Cyriel de Jong

Technology has the power to transform how the world’s growing energy demands are met. Kitepower takes wind energy to the next level by replacing rigid constructions with smart controls and lightweight wings to produce cost-efficient and clean electricity. We develop mobile airborne wind energy systems that make green electricity affordable for everyone. Kitepower is a commercial spin-off from the kite power research group of TU Delft and a first time industry applicant, currently funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation Program REACH. When hearing about wind energy most people currently think of conventional wind turbines consisting of a tower with a heavy generator on top to which two or three blades are attached. While this design has grown in acceptance as much as it has is size, it comes with certain downsides. With increasing height, the costs for the tower rise exponentially and a sophisticated infrastructure for transporting the heavy components and assembling the power plant is required. Furthermore, the outermost part of the huge and heavy blades create the most energy. Airborne wind energy make use of this fact and significantly simplifies the design of wind based power generators. The concept of airborne wind energy replaces the tower by a lightweight tether which connects an airborne kite to the ground. Different shapes and materials are possible for the kite, from fixed wings like a glider airplane to completely soft wings as used by surfers. The kite itself is the equivalent to the blade tips in a conventional turbine. It flies in circles or figures of eight to increase the effective wind speed. Power generation with an airborne wind energy system is either realized by small turbines mounted on the wing or by a generator on the ground in a so called pumping concept. By removing the heaviest component parts from the system, this type of power plant is much more mobile in terms of location, and considerably cheaper in construction.

MPower Ventures is a pan African impact and climate venture providing access to affordable clean energy in Sub-Sahara Africa. MPower combines high-quality solar hardware, flexible financing, software solutions, and expert after-sales support to deliver reliable energy to households, SMEs and small Commercial and Industrial (C&I) clients. Through an innovative B2B2C business model, MPower reduces local communities’ dependency on expensive fossil fuel-based products and unreliable electricity grids – unlocking energy access and improving their financial inclusion and overall socioeconomic status. Today, MPower operates in Zambia, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana and Namibia, and has secured partnerships in Malawi, Mali, and Botswana. Its diverse and motivated team brings international expertise in solar energy, development finance, technology, and operations, with a shared passion for sustainability and social impact. By leveraging technology, MPower distributes clean energy and designs solutions that empower communities economically and socially. Our vision is simple yet ambitious: to power the growth of emerging markets sustainably, one household and business at a time. MPowers solution not only enables off-grid and underelectrified communities to power their homes and businesses independently from the electricity grid or expensive fossil fuel-based products, but also improves their financial inclusion and overall socioeconomical status. The company is run by a young, diverse and motivated team with a passion for renewable energy, finance and social impact. Teams expertise ranges from finance to IT and from renewable energy to business development in Africa.

SeaQurrent is a start-up created to make electricity generated from tidal currents affordable and internationally accessible. To achieve this, we develop an innovative system using an underwater kite that is ecologically friendly, the SeaQurrent® TidalKite Power Plant. For more information see www.seaqurrent.com

Technology has the power to transform how the world’s growing energy demands are met. Kitepower takes wind energy to the next level by replacing rigid constructions with smart controls and lightweight wings to produce cost-efficient and clean electricity. We develop mobile airborne wind energy systems that make green electricity affordable for everyone. Kitepower is a commercial spin-off from the kite power research group of TU Delft and a first time industry applicant, currently funded by the EU Horizon 2020 Fast Track to Innovation Program REACH. When hearing about wind energy most people currently think of conventional wind turbines consisting of a tower with a heavy generator on top to which two or three blades are attached. While this design has grown in acceptance as much as it has is size, it comes with certain downsides. With increasing height, the costs for the tower rise exponentially and a sophisticated infrastructure for transporting the heavy components and assembling the power plant is required. Furthermore, the outermost part of the huge and heavy blades create the most energy. Airborne wind energy make use of this fact and significantly simplifies the design of wind based power generators. The concept of airborne wind energy replaces the tower by a lightweight tether which connects an airborne kite to the ground. Different shapes and materials are possible for the kite, from fixed wings like a glider airplane to completely soft wings as used by surfers. The kite itself is the equivalent to the blade tips in a conventional turbine. It flies in circles or figures of eight to increase the effective wind speed. Power generation with an airborne wind energy system is either realized by small turbines mounted on the wing or by a generator on the ground in a so called pumping concept. By removing the heaviest component parts from the system, this type of power plant is much more mobile in terms of location, and considerably cheaper in construction.

MPower Ventures is a pan African impact and climate venture providing access to affordable clean energy in Sub-Sahara Africa. MPower combines high-quality solar hardware, flexible financing, software solutions, and expert after-sales support to deliver reliable energy to households, SMEs and small Commercial and Industrial (C&I) clients. Through an innovative B2B2C business model, MPower reduces local communities’ dependency on expensive fossil fuel-based products and unreliable electricity grids – unlocking energy access and improving their financial inclusion and overall socioeconomic status. Today, MPower operates in Zambia, Cameroon, Togo, Ghana and Namibia, and has secured partnerships in Malawi, Mali, and Botswana. Its diverse and motivated team brings international expertise in solar energy, development finance, technology, and operations, with a shared passion for sustainability and social impact. By leveraging technology, MPower distributes clean energy and designs solutions that empower communities economically and socially. Our vision is simple yet ambitious: to power the growth of emerging markets sustainably, one household and business at a time. MPowers solution not only enables off-grid and underelectrified communities to power their homes and businesses independently from the electricity grid or expensive fossil fuel-based products, but also improves their financial inclusion and overall socioeconomical status. The company is run by a young, diverse and motivated team with a passion for renewable energy, finance and social impact. Teams expertise ranges from finance to IT and from renewable energy to business development in Africa.

SeaQurrent is a start-up created to make electricity generated from tidal currents affordable and internationally accessible. To achieve this, we develop an innovative system using an underwater kite that is ecologically friendly, the SeaQurrent® TidalKite Power Plant. For more information see www.seaqurrent.com

KYOS offers specialized advice on trading and risk management in energy markets. Our expert team has years of experience in quantitative modelling and advisory services in commodity markets. Our sophisticated solutions are developed to support decision making, investment proposals and risk calculations. Based on a solid analytical framework, KYOS offers: ► Software to optimize, value and manage energy portfolios ► Advisory services to support decisions in energy markets ► Training courses for energy professionals ► Cutting edge solutions for our clients! Our solutions are used amongst a broad customer base, including the major players in the commodity markets.