystem experience and connections will be applied to establish a lithium battery  innovation challenge in early 2023, and to support Australian startups with expansion to international markets. Another critical element is ensuring Australia builds equity into the innovation ecosystem – recruiting diverse entrepreneurs and ensuring benefits flow to impacted communities and those traditionally excluded from the fossil fuel boom of last century.

There are already several startups in the Australian lithium battery value chain that are ready to scale [1].

Kirk McDonald, Project Manager for Supercharge Australia at the Battery GigaFactories APAC conference in Perth, Australia.

Roev is focused on providing energy-smart electric utes to Australia, with fully integrated conversions today and a locally built electric ute in the future. We support the work of Supercharge and see local battery supply as a key driver for sustainable growth in our business and the broader EV industry in Australia,” said Noah Wasmer, CEO of Roev. 

“EnergyLab has supported startups focused on clean energy and climate tech since 2017, Supercharge Australia means we can provide support and focus on the startups innovating in the lithium battery value chain. Australia is well positioned to capture the full value of the battery and electrification revolution. If you’re an aspiring founder, a startup, an investor, an expert, an industry player in this space and want to see growth supercharged then get involved,” said Megan Fisher, CEO EnergyLab.

“Supercharge will pave the groundwork for a battery manufacturing industry that Australia is well-placed to develop. An industry that can create quality jobs, income and carbon benefits for Australia,” said Eytan Lenko, CEO of Boundless.

“We call all Australian startups along the lithium battery value chain to massively grow Australia and the world’s most carbon-efficient and cost-effective lithium battery industry. If Australia can produce more throughout the lithium battery value chain, faster, cheaper, better, then that’s good news for the global climate, and Australia’s economy,” said Danny Kennedy, CEO of New Energy Nexus and Managing Director of the California Clean Energy Fund.

Kirk McDonald, Project Manager for Supercharge Australia, joined a panel session on “Aligning critical mineral supply chains with finance and government policy” at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s inaugural Battery Gigafactories Asia-Pacific Conference in Perth today.

Join Supercharge Australia at: energylab.org.au/programs/supercharge-australia 

About EnergyLab: 

EnergyLab is Australia and New Zealand’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation network dedicated to reaching net zero emissions. With over 140 alumni supported through its programs, EnergyLab connects talented founders to the mentors, advisors, partners, peers and investors they need to succeed. EnergyLab programs include the Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship building the next generation of women founders; the Climate Solutions Accelerator; the Scale Up Program for later stage clean energy startups; and a climate focused angel investor network.

Notes to editor:

[1] Other startups in Australia in the lithium battery value chain include Calix, which has has developed a pilot plant with Pilbara Minerals to decarbonise and increase recovery efficiency of lithium salts from hard-rock ore in the Pilbara; Magnis has begun producing lithium ion battery cells in New York State and seeks to replicate their efforts with a new gigafactory in Townsville; Energy Renaissance is making Australian conditions-optimised lithium batteries in Tomago; Novalith has a novel CO2-based lithium recovery technology and Sicona a world-leading silicon graphite composite anode and polymer binder technology they are taking to the world from Wollongong; Janus Electric seeks to retrofit prime-movers and build large-scale, grid-supporting battery swap stations from their headquarters in Berkeley Vale; Sustainable Lithium Cells Australia refurbishes lithium battery packs in Brisbane removing them from the waste stream and extending their useful life; and Envirostream operates Australia’s first onshore, mixed-battery recycling facility in Laverton North.

17 August 2022, Sacramento, USA – An additional US$11 million in EPIC funding was approved by the California Energy Commission to extend the term of the California Test Bed (CalTestBed) initiative into 2026, a highly successful public-private partnership led by New Energy Nexus, and implemented in partnership with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab). 

CalTestBed is supported by the California Energy Commission (CEC) with Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) funds. The Initiative provides early to mid-stage clean energy innovators access to world-class testing at one of more than 70 participating facilities at 9 University of California (UC) campuses and LBL. Entrepreneurs gain the opportunity to gather valuable data about their prototypes, advancing the technology’s path toward commercialization.

Vouchers of up to US$300,000 have been awarded to 40 competitively selected companies in two cohorts, and a third application submission window is open until 19 August 2022. CEC’s extension of this program allows for the funding of the third and fourth cohorts, enabling an additional 40 to 50 companies to benefit from the program. The extension will also fund ancillary program activities such as a national symposia.

Companies participating in the program have been applauded for substantial successes. A conservative accounting of CalTestBed’s cohort one companies shows nearly US$300 million in follow-on funding, and the creation of nearly 250 new jobs. Such achievements are attributable to the excellence of the clean energy innovations, the grit and determination of the founders, and a robust pipeline of support from the ecosystem of accelerators and incubators, research facilities and strategic programs such as CalSEED, CalTestBed, BRIDGE and RAMP curated by the CEC with EPIC funds.

Molly O’Hagan, the CEC contracts and agreements manager for CalTestBed, presented the case for approving the CalTestBed extension. She highlighted the program benefits to California ratepayers which include accelerating commercialization for clean energy technologies, lowering technology costs, and supporting economic development. She also mentioned the Entrepreneur Directory, CalTestBed Facilities Directory, and national CalTestBed symposia as valuable resources produced from this effort.

