It is not often you come across a start-up with a real power efficiency wow factor. But that’s definitely the case with instagrid. Their vision is to revolutionize urban infrastructure and construction sites by replacing conventional fuel driven generators with lightweight, portable Battery-Power Supply Systems that reduce CO2, noise and tripping hazards.
In most major cities around the world, air quality is a major concern. While there are multiple sources of polution, one that often goes unrecognized is inefficient heavy portable electricity generators that can be found powering a variety of tools and equipment. From construction sites and urban infrastructure projects right through to events and movie sets. As well as being inefficient and polluting, in terms of CO2 and noise, the cabling from these generators can be a tripping hazard. So, it is easy to imagine the benefits of a universal Battery-Power Supply System (BPSS) that is silent, compact, lightweight, robust and weatherproof but packs enough punch to power a whole day’s work.
That was the clear idea Sebastian Berning and Andreas Sedlmayr had when they started instagrid in 2018. With a background in power tools, battery technologies and energy storage, they understood power tool manufacturers use of proprietary battery systems. Although developing a universal battery would be a step forward, it would not necessarily change the industry. However, developing a universal portable battery power supply that could replace noisy generators and their mass of cables with a clean, quiet and hazard-free electricity source, that could potentially revolutionize several industries.
An interesting proposition
One of many challenges that start-ups face is getting their hands on the right components. When designing their software defined battery and inverter technology, instagrid knew they would need quite a few MOSFETs and they understood the low-leakage, efficiency, thermal and SOA benefits that Nexperia MOSFETs in LFPAK deliver. Fortunately for Sebastian and Andreas they already had several key contacts, and when they approached Nexperia with their design the team was instantly interested.
Nexperia is looking at some of the rising stars and emerging applications to see how we can help, especially in applications around battery power and motor control. Software defined battery technology and swarm optimization is clearly a novel technology that could have significant impact on numerous applications. So instagrid were a clear technology fit and there was an existing relationship. Sebastian and Andreas also had a clear idea of what they needed and the market potential – so it was easy for Nexperia to get on board.
We are proud that our MOSFETs and LFPAK technology are part of the solution that has been chosen as one of the finalists of the “Start Up Energy Transition (SET) Award“ 2020. All 15 start-ups from eleven countries across five continents impressed with their outstanding ideas that will help reduce the ecological footprint of modern societies, advance climate protection and make an active contribution to accelerate energy transition.
