E4tech

E4tech is a sustainable energy consulting firm operating at the intersection between business, technology and policy. Since our foundation in 1997 we have served a very broad range of private and public sector clients across the world from our offices in UK and Switzerland.

Fuel Cells

Fuel cells have the potential to provide clean and efficient energy solutions in portable electronics, transport and stationary power generation. Different fuel cell technology and fuel options could provide different opportunities in many regions of the world. However, the technology is not yet mature and the competition is strong.

At E4tech we have a deep understanding of the fuel cell sector and of the technologies that go into making a fuel cell system work, in addition to a clear view of competing technologies. We also have an exceptional network of experts with deep technology and applications expertise, who can provide insight into specific fuel cell issues.

Some of E4tech’s recent projects in fuel cells:

• We have supported new fuel cell technology companies to assess market opportunities, and define product requirements for these markets, and assess competitor technologies.
• We have completed more than a dozen due diligence-related assessments of novel fuel cell technologies for venture capital funds and other investors. These have assessed the early-stage market potential of technologies including SOFC, PEM, MCFC, and AFC. This analysis is based on our understanding of the key technology issues and market requirements within specific market segments.
• We have conducted strategic reviews of fuel cell technology for major corporations, to enable them to understand the real status of the technology and the implications of any engagements they may make
• We have worked with the UK Fuel Cells Application Facility since its inception to identify strategic opportunities, develop tools to assess the applicability of fuel cells in particular applications, and to review the centre’s progress to date.
• We assessed the market prospects for fuel cells in the UK for the UK Carbon Trust and Department of Trade & Industry, leading to the development of a fuel cell vision for the UK.

We have fuel cell clients ranging from multinational companies to start-up companies:

• energy companies and utilities
• fuel cell technology companies
• national and regional governments
• industrial chemical and engineering companies
• multilateral institutions
• automotive companies
• financial organisations, from VCs to global investment banks and hedge funds

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• strategy and business development
• strategic analysis for fuel cell product introduction
• technology assessment for financial and strategic investors
• global market assessment
• competitor analysis and positioning
• policy analysis and development
• techno-economic modelling and infrastructure analysis

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

Our work in fuel cells is led by David Hart

 

Hydrogen

Hydrogen could be one of the major clean energy carriers of the future. It may be coupled with renewable energy, used in fuel cells, and used to provide fuel for portable, stationary and transport technologies. However, the resources used to produce hydrogen, the technologies required, and the benefits of using it in a particular situation vary dramatically. E4tech has a clear understanding of the technical potential of hydrogen energy, the complexities that surround it and the business and policy frameworks into which it may be introduced. We can provide technology, strategy and policy advice on hydrogen energy at any level.

E4tech’s recent projects in hydrogen include:

• We developed a hydrogen energy strategy for a leading industrial company, working with a senior team across several regions and lines of business. The strategy identified opportunities for hydrogen and fuel cells in the client’s existing business, and developed new business areas, leading to endorsement by the board and a multi-million dollar implementation.
• We modelled the development of a plausible European Hydrogen Fuelling Infrastructure for Linde, to assess the economics and financing requirements. The analysis showed that the cost and financing of such an infrastructure was well within the boundaries of other typical infrastructure investments
• We assessed the potential for hydrogen as a transport fuel and developed a hydrogen energy strategic analysis for the UK, both for UK government departments. These analyses informed UK policy development, leading to policy initiatives including funding for demonstration projects.
• We have completed many pre-investment assessments of hydrogen technologies for venture capital funds. These have assessed the early-stage market potential for technologies including PEM electrolysers and novel hydrogen production technologies. Our analysis is based on a clear understanding of the key technology issues and market requirements within specific market segments.
• We have investigated the current status of research and the technology prospects for novel hydrogen production technologies, including biohydrogen and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, for public and private clients.

