Fonroche is a french cleantech company which is one of the leading manufacturers design and produce complete systems in France for the production of solar energy. Its research and development department is now at the forefront of technological innovations on the market.

PRESENTATION

Founded in 2008 by Yann Maus, Fonroche is based in Roquefort, Lot-et-Garonne. The company ensures the manufacture of photovoltaic modules with a production expecting to meet the highest demands in terms of efficiency, durability and weather resistance.Fonroche displays the highest standards for quality product and quality service : skilled jobs, funding, innovation. Presently, the company expect to cover three parts of the value chain (assembly panels, installation, exploitation).

INNOVATION

Fonroche displays its determination to develop employment and innovation for businesses and individuals. Fonroche is also a strong promoter of sustainable development. It commits itself to optimizing its carbon footprint in panel production as well as contributing to the preservation of nature. For example, the company plants one tree for each panel that it produces (representing more than one million trees over five years), establishes educational programs and fights against deforestation in the Amazon.

MARKET

The company is focusing on installation of photovoltaic panels for professional clients and public entities.The company is developing partneships with recognized subcontractors in the building sector. Fonroche is also focusing on installation of photovoltaic panels for residential clients and is developing BIPV system sales and installation for individuals, directly or with franchisees through the Habitat Solaire network ( installations < 3 kW).

STRATEGY

Regarding its photovoltaic panels fabrication, Fonroche has signed a partnership with Pevafersa, number 3 spanish player in panel and cell fabrication.The company also recently opened in early June 2010 a second production line fully automated. Through this strategy, the company will be France’s largest assembler of panels by the end of 2010.

Regarding its installation activity and solar farm operations, Fonroche ’s objective is to develop a portfolio of directly held BIPV systems of 300 MWc. To boost this strategy, the company recently received €50 million in an equity deal from Eurazeo, a leading investment companies listed in Europe. Through this investment, Fonroche will finance strategic investments and facilities for key sectors of the economy which are other than agriculture, industry, services and local authorities. The agreement includes an immediate initial investment of €25 million and a commitment from Eurazeo to invest an additional €25 million before the end of 2011.

SOURCES

Microphyt is producing microalgae and other small photosynthetic organisms in strictly controlled conditions. This biomass, stabilized by means of freezing or drying, will meet the demand of the first targeted commercial targets dermo-cosmetology and food complements, in addition it can also be utilised for pharmaceuticals, food and feed ingredients and energy. 

PRESENTATION

Microphyt develops microalgae and other photosynthetic micro-organisms. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Baillargues, France. Microalgae are microscopic plants which play a discrete but outstanding role in our ecosystem. Present in all the surface environments, one owes them oil, the oxygen of the atmosphere, the cliffs of Dover, and also the products of the sea and the oceanic biofixation of gases with greenhouse effects. Their culture is easy when one lets the opportunist species develop, but becomes very complex when one wants to produce in mass a particular species: the majority are sensitive to the contaminations, and require rigorous conditions of asepsis.

Today, microalgae are mainly produced by culture in open vats or ponds where the low level of control of the conditions of growth restricts the number of producted species to the most resistant. The closed photobioreactors appeared more recently present increased performancesdue to the possibility of optimizing the conditions of the culture, and to the barriers separating it from the external environment which prevents the contaminations.

The photobioreactors of Microphyt are particularly adapted to the culture of the fragile microalgae.

INNOVATION

The photobioreactors project aims to maximize the absorption of CO2 during microalgae production. The idea is to make any confined photosynthetic system into an integral sink of the greenhouse gas CO2. The sink in turn makes bioremediation of emitted CO2 more efficient. Microphyt’s photobioreactors meet all the right criteria to produce good results. Biofixation potential increases rapidly with the production of microalgae in closed photobioreactors, at a rate of two tons of fixed CO2 per ton of dry biomass produced. Biofuel production is a notable application for the future, when it becomes possible to fix all the CO2 introduced in the closed photosynthetic systems. At present, only part is fixed, the rest being diluted in the stripping air. 

