While the commitments made by France in terms of energy strategy are ambitious – reaching 33% of renewable energies in gross final energy consumption by 2030, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% – the 18th edition of the EnerGaïa Forum, held in Montpellier on December 11 and 12, 2024, played the crucial role of a crossroads for all energy sectors renewable. Nearly 500 exhibitors, including 23% international, and nearly 22,000 participants attended the Forum dedicated to professionals.
New for 2024, EnerGaïa wanted to highlight the innovations and technical advances of its exhibitors by launching its first Innovation Trophies. Among the 11 innovations selected, 5 winners were awarded following the presentation of their projects to the jury and visitors.
The best of both worlds with photonics
Specialist in repowering (renewal) of photovoltaic power plants in operation, the company Feedgybased in Paris, Montpellier and Barcelona, won the Deployability price for its patented module dedicated to agrivoltaism in fruit, market gardening, horticultural or pasture crops.
“Our research is based on the control of energy through light engineering and photonics,” summarizes Laurent Thibaudeau, director of innovation. The module, which integrates light converters (luminophores), combines solar electricity production with an efficiency multiplied by three with a brightness increased by 50%. Earlier flowering, reduced evapotranspiration, lower water consumption…the module guarantees optimal plant quality.”
Growing strongly since its creation in 2015, Feedgy also took advantage of the show to present its digital innovations.
A new generation thermal battery
Specialist in energy management, the Perpignan company FHEcreated in 2015, presented its flagship project, Inela thermochemical storage solution that optimizes solar self-consumption. “Inelio makes it possible to exploit surplus photovoltaic production and produce heat and cold in a carbon-free manner,” explains its technical director, Jonathan Iacono. Designed as a new generation thermal battery, this virtuous and robust solution is compatible with all ENR sources.
Suitable for residential applications (ongoing project in a tower in the Arab Emirates), tertiary and industrial applications, Inelio also meets the needs of autonomous cooling by supplying cold rooms for countries in black Africa where electricity networks are often unstable. The solution is also used in greenhouses in Morocco to maintain the temperature and save a month of production. A fame which earned him the Innovation Trophy in the category International. “We hope that this prize awarded at the show will contribute to better recognition on the French market,” projects Jonathan Lacono.
A nomadic photovoltaic generator
Barely two years of existence and already the Catalan start-up Theven Energy has developed an alternative to the generator with Ecologene®a nomadic system for generating low-cost, low-carbon electricity. “This autonomous generator, which takes the form of a container or trailer, is made from second-hand batteries from electric vehicles; it can be charged from the mains or by photovoltaic energy and operates without noise or odor” explains Vincent Theven, founder of the company.
Originally dedicated to individuals, Ecologenic® quickly found an industrial market, like Enedis which uses it to maintain power to its customers during the renovation of power lines.
Thanks to this price CircularityVincent Theven hopes to get closer to his goal: to conquer the international market, starting with Africa, Canada and South America.
Collective self-consumption
Created in 2018 by Donald François and based in Aix-en-Provence, the company SerenySunspecialized in the creation of short circuit energy communities, won the Ecosystem price for its collective self-consumption operation in Vaulx-en-Velin, (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region).
“Developed with the property company INEA, this project involves the solarization of 3,000 m² of roofs in the Portes de la Soie business park,” summarizes Alice Gaubert, development director. The 1,530 solar panels make it possible to supply green energy not only to the tenants of this area but more broadly to all consumers over a 2 kilometer area. Our ambition today is to duplicate this model in urban and peri-urban areas. The EnerGaïa show is an excellent lever for meeting market players and seeing the evolution of short energy circuits. »
Teeky transforms smart meters
Created in 2022 and incubated at Bic in Montpellier, the Gard start-up Sween also develops turnkey projects for collective self-consumption, shared mobility, smart charging, network services, etc. for real estate, communities, industry and individuals. His last solution, Teeky by Pilotica tool for energy data management and the Smart Grid, earned it the Favorite prize of the Occitanie Region.
“Our Teeky radio transmitter, which incorporates BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) technology, plugs into Linky smart meters, without the need for WIFI, to transform them into control relays,” explains Amaury Pachurka, the founder of Sween. Thanks to its unlimited reach, our solution offers a real-time view of energy data on the distribution network, which facilitates informed and optimized energy management by users. » The start-up took advantage of the show to officially launch its new brand, Pilotic.
During the awards ceremony, each winner placed a recycled glass ball from power line insulators in the main trophy symbolizing their contribution to the energy transition. “ The ball trophy embodies the idea that every contribution, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in building a sustainable future. By linking each winner to a symbolic marble, this trophy creates a community of innovators committed to the transition to renewable energies, while honoring their singularity » explains the Baudequinmaldes studio, creator of the Trophy.
