For an accelerated energy transition.
Rethinking Energy
Rethinking energy is an open innovation platform for the energy sector. Together we can solve the problems in the transition towards renewable energy.
The challenge
Society needs to make a transition towards renewable energy. Currently, innovations are often started from scratch, while solutions may already be out there.
With multiple parties inventing “the wheel” and/or solving the same puzzle at the same moment, we risk wasting time and money. Therefore, the collaboration and matching of the right people, organizations and expertise/knowledge are key.
If we can already find the right tool, component or service somewhere, the innovation project will be shorter, cheaper and will have a higher chance of success.
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Do you want to know more?
Get in touch with Pieter Paul van Oerle via pieterpaul@nlmtd.com
What is rethinking Energy?
Rethinking Energy is an open innovation platform for the energy sector. Some challenges are not about beating the competition, but about joining forces to create speed, efficiency and vital progress. Furthermore, the platform matches firm challenges with global start-ups with who have developed tools to solve these challenges. This way we can speed up the energy transition.
Rethinking Energy allows its members to be part of a collaborative innovation approach, that enables them to share data, research and solutions to speed up the energy transition.
How does Rethinking Energy contribute to the solution?
- LOWER COST of innovation, as you avoid inventing a wheel
- SHORTER TIME of innovation, as you integrate working solutions
- LOWER RISK of innovation, as you work with proven components or solutions
Joint Insights
we share key insights and solutions concerning the industry’s biggest challenges
- Key market insights and data
- Public platform with key sector insights
- Private platform with proven solutions
- Access to our startup database
Individual Challenges
we tackle your biggest challenges in individual innovation tracks
- We help define key challenges
- We scout the world for best tech solutions
- We work with your team to pilot the solution
- We support the implementation and scaling
Collaborative Challenges
we join forces across the value chain to collaboratively accelerate innovation
- We shape coalitions with multiple players
- We uncover shared challenges – and solutions
- We pilot the solution in one organization
- We scale the solution to other partners
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Our Partners
We work together with partners from several European countries in their ambition to accelerate the energy transition and to expand their network to increase their impact and learning opportunity. Thanks to its flexible design, Rethinking Energy creates direct value for each partner individually, which increases as more partners join.
The Process
How can Rethinking Energy be beneficial for your organisation?
Many identical transition challenges are found around the world – instead of starting from
scratch, we can leverage proven solutions to save time, save money and avoid risks.
Our Method
The process on which rethinking energy is built consists out of 3 main phases; (1) shape, (2) scout and (3) pilot, which each diverge and converge, and a fourth phase (4) Scale.
These 4 phases consist of internal steps, making a 7-step process:
Discover (1)
We collaborate with your team and industry experts to discover your key transition challenges and determine which are suitable for this accelerator program. In these first two weeks, the initial challenge area is defined based on interviews and market research.
Define (2)
We collaboratively interpret our findings and identify common themes to create a well-defined challenge during our unique challenge shaping workshop with all stakeholders.
Scout (3)
We use our network and global reach to explore the market and identify promising tech innovators, start-ups and scaleups that offer solutions to your challenges . After 8 weeks of intensive research, outreach and application management you can expect 200+ tech applicants. Preferred applicants will be invited for a selection day.
Select (4)
We present the scouted solutions and support you in selecting the best fit during a selection event, and ensure a cultural match by using our collaboration shaping event. During these 2 selection days, next to pitches and deep dives, also a collaboration plan will be made with the selected innovation partner for the 100-day pilot.
Pilot (5)
We guide and support you and the selected innovation partner in a 100 day collaboration, unleashing the full potential of both teams. During the pilot we organize (bi)weekly sprint meetings with all stakeholders, where we can collect and share all learnings.
Evaluate (6)
Together, we evaluate the pilot and determine whether to move forwards toward the scaling phase, or whether to stop the collaboration and look for alternative solutions.
Scale (7)
If pilots are completed successfully, we can and will support you in scaling up the selected solution within your organization through procurement, a partnership or an acquisition. The high level partnership strategy, uncludes the set-up of a business case and scaling plan. Next to our guidance until the solution is succesfully implemented.
Our Cases
We have helped several clients with their challenges in the energy transition. Read about their stories here.
Energinet
Vehicle-to-grid
Energinet, the Danish transmission system operator (TSO), was looking for systems and solutions within the EV charging domain that can help shape the direction towards vehicle and grid integration for increased grid stability.