MARKET 

Microphyt potential markets cover the areas of :

- Dermo beauty car and food complements (Microalgae present biological activities such as hydrating, anti-UV, anti-pigmentation, slimming,… required in dermo-beauty care. Moreover, they contain antioxydants and essential fatty-acids of the series omega 3 and 6 which make of them food ingredients able to prevent certain pathologies in particular those related to aging or stress).

- Food (Oils rich in long chain fatty-acids and proteins of microalgae will take an increasing share in the animal and human feeds, to replace oils and fish meals which rarefy.  Other molecules, such as carotenoids, can be produced at the same time)

- Health (The technology of Microphyt allows an effective containment of the micro-organisms, avoiding the disseminations of modified genes in the environment. A considerable reduction in the costs of recombinant proteins can be expected from microalgae, which will widen the fields of application. Some species are remarkable by their post-translational modifications which resemble those of the animals).

- Energy (Microalgae are rich in oils suitable for making fuel for diesel engine. Some modified species will be able to produce hydrogen. Others produce hydrocarbons. On an equal biomass production basis, microalgae require 40 times less surface, of less quality, that the best oleaginous crops).

STRATEGY 

On April 15th, the company Microphyt delivers its first commercial production: a few tens of kilogrammes of biomass fraiche (18% of dry matter) of a microalga presenting a biological activity of interest. By doing this, Microphyt validates the majority of the choices retained for its economic model, and especially its system of production of microalgae. The first 5,000 liters photobioreactor is constructed in a greenhouse climate that can accommodate 10 fellows. It was commissioned in December. The second will be in July 2010 and the third at the end of the year. The following reactors, which require fundraising  3 Million euros, will complete a first production unit in 2011. Each photobioreactor is capable of producing between 1 and 3 kg of dry biomass per day, depending on the species and the period of the year.

SOURCES

European Company of Hydrogen Technologies (CETH) develops and manufactures innovative systems and components for the production and purification of hydrogen. CETH offers high efficiency hydrogen generators, emitting little or no CO2. The hydrogen production uses primary sources of renewable (wind, photovoltaic panels, ethanol, etc.). CETH products and services thus contribute to reduce or even eliminate the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs). 

The scope of the company technology and products are hydrogen production for industry-hydrogen production for Energy-recovery of CO2 - oxygen production for industry- the whole energy chain (reformer, electrolyzer, fuel cell, metal hydrides storage, MCP, purification, etc ..). 

PRESENTATION

CETH is a French cleantech SME, established in 1997.  It belongs to its founder and to the employees and is located at Marcoussis near Paris, close to the campus of the “Université Paris Sud” with which the company has established a strong relationship for several years.  The synergy between the Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay (Université Paris Sud) and the company has already made for innovative and performing developments which today lead to the marketing of world-class hydrogen products and job creation both in academic research and applied technologies. The university and the company share a common vision of a “clean” hydrogen economy, where hydrogen is the energy vector of the renewable energy sources.  Thus, hydrogen is seen as a strong catalyst for the expansion of renewable energies. The concept of clean hydrogen is also seen as a way of substituting fossil hydrogen by clean and sustainable hydrogen in all the market niches of both hydrogen energy and industrial hydrogen.

INNOVATION

The company’s industrial activity is organised into two business units: 

- Fuel reforming: The fuel conversion of pure hydrogen through a catalytic reactor integrating a hydrogen purification composite metallic membrane. 

- The membrane reactor allows for a highly efficient production of ultra pure hydrogen in very compact and efficient systems. For several years, CETH has been involved in the development of green hydrogen from bioethanol and today possesses unique expertise in that promising field. 

- Water Electrolysis: Pure hydrogen and oxygen production from water and electricity through PEM electrolysis. CETH designs, manufactures and markets innovative and efficient PEM electrolysis products, based on its relevant supplier and subcontractor network. CETH is in charge of the scale up and pre-industrialisation of the advanced and innovative research carried out in cooperation with the “Université d’Orsay” on alternative processes and materials for cost competitive PEM electrolysis, such as Membrane Electrode Assembly and electrochemical cell architecture. MEA are stacked in modules from 100 Nl/h to 10 Nm3/h; the electrolyser stack is then integrated into an automated electrolyser system.  Through its global hydrogen solution, the company integrates renewable energies, power conversion, the electrolyser, hydrogen purification, hydrogen storage in metal hydride, hydrogen compression and hydrogen delivery. In doing so, CETH has identified the key point and barriers to overcome in order to lower costs and improve efficiency in order to be able to provide competitive solutions. 