Tenley Dalstrom, Director of the CalTestBed program, spoke in support of the extension stating that the implementation team has “expanded the number of lab facilities available from 28 at the program’s inception to 73 at present. The program is providing significant benefits for our voucher recipient companies, California ratepayers, and is contributing to the state’s goals of furthering a just transition to a clean energy economy.”

Randi Jenkins, speaking on behalf of UCOP and the participating UC campuses, stated that CalTestBed is “accelerating some of California’s most promising early-stage clean energy technologies on the pathway to successful commercialization” in addition to “optimizing the efficient use of sought-after equipment and specialized facilities at our campuses” and “providing opportunities to graduate students to gain practical testing experience and interface with flourishing entrepreneurs.”

This illustrates the “win-win” outcome of this public-private partnership: the largest public university system in the world advancing the goals of the leading state agency in climate change mitigation while promoting individual small businesses and simultaneously providing training and education to the future workforce.

Alecia Ward, a representative of Berkeley Lab, noted that the team that developed and implemented the CalTestBed Program received the 2021 Outstanding Partnership Award from the Far West Region of the Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC). She concluded her remarks by saying “CalTestBed, and the CEC’s leadership in building out this clean energy ecosystem, advances federal clean energy goals and Berkeley Lab supports the full cost extension of the program.”

The CalTestBed Initiative has garnered both national and international attention for its effectiveness, structure, and intention of accelerating clean energy innovations to the marketplace while maximizing the environmental, economic, and social impacts for communities throughout the state.

Applications are currently open until 19 August for CalTestBed’s third cohort. Information and the application link can be found at www.calstestbed.com

EnergyLab’s Megan Fisher (second from right) and NEX’s Danny Kennedy (centre) with the team from Infravision. Image: EnergyLab

Melbourne, 14 June 2022 – The Australian climate startup ecosystem is receiving a boost following the announcement today of a new international partnership between EnergyLab, which is Australia and New Zealand’s largest climate tech startup accelerator, and New Energy Nexus (NEX), the world’s leading clean energy accelerator.

The partnership will connect Australian startups to customers, capital, and resources in overseas markets that are critical for climate action, such as the USA, Southeast Asia, and India. It will also provide a pathway for overseas innovators to enter Australia, increasing the synergy of ideas and bringing more talent as Australia’s clean energy transition accelerates.

Megan Fisher, CEO at EnergyLab, said: “We are so excited to announce our partnership with New Energy Nexus. This collaboration will help us to create a systematic approach to supporting Australian entrepreneurs who want to explore and ultimately expand their startups internationally.

“We are also beyond proud to share with the global community the amazing startups that have played a role in building one of the most highly penetrated residential solar markets in the world.”

Danny Kennedy, CEO at New Energy Nexus, said: “We can’t wait to watch the magic happen as all these entrepreneurs are set loose on the US, Southeast Asian and Indian markets. The levels of experience and creativity evident in Australian offerings can help these regions to accelerate the mass adoption of clean distributed energy, of which Australia is an under-recognised leader.

“Politicians talked a lot about Australia being a clean energy superpower. These startups are doing it and New Energy Nexus is going to help EnergyLab take them to the world.”

Australia is the third biggest exporter of fossil fuels, but is also a clean energy innovation hub and a critical node in the global energy transition. It has the highest penetration of rooftop solar in “developed world” cities, has pioneering big batteries and renewable energy zones; a digitised electricity network, and a competitive electricity market. The products and services coming up in the Australian market will also have a wide range of applications overseas, from the refurbishment of America’s energy infrastructure, to energy end-use in emerging economies.

Partnering with NEX, which operates across 11 countries, will give startups in EnergyLabs’ portfolio a global reach unparalleled in Australia and the Pacific.

Over the last 12 months, EnergyLab and NEX have piloted the concept with Infravision, a startup that helps electric utilities accelerate power grid modernisation with drone enabled power line upgrades. Infravision had their eyes on the US market and were introduced to NEX while completing an EnergyLab startup program in 2021. NEX has since facilitated connections for Infravision to major investors and partners to support their entry into the North American transmission and distribution upgrade market.

Chris Cox, Co-Founder and Director of Infravision, said: “We have benefited greatly from New Energy Nexus’ support, landing on an approved vendor list for a major North American utility and securing financial backing to help us enter the international market all based on our track record of success in Australia.”

About EnergyLab:
EnergyLab is Australia and New Zealand’s largest climate tech startup accelerator and innovation network dedicated to reaching net zero emissions. With over 200 alumni supported through its programs, EnergyLab connects talented founders to the mentors, advisors, partners, peers and investors they need to succeed. EnergyLab programs include the Women in Climate and Energy Fellowship building the next generation of women founders; the Climate Solutions Accelerator; the Scale Up Program for later stage clean energy startups and a climate focused angel investor network.

Notes to editor:

Please find a link to photos and a link to video announcement

Bangkok, 14 June 2022 – True Digital Park in partnership with New Energy Nexus (Thailand) announces the launch of a program to support decarbonization according to the National Energy Plan 2022 called ‘Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox’ (DTS). This program facilitates five industry leading corporations to  engage with climate tech startups in a 3-month Sandbox pilot project. The program will help climate tech startups and corporate partners to accelerate their collaboration and knowledge exchange, while also supporting the national goal of reaching Net Zero emissions and accelerating a decarbonized economy.

