Kuopio-based startup Capalo AI has raised €500K in pre-seed funding, led by Innovestor Tech Fund with participation from Inventure, to further develop its AI technology for optimizing the use of flexible energy assets like energy storage systems and EV charging stations. The startup uses AI and real-time data to optimize the usage of flexible energy assets, such as energy storage systems and EV charging stations, to make energy storage investments more profitable and support the transition to green energy. Capalo AI plans to use the funding to further develop its virtual power plant (VPP) and multi-market optimization AI, as well as expand its team with skilled mathematicians and cloud service professionals. With this funding, they aim to enhance their technology and capabilities, potentially scaling up their operations and expanding their partnerships to drive the optimization of renewable energy assets and support the green transition.
With the popularity and commissioning of renewable energy sources rising globally, the role of energy storage and flexible demand will be crucial in the green transition. The consumption and production of electricity have to be balanced at all times for a functioning grid. Weather conditions make renewable energy production volatile, as it is never possible to completely accurately forecast how much electricity can be produced. Using advanced AI, Capalo AI can optimize the usage of flexible energy assets, such as energy storage systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Capalo AI’s technology allows the commissioning of weather-dependent renewable energy sources to grow rapidly by optimizing the flexibility of the energy grid to adjust to production and demand fluctuations.
This benefits national grids and Capalo AI’s customers, as the optimal bidding strategies maintain grid balance better and maximize the revenues of customers’ assets by stacking different revenue streams.
“Our solution simultaneously maximizes the value for our customers and accelerates the green transition. In addition, with multi-market optimization, national grids are able to sustain a steady electricity frequency. This means less of a need for reserve power plants that mostly use fossil fuels to produce electricity, which then leads to less carbon dioxide emissions,” says Henri Taskinen, CEO and Co-founder of Capalo AI.
Capalo AI is already working with Exilion Tuuli, a Finnish investment company and one of the largest wind energy producers in Finland. The company currently owns and operates thirteen wind farms around Finland and one 6,6 MWh battery storage and intends to continue to invest in increasing renewable energy production in Finland. Capalo AI has gotten significant traction in the whole Nordic area from future customers, and the company will soon start cooperating with its first Swedish partner.
“As one of Capalo AI’s first customers, we are happy to use AI-powered optimization services. With Capalo AI’s platform solution, we have managed to significantly increase the profitability of flexible assets in a complex operating environment,” says Tommi Riski, Investment Manager at Exilion.
Both Innovestor Techfund and Inventure see numerous possibilities in investing in AI-powered energy asset optimization. For example, in windy weather, the prices of renewable energy are low, and therefore, its financial benefit remains low, i.e., wind power becomes a less lucrative investment option. This has led to the construction of batteries next to the turbines, which enables the energy to be discharged into the grid more evenly.
“Armed with an excellent can-do attitude, robust educational backgrounds, and a passion for bridging the gaps between today’s grid challenges and tomorrow’s green aspirations, the team at Capalo AI truly impressed us. Having achieved such impressive results in a short time, we’re convinced the team is on the brink of something remarkable. Our investment in Capalo AI is not just a financial decision; it signifies our commitment to a brighter, sustainable future. Together, we’re not merely participants in the green transition; we’re setting the pace,” states Petri Laine, Partner at Innovestor Venture Capital.
Taskinen sees significant future growth opportunities for improving the optimization and flexibility of renewable energy.
“There are around 1,400 wind power plants just in Finland, and substantially more on the horizon. To enable the commissioning of new renewable capacity, we need all the available flexibility on the grid. Furthermore, there is a lot of untapped potential flexibility in many sectors, for example, on the EV charging side. Our platform taps into these new revenue streams for unutilized assets and simultaneously accelerates the green transition,” Taskinen concludes.
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Originally published on ArcticStartup : Original article