Breakthrough Energy

Contrails, the streaks of white left by planes, might look harmless, but when they spread, they trap heat and contribute to global warming. This climate problem has a simple fix: shifting flight paths by as little as 2,000 feet could cut aviation’s warming impact in half. In Cipher News’ Voices piece, Ian McKay and Ken Caldeira explain why addressing contrails is central to the net-zero mission: https://nt-z.ro/3Z57ZQ6

EUROPEAN CLEANTECH NEEDS A REALITY CHECK ?? Written with?Julia Reinaud As the EU gears up for a new Clean Industrial Deal, it’s time for a “by-the-metrics” analysis of the gap between ambitious targets and realities on the ground. Restoring competitiveness will prove impossible without corresponding deployment and scaling of clean technologies. That’s why a fact-based and real-time ‘reality check’ is not only in order but long overdue. ???? Yes, the EU is home to the world’s most advanced policy framework for the energy transition, with bold targets for 2030 and 2050 and a new set of 2040 targets currently under discussion. ?? But what is actually happening in the real economy? We need to have a hard, honest look at what is working and what is not. Otherwise, what is supposed to be evidence-based policymaking risks turning into policy based evidence-making - or simply wishful thinking?? ??In our latest collaboration with @CleantechforEurope, with analytical support from Systemiq Ltd., we will be publishing a series of brief, fact-based Cleantech Reality Checks on key technologies for Europe’s energy transition, its future resilience and competitiveness. 1?? The first edition looks at the state of Europe’s much-hyped hydrogen economy. Apart from a Hydrogen Bank, Hydrogen Valleys, Hydrogen Alliance, IPCEI Hy2Tech, countless conferences and announcements, what do we actually have to show for? ?? ?? Our reality check assesses the hydrogen project pipeline, final investment decisions (FIDs), cost-competitiveness, demand generation and market dynamics, shedding necessary light on a performance that has hitherto lingered largely in the dark. ? ??????? And we even dig deeper, zeroing in on three key hydrogen end-uses: oil refining, e-SAF for aviation and e-fuels for shipping. ?? While some slow progress is happening at refineries - already major consumers of (grey) hydrogen - eSAF projects will not reach FID unless they are given a final push to get through the finish line. Meanwhile, policy flexibility in shipping creates incentives for a switch to fossil LNG rather than near zero-carbon efuels like methanol and ammonia. ??Find out more here https://lnkd.in/eXMRreGD and stay tuned for the next Cleantech Reality Check, which will serve up some?? electrifying ??data nuggets following #COP29.

NitroVolt, a Breakthrough Energy Fellows project, just secured €3.5M in seed funding to redefine ammonia production for agriculture — making it cleaner, decentralized, and powered by renewables. Led by BackingMinds and Danmarks Eksport- og Investeringsfond, with support from Breakthrough Energy Fellows, this investment fuels NitroVolt’s mission to decarbonize ammonia production by bringing its ammonia synthesis reactor, the Nitrolyzer, to the pilot stage. Read more about NitroVolt in TechCrunch: https://nt-z.ro/4fNaJs8

