What is the 10-questions interview? Regularly, we interview a promising startup or scale-up in the climate & energy tech ecosystem and ask them our 10 questions to showcase their technology, inspire the sector with their ambition and better understand their needs. With our platform (ZERO), we want to put these bold innovators on a pedestal and introduce them to our audience. Do you want to connect with this startup/scale-up, feel free to contact us at info@platformzero.co! 

AQUABATTERY is developing a Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) system solely based upon two main components: table salt and water. Which are abundant, environmentally friendly, and safe to handle.

In this Ten Questions interview, you can read the valuable insights of business developer manager Bálint Horvath

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself, who are you and what makes you tick?

My name is Bálint, during the past five years of my career I’ve worked at the intersection between innovation,  energy and the built environment. Most recently, I am working as a business development manager at AQUABATTERY’s commercial team. My drive is to help a group explore new ideas and grow in their capacity to realise them, which is why I facilitate outdoor team building activities.

2. What is the core of your mission (the bold goal) that you are pursuing?

To run the world entirely on renewable energy anywhere at all times. 

3. What are you building/developing with your organization?

At AQUABATTERY, we are developing a long duration energy storage (LDES) that can store renewable electricity in table salt and water for 8-100hrs. LDES makes intermittent solar and wind generation reliable and available when needed. Importantly, table salt and water are environmentally friendly, cheap and globally available materials enabling us to make a sustainable, non-toxic and safe battery that can be reused and recycled at the end of life. In 2024, we launched our 4^th pilot in Delft to analyse different use cases for LDES to decarbonize the energy sector.

4. What makes your team that you are working with, special?

We do not only develop new technology but better technology. The co-founders, Jiajun and Emil, have laid down a clear vision for environmental and social sustainability, which strongly resonates with everyone working in the team. This value-based approach drives everyone’s motivation to make a great product and attract professionals who want the battery sector to do better. These values extend beyond the work floor and it is one of the main reasons why our partners also choose to work with AQUABATTERY.

5. What is your view on our climate challenge and how do you want to contribute?

COP28 has made tripling renewables by 2030 the core strategy to achieve the 1,5 degree goal in line with the Paris Agreement. However, implementing this strategy  requires the right technology mix. The coming decade is about creating hourly, daily or even seasonal flexibility in a power system dominated by renewables. Long duration energy storage  and other flexibility solutions will unlock the full potential of renewables as a reliable, clean and cheap energy source.

6. What is your view on your sector and what is needed to accelerate change?

Energy storage and LDES can only ensure energy security and deliver on global climate action by 2030 if there is a suitable market design, which supports adoption and investment. However, European governments are slower in creating a policy framework. If you look at the  National Energy and Climate Plans of EU member states, only  few countries are on track to sufficiently support energy storage adoption (Netherlands is not one of them). As a sector, we need governments to remove barriers, like double charging for batteries, and create a comprehensive strategy for long-duration energy storage. I am optimistic about their efforts.

7. What are some recent highlights that really make you proud?

I organised AQUABATTERY’s program at COP28 in Dubai last December, which was really energising. While this gathering is seen as a failure to “phase out” fossil fuel, it is a win for energy storage and renewables. For the first time, the final declaration sets out to triple the world’s installed renewable generation capacity to at least 11,000GW by 2030 and encourages the scaling of new technologies, like batteries, as key enablers.

8. What is the biggest challenge you see for your company to grow even faster?

Hiring talented engineers, who want to contribute to climate action and global energy transition by working for a long duration energy storage startup. Come and join us!

9. Are there needs (network, funding, people) that our community could provide?

Platform Zero is a great place to meet other deep tech entrepreneurs and facilitate conversations with public and private decision-makers on how new climate tech can scale in the Netherlands, the same way you invited Minister Micky Adriaansens last year. In addition, I also see a great value of Platform Zero to connect with investors and industrial partners from Rotterdam.

10. What are the 3 inspiring startups/scale-ups you think we should interview next?

Shout out to LeydenJar, Elestor and Ocean Grazer from the Dutch energy storage sector!

Enthousiastic about Aquabattery or interested in this topic? Then contact us at info@platformzero.co!