> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://content.konfab.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Talking Climate Tech 007 redux - URL: https://content.konfab.io/talking-climate-tech-007-redux/ - Published: 2025-01-23T09:00:02.000Z - Updated: 2025-03-20T20:37:46.000Z - Description: Startups + extra startups vs wildfires, stories, geothermal, Redford is Redwood, Pylon of the Month + Roger Moore 007 - Author: Kane Watkinson - Tags: Newsletter, Heat Pumps, Ocean, Electrification, Wildfires, Geothermal, Nature, Story *Issued to subscribers 17th Janaury 2025.* Yes, we are still slogging through January. I heard about 'Blue Monday' yesterday for the first time ๐Ÿค” > Blue Monday 2025 is a day to acknowledge and address feelings of sadness and depression that some individuals may experience, especially during the winter months. It serves as a reminder to prioritise mental health and seek support if needed. Blue Monday is typically observed on the third Monday in January. In 2025, it falls on January 20th. So, there's that to look forward to kick-off next week! On a serious note, please check on your friends, colleagues and family. It's a challenging time in the world right now for so many reasons. On with the show... ๐Ÿ—’๏ธ Update: It was inauguration day in the US, so turned out to be double depressing for many reasons - more in the next newsletter.... Note: Also was inauguration day in the US, so turned out to be double depressing for many reasons - more on the next newsletter.... **๐Ÿ’ธ Startup News | ๐Ÿ”Ž Deeper Dive | ๐Ÿก Konfab News | ๐Ÿ˜ƒ Other Stuff** ## ๐Ÿ’ธ Startups to Watch Some interesting picks this week from startup-land - a selection from across the wider climate tech market. Later on, we have more startups to check out in the **๐Ÿ”Ž Deeper Dive** section, with solutions that relate to combating wildfires - can those companies prevent a repeat of LA in the future for other locations? ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช **Qvantum -** heat pump manufacturer secures **โ‚ฌ108m** Series C for European expansion plans. Investments from IMAS Foundation \[Linked to INGKA Group/IKEA\], Munters, SEB Greentech, DIG Investment \[Linked to H&M\]. โ“ ****Why it matters** \- decarbonising heating & cooling via electrification means heat pumps! The differentiator - Heat Pump to Grid (HP2G) functionality to support grid stabilisation. With a modular scaleable design for lean production, and end-to-end software for design, operations monitoring, support, and predictive maintenance, they look ready to scale. They even bought Electrolux's factory in Hungary previously for โ‚ฌ38m to add 1 million unit capability per year. ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช **XOOcean -** secured **โ‚ฌ115m** investment to further ocean data solutions offshore energy and civil hydrographywith S2G Ventures, S2G, Climate Investment, Morgan Stanleyโ€™s 1GT fund. โ“ ****Why it matters** \- Bringing energy and hydrography research together with a fleet of Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) for offshore geophysical data solutions. Think advanced sensors, real-time communications, and post-processing capabilities with a low-carbon fleet at 0.1% CO2 compared to manned vessels. Having already processed 4.9 million GB of data for 49GWs of offshore wind development, they are well placed to expand with global offshore renewable energy. Although perhaps not in the ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ once DJT halts off-shore wind developments ๐Ÿค” **๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช 1KOMMA5ยฐ -** secures **โ‚ฌ150m** in pre-IPO round for it's home-electrification SaaS solution, with CalSTRS \[US Pension fund\] G2 Venture Partners, 2150, Norrsken, Hamilton Lane, b2venture, Eurazeo, and eCAPITAL. โ“ ****Why it matters** \- It's all about electrification! Their Heartbeat AI software optimises a portfolio of residential energy assets they supply - Solar PV, EV charging, battery storage, heat pumps and grid consumption. It allows consumers to benefit from energy trading and negative wholesale pricing of electricity. With 40k European systems under management, and 300k assets in the field, it's the largest virtual power plant VPP in the EU and so far has saved 14mil t CO2! --- ## ๐Ÿ”Ž Deeper Dive All about the wildfires and the apolocyptic movie unfolding before our eyes ๐Ÿ“ฝ๏ธ The battle rages still - not just in trying to control the fires themselves, support the residences, secure water, food and shelter - but as you might expect, to apportion blame and politicise. **DJT blames** the Democrats, of course, and not climate change obviously! Er, it's January Don, not typically wildfire season and LA hasn't had any rain for 8 months! > California is 15% dryer, 5ยฐC warmer and 20% windier ([Climameter](https://www.climameter.org/?ref=content.konfab.io)) More on DJT misinformation [here](https://thebulletin.org/2025/01/spreading-like-wildfire-how-trumps-misinformation-about-water-and-fire-in-los-angeles-inflames-the-situation/?ref=content.konfab.io). After some more. Read up on whether 'controlled burns' and forestry practice could have made a big difference [here](https://heatmap.news/climate/los-angeles-controlled-burns?ref=content.konfab.io). ### Wildfire Startups Future life savers, insurance cost reducers, regional saviours and scale-ups? Let's hope so and take a look; ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Gridware](https://gridware.io/?ref=content.konfab.io) \- ๐Ÿ’ธ $26.4 million Series A ๐Ÿค– Robot cut/burn/capture/extinguish controlled vegetation management ****Progress** \- 200mil acres est. challenge in the US - big scale-up required ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [Pano AI](https://www.pano.ai/?ref=content.konfab.io) \- ๐Ÿ’ธ $20 million Series A + $17m additional ๐Ÿง  AI, computer vision + analytics for predictive monitoring and rapid response ****Progress** \- 15min quicker response = 3-7% reduction = lives + multi-billion $ savings ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฑ [Overstory](https://www.overstory.com/?ref=content.konfab.io) \- ๐Ÿ’ธ $14 million Series A ๐ŸŒณ AI + satellite - ID tree location, size, and health for wildfire risk, e.g. adjacent power lines. ****Progress** \- 2mil acres + $6bn in utility assets actively monitored Notable mentions also go to; ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช [Dryad Networks](https://www.dryad.net/?ref=content.konfab.io) \- solar-powered gas sensor and LoRaWAN technology can detect a wildfire in a matter of minutes, revolutionising response time. ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ [AIDash](https://www.aidash.com/?ref=content.konfab.io) \- AI and satellite tech to predict areas vulnerable to wildfires for mitigative action, and the likely path of a fire to help firefighting resources tackle a blaze. Thanks [Gemma Tuck](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-tuck-682967b9/?ref=content.konfab.io) for adding those last two to my [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kane-watkinson%5Flafires-wildfire-climatetech-activity-7284873238998835200-9703?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop) post! --- ### Food for Thought Is 'Climate Tech' dead, or just in need of a rebrand? More in my view in a longer article soon, but some context [here](https://sifted.eu/articles/rip-dead-climate-tech?ref=content.konfab.io). More from the IEA on unlocking global Geothermal [here](https://www.iea.org/news/technology-breakthroughs-are-unlocking-geothermal-energys-vast-potential-in-countries-across-the-globe?ref=content.konfab.io) with technology, following their December [report](https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-geothermal-energy?ref=content.konfab.io). And a final bit of likely nonsense from DJT \[my goodness he's not even in the job yet ๐Ÿคฏ\] on his proposed [US offshore-wind](https://www.offshorewind.biz/2025/01/15/trump-preparing-executive-order-to-stop-offshore-wind-buildout-on-us-east-coast-us-congressman-claims/?ref=content.konfab.io) shut-down. ## ๐Ÿก Konfab News Working up a storm this end, not much to show for it this week though ๐Ÿ˜† The challenges of being a one-person industry! Scoping out the next few video podcasts, working up those guest collaborator articles โŒ› ๐Ÿ™„ **Geothermal to Accelerate the Decarbonisation of UK Heat** from Simon Todd of UK Geothermal specialists [Causeway Energies](https://causewaygt.com/?ref=content.konfab.io) shows us the way forward with his piece here; [Geothermal to Accelerate the Decarbonisation of UK HeatThe decarbonisation of Heat is a major challenge for the UK. It represents approximately 50% of our energy use, ranking ahead of Transport and Power.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/icon/Icon-25.png)konfabSimon Todd![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1688503403117-7616694a9084-2)](https://content.konfab.io/geothermal-to-accelerate-the-decarbonisation-of-uk-heat/) Simon Todd - Causeway Energies ## ๐Ÿ˜ƒ Other Stuff ### Nature Carniverous snails, who knew ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™‚๏ธ Least of all that we would discover [9 new ones](https://www.iflscience.com/nine-new-teeny-tiny-carnivorous-snail-species-discovered-in-papua-new-guinea-72387?ref=content.konfab.io) in Papa New Guinea! ๐ŸŒ It's going to take some big investment and philanthropy to restore our natural environments. [New Forests](https://newforests.com/?ref=content.konfab.io) has $9.5bn in assets under management and has just closed another โ‚ฌ400m fund for forest restoration projects. > The fund will invest in sustainable forestry projects across Europe, including reforestation, forest conservation, and carbon credit programmes. These investments are designed to combat climate change, enhance biodiversity, and deliver attractive financial returns If we can make nature investment a double-positive, we will be halfway there. Afterall, it's always about the money. ### Tell Your Climate Story A friend of the show, Guy Loftus, is a filmaker and wants to help some lucky person, venture or startup tell their story. Take a look at the award winning 'New Story Run' [here](https://www.studiofuture.co/?ref=content.konfab.io). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-17-at-11.37.52.png) By the way, I have it on good authority that Guy did the run with them! The best bit - current 50% off special offer for you lovely konfab subscribers. And if you need some extra help and special support for your mission, [fill in this](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKR8-wfWf-AJDGhb1Iqnw-KTS6Dqz6sleC3P-mM667YNJ2Pg/viewform?ref=content.konfab.io) and you might win a freebie! > Are you seizing the opportunities to make this emerging world a better place - this is your chance to experience firsthand how powerful storytelling can help you in your mission... Guy Loftus ### Raising Engagement This weeks is from **Robert Redford**, as The Redwood, who mainly resides in California and and Pacific Coast. ๐Ÿ”ฅ ### Pylon of the Month Checking back to January 2024 for this tower of power โšก ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2025/01/pylon-jan-24-1-1-1-1.jpg) Cadiz, Spain - 132kV > The Pylons of Cรกdiz, also known as the Towers of Cรกdiz, are two 158 m (518 ft)-tall pylons..........running from Puerto Real Substation to the substation of the former Cรกdiz Thermal Power Station, situated on the peninsula upon which the city of Cรกdiz stands. More on these champions of Spain [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pylons%5Fof%5FC%C3%A1diz?ref=content.konfab.io). That's it for this week! Thanks as always, stay warm/cool and safe, where ever you are ๐Ÿ™ Kane ๐ŸŒฑ --- What's that, nothing on **Newsletter 007** ๐Ÿ”ซ relating to James Bond? I couldn't let it pass - a tribute to Roger Moore, the greatest to ever wear a safari suit - technically it's climate tech right? ![Roger Moore 007 on Safari](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d6/84/d6846eb6-a40f-44ba-8892-5a57f3a2df2f/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-17-at-12.03.49-1.png) Roger Moore 007 on Safari