Powernaut Secures €2.4 Million to Accelerate Energy Decentralisation

Ghent, December 2024 – Belgian-based Powernaut, has raised €2.4 million in pre-seed funding to drive the energy sector's transition away from fossil fuels. Leading the round was Berlin-based Revent, joined by London’s Seedcamp, alongside Belgian investors Pitchdrive and Syndicate One. The funding will support Powernaut in scaling its cutting-edge orchestration software that manages and optimises millions of decentralised energy devices, such as solar panels, batteries, electric vehicles, and heat pumps, helping energy suppliers deliver smarter, greener solutions to consumers.

The global energy transition is creating a surge in decentralised energy infrastructure, with millions of new devices generating and consuming power locally. However, this presents significant challenges for traditional electricity grids, which were not designed for such complexity. The European Commission estimates the need for 10 million EV charging stations by 2030, alongside a rapid increase in renewable energy installations, underscoring the urgency for better energy management solutions.

Powernaut’s software addresses this challenge by helping energy suppliers coordinate decentralised energy assets. It balances local energy production with broader grid needs, ensuring efficient integration and creating opportunities for new, cost-effective consumer solutions—all while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Florentijn Degroote, co-founder and CEO of Powernaut, emphasized the challenges of our energy transition: "Navigating the transition is tough sailing, especially with so many renewables being installed without much coordination. Unlike traditional power plants, solar panels and wind turbines rely on fluctuating natural conditions, making our energy production increasingly unpredictable. To effectively add more renewables and keep costs low for everyone, these smart connected devices should and can be managed more efficiently with tailored software and AI technology."

“This investment comes at a perfect time,” said Henrik Grosse Hokamp, partner at Revent. “Powernaut is providing the technology needed to support decarbonisation, renewable energy rollout, and decentralisation, ultimately phasing out polluting power sources like gas plants.”

Partnerships Highlight Industry Impact

Since its founding in January 2024, Powernaut has partnered with leading industry players managing over 200MW of decentralised energy assets. This portfolio—equivalent to powering approximately 40,000 homes—demonstrates the company’s growing role in transforming Europe’s energy landscape.

“Decentralisation not only supports climate goals but also brings massive financial benefits,” added Serge Morel, co-founder and CTO of Powernaut. “Our system could save businesses and consumers across Europe over €300 billion annually while cutting millions of tons of CO₂ emissions.”

About Powernaut

Founded in 2024 by Florentijn Degroote and Serge Morel, Powernaut is on a mission to modernise energy management through decentralisation. The company’s AI-driven software enables energy suppliers to manage and optimise flexible energy devices, ensuring grid stability and cost efficiency. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, Powernaut aims to empower the energy sector to meet the growing demand for renewables while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.