A report from the International Energy Agency found that 35 percent of emissions reductions needed to reach net zero depend on technology that has yet to be commercialized. That’s why supporting early-stage clean energy innovators is critical to the energy transition and reducing emissions.

California’s clean energy transition depends on better energy storage; some of the most exciting breakthroughs are happening now. The latest CalSEED Prototype Award winners are tackling big questions about battery lifespan, recyclability, and how we store power more efficiently and sustainably.

From next-gen potassium-ion batteries to innovative battery recycling techniques, these startups are reshaping energy storage. Let’s look at five game-changing solutions in battery storage:

1. ExPost Technology: Giving Batteries a Second Life

We rely on lithium-ion batteries for everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, but what happens when they reach the end of their life? ExPost Technology is rethinking battery recycling—a process that extracts valuable materials without fully breaking down components.. This means less waste, fewer new materials needed, and a stronger circular economy for batteries—something we’ll need as energy storage demand skyrockets.

Using Purification and Regeneration Integrated Materials Engineering (PRIME), ExPost recovers pristine quality battery components from battery scraps and end-of-life batteries. With its prominent economic, efficient, and eco-friendly process, this scalable method has the potential to reshape the battery recycling industry.

Photo from ExPost Technology

2. Project K Energy: Making Lithium-Free Batteries a Reality

Lithium has long been the go-to material for batteries, but it’s expensive and difficult to source sustainably. Project K Energy is developing potassium-ion batteries—a cheaper, longer-lasting alternative for large-scale energy storage. Since potassium is much more abundant than lithium, this technology has the potential to cut costs and make clean energy storage more accessible. Project K’s innovation lies in optimizing potassium-based cathode, anode, and electrolyte components with fundamentally different properties than their lithium-ion counterparts.

The potential benefits of these potassium-ion batteries include faster charging, lower costs (and less price volatility), better performance at low temperatures, and improved safety.

3. Activated Energy: A Safer, More Sustainable Way to Store Power

Battery safety is a huge concern, especially when dealing with flammable or toxic materials. Activated Energy is reimagining energy storage—making it safer, sustainable, and even carbon-negative. Their innovative solid-state system stores energy by compressing carbon dioxide using eco-friendly materials, creating a compact solution that’s both scalable and long-lasting.

Activated Energy’s product builds on compressed air energy storage (CAES) and CO2 energy storage combined with innovative solid-state sorption technology. It has reduced costs and sourcing concerns, as well as increased stability over lithium technologies. In addition to being non-toxic and nonflammable, the proprietary low-pressure storage technology reduces the footprint of the storage system, making it more suitable for congested urban environments than competing large-footprint gas-based storage systems, which require land resources most likely unavailable in urban areas. This long-duration energy storage system improves grid resilience for urban communities, reduces strain on electrical transmission lines, is non-flammable, and enables greater renewable energy adoption.

4. Sperra: Storing Energy Beneath the Ocean

One of the biggest challenges with renewable energy is ensuring we can store power when it is needed most. Sperra has a fascinating solution: Marine Pumped Hydroelectric (MPH) Storage. They’re designing 3D-printed concrete spheres on the ocean floor that store and release energy in sync with offshore wind farms. Unlike traditional energy storage, this system could last decades without losing efficiency.

This approach bypasses the land use and permitting challenges that often limit pumped hydro projects. It can be deployed along coastlines or paired directly with offshore wind farms to boost efficiency and lower costs. With innovations like their patented multi-sphere “pod” design, automated 3D-printed manufacturing, and shared infrastructure with other ocean energy projects, Sperra is creating a new, cost-effective path for long-duration energy storage beneath the waves.

Sperra’s SPSH systems are designed to be manufactured in 2 MW to 5 MW modules in US ports using locally available materials and labor. Photo from Sperra

5. Aepnus Technology: Cleaning Up Battery Manufacturing

It’s not just about how long batteries last—how they’re made also matters. Aepnus Technology is working on a cleaner, more cost-effective way to produce lithium salts and other battery materials. By making the production process more sustainable, they’re helping reduce the overall carbon footprint of energy storage systems from the start.

