MITdesignX Energy Transition Accelerator
Leventhal Center for Advanced UrbanismSarah Williams, Director
Prudence Robinson, Executive Director
Alberto Meouchi, Project Manager
Helen Konsgaard
MITdesignXSvafa Grondfelt, Faculty Director
Gilad Rosenzweig, Executive Director
Mota Engil México | LabCiudadesOnésimo Flores
SECTEIDr. Ofelia Angulo, Secretary
Dr. Bernardo Rosas, Director CDIT Vallejo-i
In December 2015, after COP21 in Paris, an international agreement was signed to reach a goal of keeping average temperatures below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, and possibly even limiting it to 1.5 degrees. Six years later at the COP26 in Glasgow, nations ratified the commitment to achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050.
According to a by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2019, the world emitted 59 gigatons of GHG, an increase of over 55% from 1990 levels. Based on data like these, John Doerr, an American investor and VC dedicated to sustainability proposes a plan (or really a call for action) in his book "Speed & Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now" to eliminate all of these "59 gigatons", i.e., achieve carbon neutrality in the atmosphere.
International, regional and local strategies combined with the drive and ingenuity of entrepreneurs and innovators are required to answer the call for carbon reduction and fulfill the demand and goals above.
Climate change is global, but the impacts are localized as our many of the solutions. We are looking for solutions at the city level, and specifically in Mexico City. New products, services, design and processes are needed to make fundamental changes to systems that produce carbon emissions. Currently, energy is the largest single contributor to an increase in greenhouse gases. And combined with transportation, make up over half of the 59 gigatons Doerr cites above. We need an energy transition and it has already begun. We need a transportation revolution and that is also underway.
But it is not easy. Our infrastructure is old and designed for current, polluting, systems. Our mindset and laws are outdated. Goals are easy to proclaim, but challenges that prevent us from reaching them are complex.
The CDMX Energy Transition Accelerator was a two-part workshop series led by MIT faculty in Mexico City during the summer for 8 new startup teams creating solutions for problems and opportunities that the energy transition presented. Teams were selected through a competitive application process and invited to join two mandatory workshop series on July 4-6, and July 31-Aug 2, 2023. These teams went through a rigorous curriculum to develop new ventures, products, services, or systems. In addition, they received a grant to support the development of a prototype.
Selected Cohort
Oxtron
A comprehensive service to measure, control, and capture greenhouse gas emissions from value chains. They have developed a highly efficient carbon capture system that can safely collect and store CO2 emissions from various sources. Additionally, Oxtron reuses the captured carbon in the production of neutral polymers and fuels. By integrating sensor and automation technology for real-time data collection, Oxtron provides an innovative and sustainable solution for converting CO2 into valuable products.
DE-BEE
Reshaping traditional risk assessment approaches by addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) risks in the energy sector. Their solution offers opportunities for sustainable economic development, social inclusion, energy security, health improvement, and environmental problem resolution. By integrating an ESG and emission control system throughout the product supply chain, DE-BEE provides a comprehensive approach to mitigating risks and promoting sustainability.
MüllBlue Energy
Creating a clean biogas supply system for the tortilla industry in Mexico City. They leverage organic waste generated in the city to produce biogas, which can then be used to supply thermal energy to numerous tortilla shops. By capturing and utilizing the energetic gas from organic waste, MüllBlue Energy reduces costs and environmental impact while promoting a sustainable energy solution for the tortilla industry.
VEU
A mobility service that aims to provide electric vehicles for last-mile transportation in Mexico City. They have designed their own vehicle to improve the efficiency of short-distance transportation and last-mile deliveries while promoting the adoption of electric mobility. By offering an electric vehicle solution, VEU contributes to reducing carbon emissions and advancing sustainable urban transportation.
ARRO
Creating permeable concrete paving surfaces from recycled materials to prevent floods and reduce CO2 emissions. Their innovative approach involves constructing permeable polymeric concrete using materials such as recycled concrete and PET. This solution not only helps mitigate flooding but also improves fuel efficiency. By utilizing recycled materials in the construction industry, ARRO contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and promoting sustainable infrastructure.
BioDark Energetics
Developing a bioreactor that converts organic waste into electricity and fertilizer. Their technology is based on dark fermentation, which converts organic waste into hydrogen. This hydrogen can then be stored in fuel cells to produce electricity. The process also produces fertilizers as a byproduct. By converting organic waste into energy and valuable resources, BioDark Energetics offers a sustainable solution for waste management and energy generation.
Biorreactores
Creating urban community gardens from algae. The gardens will be financially sponsored by carbon credit sales. They plan to install bioreactors of microalgae, which are efficient carbon dioxide fixators, in both private and public areas. This approach provides a solution to capture carbon while also increasing urban green space and promoting local sustainability.
Batu
Utilizes distributed energy resources such as buildings, solar panels, batteries, and HVAC systems to balance the electricity grid and act as a carbon footprint moderator. They offer a digital infrastructure for energy management that includes two products: Batu Buildings - which optimize energy consumption through demand control in high-energy consumption buildings, and BART - a series of APIs that connect distributed energy resources to the electrical market. By leveraging distributed energy resources, Batu contributes to a more stable and sustainable electricity grid.
VOLTA
Incentivizing the adoption of renewable energy through education and information. They utilize digitization tools such as blockchain technology to facilitate the implementation of renewable energy projects, making them more accessible and attractive to entities and individuals. By providing education, information, and technological solutions, VOLTA accelerates the implementation of renewable energy projects and democratizes the economic and sustainable benefits generated by them.
Quilmaitl
Producing electricity with organic solar cells made from organic matter and waste. They develop these cells using renewable and biodegradable materials, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. By utilizing organic waste as raw materials, Quilmaitl offers a solution for waste management while generating sustainable energy and reducing environmental pollution.
Paradigma KINE
Introducing electric mototaxis to replace internal combustion motorcycles in the last-mile mobility sector. Through a pilot program, they seek to integrate electric mototaxis into Mexico City's mobility network, providing a sustainable solution for last-mile transportation. By replacing conventional motorcycles with electric vehicles, Paradigma KINE reduces emissions and promotes cleaner and more sustainable urban transportation options.
Bulbo Technologies
A Marketplace platform to connect industrial energy consumers with wholesale vendors or qualified suppliers, providing the necessary data and analysis to make informed, transparent and clear decisions through AI.
Press
AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the team at SECTEI and CDIT Vallejo-i for our collaboration and support.
ImagesWalter Shintani