RENEW-BOOSTER
Four industrial challenges to tackle
for SMEs and start-ups in the energy sector
Applications must be submitted by 30 November 2026
Through RENEW-BOOSTER, a European project in which Capenergies is a partner, four major energy companies are entrusting their practical challenges to SMEs and start-ups.
Your solution could be the right one: applications are open until 30 November 2026.
A call to move from concept to practice
RENEW-BOOSTER supports innovative solutions in photovoltaics, offshore wind and electricity grids. The principle is simple: an industry player outlines a genuine need, a company proposes its solution, and if it is selected, it receives funding and the opportunity to carry out an initial trial with the client.
FOUR CHALLENGES ARE OPEN
FEATURED CHALLENGE
EDF Power Solutions: repainting the foundations of offshore wind turbines without ropes or abseiling
THE ISSUE
The foundations of offshore wind turbines, their access points and the electrical substations are exposed to the salty air and the full force of storms. Corrosion is a constant threat there. Today, repainting work is carried out by rope access technicians. It is a high-risk job that requires extensive safety measures.
WHAT EDF POWER SOLUTIONS IS LOOKING FOR
One or more robotic solutions (robots, drones, integrated systems) capable of carrying out this work more safely, with greater flexibility and whilst always minimising the impact on the environment.
They will need to:
- Stripping surfaces, i.e. removing old paint and rust, including from areas that are inaccessible to an operator;
- Repaint to the same standard as a professional painter;
- To perform sustainably in harsh marine conditions, at least as well as current methods;
- Remote-controlled, with a degree of autonomy to be introduced in the future;
- Collect all waste to prevent pollution of the water and the marine environment.
WHY SHOULD YOU REPLY?
Reducing, or even avoiding, work on ropes at sea significantly improves the safety of maintenance crews.
You will be working on a real-world use case and will be able to test your solution at the sites of EDF Power Solutions, a major player in the offshore wind sector.
A market is promising: Several parks are currently under consideration, both in France and at European and global level.
Your solution could pave the way for increasingly autonomous and «intelligent» robots.
THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
€60,000
maximum funding (€10,000 in phase 1, up to €50,000 in phase 2)
4 months
project
1
candidate shortlisted for phase 2
WHAT YOUR APPLICATION SHOULD INCLUDE
The targeted components (landing points, foundations, substations), your solution and its level of maturity (TRL), how you could test it with EDF Power Solutions, and the expected benefits compared with current methods, in economic, environmental and operational terms.
The other three challenges
NAVACEL · SPAIN
Manufacturing suction anchors more quickly and at a lower cost
Floating wind turbines will require numerous mooring systems, including large suction anchors. Navacel aims to increase production and reduce costs, particularly for large steel components such as the upper plates, which can be up to 8 metres in diameter.
- Suggested topics: robotic welding, AI-assisted manufacturing, 3D scanning and automated quality control, digital twins, production as close as possible to the ports of installation.
- Who is it for: manufacturers in the fields of robotics, digital manufacturing, inspection and quality control.
ESTABANELL IMPULSA · SPAIN
Giving industrial batteries a new lease of life
As an energy supplier and battery installer, Estabanell Impulsa is seeing an increasing number of lithium-ion batteries reaching the end of their service life. The company is looking for potential new uses (energy storage for buildings, grid services, charging points, rural electrification), a reliable method for assessing a battery’s condition, and a scalable business model.
- Who is it for: specialists in energy storage, battery diagnostics, the circular economy and energy services.
PGE BALTICA · POLAND
Knowing where you are when the GPS signal is jammed
In the Baltic Sea, the jamming and tampering of satellite signals are disrupting offshore operations: navigation, foundation laying, lifting and inspections. PGE Baltica is seeking reliable positioning solutions that combine multiple sensors and data sources, detect disruptions and indicate the degree of confidence in the position in real time, without the need for heavy offshore infrastructure.
- Who is it for: players in the fields of navigation, sensors, data processing, cyber security and software.
HOW TO APPLY?
The challenges are aimed at SMEs and start-ups, particularly in the fields of robotics, AI, automation, storage and the maintenance of offshore installations.
Applications are open until 30 November 2026.
For further information, please contact Capenergies:
Elisa SEDAT
Project Manager Europe/International
GARDEN - RENEW BOOSTER
elisa.sedat@capenergies.fr
+33 6 98 79 19 19
NICOLAS LEMONNIER
Energy Systems Project Engineer
INVECE - RENEW BOOSTER
nicolas.lemonnier@capenergies.fr
+33 6 67 82 21 22