Few places in Europe bring industry, innovation and energy transition together quite like Rotterdam. With Europe’s largest port, world-class research institutions and a thriving startup scene, the city is where bold ideas become real-world energy solutions.

Meet the scaleups reshaping energy. From floating solar and AI-driven heat networks to battery sharing and rooftop wind, and discover how they are changing the way we produce, store and use power.

Built on innovation and collaboration

Rotterdam’s energy ecosystem is driven by the strengths of its players working together. The Port of Rotterdam provides scale and infrastructure to test and deploy new energy solutions. Research institutions such as TU Delft, Erasmus University and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences contribute cutting-edge knowledge and talent. Established industry leaders are investing in sustainable fuels, hydrogen and carbon capture. Finally, startups and scaleups, supported by hubs such as CIC Rotterdam, BlueCity, and Up!Rotterdam, bring fresh ideas and speed to the transition. Together, they form a living laboratory where the future of energy takes shape.

1. Floating solar for the future

With urban expansion and population growth reducing space for inland solar, SolarDuck is taking solar energy offshore. Their interconnected triangular platforms form floating islands that keep solar panels safe from the damaging seawater. Their system is certified, insurable, adaptable, scalable, and competitively priced, offering a reliable solution for the future of renewable energy.

2. Smarter, sustainable energy networks

As the energy transition accelerates, efficiency is just as important as renewable generation. Gradyent helps utilities and municipalities save energy and reduce emissions by optimising heating networks. Their AI-powered Digital Twin platform provides continuous visibility and dynamic optimisation, enabling better use of network storage and demand response. The subscription-based service integrates seamlessly with existing systems and supports multiple decentralised heat sources, ensuring high efficiency at low temperatures.

3. Clean energy on demand

Skoon provides clean energy solutions to industries spanning from film and TV production to shipping, industrial businesses, and aid organisations. By renting out battery systems, hydrogen fuel cells, and solar generators, they help their clients keep operations running without fossil fuels. Skoon also offers consulting services, guiding businesses to translate their power plans into sustainable energy setups.

4. Powering industry with clean energy

Industrial users and logistics companies are under pressure to cut emissions and costs – Maxwell & Spark helps them do both. The company delivers precision-engineered lithium-ion batteries and fully electric reefer trailers, enabling a smooth transition to clean, renewable energy. With pilot projects for corporates such as Unilever and backing from investors such as Fairtree Elevant Ventures, Maxwell & Spark is turning sustainability goals into tangible impact. 

5. Smart wind for cities

Airturb brings clean energy to the built environment with compact, silent wind turbines designed for rooftops and urban spaces. Already deployed at over one hundred sites in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, their systems help companies cut emissions, ease grid congestion and make sustainability visible on-site. With hardware sales, leasing options and digital monitoring, Airturb is making local wind power accessible and scalable.

Join Us at Recharge Earth

On 17–18 September, Rotterdam’s Ahoy will turn into the international hub for the energy transition. Policymakers, corporates, researchers and entrepreneurs will come together to share ideas, spark collaborations and accelerate change. Be there — it’s where the future of energy takes shape.