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1 topic, 2 key figures, 3 startups to draw inspiration from

Until recently, the main conversation around data centers focused primarily on reducing their environmental footprint: transitioning to renewable energy, improving Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), and optimizing cooling systems. These efforts remain crucial, but the landscape is shifting.

Data centers are rapidly becoming deeply integrated into both local and national energy systems, playing an increasingly strategic role in grid stability and energy flexibility. This transformation not only impacts the way data centers consume energy but also how they can contribute to a more resilient and balanced energy infrastructure. Rather than merely absorbing power, data centers are now playing a pivotal part in balancing supply and demand, enabling the integration of renewable energy, and even creating new industrial symbioses. Here’s how:

1. Demand Response: Leveraging Renewable Energy to Drive Efficiency

Data centers, especially those operated by major tech companies like Google, are employing advanced systems such as carbon-intelligent computing to dynamically adjust their workloads in response to the availability of local solar and wind energy. By syncing their computing power with times of high renewable generation, Google reduces its energy demand during periods of low renewable production and maximizes energy use when renewable sources are abundant. This ability to adapt to fluctuating energy conditions means that data centers are no longer just passive consumers but active participants in managing the grid’s load, helping to integrate renewables more effectively into the overall energy mix.

2. Grid Balancing: Data Centers as Auxiliary Services Providers

Tech giants like Microsoft are experimenting with innovative solutions to turn their data centers into grid-supporting assets. One such approach is using data center batteries in a grid-interactive UPS mode, in collaboration with Eaton, to provide auxiliary services to the electrical grid. These services include regulating frequency and voltage, ensuring stability during times of peak demand or grid instability. The ability of data centers to act as “shock absorbers” for the grid through energy storage and balancing offers a significant step forward in making energy systems more resilient and flexible.

As part of this, Microsoft’s batteries could offer energy back to the grid during periods of excess demand, helping stabilize the grid while also benefiting from economic incentives. This kind of grid interaction transforms data centers from isolated consumers of energy into active, responsive entities that aid in maintaining grid stability.

3. Decentralized Production & Self-Consumption: A Move Toward Energy Independence

Amazon is another key player exploring decentralized energy production. The company is integrating renewable energy projects such as wind farms and storage systems directly into their energy supply chains for data centers. This integration not only helps stabilize energy availability but also reduces the reliance on centralized power grids. In doing so, Amazon is creating a more self-sufficient energy ecosystem, where their data centers can operate with a greater degree of energy autonomy, even in the event of grid disruptions.

In addition to reducing operational costs and environmental impact, this approach aligns with the growing trend of self-consumption and local energy production, where data centers both produce and consume the energy they need. This decentralization of energy sources supports broader national efforts to transition to more resilient and sustainable energy infrastructures.

4. Waste Heat Recovery & Industrial Symbiosis: Turning Energy Loss Into Value

Some data centers are going beyond simply consuming and generating energy—they are also innovating in how they use the waste heat produced by their operations. Qarnot Computing, for example, has pioneered the concept of energy symbiosis by using excess heat from its servers to warm residential buildings, office spaces, and even swimming pools. This process of waste heat recovery transforms what would otherwise be a byproduct of data center operations into valuable local heating energy, further enhancing the sustainability of their operations.

This symbiotic approach to energy usage also supports local economies by providing affordable heating to nearby communities, reducing the need for traditional heating methods like gas or electricity, which can be more resource-intensive.

5. Integrating Data Centers into National Grid Systems: A Strategic Experimentation

As energy systems evolve, so too does the role of data centers in maintaining grid stability. RTE, the French transmission system operator, along with Data4 and Schneider Electric, is leading a groundbreaking project in Marcoussis to experiment with flexible data center management. The goal is to ensure that if there are disruptions to a data center’s energy supply, it won’t disrupt the broader stability of the electrical grid. This is especially important as data centers are projected to represent 4% of electricity consumption in France by 2035.

The RTE-Data4-Schneider Electric collaboration is Europe’s first large-scale experiment in integrating data centers into the national energy system. It focuses on testing the ability of data centers to interact dynamically with the grid, allowing for a more seamless integration that could prevent potential issues from arising when large numbers of data centers are connected to the system. This project could pave the way for a new standard in managing the energy consumption and supply of data centers, ensuring grid stability even as their numbers and energy needs increase.

