WattAnyWhere, a French-Swiss cleantech startup developing off-grid electricity generation using renewable ethanol, proudly announces the successful completion of the second toll gate in the Shell GameChanger Accelerator program. This achievement marks a major milestone: the successful demonstration of its Proof of Concept (PoC) in a controlled laboratory environment – a key step toward real-world deployment.
The milestone validates WattAnyWhere’s core technology at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, proving its capability to generate clean, off-grid electricity from renewable ethanol. The lab-scale demonstration delivered 10kW of output, aligned with the objectives defined in collaboration with Shell.
“Proving our technology in the lab was a major milestone. It confirms that our system can reliably generate clean electricity from renewable ethanol at a significant power level,” said Alexandre Laybros, Co-founder at WattAnyWhere. “We’re proud of what our team has achieved – and deeply appreciative of Shell’s support, which continues to help us move faster.. Now, we’re heading toward the next challenge: demonstrating our solution in a real-world setting.”
The next phase, aligned with TRL 7, will focus on in situ testing at Shell’s Aire de Val Neuvy service station in France. There, WattAnyWhere’s system will be deployed in a live environment to validate its performance under real operational conditions. This crucial step will pave the way for future deployments in high-impact commercial and industrial applications.
“WattAnyWhere’s solution shows real promise – not just for electric vehicle charging, but as a versatile alternative to diesel generators and a potential backup during peak energy demand,” said Philippe Milde, Motorway Manager Benelux & France at Shell. “Today, seeing their Proof of Concept successfully deliver 10 kilowatts of clean energy in the lab is a major step forward. I’m excited to see this solution integrated into its full container setup and tested in real conditions at one of our highway stations in France. The potential applications are clear – and they’re significant.”
WattAnyWhere’s innovative technology delivers reliable, clean electricity while addressing the growing demand for scalable and sustainable alternatives to grid-based energy. In addition to helping reduce carbon emissions and supporting global environmental goals, the solution offers significant economic potential – empowering businesses to grow more sustainably while achieving energy independence and cost savings.
This second toll gate success follows WattAnyWhere’s initial selection and first toll gate achievement, announced earlier in 2024. Read about the first toll gate here.
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 continues to flourish 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.
About Shell GameChanger Accelerator
Shell GameChanger is renowned for its collaboration with start-ups and businesses working on early-stage ideas with the potential to impact the future of energy. The program provides crucial support, expertise, and seed funding, allowing these ventures the autonomy to make decisions that could revolutionize the energy landscape.