MARKET 

CETH markets are autonomous power supply in remote areas for telecom applications, power back up, hydrogen generator for laboratory, industrial (alternator cooling) and educational institution, hydrogen fuel station for fuel cell  vehicle demonstration and tri-generation (heat, electricity, oxygen) from renewable energies especially in developing countries. After safety, the main concern remains in the development and marketing of cost competitive, efficient and durable hydrogen source and purification components that would not use or use a minimum amount of rare raw materials. CETH is a market-driven company which expects to grow in B to B with major gas provider or energy companies. 

STRATEGY 

CETH has already completed development of its range of electrolysers in early 2009. Several industrial prototypes are already installed at customer sites. CETH has a new shareholder with SPTI, through its subsidiary, Marsot développement, which takes over the family of Claude Etiévant, founder of CETH ten years ago. It will enable the company CETH to evolve rapidly, from a universally recognized status of brilliant research company pioneering the hydrogen (H2) to an industrial company, specialized in hydrogen and oxygen generating industrial equipment without CO2, leader in France and Europe on its products. SPTI also brings his experience of industrialization of activities focused on Renewable Energy, especially in the field of photovoltaic energy, water and bio-methanation. Many synergies between the activities of the Group SPTI will also implement eco-industrial systems globally designed.  

Since July 2009, CETH initiated a process of industrialization of its range of clean electrolysers to produce hydrogen without CO2. It has relied since September 2009 on a joint development built with CETIM with two major objectives which are to minimize all pollutants used or generated by previous technologies (including alkaline) and increase the overall availability of system and its performance.CETIM offering its acquired skills and expertise in the areas of systems engineering, balance regulatory and eco-design. Based on these new products, CETH will implement ECOPARC concept based on which the company was winning the SIREME contest in June 2009. By engaging in joint development projects, taught by the Evaluation Committee of innovative projects (Cepi), CETIM also brings its multidisciplinary expertise, a network of experts in many fields, from design to marketing. CETH and CETIM plan to exploit together the industrial benefits of this work. 

SOURCES

Global Bioenergies is french cleantech company, located on the Genopole campus at Evry (France). The company is focused on the production of isobutene, a gaseous hydrocarbon that spontaneously volatilizes during fermentation. 

PRESENTATION

Founded in 2008 by Marc Delcourt and Philippe Marlière, Global Bioenergies is one of the few companies worldwide, and the only one in Europe, to develop processes for producing hydrocarbons biologically. The company is developing, under exclusive license, an innovative process of isobutene bioproduction, based on an artificial metabolic pathway involving enzymatic activities that are not known in nature.

INNOVATION

Global Bioenergies is focused on the production of isobutene, a gaseous hydrocarbon that spontaneously volatilizes during fermentation. This property makes it possible to overcome a common limitation of fermentation processes caused by cell toxicity of the end-product accumulating in the growth medium. In addition, whereas production of ethanol and other alcohols requires subsequent distillation, no such costly purification step is needed for harvesting gaseous products.

Gaseous bioproduction of isobutene relies on establishing an artificial metabolic pathway in a variety of microbes. It can be adapted for the conversion of various resources: sugar cane or sugar beet, glucose from cereal starch or sugars generated by the digestion of lignocellulosic material (agricultural or forestry waste).

MARKET

These  advantages render Global Bioenergies‘ process far superior to current approaches for producing biofuels, in terms of both economics and environmental impact. Reliable and inexpensive chemical processes can then be used to convert gaseous isobutene into liquid hydrocarbons (gasoline, kerosene, diesel, ETBE) and into diverse polymers (tyre rubber, organic glass, plastics).

FINANCIALS 

Global Bioenergies closed its first financial round in early 2009 (obtaining several million euros from Masseran Gestion, the venture capital arm of the BPCE, a major banking institution in France). The company has set up a scientific advisory board, bringing together internationally renowned chemists and geneticists, and has already mobilized an R&D task force of 15 people. The company is currently raising a new round of financing to fund the industrialization of the process. 

