Latest news with #cleantech
Al Arabiya
13 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Britain signs $2.7 bln investment partnership deal with Bahrain
Britain said on Friday that it signed a new partnership with Bahrain that will see 2 billion pounds ($2.69 billion) of investment into financial services, clean energy, manufacturing and technology. 'This 2 billion pounds commitment is yet another major vote of confidence in the UK economy, backing the key growth sectors we've identified in our upcoming modern Industrial Strategy,' business minister Jonathan Reynolds said in a statement. ($1 = 0.7424 pounds)
Entrepreneur
7 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Battery Boss: Vishal Gupta, Co-Founder & CTO, MaxVolt Energy
"Tomorrow belongs to those who innovate responsibly and anticipate evolving needs," he says. For MaxVolt, that means redefining energy consumption with solutions that are efficient, intelligent, and kind to the planet. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In an industry cluttered with buzzwords and greenwashed ambition, Vishal Gupta, Co-Founder & CTO, MaxVolt Energy Industries Limited is doing the hard work: building smarter lithium batteries, rewriting the rules of energy infrastructure, and stacking up a growth story that reads more like an organisation's dream than a spreadsheet. MaxVolt is not just keeping up with India's sustainable development goals; it's designing the fast lane. The company's lithium batteries power electric vehicles, energy storage systems, medical devices, and consumer electronics, with the kind of technical muscle that makes competitors glance sideways. "We've integrated active balancer technology, a superior thermal management system, and an intelligent battery control mechanism," says Gupta, clearly proud but practical. It's this holy trinity of innovation that boosts safety, enhances longevity, and dials up the overall efficiency of their offerings. But the real kicker? Their latest showpiece—the smart lithium inverter series. These future-proof wall-mounted inverters aren't just sleek; they're battery agnostic. Whether lithium or lead, MaxVolt's inverter doesn't flinch. It's like the benchmark of power backup: smarter, leaner, and practically plug-and-play. Still, all the tech in the world won't matter if it ends up in a landfill. That's why MaxVolt is putting just as much muscle behind lithium battery recycling as they are in production. Their R&D department isn't content to follow—it's paving the way for a circular battery economy, reclaiming material value and reducing environmental fallout. "We're working to create a holistic ecosystem that includes production, usage, reuse, and recycling," Gupta explains. "It's about shaping the sustainable energy infrastructure India needs—not just today, but decades from now." Of course, the clearest sign that MaxVolt is doing something right isn't in the lab—it's in the ledger. FY 2023-24 saw revenue skyrocket by 253 per cent to INR 48.37 crore, with profits of INR 5.21 crore. And just when you think that's peak performance, MaxVolt tops itself: FY 2024-25 revenue crossed INR 107 crore. That's not growth. That's warp speed. Their impact isn't just economic. With operations now touching over 19,000 pin codes and a staff that's grown to more than 170 employees, MaxVolt is not only making clean tech accessible, but local as well. Their batteries are fueling OEMs, solar farms, EV fleets, and consumers across India, with tech robust enough for grid-scale storage but smart enough for your living room. How does a company stay relevant in a space where yesterday's cutting-edge is tomorrow's obsolete? MaxVolt's answer is deceptively simple: innovate or die. "We've built a culture of cross-functional collaboration, supported by advanced ERP systems," Gupta says. But it's the R&D division that he keeps circling back to. For Gupta, innovation isn't a quarterly goal, it's a survival trait. His team constantly tweaks, tests, and tunes in to international trends and domestic demands alike. Yet, challenges persist—and not the kind that come with a line item. India's dependence on imported lithium cells, mostly from China, could have clipped MaxVolt's ambitions early. But instead of whining about global supply chains, they did what engineers do best; they got to work. "We tackled this with in-house prototyping, strategic partnerships, and a significant R&D push," Gupta says. Their upcoming lithium battery recycling facility is a masterstroke, poised to cut import reliance and elevate lifecycle management standards across the board. So where does the road lead from here? According to Gupta, it leads through expansion. Phase 2 of MaxVolt's production plan is underway, aimed at scaling operations to over 6,000 battery packs annually. They're also gearing up to meet rising demand for ESS batteries in solar energy projects—an area Gupta says will drive high margins. "Our focus on grid-scale and distributed solar clients is setting the stage for long-term profitability," he adds. Looking further ahead, MaxVolt's playbook includes international partnerships, export-ready infrastructure, and deeper penetration into the Indian EV and solar markets. But it's not just about shipping more batteries—it's about shipping better ones. Next-gen battery tech with improved energy density and lower cost is already on the drawing board. What does Gupta see when he looks at the horizon? Responsibility—and a lot of work. "Tomorrow belongs to those who innovate responsibly and anticipate evolving needs," he says. For MaxVolt, that means redefining energy consumption with solutions that are efficient, intelligent, and kind to the planet. Factsheet: • Year of inception: 2019 • No. of employees: 170 – 200 • Revenue for FY 2024-25 – 107 cr • External funding received so far: $1.5M • Any IP developed/patented (if more than one, names and numbers): AIS 156 Compliance Certification
