The Green Energy Africa Summit (GEAS) has announced ten green technology startup companies as finalists that will have the opportunity to present to potential investors at a pitching event in October.

In preparation, the finalists will be invited to a focused training session to get them pitch perfect, the GEAS adds.

The finalists were selected following the Energy Investment Village selection process. The Energy Investment Village is a partnership between Freeport Saldanha, its initiative the Saldanha Bay Innovation Campus and advisory firm the Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainability.

"The pitching event allows investors, entrepreneurs and startups to find one another. There are compelling, innovative and investment-ready clean energy initiatives out there, which can deliver attractive returns. It is a win-win for all industry players,” says Freeport Saldanha CEO Kaashifah Beukes.

The ten Energy Investment Village finalists include renewable energy company HydroFuel Solutions, which is developing commercially viable green hydrogen production projects that make use of plasma waste gasification and electrolysis.

Biofuels startup SeaH4 is developing biofuels based on algae as a carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels, initially by producing bio-liquefied natural gas as a bunker fuel.

Additionally, renewable energy company Impact-free Water has designed and patented a wave-energy pump to provide seawater for electricity-free desalination, mariculture and power production.

Green hydrogen company Keren Energy is developing one of South Africa’s first green hydrogen projects, with a fully permitted project site in Vanrhynsdorp, in the Western Cape, using a 100 kW photovoltaic solar system to produce green hydrogen.

Further, solar energy company SlideLuvre has developed unique, double-sided solar slats that generate energy even when shaded, using high-efficiency solar cells to boost morning and afternoon generation.

Engineering company Brayfoil Technologies is designing turbine blades that change shape to reduce loads, enabling larger, more efficient, more reliable and affordable devices that also last longer.

Recycling company PWK Waste Management and Recycling is providing efficient, cost-effective waste-management solutions, by collecting recyclable waste, including used oil from informal motor mechanics.

Mobile wind power company Oceanergy has developed the Kite Fuel Ship technology, which is a ship-based mobile wind power plant, to harvest wind energy on the open ocean, with integrated hydrogen conversion and storage.

Meanwhile, green hydrogen and ammonia company Atlanthia has a project using solar, wind and battery storage to supply electricity for hydrogen electrolysis, desalination, air separation and green ammonia processes.

Energy trading technology company Zimi Charge is leading an initiative using an app to connect people, their cars and charging stations, with 100% renewable energy procured from energy trading partners.

“[The] Green Energy Africa Summit is all about connecting South Africa’s growing demand for innovative green energy with workable, bankable, local solutions. The Energy Investment Village helps facilitate this and ensures good, viable ideas are not left behind,” said GEAS Energy VP Paul Sinclair.