SOURCES

Based in Toulouse, 2IDEA is a french cleantech company manufacturing an innovative technology named FREECOLD ®. This innovation is a cooling and freezing processes for places which are not connected to power grid. This unique technology using solar or wind energy, avoids to use expensive and limited life batteries. FREECOLD® refrigerators and freezers are suitable for many kinds of application : Home, Business and Medical.

PRESENTATION

Created in June 2005 and managed by Lionel Bataille, 2IDEA, (Innovation, Investment and Fair Development), is doing consulting activities on quality systems and suppliers audits in Europe and in Africa. 2IDEA is also doing consulting for the promotion of innovation, quality and fair development in Africa Caribbean Pacific countries, in particular for the IFAD. The company reinvested all of the revenues from those activities in Research and Development to develop innovative cleantech solutions. Since the company creation, they have been most interested in researching new processes using renewable energies, in particular the solar energy, in order to produce cold and/or ice. 2IDEA have thus developed a process allowing to produce some cold or ice using a solid-gas thermochemical reaction and thermal solar energy. Their innovation has been selected as one of the 100 finalists among over 2500 candidates for the World Bank’s innovation competition: « Development Marketplace ». In December 2007, the company granted an exclusive world licence to a European company involved in cold production. Following this success, 2IDEA’s team has developed a more simple, but still innovative, solar process whose name is “FREECOLD”.

INNOVATION

2IDEA developed an innovative refrigeration direct solar or wind power systems named Freecold with high energy performance, equipped with an exclusive device of cold supplying in complete autonomy. The only power consumption is solar or wind energy via a photovoltaic panel or a windmill: the process makes possible to use this energy to feed on line, without buffer battery, a compressor.

THE FREECOLD® ECOTAINER : A great self sufficiency

Cold is produced during the day to freeze a composite eutectic mass held in the FREECOLD ® Ecotainer and set in the heart of the evaporator. To mitigate the period of sunshine, the Ecotainer diffuses the cold during the night or no-sunny days and ensures a complete autonomy over 3 to 5 days depending on outside conditions. With a regular period of sunshine, the system thus allows permanent autonomous refrigeration.  The eutectic tank, the evaporator box and its insulating careenage have been developed and patented specifically for FREECOLD ® range to optimize the sharing of the cold between the interior aluminium tank and eutectic by confining the cold around the eutectic container

The A ++ Performance 

• A 90mm thickness of polyurethane expanded foam without gas CFC in the side walls to limit the losses of cold  .
• A very precise electronics management to start the compressor at low speed, to accelerate gradually and to sparingly use the available energy. For a minimal consumption of energy.  
• As soon as the sun appears, even for a few minutes, the system is producing cold.  

An optimum security

• Overpotential protection by fuse and against polarity inversion  
• Thermal cut-out of compressor and fan over-current cut-out  
• LVD protection if additionnal energy supply with batteries 

The energy flexibility

• Crystalline or amorphous silicon photovoltaic solar panel power supply 
• Direct wind power supply 
• Battery 12-24 VDC power supply, or dual voltage device (100-240 VAC grid and battery 12-24 VDC) with automatic selection of tension 

A vast range of appliances

150L, 270L and 410L refrigerators and freezers 

New Freecold applications

• Cooled milk tank powered by renewable energy (solar or wind)  
• Cold Storage built with local traditionnal materials  
• Cooling of spaces of life 

MARKET 

FREECOLD markets a wide range of refrigerators and freezers – 150L, 270L and 410L – and new solar direct applications: refrigerated milk tank, cold in traditional local materials, bioclimatisation living space. Main markets are domestic, commercial (restaurants, hotels, sales of food products including the open-air markets …) and medical (refrigeration of vaccines and drugs).

STRATEGY 

2IDEA is a company with 108 K euros of capital . The annual net income is positive since the beginning.  Team is composed of one managing director / senior R&D engineer, one communication and marketing manager and one R&D technician, supported by a business angel (for a 500 000 euros investment to date) acting as quality and project director.  The company is expecting to sell FreeCold products starting from April 2010.