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Gridlock To Green Light: Three Focus Areas For Energy Executives
Whitaker Irvin, Jr. is CEO of Q Hydrogen, which is developing a new technology for turning water into clean, efficient, renewable hydrogen. getty The next decade will determine whether hydrogen becomes a niche fuel or the backbone of a truly resilient clean energy economy. For the latter to happen, policy, infrastructure and business models must evolve in lockstep. Three forces make 2025, in particular, a pivotal year for the energy sector: creative solutions to address data center demand, policy fluctuations and strategic partnerships. Executives hold the key to unlocking new energy innovations—here's what you need to know: The International Energy Agency estimates that AI‑driven data centers could place an energy load on the grid comparable to a major industrialized nation (e.g., Japan) every year by 2035. AI clusters are outpacing available interconnection queues, prompting colocation providers, hyperscalers and data center developers to look for other options to support their power needs. Siting data centers near existing power plants, however, often ignites concerns from the surrounding community over the impact of these large loads on consumer rates and grid reliability. An alternative strategy pairs large loads with on-site 'behind‑the‑meter' generation that integrates renewables and storage, such as hydrogen turbines and fuel cells. For example, where I live in Utah, a blended‑fuel turbine could start at 30% hydrogen in 2025 and ramp to 100% by 2045. Operators that co‑locate electrolyzers can soak up excess wind or solar and sell back zero‑carbon power during peak hours, turning an operating expense headache into a potential revenue stream and helping to alleviate grid reliability concerns. Subsidy fatigue may dominate headlines, yet last year the United States committed up to $7 billion for regional hydrogen hubs, complete with long‑term offtake contracts. Europe's Hydrogen Bank is doing the same across the Atlantic. The common thread is incentives that taper over time, helping projects get off the ground but then requiring that they stand on their own. I believe leaders who treat today's credits as accelerants, not life support, can build businesses that survive different political cycles. To date, no single company has mastered production, transport, storage and demand. That's why industrial gas giant Air Liquide and TotalEnergies just pledged more than €1 billion for twin electrolyzers in the Netherlands, tied directly to offshore wind. In the coming years, I expect we'll see similar joint ventures that blend capital and operational expertise to better guarantee offtake. For organizations that operate large, energy‑intensive facilities—whether data centers or heavy‑manufacturing lines—a key first step is securing optionality at the meter. Options such as on‑site hydrogen production paired with fuel cells or blended‑fuel turbines can support your organization's power needs while addressing community concerns about grid reliability. In my experience, even a modest 10‑megawatt demonstration can hedge against looming grid congestion, help stabilize long‑term electricity costs and give the team hard data on performance before demand spikes force last‑minute decisions. Second, insist on subsidy‑agnostic economics. I recommend running every prospective project through a 'zero‑incentive' case alongside the fully credited model and green-lighting only those that clear both bars. Stress‑testing investments in this way helps instill disciplined capital allocation, reveals hidden cost drivers and positions the business to thrive even if political winds shift or tax credits taper sooner than expected. Finally, partner for portfolios, not one‑off projects. Look for alliances that span the full value chain from renewable feedstock and electrolyzer capacity to distribution infrastructure and offtake agreements. Vertical integration can allow you to spread risk, accelerate permitting and capture margin that would otherwise leak to intermediaries. Companies willing to share upside in exchange for speed and scale will be better positioned to claim the first‑mover advantage in hydrogen's decisive decade. In closing, hydrogen is no longer a moonshot proposition. It is a viable, market-driven solution, propelled by data‑center demand, targeted policy and cross‑sector coalitions. Those who move first to secure flexible power, build subsidy‑resilient economies and forge strategic alliances will not merely ride the renewable wave, they will shape it. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Bloomberg
11-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
How Big Oil Is Investing in the Energy Transition
The oil and gas sector invested $33.4 billion in the energy transition last year. Yet while this figure suggests that decarbonization is a serious consideration for some fossil-fuel majors, just seven companies accounted for 85% of the sector's low-carbon spend in 2024, and only 13 of 41 companies assessed raised low-carbon investment as a share of capex. So what are the different strategies oil and gas companies are pursuing when it comes to the energy transition? And why would a fossil-fuel company invest in clean tech in the first place? On today's show, Tom Rowlands-Rees is joined by Claudio Lubis, an associate from BNEF's downstream oil and chemicals team, to discuss findings from his note 'Oil and Gas Energy Transition 2024: Clean Capex Jumps.'
