WattAnyWhere wins CHF 150,000 to develop clean and fast mobile EV charging stations
25.10.2022
WattAnyWhere provides charging point operators with a unique solution that addresses the current grid capacity shortfalls: a bioenergy-on-demand fuel cell system. Its off-grid, pollutant-free system converts renewable ethanol—a liquid hydrogen carrier that is safe and economical—into clean, high-power electricity using solid oxyde fuel cells (SOFC). The solution was developed with the support of EPFL, HES-SO, and ENSEA in France, as well as industrial partners across Europe. The startup will invest the CHF 150,000 awarded by Venture Kick in further R&D.
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Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) are booming, meaning there are more and more EV owners in need of a solid infrastructure of ultra-fast chargers accessible in public spaces such as car parks, supermarkets, motorways, or rest areas. However, the deployment of this infrastructure requires enormous amounts of energy and the connection of the fast chargers to the high-voltage grid is both slow and costly: it can take up to three years and cost a minimum of CHF 500,000. In 2020, only 5% of charging points deployed in Europe power at 50kW or more.
In partnership with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), HES-SO, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Electronique et ses Applications (ENSEA), Elcogen, and Helbio, WattAnyWhere offers a unique solution: a mobile generator that uses solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) to convert pure renewable ethanol into high-power electricity by chemical reaction. It is ultra-silent, produces zero nitrogen oxide, and can be fully functional in any location in just a month. Roughly the size of a parking space, the generator allows ultra-fast charging of three thousand EVs with just 30m3 of ethanol.
Current supply chains mix renewable ethanol with gasoline to fuel conventional cars. As these cars are progressively phased out, WattAnyWhere’s solution upcycles the surplus ethanol to boost electric mobility.
WattAnyWhere's target customers are charging point operators (CPOs) that install fast charging stations at supermarket parking lots and gas stations, such as OIKEN in Switzerland or SIPLEC (of the E. Leclerc Group) and VINCI Autoroutes in France. Initial target markets are Switzerland and France in the next three to four years, followed by Germany, Poland, the UK, Italy, and Northern Europe. WAW has also had initial discussions with representatives of the electric mobility sector in India and Thailand. Current launch customers that expressed interest in WattAnyWhere’s solution represent a deployment of CHF 2.9 billion in Switzerland and France alone.
The startup will invest the CHF 150,000 awarded by Venture Kick in further R&D to finalize a demonstration between 2023 and 2024—specifically, a fast-charging point which is able to reach a 80% charge in less than an hour—aiming for a 300kW minimum viable product by 2025.
WattAnyWhere was co-founded by Didier Roux (CEO) and Alexandre Laybros (co-CEO), both of whom are ENSEA-educated electrical engineers. Didier Roux is the founder and former CEO of KRONO-SAFE. Alexandre Laybros is the former Director of Strategy and Marketing at Honeywell Intl., bringing more than 20 years of experience in innovation. Their executive team consists of Philippe Ruez and Olivier de Bruijn, who lead the R&D, systems integration, validation, and suppliers related activities. Patrick Brennan (CFO) is responsible for all strategic forecasting and financial planning.
“Venture Kick not only provided funds for our growth, but they also gave us support and guidance to develop our business plan and access to investors,” the company’s founders explain. “The Venture Kick network is an invaluable asset for startups. It exposed us to diverse groups of investors and industry experts that challenged us and put WattAnyWhere on the right track. "
Looking ahead, the founders are setting their sights on growth and good partnerships: “Right now, our focus is growth, accelerating our product roadmap with suppliers, and working closely with our customers to make sure we meet their needs and the needs of the continuously changing market.”
In partnership with the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), HES-SO, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de l’Electronique et ses Applications (ENSEA), Elcogen, and Helbio, WattAnyWhere offers a unique solution: a mobile generator that uses solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) to convert pure renewable ethanol into high-power electricity by chemical reaction. It is ultra-silent, produces zero nitrogen oxide, and can be fully functional in any location in just a month. Roughly the size of a parking space, the generator allows ultra-fast charging of three thousand EVs with just 30m3 of ethanol.
Current supply chains mix renewable ethanol with gasoline to fuel conventional cars. As these cars are progressively phased out, WattAnyWhere’s solution upcycles the surplus ethanol to boost electric mobility.
WattAnyWhere's target customers are charging point operators (CPOs) that install fast charging stations at supermarket parking lots and gas stations, such as OIKEN in Switzerland or SIPLEC (of the E. Leclerc Group) and VINCI Autoroutes in France. Initial target markets are Switzerland and France in the next three to four years, followed by Germany, Poland, the UK, Italy, and Northern Europe. WAW has also had initial discussions with representatives of the electric mobility sector in India and Thailand. Current launch customers that expressed interest in WattAnyWhere’s solution represent a deployment of CHF 2.9 billion in Switzerland and France alone.
The startup will invest the CHF 150,000 awarded by Venture Kick in further R&D to finalize a demonstration between 2023 and 2024—specifically, a fast-charging point which is able to reach a 80% charge in less than an hour—aiming for a 300kW minimum viable product by 2025.
WattAnyWhere was co-founded by Didier Roux (CEO) and Alexandre Laybros (co-CEO), both of whom are ENSEA-educated electrical engineers. Didier Roux is the founder and former CEO of KRONO-SAFE. Alexandre Laybros is the former Director of Strategy and Marketing at Honeywell Intl., bringing more than 20 years of experience in innovation. Their executive team consists of Philippe Ruez and Olivier de Bruijn, who lead the R&D, systems integration, validation, and suppliers related activities. Patrick Brennan (CFO) is responsible for all strategic forecasting and financial planning.
“Venture Kick not only provided funds for our growth, but they also gave us support and guidance to develop our business plan and access to investors,” the company’s founders explain. “The Venture Kick network is an invaluable asset for startups. It exposed us to diverse groups of investors and industry experts that challenged us and put WattAnyWhere on the right track. "
Looking ahead, the founders are setting their sights on growth and good partnerships: “Right now, our focus is growth, accelerating our product roadmap with suppliers, and working closely with our customers to make sure we meet their needs and the needs of the continuously changing market.”
The WattAnyWhere team (from left to right): Patrick Brennan (CFO), Olivier DeBruijn (VP R&DFuel Cell), Didier Roux (CEO), Alexandre Laybros (co-CEO), and Phillippe Ruez (VP R&DSystems and Integration)