SOURCES

S3d is a french cleantech company whishing to offer industrialists who “own” fatty by-products, the possibility to process these sources of growth and added value on-site, in keeping with sustainable development principles. Strating form this idea, S3d developed and marketed equipment which enables on-site processing and energy recovery of organic waste. They decide to offer “turnkey” waste recycling equipment in view of producing energy.

PRESENTATION

INNOVATION

S3d offers a fatty by-product energy recovery unit for agri-foodstuff industrialists (slaughterhouses, meat curing plants, prepared meat product plants etc.). The innovative ValorFat process consists in simultaneously producing electricity and heat using vegetable or animal fat. (Valorfat process video).The ValorFat process comes within the framework of a sustainable development approach by contributing to reducing CO2 emissions.

PRESENTATION OF FAT RECYCLING UNIT 

First of all, the fatty by-products are processed to extract the pure fat. It is turned into biofuel by dilution (adding of ethanol) and by emulsification (incorporation of micro-droplets of water in the oil phase). It powers a Diesel engine whose work is converted into electricity by using a generator while heat exchangers enable hot water to be produced. 
Pre-processing the fat favours its combustion, notably thanks to the micro-explosion phenomenon. This leads to a significant decrease in the NOx pollutant and particle emissions. Consequentially, the fouling of the installations is minimal, enabling reduced maintenance and high availability.

Finally, the return on investment of the offered installations is 2 to 6 years depending on the tonnage to be processed.

MARKET 

The company is targeting 3 main applications : 

-Recycling of slaughter by-products 
-Recycling of cooking oil and fat (partly consumed fuel)
-Recycling of flotation fat (agri-foodstuffs industry, catering) 

STRATEGY 

The company has now 14 employees. Tests on the demonstrator are conclusive, and the efficiency rate remains close to that obtained with diesel fuel while NOx and particle emissions are reduced by 80%. The company is now at the commercial stage after validation and technical regulations. The export to Italy, Spain, Belgium and the United Kingdom is ongoing.

FINANCIALS

S3d is a simplified joint stock company with a capital of €478,830. The company raised EUR 470 000 from an industrial holding

SOURCES

SYSTOVI is a french independent manufacturer of solar panels and photovoltaic systems, specialized in BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic).Based in Nantes, SYSTOVI ambition to offer innovating integrated photovoltaic solutions . To establish this strategy SYSTOVI has invested several million euros in an assembly line of cells and the company differentiates itself by designing its own systems integration knowing that most of which are patented.

PRESENTATION

SYSTOVI has put barely a year out its first solar panels at its plant. Based in Nantes and created by three partners, the company announced its first year sales of 4 million euros with 20 employees. The dazzling success of the company is that photovoltaic panels are manufactured in France and are fully integrated into the roof. These solar panels are primarily photovoltaic systems last generation able to produce electricity but also serve as a cover for the roof, insulate the building and enlightening. 

INNOVATION

SYSTOVI innovative system uses photovoltaic cells to silicon German Bosch Solar, natural ventilation, which maintains a temperature of 25 ° C inside the solar panel while guaranteeing perfect airtightness and water. The price of an installation comprising an average score of photovoltaic panels is about  € 21 000. A cost quite affordable if one considers that French legislation strongly encourages the use of integrated panels to the frame with a redemption of electricity price . 

MARKET 

The company is expecting a strong market growth for 2010 with prices down sharply (due to overproduction of silicon). A turnover of 20 million is expected on 2010. 

STRATEGY 

The company launched its first production line in October and announced on 2009, a turnover of 4 million euros. SYSTOVI has already 7 specialised resellers (sanitary, heating, electrical equipment and coverage, renewable energy) in the west of France. The management team wish to cover France  before end of March 2010.

FINANCIALS

Former leaders of Saunier Duval in Nantes, the three founders brought with them two industrials

• Yann Rolland, CEO Bel’m 
• Bruno Hug Larauze CEO MTTM (10% stake),
•  A capital investor Ouest Croissance (27%) 
• The Association of Business Angels Abab (9%). 

