On September 16, 2024, in Madrid, it was announced that the ten startups that won the third edition of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator will have the opportunity to test their technological solutions in Europe, after obtaining financing to advance their innovative projects focused on sustainability. In addition, these companies have been awarded the possibility of implementing their advances in Amazon facilities, with potential financial support of up to two million euros.
These companies will work hand in hand with Amazon in various countries, such as Spain, the United Kingdom, Denmark, France and Germany, with the aim of improving energy efficiency through the use of artificial intelligence, exploring new techniques for recycling electronic waste, creating advanced packaging solutions or developing innovative materials for construction.
Raicoon CEO Fiona Amann said: “We are proud to be able to implement its technology at Amazon’s logistics centre in Seville: “We are proud to collaborate with Amazon to leverage artificial intelligence and fully automate its solar plants. This pilot goes beyond energy efficiency: it is about demonstrating how autonomous systems can increase solar energy yield by up to 15% and avoid costly incidents such as thermal events. Our technology ensures that Amazon’s solar plants operate at maximum efficiency, significantly reducing costs and paving the way for a scalable and sustainable energy future. Together, we are shaping a world that runs on renewable energy.”
Amazon Sustainability Accelerator
The duration and scope of the pilot projects will depend on the specific climate challenge they were designed to address, and upon completion, they could establish longer-term collaborations with Amazon. Three of the startups will carry out tests in Spain, specifically at the SVQ1 logistics centre, located in Dos Hermanas, Seville.
Pirta and SolCold will launch two pilots to test their innovative heat transfer and efficient water management technologies, which will optimize energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions related to heating and cooling facilities.
Austrian startup Raicoon will also deploy technology that will increase the efficiency of solar panels at SVQ1, Amazon’s largest solar facility in Europe, by 15%. Using artificial intelligence, its “Autonomous Operations Center” will be able to automatically detect anomalies such as debris or system failures, allowing it to optimize performance and keep solar panels operating at their full potential.
The ten winning companies have received funding through the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator to develop their projects, focused on solving environmental challenges
Through the pilots, Amazon subject matter experts will work closely with the startups, offering advice, troubleshooting assistance, and opportunities to refine their technology and achieve the best possible launch outcome. Once completed, Amazon will evaluate the environmental impact, financial viability, and overall effectiveness of the pilots to determine whether they can be expanded to other Amazon facilities, establishing a long-term partnership with the startups.
“This pioneering program is a testament to Amazon’s commitment to supporting innovation and driving positive change,” said Justine Mahler, Amazon’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “By providing a real-world testing ground for unique, cutting-edge technologies, we’re not only reducing our environmental impact, but also creating a model for more sustainable practices across the industry.”
Since its launch in 2022, the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator has supported more than 40 companies in Europe and the UK, including two in Spain, providing more than $1 million in grants and loans, and helping these companies increase their sales by an average of 700% and raise more than €18.7 million to date.