Dr. Tarit Nimmanwudipong, General Manager of True Digital Park (TDPK) says that TDPK, the biggest tech and startup hub in ASEAN, has partnered with New Energy Nexus (Thailand) to help local and international startups strengthen decarbonization businesses. From this collaboration comes the ‘Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox’ – a space giving the opportunity for startups to connect and collaborate with experts from different industries. They can meet with mentors to adjust and develop specific solutions for targeted high-emitting industries, as well as learn from  experts and expand their network.

The project is supported by B.Grimm Power, C.P. Group, IRPC, PTT and True Corporation. Interested startups can apply.

“Following PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s announcement that Thailand will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and Net Zero by 2065 after joining COP26, we have seen several organizations declaring similar goals in reducing emissions. At the same time, we feel there is a lack of activities in the business sector to work together and support investment in innovation to build technology, people and startups. It is crucial that we create a collaborative platform to connect stakeholders within the industry and startup entrepreneurs with relevant technology in reducing carbon emission together.”

“The Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox is set to bring about a unique opportunity for both local and international startups in order for them to expand business opportunities and increase sustainability for high-emitting industries in Thailand. They will be supported by industrial experts and mentors from the New Energy Nexus Ecosystem who will be sharing their knowledge and experience. The teams selected from the Startup Selection Event will be partnered with Thailand’s leading organizations and work closely together in the Startup Sandbox for 3 months. Corporates will have the opportunity to engage and support startups relevant to the challenges they are facing, while startups will be able to gain insights into the Thai market, test their business feasibility in the Thai context, backed by a corporate. ”Those interested can join as a team, whether from companies, startups or as individuals. The requirement would be to support the private sector in mitigating industrial carbon to achieve Net Zero in Thailand, together with the selected corporates and readiness to explore the Thai market” said Dr.Tarit

Mr. Stanley Ng, Program Director at New Energy Nexus (Thailand) stated:“New Energy Nexus’ mission is to support innovations in climate and energy. Since 2004 we have impacted thousands of entrepreneurs and leveraged over 1.5B USD in investment into these startups. Decarbonization is a huge economic opportunity for both climate startups and industry leaders. With the Decarbonize Thailand Sandbox, we want to support these leaders to realize their decarbonization goals while building a healthy ecosystem of climate startups in Thailand.”

The Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox program will proceed as follows:

1. Startup Selection & Pitch Event: On July 16-17, 2022, Thai and international startups are welcomed to engage industry experts and present their technology solutions for a chance to match with partner organizations and join the DTS Startup Sandbox in the next phase.

2. Startup Sandbox Phase: From August 1 – October 31, 2022, the Startup Sandbox phase will be the time where paired startup-corporate teams work on developing their proof of concept of their solution in decarbonizing the business and industrial sector together. During these 3 months, startups will receive support  in the form of  resources to work such as masterclass workshops, consultations with corporate mentors and experts in an optional provided workspace.

3. DTS Symposium: This will take place in November 2022. The symposium will feature conferences and activities to build collaboration between startups, public and  private sectors, leading organizations from different industries, researchers, economists and individuals within the climate and innovation field. The aim is to discuss the challenges, opportunities and future of Thailand in the face of climate change and the transition to a low carbon economy.

Mr. Ng concluded that in addition to providing an opportunity to match with the country’s leading corporations to expand their business opportunities, startups that participate in the Decarbonize Thailand Startup Sandbox will also receive several other benefits such as workshops and access to international experts, as well as receiving insights from corporate mentors who will assist startups to customize  solutions for potential proof of concepts. Furthermore, New Energy Nexus has a network of mentors who will provide consultation in developing successful projects in clean energy and decarbonization. They will support Thai startups to gain access to investment opportunities, and advise on growth and expansion.

30 clean energy startups were selected to receive funding of either US$150,000 for their concepts or US$450,000 for their prototypes.

Oakland, CA 11 May 2022 – The California Sustainable Energy Entrepreneur Development (CalSEED) program is thrilled to announce that two new cohorts of Concept and Prototype awards have been approved by the California Energy Commission (CEC).

For the Concept award, 23 companies out of 166 were selected to receive grants of US$150,000 each. For the Prototype award, 7 companies out of 22 were selected to receive another $450,000 to continue to develop their breakthrough technologies. In total US$6.6M of CEC EPIC funds will be invested in clean energy innovations throughout California.

“We are grateful to the CEC’s visionary leadership and partnership in supporting early-stage energy innovators with critical and timely funding,” said Denise Rushing, Managing Director of California, New Energy Nexus. “The 30 companies gaveled in today represent the diversity of California and our state’s mission to prioritize energy solutions that accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy for everyone.”

Concept awardees went through a rigorous process including a review with CalSEED’s curated review committee, who volunteered their time and expertise to select the most promising clean energy technologies of the future. CalSEED’s solicitation is designed as a call for early-stage clean energy innovations that fall within the following technology areas: energy efficiency, load modifying, energy storage, grid enhancements, renewable energy, electric vehicle charging and powertrain technologies, advanced technologies that enable
water savings.

CalSEED’s success is in supporting the best and boldest clean energy innovations while advancing equity and driving gender diversity into our programming.

“I am proud to say that the 30 companies selected today represent women and other diverse leaders amongst their CEOs, with at least 5 of the 23 concept awardees having women founders and/or women in leadership positions,” said Sarah Chester, Director of Grants Compliance, CalSEED. “This number is super impressive given the national average is that less than 2% of all tech startups have women founders nationwide. I am thrilled to begin working with these change makers who will be instrumental in advancing California’s transition to a clean energy future.”

