Wärtsilä in search of start-ups

Wärtsilä in search of start-ups with Power-to-X technology

Wärtsilä Group continues its active start-up collaboration by launching the next SparkUp Challenge for start-ups. The focus is now on the energy field with Power-to-X technologies. The Smart Energy Challenge is based on Wärtsilä Energy Solution’s new vision: ‘Towards a 100% renewable energy future’.

Wärtsilä is determined to lead the way in providing power systems based on 100% renewable energy. Power-to-X process is about efficiently storing or using in different processes the renewable energy that is sometimes created in excess. In the future, the excess renewable energy can be seen as raw material for other commodities. The group is now searching for start-ups to share solutions in the areas of Power-to-Gas, Power-to-Fuel and Power-to-Water.

Matti Rautkivi, Sales and Marketing Director of Energy Solutions said: «Power-to-X is about the future of energy and Wärtsilä strives to drive future solutions. We are especially interested in Power-to-Gas solutions e.g. where electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen by means of electrolysis, or solutions where we combine hydrogen from an electrolyser with carbon dioxide and convert the two gases to synthetic renewable methane or solutions. We are also looking for other Power-to-Fuel solutions to create synthetic fuel or gaseous fuel».

The application period for the Smart Energy Challenge was available between September 18 and until 31 October 2018. The screening for the shortlist will be done during November 2018. Up to five start-ups will continue to the final, the SparkUp Challenge Day which will take place at the brand new Wärtsilä Campus in Helsinki on 17 January 2019. One to two winners will get a chance to work with the group energy experts, get access to its prominent customer-base and win the 50,000 euro prize.

WHO SAYS ‘RENEWABLES’? HYUNDAI AND WäRTSILä

Co-creation with the chosen start-ups will take place in Vaasa at the Wärtsilä Fuel Lab as well as at any of the group Acceleration Centres.

The SparkUp Challenge was kicked off at Slush Helsinki start-up event in November 2017 with the focus on the smart Marine ecosystem. The winners of the first SparkUp Challenge with the focus on Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine Vision were KNL Networks and Portcall.com.

About Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä is specialized in complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, the group maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2017, the Finnish company net sales reached 4.9 billion euro with around 18,000 employees. The company operates in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world.