Conclusion: A New Era for Data Centers

Data centers are no longer just the massive energy consumers they once were. They are emerging as key players in the energy landscape, contributing to the stability and flexibility of our energy systems. As they increasingly integrate with renewable energy sources, offer grid-balancing services, and help create local energy symbioses, they are redefining the concept of what a data center can be.

This shift represents a crucial step in the transition toward a more resilient, sustainable energy future, where data centers are no longer viewed solely through the lens of consumption, but as active participants in shaping the energy ecosystem. The strategic role they play in energy systems will only continue to expand, making them essential not just for powering the digital economy but for helping to drive the broader transformation of global energy infrastructure.

2 Key Figures

3 days

A new data center opens every 3 days

70%

Projected growth in AI electricity consumption through 2027

3 startups to draw inspiration from

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The average lifespan of a Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) unit is only four years. This figure illustrates the structural fragility of these entities, especially when macroeconomic conditions deteriorate.

In the current environment — marked by inflation, rising interest rates, and reduced startup funding — a central question emerges:

How are international CVCs adapting to today’s economic downturn?

This question was at the heart of a roundtable we moderated at Viva Technology 2025, featuring leaders from major global CVCs.

The discussion was grounded in our 2025 CVC Barometer, conducted with 25 leading French corporates. Key finding: while 61% of French CVCs report a slowdown, several international players are holding steady.

Roundtable participants included:

Featured Experts:

• Galina Sagan, Principal at Hitachi Ventures

• Johann Boukhors, Managing Director at ENGIE New Ventures

• Adam Bazih, Managing Director at Stellantis Ventures

2 strategies resilient CVCs use to stay active in crisis

Despite macroeconomic pressure, these players reported no significant change in their level of activity. Their continued deployment is supported by two essential levers.

1. Tie investment to strategic collaboration — and stay focused

CVCs that remain active ensure their investments are directly linked to business objectives and operational collaboration. This can take several forms:

• Signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs)
• Launching pilot programs with business units
• Engaging dedicated partnership managers

This alignment ensures that investments serve broader strategic goals and facilitates post-investment integration.

⚠️ Watch out: Spreading resources across too many stakeholders or clinging to outdated collaborations can weaken focus.

✅ Tip: Regularly review your CVC portfolio and phase out legacy collaborations that no longer drive value.

2. Secure executive sponsorship — and maintain consistent communication

CVC units are inherently exposed to internal volatility. Leadership changes, shifting priorities, or insufficient visibility within the organization can undermine their long-term stability. One common pitfall is the overemphasis on financial KPIs (e.g. IRR, multiples), which fails to capture the broader strategic contributions of CVC: scouting innovation, building capabilities, accessing new markets.

Sustainable CVCs are those that:

• Establish long-term executive support
• Balance financial KPIs (IRR, multiples) with strategic metrics (innovation access, market insight)
• Maintain consistent communication with internal stakeholders

💡 Insight: This internal alignment is what ultimately protects CVC teams from short-term decisions and organizational reshuffling.

123Fab

1 topic, 2 key figures, 3 startups to draw inspiration from

France’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, based on the “polluter-pays” principle, holds companies accountable for the entire life cycle of these products, from design to end-of-life.

While EPR has existed in France since 1975, it gained traction in 1992 with the household packaging decree and has since expanded to include sectors such as batteries, paper, and electrical and electronic equipment.

The major new development for 2025 is the expansion of this system to include industrial and commercial packaging (Emballages Industriels et Commerciaux – EIC). This marks a significant regulatory evolution, applying the “polluter-pays” principle to B2B packaging waste for the first time. The goal is to improve waste collection, sorting, and recycling while encouraging producers to reduce material use and invest in sustainable alternatives.

What types of packaging are affected?

The scoping study for the upcoming EPR scheme highlights that professional packaging is used across all business sectors:

• Chemical and pharmaceutical
• Cosmetics and personal care
• Manufacturing
• Textile
• Automotive
• Construction
• Transport and logistics
• E-commerce

Professional packaging includes all material used in a B2B context, including:

• Sales packaging: cans, sachets, big bags, metal drums, etc.
• Grouping packaging: cardboard boxes, plastic wrap, etc.
• Transport packaging: pallets, crates, etc.

This new regulatory framework goes beyond waste management. It is already influencing internal strategic decisions across affected industries. The obligation to manage and finance end-of-life packaging will necessarily drive companies to reconsider their materials usage, explore circular models, and implement innovative packaging solutions.