Aepnus Technology’s innovation uses electricity instead of fossil fuel-based chemicals, reducing waste disposal costs and mitigating carbon emissions, especially when powered by renewable energy. By integrating the system on-site, manufacturers can cut waste disposal costs and achieve up to 35% savings on chemical expenditures. This solution enhances the sustainability and circularity of the battery industry while addressing critical chemical management challenges and contributing to the decarbonization of emissions-heavy chemical manufacturing processes.

Aepnus’s ultra-efficient electrolyzers run on renewable energy to process essential materials like lithium salts and other reagents. They are advancing a novel electrolysis platform that recycles sodium sulfate—a common chemical waste in the battery supply chain—into valuable reagents (sulfuric acid and caustic soda), essential for refining battery metals and manufacturing cathode active materials.

Where Energy Storage Is Headed 

The energy storage industry is evolving fast, and these companies are leading the charge toward longer-lasting, more sustainable solutions. Whether it’s recycling old batteries, developing new materials, or rethinking how we store power, these innovations will be critical in the clean energy transition.

A future energy system won’t just rely on making better batteries—it’ll depend on keeping valuable materials in use through smart recycling and circular design. With continued investment and support, we’re looking at a future where energy storage isn’t just an afterthought—it’s a key pillar of a cleaner, more resilient, and circular power system. If these startups are any indication, the best is yet to come.

Each Earth Day, we’re reminded of the stakes. Wildfires, floods, and rising seas make it obvious that climate change isn’t just a looming threat; it’s here.

But amid the urgency, there’s also momentum on the solutions front—quietly building in labs, garages, solar farms, and startup accelerators around the world.

In over 20 years building ecosystems for climate and clean energy innovation, we’ve seen founders come up with ingenious ideas that are now driving decarbonization. Startups start small but can deliver exponential impact at scale, and we can actually model potential mitigated emissions as they grow (based on factors including current performance, projected growth trajectories, and market penetration rates).

In fact, from our portfolio of nearly 1,500 climate startups and businesses, we’re spotlighting seven that could collectively reduce over four million metric tons of emissions (CO2e) by 2030. That’s the equivalent of taking nearly 59,000 cars off the road. Learn more below.

Photo from Bedrock Energy

Bedrock Energy (United States)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2024): 32 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 212,498 tons

Bedrock Energy is making geothermal heating and cooling viable for buildings in dense cities, through a proprietary drilling and tech platform that cuts cost, space, time, and risk by 3–5x. The company was named one of America’s Top Greentech Companies in 2024 by TIME and Statista. In early 2025, Bedrock raised US$12 million in Series A funding to advance and expand their technology.

Bedrock Energy joined our New York program The Clean Fight’s Food Service cohort, focused on decarbonizing the storage, distribution, and retail of food. On top of matchmaking opportunities, expert insights, and bespoke support services, Bedrock became eligible to receive up to US$125,000 to implement their demonstration project in New York State.

Hive Energy PH installs a 1.7kWh solar energy system for an off-grid community in 2021, then their largest project. Photo from Hive Energy

Hive Energy PH (Philippines)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2024): 127 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 5,703 tons

Hive Energy PH delivers portable solar generators, battery storage, and solar installations to provide reliable, clean power—especially for underserved communities, students, and remote workers.

CEO & Founder Joseph Amiel Camingal first joined our online course with BARAS TBI in July 2020, where he sparked the idea for a portable energy backup solution. Six months later, he entered our Startup Acceleration Program to strengthen his business skills and scale his startup.

Now, Amiel is joining NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025 to further grow Hive Energy PH and expand access to sustainable, dependable energy across the country.

Kazam (India)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2022-2024): 35,310 tons

Kazam was founded by Akshay Shekar and Vaibhav Tyagi to make clean mobility more accessible. Today, it’s one of India’s leading EV charging networks—smart, affordable, and built for everyone, from two-wheelers to commercial fleets. With 50,000+ chargers deployed, Kazam is breaking down barriers to EV adoption nationwide.

Through our ElectronVibe program, Kazam partnered with an Indian utility to tackle real-world EV infrastructure challenges, earning first place in the 2022 EV Infrastructure Management Track.

In 2024, Kazam raised US$8 million in Series A3 funding to expand its network and boost its technology.