Gulf Business
11-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
SME story: How Sparklo is redefining recycling in the UAE and beyond
Image: Supplied Founded on the belief that recycling should be simple, rewarding, and accessible, Sparklo emerged from a deep understanding of the sustainability challenges facing the UAE and the wider MENA region. Since its launch in December 2022, Sparklo has collected over 95 million recyclables, built the region's largest incentive-driven recycling community, and is set to redefine how we think about waste, technology, and environmental responsibility across 10 countries. In this interview, Maxim Kaplevich, founder and CEO of Sparklo, shares how parklo's innovative reverse vending machines — known as Sparklomats —are transforming everyday recycling into a motivating experience by rewarding users with real-life discounts, bridging the gap between people and recycling infrastructure. What inspired you to start the company? The idea for That's when I identified a critical gap in recycling systems. In many countries, including the UAE, the technical capacity to process recyclables exists, and people genuinely care about sustainability. Yet over 430 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, with two-thirds becoming waste after a single use. Clearly, something isn't working. The issue is the lack of infrastructure connecting people with recycling facilities in a way that's easy and motivating. That gap is what holds everything back. Cleantech providers need to focus on building collection infrastructure — without necessarily engaging in recycling. Countries like Germany and Scandinavian nations recycle large amounts of waste, supported by strong infrastructure. But most of these countries rely on deposit-return systems: people pay extra when they buy a bottle and are refunded only if they return it. In regions where collection infrastructure is underdeveloped or inefficient, I believed we needed a different approach: instead of taking people's money to encourage recycling, we should give them a solution that motivates them to return bottles and cans with rewards. That's how Sparklo was created. We launched in December 2022. UAE residents got the solution they needed — a new reverse vending machine, called the Sparklomat, that rewards them for doing the right thing. Since then, we've collected over 95 million recyclables in MENA and built the region's largest incentive-driven What is the business model of Sparklo? We focus on both end users and private and public partners. How does it work for users? Drop in a plastic bottle or can and earn redeemable points in our Sparklo app — discounts on groceries, taxi rides, delivery, and more. It's seamless and gives immediate feedback: you recycle, you get rewarded. Today, we have dozens of loyalty partners helping us realise our vision of rewarding positive habits. Beyond rewards, location matters. To make recycling seamless, Sparklomats must be placed where people already are. To build this infrastructure, Sparklo uses a 'hardware-as-a-service' model. Our machines are now deployed in 280 UAE locations: residential communities, retail stores, workplaces, schools, and transport hubs. We've partnered with Dubai Municipality, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, ADNOC Distribution, Carrefour, LuLu, Accor, Emaar, and others to integrate recycling into daily life. This approach lets us make recycling convenient and rewarding for users — while helping partners meet their ESG goals. In turn, they help us scale the infrastructure to make Sparklo's vision a reality. How was the business funded? The company is privately funded with my own investment and contributions from MENA-oriented private investors who support the growth of UAE-based technology. What technology is being used for Sparklomats? Artificial intelligence plays a key role in how Sparklomats work. Unlike machines that rely on barcodes to determine whether an item can be recycled, ours use advanced recognition technology to identify plastic bottles and aluminum cans in milliseconds — with or without labels or barcodes. If it's recyclable, it's accepted. Instantly. This smart system connects to the Sparklo app, so users get rewarded right away with points they can spend on real-life discounts. Meanwhile, the machines log every interaction, helping us track environmental impact, improve recycling habits, and personalise the experience over time. It's fast, simple, and intuitive — exactly what recycling needs to be if we want people to do it every day. How do people and businesses benefit from Sparklo? For everyday users, Sparklo turns recycling into something that's easy, highly rewarding, and engaging. This positive reinforcement helps build lifelong habits — people start seeking out our machines and telling their friends, becoming part of a global sustainability movement. For partners, Sparklo is a practical way to show environmental leadership and contribute to recycling infrastructure. They get verified impact data, improved sustainability performance, and stronger community engagement. By installing Sparklomats, they make recycling more accessible and help drive real change in their communities. We also focus on UAE-based manufacturing and job creation: our Sparklomats are locally produced in Ras Al Khaimah. This supports sustainable recycling and strengthens the UAE's economy — while helping other countries adopt scalable solutions. Beyond the UAE, our network spans 10 countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, and others. Today, we operate over 400 RVMs globally, promoting UAE-built technology around the world. What are the future plans of the company? Over the next five to 10 years, Sparklo aims to collect more than 50 per ceny of all plastic bottles consumed in at least five of our operating countries. In the UAE, our goal is for at least half of the working population to actively use Sparklomats and the app to recycle within the next decade.