While soliciting for CalSEED’s 5th Concept award cohort, the team also coordinated with Cleantech Open (CTO) to oversee the annual business plan competition. Eligible CalSEED Concept Awardees from cohort 3 and 4 participated in CTO’s accelerator program, where they receive tools and insights to develop a business plan that becomes the basis of the competition’s application package. The panel of judges was comprised of 19 members of the CalSEED Review Committee, representing expertise in start- ups, experience with industry-specific commercialization, and the ability to evaluate social and environmental impacts. The selected companies are focusing their efforts on solutions for batteries, storage, energy efficiency and renewable generation – areas that are critical to meeting California’s climate goals.

“CalSEED has provided entrepreneurs with the funds and resources they need to explore their innovative concepts,” said Josh Croft, Energy Deployment and Market Facilitation Officer of the CEC. “It’s exciting to imagine what the future of energy will be and how Californians will be a part of it.”

CalSEED is funded through the CEC’s EPIC program, which invests approximately US$120 million annually for innovative clean energy technologies and approaches benefiting the ratepayers of California’s three largest electric investor-owned utilities.

Details of the 23 companies awarded a total of US$3.45 million:

COHORT 5 CONCEPT AWARDEES

Aepnus Technology is developing an electrochemical technology platform that can convert lithium extracted from domestic ore and brine deposits into industrially relevant salts (e.g., for use in electric vehicles) using electricity instead of carbon-intensive reagent chemicals.

Aeromutable Corporation is developing a controller and sensor integration that will provide continuously optimized aerodynamic performance of heavy vehicles, reducing energy consumption, and improving safety for the trucking industry while increasing their profitability through improved electric tractor range.

Ariya is developing a low-cost battery for stationary energy storage using a solid-state polymer electrolyte that it has high ionic conductivity, enables the use of sodium (rather than the more expensive lithium), and simplifies manufacturing.

Benchmark Labs, Inc. is developing a forecasting system that will provide hourly and daily forecasts of evapotranspiration, temperature, and relative humidity so farm managers can make better-informed decisions regarding water and energy management at their specific locations of interest.

Climformatics Inc. is building a robust, localized climate and weather predictive tool for localized fire-weather forecasting that will help to predict, prepare, and protect the energy grid infrastructure, utilities, and consumers from future wildfires well ahead of time.

Community Energy Labs is developing a low-cost grid-interactive building control platform that autonomously optimizes energy, pricing, and comfort, without placing undue burden on controls professionals or building operators of K-12, municipal and small to mid-sized buildings to set up or maintain.

DarmokTech is developing a cell and packaging design to make solid-state batteries a viable replacement for conventional Li-ion technology for EVs and short-duration storage, with a design that could improve cycle-life, automate disassembly of cells for low-cost Direct Recycling, and reduce manufacturing steps and costs.

Discrete Lattice Industries LLC is developing a modular construction system for cellular building systems which offer significant cost and material savings through mass production and automation, while offering novel combinations of performance and sustainability.

Electric Fish is building a containerized-microgrid, integrating EV chargers with mini grid-scale batteries that can be charged at high-renewable-energy hours of the day to store clean energy – a single module that can support ultrafast charging but acts as a resource, rather than a liability for the grid.

Horizon PV Inc. is developing semitransparent organic solar panels for building-integrated photovoltaics that are flexible, can be laminated to glass surfaces or on walls, and will be capable of generating clean renewable electricity from solar windows in buildings and vehicles.

Kepler Energy Systems is building KE2, an energy storage and management pod that will control the collection, storage, and release of solar, wind, and grid energy onto private and public utility grids, creating grid resilience and safe resource dispatchability.

KorganoTech is developing an affordable filter that improves HVAC efficiency and kills airborne pathogens. It will be a highly effective air-filtration system that consumes less energy compared to other air-purification technologies that are being applied to combat spread of pathogens.

kWh Bot is engineering autonomous robotic EV chargers that will deliver charge to EVs automatically at any parking spot in the service area using Segway and NVidia tech that will navigate batteries to EVs, charge the vehicle, and later return the battery to the station.

Modilium is building a modular thermo-electric refrigeration unit with Peltier coolers which will be individually activated, depending on the total cooling needs, and thus enhancing energy efficiency, can be powered by renewable energy and is free from harmful refrigerant chemicals, while using water as the heat transfer fluid.

OmniFlow is developing a water and energy-saving irrigation device with superb anti clogging abilities and a lower cost advantage that will enable crop irrigation without the requirement of clean water or electricity, potentially making irrigation and reforestation in wildfire/drought ravaged areas easier with minimum labor.

Perch Sensing is building a distributed real-time monitoring and control system of low-cost distributed sensors that are “perched” upon utility infrastructures that will help utilities predict and prevent potential utility-based ignition events, more efficiently manage power flow during shutoffs, and increase the integration of micro-grids and distributed energy storage.

RCAM Technologies is developing 3D concrete printed Marine Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (MPH) pods that can integrate with California’s floating offshore wind farms to create offshore renewable hybrid energy systems.

HyVerde, LLC is designing a Hybrid Battery Management system that can be integrated in an electric vehicle to enable the combination of multiple types of battery chemistries and reduce temperature and charge variations across a battery, simultaneously equalizing battery capacity and temperature while also enabling hybridization with additional storage systems.