?? Cleantech’s Real Metric for Success: Rate of Adoption ?? This week, at both the #CleantechForum Europe and the #RenewableHydrogen Summit, I saw firsthand the tremendous progress in European cleantech, as well as the limitations and challenges ahead. ?? I met with EU, US and Canadian investors alongside bold entrepreneurs pioneering technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a resilient and sustainable economy. From advanced energy storage to smart grid solutions, these changemakers—many highlighted on the Cleantech Group “Top 50 to Watch” list—are redefining what’s possible for a sustainable future. ???? ??However, technology alone isn’t enough to transform our economy. Despite this remarkable pipeline of innovation, cleantech solutions face significant challenges in scaling and achieving the level of market adoption necessary to reach net-zero goals. ?? BloombergNEF’s recent report on green hydrogen reveals a major supply-demand gap: while Europe might target 20 million metric tons of clean hydrogen by 2030 to meet its climate objectives, existing #demand commitments represent only a fraction of this (only 12% of announced 2030 clean H2 volumes has an identified #offtaker). This shortfall severely impacts the bankability and cost-effectiveness of hydrogen projects in #europe. ???? ????When I consider the rate of adoption in sectors like #digital tech and #AI, it’s hard not to feel envious. These fields benefit from shorter development cycles, lower capital intensity, and, crucially, high adoption rates. In contrast, cleantech is characterized by prolonged R&D, high operational costs, and complex infrastructure requirements, making scaling and adoption a much heavier lift. Yet, waiting is not an option - we make a step change in the acceleration of cleantech adoption, driven by THE urgency to ensure real, market-wide impact. ??? At Cleantech Forum Europe, the theme “From Building Ventures to Building New Look Industries” was ?? and reminded me of ARPA-E’s motto: “If it works, will it matter?”. The answer depends on more than just inventing impactful technology—it hinges on scaling these solutions. Without stronger policy support to create demand and incentivize adoption, cleantech risks becoming another European innovation story without true market impact. ?? Reflecting on these issues in my fireside chat with Jules Besnainou, we explored Europe’s policy landscape and the urgent need for adoption amid geopolitical uncertainties, especially with the US elections casting an uncertain shadow. Europe must take decisive action to foster markets for cleantech or risk falling behind in the global energy transition. ???? During these events, it was energizing to connect with leaders like H?kon Volldal @NEL, @Decarbonization Partners, European Investment Bank (EIB) Breakthrough Energy team and so many others committed to making this progress a reality. ?? #Realitycheck #Cleantech #EnergyTransition #PolicyInnovation

In 2024, Bill Gates and Breakthrough Energy noticed a subtle yet powerful shift in how the private sector began deploying clean tech. I had a chance to discuss this with Bill recently. And as our conversation goes live this morning on the #OptimisticOutlook podcast, I wanted to devote a newsletter to a critical topic: the people now guiding this latest industrial revolution. After all, technology is only as powerful as the people behind it.

Day 2 at #COP29 in Baku with Alberto Toril Castro, Anca Gurzu, and Matteo Mirolo. Highlights for me so far: ?? A panel discussion with Lilyana Pavlova, Ambroise Fayolle (EIB), Iliyana Tsanova (EC), Jurgen Rigterink (EBRD), and Delyana Ivanova (Bulgarian Development Bank) on 'Powering up Competitiveness in the CEE region' organized by the Green Transition Forum. We discussed lessons from the #Dragi report, and what it takes to help European companies #scale. ?? This is a problem in the #CEE region in particular. While potential is big (in 2023, over 80 startups across 10 CEE countries secured fresh funding to scale their energy-focused solutions in the region and beyond), there are problems with access to smart capital and later-stage funding. As a result, 40% of founders who studied at #universities in CEE do not stay in the same country to found their #startup. ?? A roundtable on #energycorridors organized by S&P Global Commodity Insights, where speakers from around the globe discussed the benefits of green energy corridors, how to realize them, and how to combine them with transport and digital corridors. I yet remain to be convinced that much of this can be realized, especially in #Europe, considering #supplychain bottlenecks we already see in existing large-scale infrastructure projects. ?? A Climate #Security Reflection Dinner, hosted by Benedikt Franke of the Munich Security Conference, with an inspiring intervention by Tony Agotha, #EU Special Envoy for Climate and Environment Diplomacy on the EU's role in the world and its efforts to lead on #climateaction. My take is that climate Security and #energyresilience need to go hand in hand. While we strive for #netzero, we need to avoid dependencies on any one #fuel, #technology, or country, and also protect our #infrastructure. That's why we created the Energy Resilience Leadership Group at the #MSC two years ago. It's a coalition of corporates and emerging cleantech players to accelerate the deployment of emerging tech. ?? Columbia University Roundtable on 'Reconciling Climate and #Trade: Principles and Practicalities', with interesting reflections on whether or not a climate and trade agreement is feasible under #WTO rules. Someone said that a future alternative #multilateral approach might not be centered in #DC or #Brussels - if anyone needed a reminder of how the world is changing. I was also happy to meet colleagues from the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, Grégoire Roos, Dr. Bryan Scheler, and Paula Schmid Schmidsfelden. ?? A great discussion with team of Clean Air Task Force, together with my colleague Alberto Toril Castro. The team around Larissa Lee Beck, Kasparas Spokas and others is extremely insightful and impactful across Europe, the #US, and #MiddleEast, I came out of that discussion with plenty of new ideas. More to come.

