Today’s energy system, which is largely based on the combustion of fossil fuels, is facing far-reaching changes worldwide. The technical solutions required to implement the energy transition, such as renewable energies and storage capacities, are already available. The biggest challenge at the moment is to optimize the interaction between these solutions.

This is exactly where Suena comes in: Its cloud-based software uses state-of-the-art artificial intelligence methods to network the energy systems with each other. In concrete terms, this means that they calculate an optimal schedule for each system. The suena opt optimization software makes it possible to use energy systems for multiple applications and to operate in different markets.

The startup takes a multi-use and multi-market approach here to maximise profit: “suena opt is a real-time operation and trading software that optimises the schedule of the energy plant portfolio for different applications and markets,” explains co-founder Dr.-Ing. Lennard Wilkening. Applied to battery storage systems and energy parks (incl. wind & solar energy), the software optimises the deployment of the assets in real time based on forecasting models. This enables energy suppliers to react flexibly to market dynamics and facilitates the integration of renewable energies. This not only increases efficiency, but also cost-effectiveness, with the aim of accelerating the energy transition.

The important role of battery storage systems in the energy transition

As technological development continues, battery cell prices fall and political debates on sustainable innovations intensify, the economic attractiveness of battery storage systems is being promoted. As battery storage systems make an important contribution to the energy transition, profitable operation is essential. The continuous optimization of the application portfolio is an important prerequisite for proving oneself on the market in the long term against the increasing number of competitors.

The business idea resulted from research

The idea arose from the research work of Dr.-Ing. Lennard Wilkening and Miguel Wesselmann as part of their research at the Hamburg University of Technology (TU Hamburg): “As part of my doctoral thesis, I worked a lot on the integration of energy storage systems. And how to evaluate and optimize them technically and economically. I worked a lot with Miguel, who was writing his project and master’s thesis on this topic. We looked at the whole thing from an economic perspective in particular, and Miguel’s second Master’s degree with a specialization in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship was helpful,” says Lennard.

After years of research in the field of renewable energies, especially battery storage technology, the founders put their research results into practice and developed the first AI-based model predictive optimisation (MPO) software suena opt for a technical-economic multi-use operation of battery storage systems.

Mentorship and start-up advice

They are being supervised in their work by Professor Thorsten Alexander Kern from the Institute of Mechatronics in Mach Rail Construction at Hamburg University of Technology: “He then introduced us to the ‘Startup Dock’. (Editor’s note: “Startup Dock” is now called “Startup Port @TUHH”)respectively ,beyourpilot’ (Editor’s note: “beyourpilot” has been operating under the “Startup Port” brand since July 2023) for the purpose of start-up advice. Since then, Dr. Andrea Otto has been looking after us: “She successfully coached us for the EXIST start-up grant,” reports Lennard. They are in constant contact regarding the start-up project and regularly check where there is room for improvement.

The focus is on software development

The two founders also absolutely needed support in the software area. That’s where Tom Witter came in: “He’s a developer and a former classmate of mine,” says Miguel: “Tom was in the process of completing his Master’s in Computational Engineering Science in Aachen. I asked him if he could imagine founding a company with us. After graduating, he promptly moved back to Hamburg in March 2021 and joined us”.

“Our focus is on software development, and we will need further support here in the future. And also in marketing and sales. And preferably in a timely manner, because we notice every day that the demand for our solution is extreme,” reports Lennard. This is also constantly apparent from the reaction of energy suppliers when the founders present their business idea to them: “They would love to use our software straight away! This is also due to today’s environmental and energy supply challenges: They have to be able to react flexibly. The energy supply system is also becoming increasingly complex, especially due to regulations, weather dependency and various other possible complications. And this is where our software should adapt as flexibly as possible to the circumstances. We sell financial planning security: if a business model disappears, alternatives remain as an option,” says Lennard about the benefits of the Suena software.

However, the start-up is also feeling pressure from potential competitors. The founders have conducted an extensive market analysis in this regard: “That’s why we also need follow-up financing in the near future. We are interested in InnoRampUp. We are also in regular discussions with investors and business angels,” reports Tom. In order to establish their standing with potential investors, the founders are planning a pilot project on a wind farm operator’s battery storage system in the near future.

In the beginning there was a developmental idea

Originally, Lennard and Miguel wanted to promote sustainable global electrification. Especially in developing countries. “But the needs analysis has brought us here,” Lennard states soberly. At the time, the founders were in contact with a Vietnamese energy supplier regarding solar power supply, but nothing came of it. However, the trio does not want to lose sight of the general goal, and they also want to work together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Initially, however, the focus will be on the German market. “Changes usually happen faster when things are financially worthwhile. Just like we are doing now with the energy storage systems,” emphasizes Miguel. As far as potential success is concerned, start-up consultant Dr. Andrea Otto is enthusiastic about the entrepreneurial spirit of the young start-up: “Suena is already very active on the market, is well networked and has received extremely positive feedback for the pilot project.” In the long term, the founders want to develop more than “just” software for energy storage systems. The name Suena stands for SUstainable ENergy Applications. And that is a broad term that the founders have in their sights.

Further links:

https://suena.energy/

https://www.exist.de/DE/Programm/Exist-Gruenderstipendium/inhalt.html