Before considering reuse, recycling or new materials, the top priority remains sobriety (i.e.  reducing packaging at the source). Minimizing packaging volume and eliminating unnecessary materials is the most effective way to reduce environmental impact, and often the most cost-efficient.

Key solutions for a circular packaging system

1. Reusable packaging

One of the most impactful solutions lies in reusable packaging systems. These systems drastically reduce demand for raw materials and eliminate single-use packaging by encouraging reuse cycles.

As an example: Loop partners with major brands like Nestlé to distribute products in durable, reusable containers. Once used, the packaging is collected, cleaned, and refilled—minimizing waste and optimizing material use.

2. Recycled materials and bioplastics

Switching to recycled or bio-based materials can significantly reduce the environmental burden of packaging. These alternatives, often recyclable themselves, support circularity and reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics.

French startup Carbios is pioneering enzymatic recycling, a breakthrough technology that breaks down PET plastics into their base components for infinite reuse. This innovation could redefine how industries handle plastic waste.

3. Packaging management tools

Smart tools can help companies monitor, reduce, and optimize their packaging usage. Digital platforms and traceability systems ensure compliance with evolving EPR regulations while making sustainability efforts more transparent.

Blockchain, for instance, can facilitate the tracking of reusable packaging throughout its life cycle, allowing companies to verify returns and reward responsible practices.

4. Modular packaging

Modular packaging systems enable businesses to create packaging that fits products precisely—reducing excess material, cutting storage costs, and streamlining transport.

Packsize offers on-demand packaging solutions, allowing companies to custom-size boxes for each shipment. E-commerce players like Amazon already use this approach to reduce void fill and improve shipping efficiency.

5. Natural materials

Packaging made from natural plant-based fibers—such as straw or hemp—offers a renewable, biodegradable alternative to conventional materials.

Startups like Xampla, develop plant-based materials that can replace single-use plastics. Their products, derived from pea protein, are biodegradable and suitable for various industries.

Looking ahead

As the new EPR law reshapes the industrial packaging landscape, companies are being called to adapt—not only to comply, but to lead. Circular packaging solutions like reusable systems, bio-based materials, smart management tools, and precision-fit packaging are already demonstrating how innovation and regulation can go hand in hand.

By embracing these sustainable alternatives, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint while building more resilient, future-ready supply chains.

2 Key Figures

7.5 million

tons of professional packaging were placed on the French market in 2024

7%

the rate of re-use of professional packaging in France

3 startups to draw inspiration from

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Startups: Join US at WNE 2025 – Deadline June 30th

We’re excited to share that we’ve been chosen as the scouting partner for The World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE), the leading global event for the civil nuclear industry.

We’re helping identify the most innovative early-stage companies in the sector. If you’re building something bold in civil nuclear or a related industrial field, this is a rare opportunity to gain visibility, meet key players, and be part of a global conversation shaping the future of energy.

What’s in it for you?

Twenty selected startups will be featured in the official WNE program and will benefit from:

• A dedicated mentoring program during the exhibition to help refine your pitch, connect with partners, and boost visibility within the international nuclear community and media
• A booth in the Startup Village, right at the heart of the venue.

Who can apply?

We’re looking for startups that are

If that sounds like your company, we’d love to hear from you. Applications are open now.

With a global push toward decarbonization, scientists and innovators keep on exploring next-generation solutions to meet energy demands sustainably. Fourth-generation fuels, a cutting-edge development in renewable energy, are gaining attention for their ability to tackle climate challenges head-on. But what exactly are fourth-generation fuels, and how could they reshape our economy, society, and environment? 

What Are Fourth-Generation Fuels? 

Fourth-generation fuels are advanced biofuels that integrate renewable energy technologies with carbon capture and storage (CCS). They are designed to be carbon-negative, meaning they actively remove more CO₂ from the atmosphere than they emit during their lifecycle. 

Key Characteristics: 

• Feedstocks: Fourth-generation fuels are produced using non-food biomass, algae, or synthetic methods that leverage captured CO₂ and renewable hydrogen. 

• Carbon Capture Integration: The production process involves capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere or industrial sources, storing it underground or utilizing it in other processes. 

• Technological Advances: These fuels often rely on innovative technologies like artificial photosynthesis, engineered microorganisms, or bioreactors. 

Examples include synthetic fuels made by combining captured CO₂ with green hydrogen and biofuels derived from carbon-absorbing crops paired with BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage). 

