Energypolis start-up WattAnyWhere raises CHF 100,000 for its biomass to electricity converter

WattAnyWhere has received CHF 100,000 from the FIT for its mobile fuel cell based system which converts renewable ethanol produced out of biomass into high power electricity for electric vehicle fast-charging.

The transition to battery electric vehicles requires tremendous amounts of energy to be available at the right place and anytime. In practice, 3.5 million charging points will be needed by 2030. To meet this growing demand, WattAnyWhere has conceived a 100% renewable, pollutant-free electricity production process.

Based at the Energypolis Campus in Sion (canton of Valais), the cleantech start-up brings a unique solution with a mobile generator that uses Solid Oxide Fuel Cells to convert renewable ethanol – exclusively from used sugar beet by-product, wheat straw and other residues of the sugar industry – into electricity.

The generator is ultra-silent, produces zero pollutants, and is fully functional anywhere in just a month. Modular, it can be easily installed and stacked to follow the rapid growth of clean electricity demand. Thanks to the high energy density of ethanol and unique efficiency of the Fuel Cell system, operators of charging points can provide ultra-fast charging to three thousand electric vehicles with just 30 cubic meters of ethanol.

Commercialization expected in 2023

Having received a loan from the FIT in the amount of CHF 100,000, WattAnyWhere will be able to complete its 350W proof-of-concept within the EPFL lab in Sion, including a self-optimizing control algorithm and enhanced efficiency of the fuel cell.

The start-up is also preparing to raise funds to finance its minimum viable product (MVP), and further intends to start commercialization in 2023.