Sepion (California)

Potential emissions (CO2e) mitigated (2025-2030): 1.4 million tons

Sepion is advancing lithium-metal batteries that boost EV range by 40% and cut energy costs by 15%, using breakthrough membrane technology that protects lithium and integrates with existing lithium-ion manufacturing. In 2023, Sepion also developed an AI-driven liquid electrolyte that reduces EV fire risks.

New Energy Nexus supported Sepion early on through our CalSEED program’s concept and prototype awards, helping de-risk their membrane tech. This support enabled Sepion to retire key technical risks, close an oversubscribed Series A in 2021, and bring on Solvay as a strategic investor.

Solar Run Energy (China)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2024): 127 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 5,703 tons

Li Xia grew up in rural China without electricity—an experience that inspired her mission to bring power to off-grid communities. In 2016, she founded Solar Run Energy, delivering clean, affordable solar solutions across sub-Saharan Africa, from solar lights to full home systems.

In 2022, she launched Solar Media, bringing solar-powered tablets with educational and vocational content to remote Kenyan villages—impacting over 3,000 people so far.

With support from New Energy Nexus, Li gained mentorship, capital access, and a global platform through the NEX COP28 Climate Tech Accelerator to scale her vision.

SWAP Energi (Indonesia)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2021-2024): 50,448 tons

SWAP Energi is a pioneering e-mobility start-up focusing on tech-driven swappable energy infrastructure, including portable battery packs, swapping stations, and SMOOT e-motorcycles in Indonesia. The company also developed a user-friendly SWAP Energi app, which helps riders locate stations, track reservations, and receive maintenance alerts.

New Energy Nexus supported them by connecting with investors, assisting with funding documents, and offering acceleration program guidance. As a result, SWAP Energi now operates over 800 swap stations across 14 provinces as of 2023.

Through partnerships with Grab and PLN, SWAP Energi is building an integrated EV ecosystem, advancing the adoption of electric motorcycles in Indonesia’s growing market.

Photo from Xurya Daya Indonesia

Xurya (Indonesia)

Emissions (CO2e) reduced (2020-2024): 225,673 tons
Potential emissions mitigated (2025-2030): 570,252 tons

In Indonesia, high upfront costs have long blocked businesses from switching to solar—slowing progress on climate goals and energy affordability. Xurya Daya solves this with an innovative zero-upfront-cost rooftop solar rental model, enabling commercial and industrial clients to access clean power without capital barriers. Xurya is scaling fast—deploying over 170 projects, and mitigating 225,674MT of GHG emissions since we first supported them.

New Energy Nexus, through its Indonesia 1 Fund, co-invested alongside East Ventures, Saratoga, and Schneider Electric in its US$21.5 million Series A round — the largest Series A funding ever raised by a clean energy startup in Indonesia. They have also received extensive support through programs we operate in Indonesia.

What else can be done?

Strong policy support
Governments must create a more conducive environment for climate solutions through procurement, tax incentives, and regulatory clarity—making it easier for entrepreneurs to start and scale their businesses.

Accessible, early-stage capital
Climate innovation is risky, but necessary. Blended finance, catalytic funds, and climate-aligned venture capital can unlock growth where private capital alone won’t go.

Thriving innovation ecosystem
Accelerators, manufacturing hubs, distribution networks, and cross-border partnerships are essential for solutions to move fast and far.

If you’re an entrepreneur with a groundbreaking climate solution, we’re here to support your success. Explore our programs and subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of opportunities in the sector.

Eva Lisa Adoremos, Senior Vice President of GAIA Corp—a participant of NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025.

While the Philippines’ startup ecosystem is expanding rapidly, clean energy startups remain underrepresented in mainstream acceleration programs.

According to the 2024 ecosystem report by New Energy Nexus (NEX) Philippines, there has been a sixfold increase in clean energy startups, collectively raising nearly $1.3 million. However, 87% of these funds came from grants and competitions, underscoring the sector’s reliance on non-investment-based funding sources.

Recognizing the need for targeted support, NEX Philippines launched NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025, an 8-month program dedicated to helping early-revenue and growth-stage clean energy and climate-tech startups scale their ventures. This year, six startups have joined the cohort, bringing innovative solutions across various sectors, from sustainable mobility to waste management and energy analytics.

