The real energy crisis is coming

Data centers are just a 10% bump in electricity demand. The real surge will come as countries electrify entire sectors to cut carbon, potentially tripling electricity demand over the coming decades.

“Data centers are absolutely the canary in the coal mine.”

Breakthrough Energy's sixth cohort

Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures announced 21 new startups in its sixth annual Fellows program, spanning fusion, semiconductors, agriculture, and climate adaptation technologies.

Fusion power gets a long shot

Borealis Fusion is pursuing proton-boron fusion using widely available fuel, though heating it to ignition temperatures is extremely challenging. Success could dramatically lower energy costs.

“If they can do it, you could get to much lower cost of energy.”

Squeezing efficiency from chips

Startups like K1 Semiconductor and Bedrock Semiconductor are developing ways to make power electronics more efficient. K1's new processing method could cut semiconductor costs by 50% or more.

“You could reduce the cost of these power electronics by maybe 50%, maybe more.”

Hydrogen needs a delivery system

AmHyTech and Ammovolt Energy are developing ways to transport hydrogen using ammonia, since there's almost no hydrogen infrastructure in the country and no simple way to move it around.

“Hydrogen is the Swiss Army Knife of energy.”

Mining minerals from the ocean

Breakthrough Energy is backing robotics systems designed to harvest critical minerals from the ocean floor while minimizing environmental disturbance.

Adaptation matters more now

Several fellows are focused on helping humanity adapt to a warmer climate, reflecting the reality that decarbonization will take longer and be harder than hoped.

“It's going to take longer and it's going to be harder than we thought.”