Rivieh, Inc. is building a smart building energy management system for residential buildings that will integrate a new sensor technology, millimeter-wave radar, within the form factor of light switches, which will allow a distributed autonomous controller to manage most of a building’s loads using existing infrastructure and without adding additional complexity or cost.

Solarflux Energy Technologies, Inc. is developing a solar thermal energy powered water desalination and purification system, which is a membrane distillation module optimized for use with a cost-effective solar thermal concentrator, providing a resilient, low-cost, zero-emission solution to water treatment for agriculture, industrial and municipal applications.

Summation Lab is developing a multi-stage gasifier system that transforms low-grade biomass, like wood chips and almond shells with high fines and moisture content, to renewable energy in the form of a fuel gas (syngas) and electricity that will help forestry, agricultural, industrial, and municipal entities manage their excess biomass more efficiently, improve access to renewable energy, and reduce GHG emissions.

TECSI Solar Inc. is developing Arcadia-SR, a solar panel for asphalt shingle roofs that integrates racking, flashing, hardware, and power electronics to a single SKU, installed using a single tool, removing variability in installation costs associated with array and roof complexity, resulting in solar installers spending less time training and get more installations done in a day.

Tyfast is developing a long lasting, solid-state battery cell with a novel anode material that allows for ultrafast charging without sacrificing safety and energy density, with the potential to enable full vehicle-to-grid (V2G) integration, ensure grid stability with the massive EV transition, increase renewables penetration, create new V2G business models, and lower the cost of EV ownership.

Details of the 7 companies awarded a total of US$3.15 million:

COHORT 4 PROTOTYPE AWARDEES

ALD Technical Solutions is developing a lightweight, long-lasting, and cost-effective structural composite reinforcement system which will be wrapped around existing transmission lines to increase power capacity, extend lifespan, decrease sag, and improve reliability and resiliency of grid infrastructure with NO downtime and minimal capital investment. The Composite WiRe WrapTM is a lightweight, high strength, long lasting, cost-effective composite reinforcement system, which withstands high temperature. The product can be installed fast and easily by our innovative robotic technology system and cured in-place around existing power lines.

Gridware is demonstrating a system of low-cost, solar-powered, sensor platforms, deployed across a distribution grid to provide real-time monitoring and fault anticipation. Gridware’s solution is centered around mechanical sensing that characterizes and monitors the behavior of the electric distribution system, as opposed to the traditional electrical monitoring that is currently employed by utilities. Mechanical monitoring can reveal weakening of the system as it ages, identify components that have loading beyond normal conditions, and indicate precursors to critical failures. This innovation aims to reduce the number of fault-induced wildfires as well as reduce the frequency and duration of outages and PSPSs.

Hago Energetics is going to demonstrate a technology that uses renewable energy to convert agricultural waste to green hydrogen for the transportation sector. This technology works by processing biogas generated from the manure waste into a novel chemical reactor that effects the conversion to hydrogen. It does not use massive amounts of electricity or natural gas to create green hydrogen and uses agricultural waste as raw material, so more carbon is taken out of the atmosphere than is produced by the process.

Leap Photovoltaics is developing a process to manufacture crystalline silicon solar cells without wafers. This additive manufacturing approach directly deposits a layer of silicon microparticles to a surface that absorb sunlight and convert it to electricity, achieving the same performance and reliability as traditional solar cells at half the cost using entirely local supply chains. This unique combination leaps the barriers of thin margins and supply chain disruptions and enables sustainable growth of solar manufacturing. Furthermore, this additive manufacturing process makes direct integration of solar energy generation with new products like vehicles and roofing materials easier, opening new markets for solar energy.

Parthian Energy is developing a new class of advanced battery sensors, with applications in quality control at manufacturing, ultrafast charging during operation, and evaluating second life capabilities. The Parthian Electromagnetic Sensor, or PES detects internal defects in lithium-ion battery cells, either during manufacturing or during operation, by evaluating the change in the battery’s electromagnetic signature. This reduces unnecessary scrap, enhances safety, and enables higher energy density cells to be deployed into EVs and Grid Storage with much less risk of thermal runaway. PES also provides cell makers with dramatic reductions in work-in process inventory, working capital costs, and facility costs. In addition, PES provides faster and lower cost battery Q.C., which drives shorter design cycles and faster time-to market.

RePurpose is developing a system that tests, reassembles, and redeploys used electric vehicle batteries to store solar energy, creating create lower-cost, more sustainable energy storage systems. The process begins by precisely measuring EV battery health in <90 seconds using machine learning. Then battery reassembly is optimized into new circuits to maximize safety, efficiency, and longevity. Finally, the batteries are equipped with proprietary controls and fire suppression systems. This allows for repurposing used EV batteries safely for 7-10 years in “second-life” energy storage systems at around half the cost of new battery alternatives.

Tolo Inc. is building a remote inspection platform for utility infrastructure using immersive photogrammetric imagery. Tolo pairs state-of- the-art cameras with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and collects thousands of detailed photos from every angle of a utility tower, capturing images at greater detail than what is visible to an inspector in the field. A novel software application, custom-built for utility inspectors, provides advanced tools and greater inspection freedom and flexibility than field inspection. The result is more accurate, sharable, monitorable inspections that drive better maintenance decisions, reduce utility-caused wildfires, and enhance grid reliability.