We have hydrogen energy clients ranging from multinational companies to start-up companies:

• energy companies and utilities
• national and regional governments
• industrial chemical and engineering companies
• multilateral institutions
• automotive companies
• financial organisations, from VCs to global investment banks and hedge funds

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• strategy and business development
• technology and global market assessments
• competitor analysis and positioning
• policy analysis and development
• techno-economic modelling and infrastructure analysis
• strategic analysis for product introduction

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

Our work in hydrogen is led by David Hart

 

Bioenergy

Biomass from agriculture, forestry and wastes can be used to produce heat, electricity and transport fuels using a range of conversion technologies. Existing and new feedstocks and technologies could contribute significantly to future energy supply. Also, bioenergy could provide a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in different energy sectors. As a result, policy mechanisms around the world have recently led to a significant increase in bioenergy production, and in particular, in biofuels for transport. The rise in interest and use of bioenergy has also led to greater scrutiny of its own greenhouse gas emissions and broader sustainability. E4tech has a deep understanding of currently used and novel bioenergy technologies and related feedstocks, as well as the market segments in which bioenergy is or could be used. We also have a clear understanding of the policies affecting bioenergy uptake and the sustainability issues confronting its expanded use. We provide technology, strategy and policy advice to a wide range of clients in these areas.

E4tech’s recent projects in bioenergy include:

• We have assessed biomass energy opportunities in stationary power and transport fuels in selected world regions for corporate clients, based on a thorough understanding of resource potential and demand side factors.
• We have identified and reviewed R&D ideas for novel bioenergy routes and their potential commercial value, for private and public organisations, based on a deep understanding of thermal, biological and chemical conversion routes.
• We have assessed early-stage market potential for bioenergy technology companies for a range of investors, based on an understanding of the technology and market requirements within specific market segments.
• We have evaluated bioenergy projects for a range of investors, based on an assessment of technology, feedstock and end-product market risks.
• We have designed and analysed bioenergy policies and activities for governments, in particular work related to the introduction of a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation and a methodology for assessing the greenhouse gas emissions of biofuels chains in the UK.
• We have developed and applied methodologies for assessment of greenhouse gas balances of a wide range of bioenergy chains, and advised on potential emissions reductions.

We have bioenergy clients ranging from multinational companies to start-up companies:

• energy companies and utilities
• financial organisations, from VCs to global investment banks and hedge funds
• NGOs
• national and regional governments
• multilateral institutions

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• strategy and business development
• technology and global market assessments
• competitor analysis and positioning
• policy analysis and development
• techno-economic modelling and supply chain analysis
• greenhouse gas and sustainability assessment

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

Our work in bioenergy is led by Ausilio Bauen

 

Sustainable Buildings

Both existing and new buildings are increasingly subject to the twin environmental pressures of climate change and atmospheric pollution. Indoor comfort and occupants’ needs have to be met using less energy. Our expertise can help understand and improve energy efficiency and the indoor environment. E4tech employs the techniques of building physics and the knowledge of people’s preferences for this purpose. We carry out consulting projects and software development for designers and operators of buildings, as well as building research institutions.

Many of our projects provide a win-win outcome, with benefits being provided to the client in the form of improved energy efficiency, including reduced emissions in the environment offering the client improved worker productivity and comfort.

E4tech's extensive experience continues to allow its staff to maintain a leading knowledge position in the sector.

E4tech has experience in the following sectors:

• Energy efficiency
• Indoor air quality
• Thermal and humidity problems
• VOC diffusion
• Lighting
• Development of software tools

Sample of Clients :

• Architects
• Engineering Firms
• Large building owners / occupiers
• European Commission
• Universities and Technical Institutes
• Cantonal Governments (Switzerland)
• Real estate agents
• EauService Lausanne (Switzerland)

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• Thermal simulations
• Advice on rational use of energy and indoor air quality
• Completion of required paperwork concerning energy efficiency of buildings
• Sick building diagnosis and cure
• Technical analyses

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

Our work on Sustainable Buildings is led by: Flavio Foradini

 

Energy systems

At E4tech we have a close understanding of how energy systems operate, where systems failures require interventions and the sort of policies that may be appropriate. We also ‘work backwards’ to evaluate policies and their impacts on businesses and other actors.

E4tech also examines energy systems techno-economically to understand, for example, their carbon impacts, financial performance and risks.

