ZURICH, Switzerland, September 8, 2022 — Nabtesco Technology Ventures, corporate venture capital arm of Nabtesco Corporation, the Japanese industrial Tier 1 component supplier, announced today that it has invested into wind technology start-up eologix. Switzerland-based cleantech venture capital pioneer Emerald Technology Ventures led the €6 million round. Orlen Ventures and existing eologix backer Phoenix Contact Innovation Ventures also participated in the round. The new capital will help accelerate the company’s product development, grow its headcount and boost its international expansion, particularly to the US and Asia, including Japan. Nabtesco Corporation and eologix signed a letter of intent for commercial collaboration on the same day.
Image: © eologix sensor technology gmbh
Austria-based eologix produces sensors that ensure smooth, reliable and efficient wind turbine operation, while Nabtesco produces failure-preventing monitoring systems for the yaw drive units of wind turbines. eologix has installed more than 700 sensor kits since its founding—a reflection of its robust position in a challenging sector in Europe—while Nabtesco has decades of experience in wind energy component and system development and manufacture in Japan. eologix’s and Nabtesco’s joint initiative will enable wind power OEMs to detect small changes in temperature, ice formation and other factors as their sensors and systems reduce turbine downtime, boosting output and simplifying repairs and maintenance. This can improve turbines overall yield, allowing it to generate more power in a given time frame than it might otherwise.
Wind energy is poised to become a centrepiece of global climate efforts. The global market for onshore and offshore wind is expected to more than double from roughly 800 GW in 2021 to 1,900 GW in 2030. Many turbines will operate in cold, harsh environments, raising the stakes for the kind of performance monitoring both eologix and Nabtesco provide.
Image: © eologix sensor technology gmbh
About eologix
eologix sensor technology, founded in 2014, produces flexible, retrofittable smart sensor solutions for overarching rotor blade monitoring. eologix’s market proven sensor systems—installed on more than 700 turbines — are designed for ice detection, temperature measurement and pitch angle monitoring on rotor blades, minimizing downtimes and offering best-in-class performance.
About Nabtesco Technology Ventures
Nabtesco Technology Ventures is a corporate venture fund launched in 2018 by Japan’s Nabtesco Corporation, in partnership with Emerald Technology Ventures, a global leader in technology venture capital. The fund deepens Nabtesco’s involvement in the development of disruptive ventures around the world, strengthening our pursuit of open innovation, a key pillar of our company’s growth strategy. The EUR 75 million fund invests primarily, but not exclusively, in robotics, motors, sensors, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technologies. Nabtesco Technology Ventures reinforces Nabtesco Corporation’s position as a global leader in manufacturing technology, accelerating investment and collaboration around the world.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| eologix sensor technology | +43 316 931215 500 |
| Ms. Esther Jobst | [email protected] |
| Nabtesco Technology Ventures | [email protected] |