About CalSEED
CalSEED is funded through the CEC’s EPIC program which invests approximately US$120M annually for innovative clean energy technologies and approaches benefiting the ratepayers of California’s three largest electric investor-owned utilities. Through the CalSEED initiative US$25M will be deployed to back over 80 startups in coming years. CalSEED is administered
by New Energy Nexus. For more information, please go to calseed.fund

About the California Energy Commission

The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future. It has seven core responsibilities: developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, advancing state energy policy, certifying thermal power plants, and preparing for energy emergencies. For more information, please go to energy.gov.ca

HRH PRINCE WILLIAM, MARY ROBINSON, ADAM MCKAY, KATY MILKMAN, IMOGEN HEAP AND MORE JOIN THE LINE-UP FOR NEW AUDIBLE ORIGINAL PODCAST, CLIMATE OF CHANGE WITH CATE BLANCHETT AND DANNY KENNEDY

Launching today, the series showcases the ground-breaking work being done around the world to tackle the biggest environmental challenges facing humankind

LONDON – April, Thursday 14^th 2022 – Audible, a world-wide leader of spoken-word entertainment, has today announced a line-up of inspirational innovators, activists and thought leaders, including His Royal Highness Prince William, Mary Robinson, Adam McKay, Katy Milkman, Imogen Heap, Rutger Bregman, Jeraiza Molina, Agamemnon Otero, Becky Paisley and more, as part of the Audible Original podcast series, Climate of Change with Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy, launching exclusively on Audible today. 

Across six episodes, listeners will hear long-term friends, award-winning actor, producer and environmental advocate, Cate Blanchett and climate entrepreneur and activist, Danny Kennedy, explore eco-anxiety and optimism. Leaning into Danny’s experience in clean energy, the pair raise awareness of the emerging technological revolution that’s offering hope in the face of the unfolding climate crisis. Throughout the series, Cate and Danny speak directly to visionaries and trendsetters who are making innovative strides to turn the tide on climate change, from the Navajo Nation in Arizona to the Australian Outback.

Prince William joins Cate and Danny in Episode 2 “The Disruptive Decade” to give an exclusive update about his ambitious Earthshot Prize since the first winners were announced last year. Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s ‘Moonshot’, which united millions of people around the goal of reaching the moon, The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental Prize and platform to discover, accelerate and scale ground-breaking eco-solutions to repair and regenerate the planet. A special extended cut of Prince William’s interview in Episode 2 is available to listen to on YouTube where His Royal Highness discusses the positive innovations the Prize has already highlighted and the progress being made to support and scale their global impact. 

Joining the wider Climate of Change line-up of guests are other recognisable names, including Oscar-winning filmmaker Adam McKay (Don’t Look Up); Grammy award-winning electronic music artist Imogen Heap, who composed the soundtrack to the series alongside biologist, wildlife television presenter & documentary filmmaker Dan O’Neill; and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge, filmmaker and environmental and social justice activist Livia Firth. All three join Cate and Danny in the final episode of the series “Culture of Change”, which spotlights film and the wider arts, to ask how the industry can really make a difference through storytelling and beyond. 

Listeners can also expect to hear from some of today’s most important climate crisis thinkers, including social historian Rutger Bregman (Humankind: A Hopeful History), former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, and author and professor, Katy Milkman (Behaviour Change for Good). Climate of Change also travels to the Navajo Nation in Arizona to uncover how renewables are helping systematic problems in the region; to the Atacama Salt Flats in Chile, where lithium extraction is wreaking havoc; and to Australia where ground-breaking Drone Stringing technology is seeking to transform the lives of many without access to power. 

And when it comes to practical innovations on the ground, UK listeners will discover pioneering work being done on home soil, where initiatives in Sunderland and Cornwall have joined the frontline of the fight, thanks to the UK’s first Gigafactory and the reignition of sustainable mining for minerals used in rechargeable batteries. Providing insight and conversation that explores the psychological and the practical, Climate of Change celebrates the ground-breaking work being done across the globe.

Co-hosts and co-creators of Climate of Change, Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy said: “Climate innovations are disrupting how the world operates in incredible ways, but this progress is not yet fast enough, nor is it spread equally around the world. We already have a lot of the technology we need – like solar and batteries – to keep the world under 1.5˚C and stave off the worst impacts of climate change. What we need now are more climate innovators all around the world coming up with bundles of solutions and spreading them at speed. That’s why we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on some of these innovators in this podcast.”

The Audible Original podcast was created and produced by Dirty Films, in association with StoryHunter, for Audible. The podcast is available to listen to now exclusively at http://www.audible.co.uk/climateofchange 

For more information, please contact Camilla Mosley at Audible, cammosc@audible.co.uk 

Episode Descriptions

Episode 1: “The Sooner the Better” finds our hosts and long-time friends Cate Blanchett and Danny Kennedy talking about Cate’s eco-anxiety and we learn why Danny is ever-the-optimist. We get advice from former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson about how to become “prisoners of hope”.  Social historian Rutger Bregman tells us why we should be more positive about humankind and we travel to The Philippines to meet entrepreneur Jeraiza Molina who is bringing clean energy to night fisherfolk.

Episode 2: “The Disruptive Decade” Cate and Danny chat with HRH Prince William about his ambitious Earthshot Prize and hear about some of the ground-breaking solutions from the 2021 Earthshot Finalists and Winners. Other guests include economic thought leader and author Tony Seba and Agamemnon Otero, who is transforming communities and train platforms across London.