SOURCES

Founded in March 2009, Noveol is a French cleantech company that designs and markets a new type of vertical axis wind and innovative design: the nov’éolienne. From 1 to 10 kW, roof or mast, Nov’éolienne is the meeting of art and technology, and its small dimensions make it particularly suitable for domestic consumption, including in urban areas. It is quiet, aesthetic and high performance.

PRESENTATION

The company was founded  by Maximilien Petitgenet and Abdennour Rahmani, while engineering students to ENSMA (Ecole Nationale Superieure de Mecanique et d’aérotechnique). Both were keenly interested in technologies related to renewable energy and particularly attracted by the vertical axis windmill. The project will be realized two years later by the creation of the company Noveol. The Nov’éolienne has been patented and extensively tested in recent years and several prototypes are underway. The company  innovated by introducing a good carbon balance. In direct competition with models from Asia, the brand mentioned that its French Nov’éoliennes is made in France  and underline that most materials are mostly recycled.

PRODUCT & INNOVATION

The company developed two types of models intended for two types of contract: 
- The Model Family is the main destination for individuals: annual production of 3500kWh corresponds to the electricity needs of an average household of 4 persons in France (excluding heating). 
- The collective model is rather intended to communities, developers, developers. It can easily fit into a proposed eco-neighborhood or home consumption low. 
Noveol technology has been patented and works by every wind (vertical axis geometry improved patent for operation by the wind, swirling and even omni-directional). The concept has been validated by the laboratories of the Ecole Nationale Superior of Mechanics and Aviation technology, due to wind tunnel tests. In terms of safe operation: energy production is under constant surveillance: in case of strong wind, the Nov’éolienne stops itself. Noveol believes that maintaining near-zero (one response every 4 years). The product also benefits from an intelligent control system (Operating parameters adjusted continuously by an intelligent control board) 

Technical Data 
Models: Family / Collective 
Power handling (15m / s) 2kW / 6kW 
Rotor dimensions 3 x 1.7 meters / 6 x 3 meters 
Dimensions of the pole 6 to 12 meters / 9 to 15 meters 
Startup Speed 3 m / s / 3 m / s 
Speed off 20 m / s / 20 m / s 
Estimated life 30 years / 30 years 
Annual production averaged 3 500 kWh / 10 000 kWh 

MARKET

The market for domestic wind is booming. Nov’éolienne is a vertical axis wind turbine design aesthetic. Its small dimensions make it particularly suitable for domestic consumption, including in rural urbain. Today, 60% of the French wish the development of these small wind turbines at home, and this results in an important development, especially to Noveol through a rapid export in the European territory. 

STRATEGY

To recruit its first customers, Noveol thinks first rely on their own teams before then allied to a major French operators of the wind. The company focuses primarily target communities and tertiary institutions as well as individuals. A first prototype has just been inaugurated in November 2009. Co-funded by Novéol, Soregies Foundation and Poitiers University, this prototype is now located and visible at the University Botanical Garden (site of Deffend) at Mignaloux Beauvoir. The company intends to market its first prototype by mid-2010.

SOURCE 

COMPANY PROFILE

Sud Ecowatt is a french cleantech company developing a system which can cover up to 60% of heating needs and 80% of hot water. Sud Ecowatt is an engineering firm specializing in the development of renewable energy in housing and industry. The company was founded in 2006 by Bruno Meignan INSA engineer, engineering, energy. Unlike solar heating as can be offered on the market, SudEcowatt developed an innovative concept (Sud Ecowall) of independent heating adapted themselves to the constraints of solar energy. The young company has developed in partnership with ICAM Toulouse, a wall heater in brick flood large thermal inertia driven by an hydraulic system powered by heat from the photovoltaic sensors.

An INNOVATIVE SOLAR / WALL

In new construction or renovation, the wall may come dubbing associated with exterior wall insulation or partition thus avoiding the creation of unsightly radiators. For a room or a house, technically, is the loss of about 100m2 for 8Kw, it will move to 3-4 Kw … If several domestic renewable energy are proposed, one related to the solar stands fast with new applications and research. 