Innovation is crucial to achieving net-zero emissions. At Breakthrough Energy, we believe that discovering new climate tech is just as important as developing and deploying them. By supporting ideas at the discovery phase through initiatives like our Fellows program and Explorer grants, we’re tackling emissions across all five grand challenges: manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, transportation, and buildings. Early-stage discovery isn’t just about innovation, it’s about laying the foundation for the affordable, scalable solutions that will power our clean energy future. Learn more about our expanding program: https://nt-z.ro/4fyfYMs Apply to our fellowship today: https://nt-z.ro/4fOqY8J

?? Speaker Spotlight: Penelope Le Menestrel, Manager Europe at Breakthrough Energy Pénélope joined Breakthrough Energy in January 2022, bringing a rich background in energy transition, strategy, market intelligence, and project management. With experience as a strategy consultant in the U.S. and work in hydrogen energy strategy at Air Liquide in France, Pénélope has a deep commitment to advancing sustainable energy solutions. ?? Catch her insights at the opening session: ?? Tuesday, 26 Nov ?? 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CET - Powering Growth: How to Finance the Battery Value Chain? This session is ideal for those interested in financing mechanisms and strategies to support the growth of Europe’s battery ecosystem. ? #BID2024

?? Exciting News! NitroVolt has raised €3.5M to innovate on decentralized and green ammonia technology!??? We’re thrilled to announce the close of our €3.5M seed round, co-led by BackingMinds and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, alongside a remarkable consortium of amazing investors each bringing something unique to the team: Breakthrough Energy Fellowship, EQT Foundation, Satgana, and Division Q. Thank you all for your confidence in NitroVolt's mission to make ammonia production sustainable! ??? ? A special shoutout to those who have been supporting us with this investment round: LASSEN RICARD, Highbridge Law Firm for legal support and V2 Communications for PR support – your help has been invaluable. ???? ? This investment will accelerate NitroVolt’s efforts to scale up sustainable and decentralized ammonia production by allowing us to expand the fantastic NitroTeam and build our first on-site Demo Unit. ? ?? If you're interested in joining the team, keep an eye out for job postings! ? Thank you to everyone involved for helping NitroVolt take this pivotal step toward a greener future. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries and working on making green ammonia affordable and available to all! ???? ? #greenammonia #sustainableenergy #cleantech #NitroVolt #seedround

?? NOW BOARDING: Join the Future of Aviation at the Sustainable Aero Festival!??? Meet the most inspiring people working on the future of aviation at the Sustainable Aero Festival on Dec 2-3 in Amsterdam. Including: Michael Winter - Chief Science Officer RTX Jolanda Stevens - Zero Emission Aviation Program KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Axel Krein - Executive Director EU Clean Aviation Susan Ying FRAeS, FAIAA - SVP Ampaire Julia Reinaud - Senior Director Breakthrough Energy Jan Toschka - CEO Zaffra Tom O'Leary - Co-founder & CEO JetZero ...and more than 40 startups shaping the future of aviation! ??? Book now and save 20% with code BOARDING-NOW, available only until November 20. Whether you’re an industry expert or a newcomer passionate about sustainable solutions, the Sustainable Aero Festival is your gateway to the future of green aviation! ?? Secure your ticket NOW and take off with us: https://lnkd.in/dP-D8ZYB