Episode 3: Cate and Danny explore the “Collective Urge” to harness the power of the sun over the ages. Navajo Power is using utility scale solar to give the Navajo Nation access to electricity and an economic future in their native lands.  We pick apart how solar energy generation may be a force for social good if we can embrace change.

Episode 4: In “Collective Action” Cate and Danny meet some of the innovators changing the way we use, move and store energy. And author and inventor Saul Griffith leads the call to ‘electrify everything’ in order to build back better.

Episode 5: Ever heard the phrase “Boring as Batteries”? Danny will attempt to convince Cate that batteries are the lynchpin of our future fairer planet, and at the heart of a global renewable revolution.

Episode 6:  Cate’s beloved film industry comes under the spotlight in “Culture of Change” as she and Danny delve into the role the creative arts play when telling the story of climate change. Can films, literature, art, fashion and music really make a difference? They speak to director Adam McKay (Don’t Look Up), artist Luke Jerram (Gaia), fashion activist Livia Firth and musician Imogen Heap.

Full series guest list and contributors:

• Mary Robinson – Former president of Ireland and currently Chair of Nelson Mandela’s “Elders” – Ireland
• Rutger Bregman – Social historian and author of Humankind: A Hopeful History – Netherlands
• Jeraiza Molina – Co-founder of Shiftech Marine, Philippines (NB English v/o to be re-recorded) – Mindanao
• Prince William – Earthshot Prize finalists and winner updates from:
  • Vidyut Mohan, Co-founder and CEO, Takachar (India)
  • Olugbenga Olubanjo, CEO, Reeddi (Nigeria)
  • Dr Katherine Dafforn, Co-leader, Living Seawalls (Australia)
• Tony Seba – thought leader, academic and author of Clean Disruption of Energy & Transportation
• Energy Gardens – tackling fuel poverty with renewables and democratizing the energy system – London
• Andrew Birch – Solar expert, founder of solar design software OpenSolar – Devon
• Navajo Power – Clean energy on tribal lands, SW USA
• Katy Milkman – Behavior Change for Good Initiative – Expert on the scientific methods could change behavior around climate crisis
• OhmConnect – Residential energy demand response company, California
• Infravision – Drone power line stringing, providing energy to hard-to-reach places, based in Australia 
• Renewell – Transforming abandoned oil wells and fracking sites across the US
• Saul Griffith – Thought leader, founder of Rewiring America and author of Electrify Everything, San Francisco
• Thea Riofrancas – Political science Professor, focusing on resource extraction in Chile
• Owen Mihalop, Cornish Mining – low impact mining 
• Becky Paisley, Cornish Lithium – extracting high grade lithium to fuel green tec
• Sunderland, Gigafactories – battery production at an enormous scale and job generation
• Kari Estrevag, Hydrovolt – Electric car battery recycling, Norway
• Imogen Heap – Music artist, composer and producer and created soundtrack for Climate of Change
• Dan O’Neill – Wildlife television presenter & documentary filmmaker
• Luke Jerram – Multi- disciplinary artist, creator of Gaia
• Livia Firth – Founder of the Green Carpet Challenge
• Adam McKay – Film director “Don’t Look Up”

About Audible

Audible, an Amazon company, is a leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, offering customers a new way to enhance and enrich their lives every day.  Audible.co.uk content includes more than 700,000 audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible Originals. Audible has millions of members around the world who subscribe to one of 10 localised services designed for customers in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Spain, the UK, and the US. Audible members download nearly 4 billion hours of content annually and listen across a wide range of supported devices.

About Dirty Films

Dirty Films is an independent film, television and podcast production company, whose partners are Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton and Coco Francini. The company has a first look deal with FX Productions for television projects, and with New Republic Pictures for feature films. Dirty Films executive produced Christos Nikou’s APPLES, which was named one of 2020’s Best International Films by the National Board of Review. It was also Greece’s official submission for the Best International Feature for the Academy Awards. Blanchett and Francini produced the 10-time EMMY-nominated MRS AMERICA for FX, which was named one of 2020’s Best Television Shows by the American Film Institute. Dirty Films also produced the 13-time AACTA-winning series STATELESS for Netflix, which Blanchett also co-created, in addition to executive producing the feature documentary BURNING from director Eva Orner for Amazon. Other film credits include CAROL, TRUTH, LITTLE FISH, and THE TURNING. Upcoming film projects include: A MANUAL FOR CLEANING WOMEN with director Pedro Almodovar; THE CHAMPIONS with director Ben Stiller; and QUEEN BITCH AND THE HIGH HORSE with Directors Bert and Bertie.

About Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, Academy award-winning actor, producer, artistic director, and humanitarian. She is a Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and a lifetime member of the Australian Conservation Foundation. Blanchett is also a strong supporter of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and received a Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos for her work with UNHCR. In 2012, Blanchett was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture. She has presided over the festival juries in Cannes (2018) and Venice (2020). She has received Honorary Doctorates of Letters from the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, and Macquarie University as well as the Companion of the Order of Australia in the General Division in recognition of her continued advocacy for the arts as well as humanitarian and environmental causes. Currently, Blanchett is in pre-production for the Apple series “Disclaimer” directed by Alfonso Cuaron, in which she will star and executive produce. Most recently, Blanchett wrapped production for the Todd Field-directed feature TAR, in which she will also star and executive produce, as well as Del Toro’s PINOCCHIO for Netflix. She can now be seen starring in Guillermo Del Toro’s NIGHTMARE ALLEY for Searchlight Pictures, as well as Adam McKay’s film for Netflix, DON’T LOOK UP. Alongside Andrew Upton (with whom she was co-CEO and Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company from 2008 – 2014), she is the co-Founder and Principal of film and television production company Dirty Films.