With Sud Ecowall innovation, the emitter of heat is a wall of clay brick. Already recognized as a product with high thermal inertia, are implanted in the middle of the walls of a pipe network for the exchange of heat directly supplied by a solar collector array.  

Sud Ecowatt has developed a solar heating system directly involving environmentally friendly materials and solar technology.

 The emitter of heat is a wall of mud brick raw material requiring less energy to manufacture and  enjoying a remarkable thermal inertia. With a local brickmaker, Sud Ecowatt has developed a  principle of montage to make active the brick wall by turning it into heat emitter very low  temperature. By associating a field of solar wall plays the role of energy storage on the day to  restore gradually the rest of the day.

Sud Ecowatt climbed a wall in a home cookie timber frame solution particularly suited to this type of construction due to its low thermal inertia.The proposed system can then cover up to 60% of heating needs and 80% of hot water. Regulating humidity of the house is through the natural capacity of the raw clay to absorb and return of moisture.This material may eventually be covered with lime plaster enabling it to maintain performance and seamless integration with the building.

ADDED VALUE

Already recognized as a product with high thermal inertia, are implanted in the middle of the walls of a pipe network for the exchange of heat directly supplied by a solar collector array. The wall plays the role of solar energy storage on the day and radiating heat emitter for heating by a control system adapted. Coupled with a solar balloon, then the system can produce, beyond the heating, hot water. This concept allows a maximum value of solar energy captured by a simple hydraulic network and its operation at very low temperatures and meets the requirements of the HQE (High Environmental Quality).

SUD ECOWATT AMBITION

Several walls are being built in the outskirts of Montauban in private. Sud Ecowatt was selected from several operations on new construction of family housing for the realization of such walls radiating in Gaillac.  The company is now accelerating its development and is spirited to file patents in the coming months.

SOURCES & INFORMATIONS

COMPANY PROFILE

Tecnisun is a french cleantech manufacturer of solar thermal collectors in vacuum tubes and heat pipes. The company also distributes components for solar installations. These kits enable the production of heat for various applications, such as solar water heating, and solar heating for individuals and businesses. Tecnisun is the first French manufacturer of solar tubular heat pipes. This latest generation of solar panels is the best synthesis of existing technologies in solar energy. It has no equivalent in terms of efficiency and performance. 

TECNISUN history

The adventure starts at the Pont de Claix (Grenoble area), where several manufacturers specialized in thermal processes, have sought to develop a product that is effective under all conditions (high or low sun) and whatever the temperature outside. These engineers shared their expertise and research to develop materials and processes more efficient.  The company started its R&D in 2005 and presented its first solar tubular heat pipes in Paris on 2006. Then, Tecnisun received in 2007 its accreditation by reference organizations, favorable opinion of CSTB (Scientific and Technical Center Building) and referencing from ADEME / ENERPLAN. Commercial launch of solar tubular Tecnisun was in 2007. 

AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH 

The solar Tecnisun produce heat for domestic water, heating, air conditioning and swimming pool. They guarantee energy autonomy: 4 m2 of sensors associated with a balloon of 300 liters enough to hot water needs of a family of 5. Operation: Made of glass tubes under vacuum (no energy loss), enter contains a sensor 8 and 12 tubes. On each glass tube is deposited a blue surface selectively absorbs solar energy. The heat gained is transmitted to the collector through the heat pipe tubes. Tecnisun is offering solar kit enabling the production of heat for various applications, such as solar water heating, and solar heating for individuals and businesses.

BUSINESS MODEL

The diffusion of Tecnisun product is done through a network of installation professionals: heating engineers, plumbers, architects of the building … These prescribers are the cornerstone of the organization that relies on the expertise of these people in the field to provide cost effective solutions, innovative and sustainable. 

FINANCIALS

The company raised €1.5 million from the 123 venture, although half of that sum is linkedin to certain milestones for the end of this year. The first €750,000 will be used by the company to strenghten its sales force and develop new high performance solar collectors together with the Agence Nationale de la Recherche. Tecnisun plans to increase its annual sales to more than €7 million in the next 3 to 5 years.

SOURCES & INFORMATIONS

Contact : CEO : Clément Mabire