Stedin, Alliander & Enexis
Open Data and Local Energy Systems
Together with an alliance of three Dutch distribution service operators; Stedin, Alliander and Enexis, Rethinking Energy ran a project to scout for solutions to their mutual challenges as part of the energy transition.
Fudura
Energy Data Service
Fudura had the goal to develop an energy-data service for their clients. Together with management en stakeholders we developed a challenge for a market search.
Fudura – Energy Data Service
Fudura had the goal to develop an energy-data service for their clients. Together with management en stakeholders we developed a challenge for a market search, shown to the right:
We came with selection criteria in this challenge-based, fail fast innovation cycle innovation project and with that selected a shortlist of 11 potential solutions which we invited for our selection day. From a top 3 we chose one startup with whom a 100-day pilot was executed.
We delivered value by:
- Elaborate market research by interviewing clients
- Project management after the pilot with the startup at a Fudura Cilent
- Decision making assistance for choosing if it is worth it to develop the solution into a new data service (informed scale or kill decision)
- Support in internalizing the fail fast innovation cycle, so fudura can apply this method temselves for future product and service development.
“How can we make use of the energy data from our clients so they can make optimal use of the existing physical energy infrastructure, with the aim to make all our clients more flexible, more cost-efficient and less dependent of net capacity with their energy supply”.
Energinet vehicle-to-grid
How vehicle-to-grid can help stabilize the grid of Energinet
With the rise of e-mobility and the boost in renewable energy production, the pressure on the electrical grid has grown. EVs and so-called Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) could be key in maintaining a stable and reliable electricity grid. However, if we fail to implement smart, social & responsible charging as a standard, we risk power outages and we will need costly and labor-intense grid expansion. This urgency was also felt by the Danish transmission system operator (TSO) Energinet. Energinet was looking for systems and solutions within the EV charging domain that can help shape the direction towards vehicle and grid integration for increased grid stability.
Leveraging the network and expertise of Rethinking Energy, an extensive analysis of the potential, available technologies and trends of V2G was made.
We delivered value by:
- Extensive research of the Danish market: detailing trends, future expectations and the ‘cost of not acting’ analysis.
- Detailed business model for EV drivers: defining the upside for vehicle owners participating in V2G systems.
- Clear mapping of the globally available V2G technologies, including deep dives of 10 key players
- The global V2G project landscape, including deep dives of leading projects.
Want to dive in the details? We’ve made an in-depth publication covering all findings available here.
Want to know more and see how Rethinking Energy can help you accelerate the energy transition? Get in touch!
Stedin, Alliander & Enexis Open Data and Local Energy Systems
Together with an alliance of three Dutch distribution service operators; Stedin, Alliander and Enexis, Rethinking Energy ran a project to scout for solutions to their mutual challenges as part of the energy transition. We formulated two challenges:
One to look for solutions to better simulate the grid-load based on consumer profiles and predictions on short, medium and long term.
The second challenge to look for innovative and/or collaborative solutions for tackling (parts of) the challenge of creating resilient local energy systems, while focusing on creating value for all stakeholders and society in a fair way.
In this project, we worked in 6 phases, where we helped discovering and defining challenges to pursue. After this we worked to scout the market and promising directions, leading to general overview as well as a evaluation and selection of companies for a longlist and shortlist for the companies. Furthermore, we worked on the selection of companies to work with as well as defining collaboration and implementation plans.
Our Team
Rethinking Energy
Innovation specialists, technology scouts and deep industry experts work together as a team to guide the program.
nlmtd
- Founder of the Rethinking Energy accelerator program
- Consulting firm with a focus on energy transition & innovation
- Proven expertise of the energy sector, its key challenges and relevant players
Unlikly
- Operating partner of the Rethinking Energy program
- Experienced (open-)innovators and entrepreneurs that work for impact
- Create value through open innovation and business agility - by being able to respond to change fast
The Next Web
- Trusted partner of nlmtd, with a long record of successful collaborations
- World-class scouting capabilities and database with 250.000+ startups
- 10 million+ monthly reach through social media channels and website
Get in Touch
Do you want to know more?
Get in touch with Pieter Paul van Oerle or Marijke Vos via pieterpaul@nlmtd.com and marijke@nlmtd.com
- Join the movement
Get in Touch
Do you want to know more?
Get in touch with Pieter Paul van Oerle or Marijke Vos via pieterpaul@nlmtd.com and marijke@nlmtd.com
- Join the movement