Harnessing the Power of the Ocean - Interview with Startups of the Year Nominee, C-Power

C-Power has been nominated in HackerNoon's annual Startup of the Year awards in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.

Please vote for us here: https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-charlottesville-va-usa

Read more about C-Power below, and thanks for considering voting for us for Charlottesville Startup of the Year.

Columbia Power (C-Power)

C-Power’s products convert ocean wave energy into usable and storable energy anytime, anywhere, and for anything.

Our solutions for lower-power needs change the ocean from a power desert into a power- and data-enriched environment, reducing operational costs, carbon, and complexity for offshore, island, and coastal applications.

The systems are easy to transport and deployable anywhere in the world, unlocking innovation in critical industries such as offshore energy, defense and security, aquaculture, science and research, and communications.

Our solutions for higher-power needs will unleash the next wave of zero-carbon energy for electric grids on land and remote onshore or offshore mini-grids.

Visit us at https://cpower.co/.

Reenst Lesemann, CEO

I grew up on the water and knew I wanted to spend my life working with the ocean.​ ​ Midway through my career, I found myself on a conference panel with C-Power co-founder Sandy Reisky. After hearing Sandy talk about the potential of ocean wave technology, I couldn’t help but get involved. ​ ​ Driven by my passion for the ocean and by the idea of bringing new renewable energy to the world, I am leading C-Power in the charge to harness the ocean’s power to create a viable and powerful technology that will accelerate decarbonization.

How We're Disrupting/Improving the Renewable Energy Industry

Decarbonization is a massive global effort.​ Right now, there are two primary renewable energy sources: solar and wind. They are powerful resources, but they aren’t enough to decarbonize the global economy.

We don’t have the right energy in the right places to complete the energy transition.

The ocean is the biggest and best battery on Earth, and it covers 71% of the Earth’s surface. C-Power is adding ocean energy​ to the global renewable energy portfolio with high-value strategic innovation.

First, we are helping unlock the digital, autonomous, decarbonized future of offshore operations with lower cost, lower complexity, and lower carbon solutions. Second, we will develop large-scale solutions to bring renewable ocean energy to electric grids on land.

The right ocean energy solution will: 1) decarbonize, diversify, and secure the global energy mix; 2) unleash innovation and decarbonization in the ocean economy; and 3) improve offshore operations.

Standing Out from The Crowd

C-Power makes the right ocean energy solution. Our autonomous offshore power systems are available anytime with 24/7 reliable power generation, anywhere for service in remote or populous areas, and for anything from data gathering to utility-scale power generation.

Our technology is unique and patented. C-Power is the only company in the industry providing ocean energy systems that are 1) simple and reliable, 2) scalable, 3) easy to transport and at low cost, 4) deployable anywhere, and 5) can be delivered to the market rapidly.

Our Predictions/Thoughts on the Ocean Energy Industry in 2023

The ocean energy industry is still in its early stage seeking to drive down costs toward parity with solar and wind power as well as innovate to improve performance in the harsh ocean environment.

As such, the industry in 2023 will continue to rely on government research, development, and demonstration funding as well as private investor support.

However, leading ocean energy providers like C-Power have blazed a shorter trail across the industry’s “valley of death” to commercialization and a sustainable customer market.

These leaders are targeting industries operating in the ocean economy — offshore energy, defense, scientific research — that need power and real-time communications at sea to unlock a future of autonomous and digital operations with lower cost, carbon emissions, and complexity.

In 2023, expect to see ocean energy solutions in the water unlocking this bright future for the ocean economy.

By unlocking this market, ocean energy leaders will develop a source of commercial energy to continue the journey toward utility-scale ocean energy on par with wind and solar.

What word defines the state of ocean energy in 2023?

Demonstration: Our industry has researched, developed, and lab-tested viable products across a number of form factors to turn energy from ocean waves and tides into clean, renewable electricity.

Now, it is time to demonstrate those capabilities in real-world projects that deliver real-world value to companies looking to innovate in the ocean economy.

In 2023, C-Power is launching the world’s most cutting-edge ocean energy demonstration in Hawaii at the U.S. Navy’s Wave Energy Test Site, where our SeaRAY autonomous offshore power system will provide power and real-time communications for data-gathering equipment and an autonomous underwater vehicle simultaneously.

Why we decided to participate in HackerNoon's Startup of the Year awards

C-Power is participating in these awards because we are honored to appear side-by-side with our innovative neighbors in Charlottesville, Virginia. We are proud to employ five people in Charlottesville (25 globally), contributing to the economic vitality of our city.

While our community is small, it is an innovation hub with a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re proud to bring attention not only to our efforts to develop a new clean energy resource but also to our innovative community.

Final Thoughts

C-Power is the industry leader in delivering simple, reliable ocean wave energy to help decarbonize the global economy. Recognition for our company delivers support for our cause.

Thank you for helping us bring a new renewable energy resource to the world that is critical for a sustainable future.