We have clients in this area ranging from governments and multinational companies to start-up companies:

• energy companies and utilities
• energy technology companies
• national and regional governments
• industrial chemical and engineering companies
• multilateral institutions
• automotive companies
• financial organisations, from VCs to global investment banks and hedge funds

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• energy and innovation system analysis
• identification of system failures and intervention requirements
• policy impact evaluation
• review of policy effectiveness
• techno-economic analysis to support the above

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

Our work in energy systems is led by Adam Chase

 

Novel Energy

E4tech has a broad knowledge of emerging energy technologies, which are generally still at the laboratory stage or in the early stages of demonstration and commercialisation. Many of these technologies are linked to our other areas of expertise, such as novel types of biofuel,  hydrogen production from solar energy and waste, hydrogen storage, and microbial fuel cells. Outside of these areas, we have an understanding of the prospects for third generation photovoltaics, energy harvesting, and even nuclear fusion. Working in these areas involves combining our strong team background in engineering, physical and biological sciences with our experience of assessing the technical and business development needs of early stage technologies. In this way, we can advise on how best to stimulate and support innovation, on prospects for investment in research and in early stage companies, and on the potential for these new technologies to contribute to the future global energy system.

E4tech’s recent projects in novel energy technologies include:

• We have reviewed European research capability in microbial fuel cells, and have also assessed the market potential for this technology for an early stage developer.
• We have investigated the current status of research, technology prospects and commercial potential for novel hydrogen production technologies, including biohydrogen and photoelectrochemical hydrogen production, for public and private clients.
• We have identified and assessed routes to novel biofuels, based on biological and chemical routes from sugars,  use of algae, and thermal routes from lignocellulosic biomass, for private and public organisations.

Our clients in novel energy are diverse:

• energy companies and utilities
• early stage technology companies
• technology transfer organisations
• national governments
• automotive companies
• financial organisations, from VCs to global investment banks and hedge funds

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• strategy and business development
• policy analysis and development
• technology assessment for financial and strategic investors
• market assessment

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

 

Solar Energy

Solar energy is fundamental to almost all energy systems. E4tech has capabilities within several different areas of solar energy, in particular relating to novel technologies and applications.

Solar photovoltaics (PV) has been the fastest growing sustainable energy sector over the last decade with an average yearly market growth rate of 35% since 1998. However, PV remains one of the most expensive options for renewable power generation and market development has so far relied on generous government support. The sector continues to drive for significant efficiency increases and cost reduction so that deployment continues to increase.

There are hundreds PV companies offering different technologies and manufacturing processes, ranging from the well established crystalline silicon technologies (so called 1st generation PV), to emerging thin film solar cells (2nd generation PV), through to a whole range of novel technologies (3rd generation PV). Current and future technologies differ from each other in terms of performance (efficiency, flexibility, etc.), cost and cost reduction potential, durability and lifetime, manufacturing process, scale-up potential, supply chain issues, development status, market applications and so on.

At E4tech we have good overall knowledge of the PV sector, and of the respective performance and challenges of the current and future PV technologies. We also have a clear understanding of the impact of the wide range of policies affecting PV deployment, as well as of the market size and segments in which the different technologies could be used. We provide technology, strategy and policy advice with our own team and through a network of experts with deep technology and applications expertise, who can provide insight into specific technical issues.

We serve clients in the following sectors:

• national and regional governments
• industrial chemical and engineering companies
• multilateral institutions
• automotive companies
• financial organisations

We provide these clients with assistance in the following areas:

• strategy and business development
• strategic analysis for PV product introduction
• technology assessment for financial and strategic investors
• supply chain analysis
• global market assessment
• competitor analysis and positioning
• policy analysis and development

E4tech’s recent projects in the photovoltaic sector include:

• We worked with the Carbon Trust to assess the prospects for accelerating the development of new low carbon technologies in the UK, through directing research funding at key challenges, and encouraging collaboration between academia and industry, leading to the establishment of a research acceleration project on advanced photovoltaics.
• We prepared a review of the entire solar sector (PV and solar thermal) for a leading automotive company to help them comprehend the challenges and opportunities of solar energy, and to enable them to identify new opportunities for their business activity.
• We have assessed, for a global industrial company, the potential of solar energy as a means to contribute to the socio-economic development of the African continent.
• We prepared an assessment of thin film and third generation PV technologies for a large financial organization. This included an evaluation of the performance, development status, challenges and issues that each technology is facing, as well as a market assessment for the thin film sector as a whole. Techno-economic benchmarking with classical crystalline silicon PV as well as with other renewable power generation options were also included.
• We examined the potential markets for a novel dye sensitized solar technology company which was aiming to shape its technology programme and to raise further funding. This required a critical analysis of the technology’s current and potential capabilities, leading to a recommendation for the company’s strategic direction.

We would be happy to talk to you about your requirements.

Our work in the PV sector is led by François Vuille