The way we generate, store, and distribute energy is undergoing a transformation unlike anything seen since Thomas Edison first illuminated lower Manhattan in 1882. According to BloombergNEF, global investment in the energy transition hit $2.1 trillion in 2024, up 11% from the previous year, while the climate tech market is poised to reach $220.3 billion by 2035.
The message is clear: breakthrough technologies are moving from laboratory concepts to real-world deployment at unprecedented speed, and our past Edison Award winners are leading the charge.
Edison Award Winners Setting the Standard
Our past Energy & Sustainability winners showcase exactly how innovation is revolutionizing energy systems today:
Redwood Materials is building America’s first domestic supply chain for EV battery materials, recycling critical minerals including lithium, nickel, and cobalt to create the most sustainable cathode material available. By reclaiming these valuable components, Redwood is solving both the supply chain challenge and the environmental impact of battery production.
NAMI developed a groundbreaking safe EV battery with non-flammable quasi-solid electrolyte (QSE) that provides 10 times extended cycle life under extreme conditions and a 20°C thermal stability improvement over liquid alternatives—addressing one of the biggest safety concerns in electric vehicle adoption.
Brenmiller Energy’s bGen™ ZERO thermal battery is revolutionizing industrial heat by converting renewable electricity into zero-emission heat stored in crushed rocks. Currently being installed at Tempo Beverages (a Heineken and Pepsi producer), the 32 MWh system will replace fossil fuel boilers, mitigating over 6,200 tons of carbon emissions annually while saving an estimated $7.5 million over 15 years—proving clean industrial heat is both economically viable and scalable.
Hyperion’s XP-1 hydrogen-powered hypercar delivers 450-1,000+ miles of range with rapid refueling and zero emissions, proving sustainable transportation doesn’t require performance compromises.
ITRI is also making an impact for their AI-powered energy management. was a 2025 winner for their Adaptive Cold Energy Management System that uses Deep Reinforcement Learning algorithms to optimize energy use in commercial sites like supermarkets and wholesale stores, adapting in real-time to environmental conditions.
Expanding the Innovation Ecosystem
Supporting the next generation of climate innovators requires collaboration. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Greentown Labs, the world’s largest climatetech and energy incubator. Together, we’re creating bridges that connect entrepreneurs with the networks, resources, and recognition they need to scale their solutions.
With over 200 startups in their current portfolio and 625+ companies supported since 2011—having collectively raised more than $9.6 billion in funding—Greentown’s community represents the cutting edge of climate innovation. This partnership ensures more of these breakthrough solutions receive the visibility and connections that accelerate market growth.
As Frank Bonafilia, CEO of the Edison Awards, notes: “We’re not just fostering innovation, we’re searching for revolutionary solutions that can genuinely improve lives and protect our planet.”
Six Game-Changing Trends Reshaping Energy
1. Next-Generation Battery Storage for Vehicles
Solid-state batteries are revolutionizing energy storage by cutting charging time from 30-45 minutes to as little as 12 minutes while lasting 15-20 years—double the lifespan of conventional lithium-ion batteries. Toyota plans production by 2026, while Mercedes-Benz completed road tests in early 2025 with prototypes achieving over 620 miles of range.
2. Fusion Energy Goes Commercial
After decades as a distant dream, fusion power is becoming reality. Commonwealth Fusion Systems will build the world’s first grid-scale commercial fusion plant in Virginia, with Google securing 200 megawatts from the facility. Private investment in fusion exceeded $7 billion by early 2025, with over 40 startups globally pursuing innovative approaches.
3. Next-Generation Nuclear: Small Modular Reactors
Advanced fission technology is delivering results today. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are revolutionizing nuclear power through factory fabrication, reducing construction time from 5-10 years to just 24-36 months. Bill Gates’ TerraPower is building its Natrium reactor in Wyoming—a $4 billion project that will replace a retiring coal plant with 345 MW of clean, 24/7 baseload power by 2030. With integrated molten salt storage that can boost output to 500 MW, it’s ideally suited for complementing renewable energy sources.
4. Geothermal’s Hidden Potential
New drilling technologies are unlocking vast geothermal resources. The Clean Air Task Force estimates that just 1% of America’s superhot rock potential could produce 4.3 terawatts of clean firm power—almost four times the country’s current total installed electricity-generating capacity. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal provides baseload power 24/7, regardless of weather conditions.
5. Carbon Capture at Building Scale
A breakthrough announced in October 2025 enables carbon-capturing air filters to be installed in existing building ventilation systems, achieving 92% net carbon removal efficiency. The researchers estimate this approach could remove around 25 million tons of CO2 annually across the US and 596 million tons globally—by leveraging billions of ventilation systems already in place.
6. Green Hydrogen Economics
Hydrogen production costs are expected to decrease by 50% through 2030. By 2050, green hydrogen in regions like the Middle East, Africa, and parts of the US will cost just €1-€1.5 per kilogram—making it cost-competitive with fossil fuels for hard-to-electrify sectors like aviation, shipping, and steel production.
The AI Acceleration Effect
Artificial intelligence is supercharging clean energy innovation across multiple fronts:
- Grid optimization: AI systems balance supply and demand while enhancing renewable energy storage
- Emissions reduction: PwC research shows AI could decrease CO2 emissions by over 4% by 2030
- Industrial transformation: The European Investment Bank and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst backed INERATEC with €70 million in 2025 to develop Europe’s largest e-fuel plant using AI-optimized production
From Breakthrough to Scale
“When I see a tough problem, my first thought is always, ‘How can innovation help solve this?'” says Bill Gates, whose Breakthrough Energy organization has supported more than 150 clean energy companies. His insight captures the moment we’re in: companies have made dramatic progress on better and cleaner solutions across every sector. What many need now is private-sector capital and partnerships to reach the scale where they’ll have real impact on emissions.
The world deployed 280 gigawatts of clean electricity last year—about 23 times New York City’s electricity consumption. The International Energy Agency projected that investments in cleantech and infrastructure hit $2 trillion in 2024, roughly double the investment in fossil fuels.
A Future Worth Building
The innovations transforming energy today would have seemed impossible just a decade ago. From the recycled battery materials of Redwood Materials to the hydrogen-powered performance of Hyperion’s XP-1, from AI-optimized energy systems from ITRI to fusion plants under construction, breakthrough technologies are proving that a sustainable, prosperous future isn’t just possible… it’s already being built.
The Edison Awards celebrates the visionaries building technologies that fundamentally reimagine how we power our world. From laboratories to factory floors, from pilot projects to commercial deployment, innovators are proving that we can transform our energy systems faster than many thought possible.
As we look toward 2026 and beyond, the question isn’t whether we can revolutionize how we source, process, and distribute energy… it’s how quickly we can scale the breakthrough innovations already emerging.
Ready to showcase your innovation? The Edison Awards’ Energy & Climate Resiliency category highlights innovations that drive a sustainable, climate-resilient future. Nominations for 2026 are now open. Learn more about past winners and download our 2026 Nomination Guide to learn more about how you can highlight your breakthrough with a 2026 Edison Award.
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