WattAnyWhere has demonstrated its renewable-ethanol SOFC generator at E.Leclerc Valdahon, showing how supermarkets can strengthen energy autonomy, improve resilience and support high-demand applications such as EV charging through locally produced clean power.
The demonstration validated how WattAnyWhere’s generator can be integrated into a true microgrid configuration for retail sites. In this setup, the generator can support local power production, reduce dependence on grid availability and help critical supermarket operations remain powered when energy resilience matters most.
Supermarkets are becoming increasingly energy-intensive sites. Beyond refrigeration, heating, cooling, lighting and daily operations, they are now expected to support high-demand customer services such as EV charging.
Expanding that energy capacity through the grid can be slow and expensive. In many markets, nearby substations are already saturated, transformer supply chains remain delayed, and a growing number of projects, from solar farms to industrial sites and EV charging infrastructure, are competing for connection capacity.
Many supermarkets also produce electricity through solar panels. But when the grid is unavailable, solar production alone cannot always be used unless the site is designed as a true local microgrid.
For supermarkets, a grid outage can quickly become an operational and financial risk: critical loads are interrupted, fresh and frozen products are exposed, customer traffic is affected, and teams are diverted from service to crisis management.
This is where a true microgrid configuration becomes critical: local energy must remain usable when the main grid is unavailable.
WattAnyWhere’s SOFC generator converts renewable ethanol into clean electricity through an electrochemical process, without combustion. In a microgrid configuration, the generator can help provide the local synchronization reference when the grid is unavailable, enabling locally produced energy to support critical loads, EV charging and site operations.
For E.Leclerc Valdahon, the technology is particularly relevant because EV charging is becoming a strategic service for the supermarket. Charging infrastructure can bring additional customer traffic to the store, improve the customer experience and create value during the time drivers spend on site. For EV drivers, reliable charging is also about time, convenience and peace of mind.
“With solar panels already installed on site, we can produce a lot of energy, but we also see the limits when the grid is unavailable or when our energy needs continue to grow,” said Yvan Bauer, owner of E.Leclerc Valdahon. “What interests us with WattAnyWhere is the possibility to adopt a true microgrid configuration, strengthen our energy autonomy and resilience, and support services that matter for our customers, such as EV charging.”
Environmental impact is also central to the partnership. WattAnyWhere’s solution uses renewable ethanol as feedstock and produces clean electricity without combustion, helping reduce diesel-type emissions, noise and local air pollution. The system also produces pure water as a by-product and biogenic CO₂, creating additional environmental and circular-economy opportunities.
Renewable ethanol is a a familiar energy carrier in the retail fuel ecosystem, already used in gasoline blends. Combined with WattAnyWhere’s SOFC technology, it provides a practical pathway toward cleaner and more resilient electricity production, using a liquid fuel that benefits from existing distribution experience and wide availability.
“Retail energy demand is evolving fast,” said Didier Roux, CEO of WattAnyWhere. “They need clean, resilient and cost-competitive power for critical operations, customer services and future site expansion. This demonstration shows how renewable ethanol, SOFC technology and microgrid configuration can work together to support that transition.”
The Valdahon demonstration confirms WattAnyWhere’s progress from energy analysis and partnership to real-world deployment. It also highlights the role decentralized clean power can play for supermarkets, commercial centers and businesses seeking fast access to reliable energy without waiting for costly grid reinforcement.
About WattAnyWhere
WattAnyWhere is a pioneering provider of renewable energy solutions, dedicated to delivering energy autonomy through innovative technologies. The company’s pollutant-free fuel cell generator converts renewable ethanol into clean electricity, offering businesses and communities a sustainable alternative to traditional grid-based power. WattAnyWhere has flourished within the Energypolis Campus in Sion, Switzerland, which brings together EPFL Valais Wallis, HES-SO Valais-Wallis and The Ark Foundation to put new technologies into the hands of innovative companies.
With a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, WattAnyWhere is committed to delivering clean energy solutions that meet the increasing energy demands of today’s world.
About E.Leclerc Valdahon
E.Leclerc Valdahon is a franchise of the renowned E.Leclerc retail chain, one of France’s largest and most respected retailers. Situated in the town of Valdahon, this franchise embodies the core values and commitment of the E.Leclerc brand, offering quality products at competitive prices. The store provides a wide range of goods, including groceries, electronics, and household items, catering to the diverse needs of its local community. E.Leclerc Valdahon is dedicated to promoting sustainable practices and innovation within the retail sector, actively supporting local initiatives and striving to reduce its environmental impact. Through efforts in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible sourcing, E.Leclerc Valdahon aims to deliver exceptional value to its customers while contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
