Irish energy start-up companies are encouraged to apply for a place in an exciting new global initiative, spearheaded by ESB and a consortium of worldwide utilities and accelerators. The aim of the Free Electrons global accelerator programme is to recruit 12 energy start-ups to help drive the next generation of ideas in clean energy, energy efficiency, electric mobility and on-demand customer services. ESB and the consortium of utility companies will support the start-ups to refine their products and services, with the potential of testing and developing them for a global customer base. Collectively, the nine utility companies have a combined market base of 73 million customers located in more than 40 countries. Interested energy start-ups must have a working prototype to apply, with the winning companies partaking in three week-long ‘customer adoption’ modules in Silicon Valley, Lisbon/Dublin and Singapore over a six month period. Speaking about ESB’s role in this programme, Paul Mulvaney, executive director of innovation with ESB, said: “We are excited about the prospect of working with a pool of start-ups from across the world, learning from them, providing them with insights to the energy industry and offering them the opportunity to trial and develop their products/services in Ireland and the UK. At ESB we are very focused on bringing new cutting edge solutions to our customer base and look forward to hosting the start-ups in Dublin later in 2017.” The deadline for interested applicants is February 28, 2017 with the winners announced in April. For further information and to apply visit www.freelectrons.co