Meet the startups with brilliant solutions in a country brimming with clean energy potential:

• Lycan Motorcycles – Lycan Motorcycles is a 100% Filipino-owner electric vehicle (EV) company that designs, engineers and manufactures bespoke electric motorcycles and energy systems. They are the first to develop an AI- and IoT-enabled motorbike in the country.
• Hive Energy PH – Hive Energy PH offers renewable energy-powered portable power stations as back-up power for island communities and businesses.
• GAIA Corp – Focused on climate adaptation, GAIA’s CoolRoof Program is a geoengineering approach that mitigates heat gain by applying reflective coatings on buildings to reduce indoor temperatures and lower energy consumption.
• Next2Fly – They provide a waste management solution through the use of black soldier flies. Next2Fly transforms organic waste into valuable resources such as larvae for animal feed and organic fertilizers.
• Light of Hope  –  Light of Hope brings its renewable energy (RE)-powered cloud grid units to off-grid communities as a source for backup power and alternative energy.
• Bayoa Analytics – Specializing in energy data modeling, Bayoa provides businesses with insights on energy trends and forecasts. Their expertise extends to hardware design (schematics, board designs, and prototyping) and software development, helping clients optimize energy consumption and efficiency.

Photo from Lycan Motorcycles, a participant of NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025

The impact of acceleration programs on clean energy innovation in the Philippines

Startup accelerators like NEXAccelerate Philippines are key to driving clean energy innovation. By providing mentorship, funding access, and business development support, they help startups tackle capital constraints, regulatory challenges, and market barriers.

This year’s cohort—Lycan Motorcycles advancing EV adoption, GAIA enhancing climate resilience with reflective tech, and Next2Fly innovating waste management through circular economy principles—are solving urgent environmental challenges. The program isn’t just about scaling startups; it’s about accelerating the Philippines’ energy transition through homegrown solutions.

With sustained support from investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, initiatives like NEXAccelerate are bridging the funding gap, strengthening ecosystems, and unlocking opportunities for climate-focused entrepreneurs—powering a cleaner, more resilient future.

NEXAccelerate Philippines 2025

The Philippines’ clean energy startup ecosystem is gaining momentum, with more entrepreneurs developing solutions to tackle climate change and advance the energy transition.

NEXAccelerate Philippines empowers startups with the skills, networks, and resources to secure investment and scale. The program includes tailored learning on fundraising and market expansion, expert mentorship, strategic networking, and pitching opportunities to investors and partners.

Promotional image for the 2024 LG Energy Solution Battery Challenge.

From recycling EV batteries to boosting battery performance, the 2024 LG Energy Solution Battery Challenge previews an exciting future for battery technology.

In partnership between New Energy Nexus and LG Energy Solution, the project attracted 141 companies worldwide, with 19 advancing to the interview stage. This year’s winners—Evyon and Iontra—each stood out with breakthrough products that could reshape the clean energy space. The winners are set to receive cash prizes and embark on pilot projects in collaboration with LG Energy Solution.

Evyon: Unlocking the potential of second-life batteries

The team at Evyon. Photo from Evyon

Founded in 2020, Evyon transforms spent EV batteries into high-value, modular and safe energy storage systems. Their proprietary hardware and Battery Cloud ecosystem repurpose EV battery modules into certified modular storage solutions for renewable energy applications.

Since being founded in Oslo in 2020, Evyon has delivered almost 1000 second-life battery modules across six countries, providing close to 10 MWh of energy storage across 25 projects, preventing 50 tonnes of battery waste, and avoiding 1000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions compared to using new battery cells.

Potential impact

• CO2 Reduction: Reusing EV batteries cuts lifecycle emissions by up to 85%.
• Waste Minimization: Repurposing prevents batteries from becoming waste, supporting a circular economy.
• Energy Transition: Provides affordable, reliable energy storage, accelerating the shift to renewable energy.

Why they won
Their innovative approach to battery repurposing opens opportunities for collaboration with LG Energy Solution. Their pilot project focuses on scaling modular energy storage systems across Europe, with long-term ambitions to expand globally.