About Danny Kennedy 

Danny Kennedy is the CEO of New Energy Nexus (NEX), the world’s leading ecosystem of funds and accelerators supporting diverse clean energy entrepreneurs. Since 2004, NEX has accelerated over 600 clean energy startups, supported over 3000 entrepreneurs, and leveraged over US$1.5 billion in investment. NEX started in Silicon Valley and now operates in China, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and the USA – a global clean energy solutions movement.

Danny is also Managing Director of the California Clean Energy Fund, and is an advisor to clean energy companies in Australia, China, Kenya, the Philippines, USA and elsewhere. Danny co-founded Sungevity, a solar pioneer in 2007, was the first backer of now US$6 billion solar loan provider Mosaic in 2011, and an author of a book on rooftop solar. He speaks regularly to media and at major conferences, and is co-host with Cate Blanchett of Climate of Change on Audible. 

Jakarta, 29 March 2022 – New Energy Nexus (NEX), through its Indonesia 1 Fund and Smart Energy Grants, has provided funding to four early-stage clean energy startups [1]. The initiative aims to bridge the funding gap for clean energy start-ups in Indonesia.

Two new companies have been added to the Indonesia 1 Fund portfolio: SES, an energy efficiency company, and SWAP Energy, an e-mobility startup. The Fund has also recently co-invested with East Ventures (an EV growth fund), PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya Tbk. (Saratoga), and Schneider Electric in a follow-on investment in the solar PV startup, Xurya, in its US$ 21,5 million Series A round – the largest Series A funding received for a clean energy startup in Indonesia.

“We’re seeing an incredible opportunity for clean energy and climate innovation startups in Indonesia to galvanize the sector. We are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, but by empowering clean energy startups we will be able to stimulate the investment climate, accelerate the clean energy transition, and create green jobs,” said Diyanto Imam, Program Director at New Energy Nexus Indonesia.

“We aim to bridge early-stage fundings gaps for clean energy and climate innovation start-ups in Indonesia, which we see as a major gap in Indonesia. That’s why we have provided funding to 16 startups since early 2019 through our Smart Energy Grants and Indonesia 1 Fund. Our goal is to accelerate Indonesia’s clean energy transition, and support the Government’s commitment to addressing climate change.”

According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources data, Indonesia has up to 400,000 MegaWatt (MW) of renewable energy potential, with solar and hydropower targeted for priority development.  

“By the end of 2021, Xurya has installed 57 Rooftop Solar Power Plants. With the Series A, we aimed to accelerate the energy transition in Indonesia by investing more in the development of technology and human capital,” said Eka Himawan, Managing Director of Xurya Daya Indonesia.

CEO of SES, Steve Piro said: “SES is very excited to have gone through Nexus’ accelerator program and now have them as a strategic partner. SES plans to leverage Nexus’ network of potential clients and investors as well as lean on them for strategic advisory.” The Indonesia 1 Fund has co-invested with SEACEF for this investment.

“NEX has always been our biggest supporter in terms of coaching and finances. With NEX investment participation in our Series pre-A round funding, SWAP Energy will accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles even further, supporting the Indonesian government to reach a target of 13 million electric motorcycles on the roads by 2030,” said Irwan Tjahaja, Founder & CEO of SWAP. 

Led by Kejora-SBI Orbit, the Indonesia 1 Fund has co-invested with other investors such as Baramulti Group, Living Lab Ventures (an affiliate of Sinar Mas Group), strategic corporate investors, and high-net-worth investors in Swap Energy’s recent oversubscribed Series pre-A round.

In addition to the Indonesia 1 Fund, New Energy Nexus Indonesia is mobilizing grants through its Smart Energy Grant. This program aims to support startups on their prototyping stage and helps them to validate their business ideas. As of December 2021, New Energy Nexus Indonesia awarded grants for nine clean energy and climate innovation startups. Powerchain, an IoT company, is the latest recipient of Smart Energy Grant for its latest pilot project named “Konde”, an LED smart lighting product designed for street lighting (Lampu Penerangan Jalan Umum). 

“With the Smart Energy Grant that Powerchain received, we expect it to be the stepping stone for Powerchain to expand our market, an upcoming project that potentially can reach 14 thousand installations of smart lighting systems in Java Island and West Nusa Tenggara by Q2-2022,” said Yayan Santoso, the CEO of Powerchain.

NEX supports clean energy and climate entrepreneurs in Indonesia, enabling startups to develop innovative products/services, expand their market, and generate strong economic, social, and environmental impacts. This is aligned with the Indonesian government’s goal to reach 23% renewable energy source in 2025. In 2022, Indonesia will also host the G20 Summit and is expected to call for the acceleration of the global energy transition.

Note to editors:

[1] Indonesia 1 Fund is supported by the Ikea Foundation. 

New Energy Nexus (NEX) is an international organization that supports clean energy entrepreneurs with funds, accelerators, and networks. We started in California and operated programs in Indonesia, China, India, Southeast Asia, and East Africa. Since 2019, New Energy Nexus Indonesia has helped 60 startups through the incubation and acceleration process with Smart Energy Program.

For further information on New Energy Nexus Indonesia grants and fundings, please visit our website.