Four ITES SMEs have been given the unique opportunity to showcase their cutting-edge clean transport solutions at India Energy Week 2024. Inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the international event is one of the energy sector’s largest gatherings. ITES supported the high-potential UK SMEs to attend the event in Goa, providing opportunities to network with industry leaders and develop new UK-India partnerships.
Specialising in advanced battery technologies, energy storage, and electric mobility solutions, all four SMEs are part of the ITES innovator support programme – a leading accelerator of UK-India clean transport innovation. The SMEs were given a platform to connect with influential stakeholders, including government representatives, energy suppliers, manufacturers, and supply chains.
Fast-growing energy market
Andrew Stokes, UK lead for ITES, highlighted the significance of the event: “India Energy Week has provided a fantastic stage for our SMEs to connect with major market players that can help accelerate their journey from lab to market.
“The event is a unique environment that brings together all stakeholders across key sectors, and it’s been great to see our SMEs making valuable connections. Impactful partnerships made here can help propel their transformative technologies into one of the world’s fastest-growing energy markets.”
Will Tope, CEO of ITES SME LiNa Energy, added:
“In India the demand for clean energy is expected to grow by amounts exceeding the UK’s entire consumption in just three years – this really underlines the urgency for clean solutions.”
“Programmes like ITES are critical in ensuring UK innovators can play a crucial role in this clean energy boom, supporting sustainable growth for both our nations.”
Hand-picked for potential
The SMEs showcased at India Energy Week were hand-picked for their potential to develop solutions well-suited to the Indian market:
- LiNa Energy: Revolutionising battery technology with low-cost solid state sodium batteries, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
- PowerUp Off-Grid Services: Implementing a smart Energy-as-a-Service model that combines AI with battery PowerStations to reduce carbon emissions.
- Faraday Battery Limited: Innovating a new Battery Control Unit for electric vehicles that extends battery life and reduces replacement costs.
- Nexmu Ltd: Providing cross-platform energy storage and electric mobility solutions.
The ITES accelerator programme
ITES currently supports 28 clean transport and energy enterprises to scale up their Net Zero solutions in India. Now in its second year, the initiative is backed by UK and India governments and works closely with the Indian market to help SMEs develop, demonstrate and deploy solutions such as hydrogen systems, alternative fuels and energy management systems that address critical transport and infrastructure challenges.
As part of its innovator programmes, ITES supports SMEs with incubation, acceleration, mentorship and market access, as well as the opportunity to co-develop real-world pilots with Indian partners.
Stuart Wallis, Executive Director of PowerUp Off-Grid Services, remarked on the impact of the week:
“This has been a brilliant experience for us, and one that we would never have had were it not for the ITES programme. We’ve made some great connections with other companies here in India, as well as putting our heads together with our fellow SMEs to share experiences, and foster the potential for new partnerships.”
Rajat Rakkhit, CEO of NexMu, echoed the benefits of meeting other ITES-supported SMEs:
“We had a fantastic time with our fellow SMEs, even setting up future collaborations. ITES fosters an interactive ecosystem of SMEs that can connect ideas and solutions across different technologies and services – that’s why this programme is so important.”
Driving clean transport forward with ITES
Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Innovate UK, ITES continues to be a pivotal force in driving market-led innovation in clean transport. The programme is led by Energy Systems Catapult and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to catalyse UK-India collaboration on Net Zero, significantly reduce emissions, and support clean growth in the UK and India.
SME innovator? Be part of India’s clean energy boom
For more information on how to get involved with ITES, contact us today.
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