Photo from Evyon

Iontra: Revolutionizing battery charging technology

Based in Colorado, USA, Iontra has developed a pioneering charging technology that enhances lithium-ion battery performance, safety, and lifespan. Utilizing electrodynamic principles, their patented charge control technology reduces degradation and maximizes efficiency, resulting in faster charging, longer battery life, and healthier batteries.

Potential impact

• Battery Efficiency: Iontra’s technology can double, and in some cases triple, the lifespan of batteries.
• 2nd and 3rd Use: By keeping batteries healthy, Iontra enables batteries to be more easily qualified and used for 2nd and 3rd life applications
• Environmental Benefits: Fewer battery replacements and reduced material demand lower CO2 emissions and waste.
• Market Transformation: Applications range from consumer electronics to electric vehicles, addressing challenges like cold-weather performance and battery lifecycle management.

Why they won
Iontra’s persistence and innovation paid off in the application process to the LG Energy Solution Battery Challenge. Iontra refined and customized their advanced charging technology to present a solution that secured the winner’s spot. This collaboration with LG Energy Solution opens avenues for deeper integration of Iontra’s various solutions into LG’s manufacturing and product ecosystems.

Photo from Iontra

The partnership behind the Battery Challenge

The 2024 Challenge marked the fourth time New Energy Nexus has partnered with LG Energy Solution to host this challenge.

Leveraging our global network of clean energy startups, we have scouted and recruited over 600 enterprises worldwide for the Challenge since its inception. By fostering industry connections and curating a platform for impactful discussions, NEX has empowered over 40 companies—which will now include Evyon and Iontra—to access invaluable investment opportunities through the Challenge.

Moving forward, this collaboration between NEX and LG Energy Solution will continue to advance clean energy innovation across the world, showcase amazing battery technologies globally, and drive a sustainable future through a steady stream of brilliant solutions.

We’re excited to present the seventh cohort of CalSEED Concept Awardees—early-stage innovators ready to help reshape California’s energy landscape. After a rigorous five-month selection process, CalSEED Cohort 7 was chosen from nearly 100 applicants, each bringing a unique approach to solving California’s biggest energy challenges. Each awardee will receive a $200K grant to develop their concepts.

Our mission was clear: identify clean energy technologies with the potential to benefit California’s electricity ratepayers and support the state’s ambitious energy and climate goals. To achieve this, we launched a comprehensive outreach campaign in March 2024, reaching innovators through virtual info sessions, webinars, and targeted social media while highlighting the journeys of past CalSEED awardees. This year’s focus centered on four essential technology areas:

1. Battery circularity – Innovations in recycling, reuse, and sourcing alternative materials for EV batteries.
2. Long-duration energy storage – Affordable, safe, and long-lasting solutions for energy storage during periods when wind and solar aren’t generated.
3. Electrifying medium- and heavy-duty vehicles – Technologies that drive transportation electrification at a larger scale, replacing diesel trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles with zero-emission electric models to reduce air pollution.
4. End-use electrification – Advanced solutions to electrify industrial processes, EV charging, and next-generation heat pumps.

To ensure we selected the best, CalSEED employed a two-step application process. Applicants first submitted a preliminary application, and those meeting our eligibility requirements advanced to a full application stage. Of the initial 97 applications, only 28 met the rigorous screening criteria, including alignment with EPIC objectives, a California base, and a funding cap under $1 million. The most common reason for disqualification? Misalignment with our targeted technology areas, proving just how competitive this year’s cohort was.

A distinguished review committee of experts—from industry leaders to representatives from California’s top energy agencies—scored the full applications on Innovation, Social Impact & Energy Equity, and Team & Approach. After weeks of careful evaluation, the top-scoring innovations rose to the top, culminating in a final selection meeting in July.

CalSEED Cohort 7 Concept Awardees are pioneering technologies accelerating California’s journey toward a sustainable, zero-emission future. Each project promises to drive tangible benefits for California communities, creating jobs, improving energy equity, and addressing critical gaps in the clean energy landscape.

You can watch the California Energy Commission business meeting where the awards where approved and listen to the positive public comments about the importance and impact of this program.

So join us in welcoming the newest CalSEED companies shaping the future of energy in California!