Google’s AI Start-Up Support For Sustainable Energy Security

According to the International Energy Agency, over the next five years global annual electricity demand is set to be 50% higher on average compared with the average across the previous decade.

This demand is said to be driven by manufacturing, electrification and digital infrastructure, presenting a vast opportunity for smarter grid growth.

Google is announcing, for the second year in a row, the open call for applications for its ‘Google for Startups Accelerator’, supporting startups that are using AI to modernise grids and create energy efficiency and security.

AI energy innovation

Google’s equity-free accelerator programme is designed to empower climate-tech startups that are building the future of sustainable energy through artificial intelligence and advanced technology. 

Running from September through November, the programme combines virtual learning with in-person collaboration opportunities, connecting founders with Googlers, industry experts, energy utilities and venture capital partners. 

Google believes that AI-powered tools can help across several key areas to increase energy efficiency, like:

• Optimising data systems to help utilities and grid operators better utilise flexible energy resources.
• Accelerating timelines to develop new power and transmission infrastructure.
• Expanding access to energy efficiency and affordability initiatives. 

Selected startups gain access to Google Cloud infrastructure, cutting-edge AI tools like Gemini and technical mentorship that helps accelerate product development and scale impactful solutions. 

“No single company can solve the energy crisis alone,” says Adam Elman, Director of Sustainability, Google EMEA.

“Our goal is to foster a collaborative ecosystem where groundbreaking, market-ready startups can leverage Google’s AI and cloud expertise to sharpen their technology.

“By helping these companies improve and scale, we’re accelerating the deployment of solutions that are critical to a sustainable future” 

By focusing on areas such as energy efficiency, grid modernisation and demand optimisation, the accelerator enables startups to create smarter, cleaner and more resilient energy systems for the future.

AI solutions for the energy transition

The accelerator has already demonstrated how AI can transform sustainability outcomes across the energy sector.

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Startups in the 2025 cohort achieved measurable breakthroughs using Google’s technology ecosystem.

Artemis in the US improved solar imaging accuracy while lowering costs for households through AI-enhanced analysis. 

“Google’s AI for Energy helped us use generative AI to improve our platform,” says Walid Halty, Co-Founder & CEO at Artemis.

“The Gemini and GCP team gave us access to cutting-edge tools and pushed our tech further.”

Meanwhile, France’s Tilt Energy expanded its distributed energy capacity platform across multiple countries, helping optimise electricity demand during high-stress periods on the grid. 

Spain-based Delfos enhanced predictive maintenance systems capable of identifying renewable energy asset failures up to 300 days in advance, allowing operators to prevent disruptions and improve efficiency.

“The accelerator sharpened out technology, clarified our GTM strategy and unlocked speed in execution,” says Guilherme Studart, CEO of Delfos Energy.

“We’re now better equipped and more confident to scale globally.”

These achievements reflect Google’s broader commitment to the clean energy transition and its goal of operating entirely on 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy across all data centers and campuses by 2030. 

Building on the success of the 2025 cohort, where 29 European and American startups collectively raised more than US$140m, Google is expanding the programme for a second iteration to further accelerate innovation in sustainable energy and AI-powered climate solutions.

A global ecosystem for climate and sustainability

Beyond startup acceleration, Google is creating a holistic sustainability ecosystem designed to support climate innovation at every stage of development.

Since 2021, the Google for Startups Accelerator: Climate Change has supported 83 startups across five continents, providing access to Google’s technology, engineering expertise and global network. 

Google’s accelerator runs alongside complementary initiatives like: 

AI for Science, offering mentorship and pro bono resources for academic institutions and social ventures developing high-impact AI applications for climate change.

Startups for Sustainable Development, aiming to support more than 800 impact-driven startups across 80 countries working toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

Together, these programmes bridge the gap between scientific research, corporate sustainability targets and scalable commercial solutions. 

By providing startups with access to powerful tools such as Google Cloud infrastructure, Google Earth Engine, environmental datasets and advanced AI modeling capabilities, Google helps reduce the financial and technical barriers that often limit climate-tech innovation. 

This enables founders to focus on refining market-ready technologies that can modernise energy grids, reduce carbon emissions and deliver scalable sustainability impact worldwide.