Economic impact 

The development of fourth-generation fuels has the potential to revolutionize the global economy. By driving significant investments in advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and carbon capture infrastructure, these fuels can catalyze economic growth and establish technological leadership for nations that embrace them. They also offer an opportunity to enhance energy security by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, as their production relies on locally available feedstocks and renewable energy sources. However, the economic promise of fourth-generation fuels comes with challenges. High initial costs for production and infrastructure development remain substantial barriers, and scaling these technologies will require policy support, subsidies, and sustained private-sector investment. 

Societal impact 

Fourth-generation fuels can significantly influence societal structures, starting with job creation. The rise of this industry is expected to generate high-quality jobs in sectors such as research, engineering, agriculture, and clean energy. Rural communities, in particular, may benefit from new opportunities in biomass cultivation and carbon storage projects. Additionally, the adoption of cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels will lead to reduced air pollution, improving public health by minimizing respiratory illnesses, especially in urban and industrialized areas. Moreover, these fuels encourage collaboration between governments, businesses, and local communities, fostering a collective commitment to sustainable practices and empowering citizens to participate in the fight against climate change.  

Environmental impact 

The environmental benefits of fourth-generation fuels are profound. By capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂, they offer a tangible solution for achieving net-negative emissions, which is essential for addressing climate change. This ability to offset emissions is particularly valuable for sectors that are difficult to decarbonize, such as aviation and heavy industry. Furthermore, these fuels are produced using non-arable land or algae-based systems, which reduces competition with food production and helps preserve biodiversity. By integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar into their production processes, fourth-generation fuels align seamlessly with broader decarbonization strategies and further minimize reliance on fossil fuels, setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility. 

Challenges and Future Outlook 

While the promise of fourth-generation fuels is immense, several challenges remain: 

• High Development Costs: Achieving commercial viability requires substantial R&D and infrastructure investments. 

• Policy and Regulatory Support: Clear and consistent policies, including carbon pricing and subsidies, are essential to incentivize adoption. 

• Technological Uncertainty: Scaling up these advanced technologies involves overcoming technical hurdles and ensuring reliability. 

Despite these obstacles, the potential benefits make fourth-generation fuels a critical component of the global energy transition. With coordinated efforts from governments, industries, and researchers, these fuels could help pave the way toward a sustainable, carbon-negative future. 

Context 

Our client operates manufacturing sites worldwide and is proactively addressing the challenges of the energy transition to ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of its operations.

In response to a changing energy landscape, the company launched a strategic foresight initiative to assess potential stress on national electric grids in countries hosting key production sites. The goal was to anticipate risks related to electricity availability.

Missions

In this context, we supported our client in:

• Electricity Outlook: Projecting electricity generation trends through 2040 in 19 countries across Asia, the Americas, and Europe, based on national policies, energy mix evolution, and infrastructure developments.
• Low-Carbon Share: Evaluating the share of low-carbon electricity in each country’s electricity mix today and in 2040.
• Mobility Electrification: Estimating the adoption of electric vehicles and its projected impact on national electricity demand

Key figures

123Fab

1 topic, 2 key figures, 3 startups to draw inspiration from

Hydropower is a form of renewable energy that draws its power from the movement of water. Today, it accounts for over 20% of global electricity production.

Hydropower plants: towards small-scale and modular solutions

Hydropower, one of the oldest electricity production methods, generates up to 90% of electricity in countries like Norway, Brazil, and Canada. However, large-scale projects like China’s Three Gorges Dam have raised concerns due to their environmental and social impacts, including biodiversity loss and population displacement.

To address the drawbacks of traditional hydropower, innovators are developing solutions:

• Smaller-Scale Designs: Startups like Turbulent create modular vortex turbines that minimize environmental impact by operating without large dams.
• Fish-Friendly Turbines: Companies like Natel Energy are pioneering turbine designs that greatly improve fish survival rates.
• Standardized Containers: NuSTREEM’s NuCONTAINER system uses prefabricated standard shipping containers as powerhouses, reducing foundational requirements and on-site construction.

Tidal energy: taping the ocean’s energy

Tidal energy is generated from the natural rise and fall of the tides, caused by the moon’s gravitational pull. In France, the Rance tidal power plant—opened in 1966—was the first in the world and remains the only one in the country still operating today.

While traditional plants like Rance use the tidal range to produce electricity, newer technologies focus on tidal stream generators, which look like underwater wind turbines. Off the coast of Brittany, for example, these turbines help power the island of Ouessant by capturing the energy of moving water.

To further reduce environmental impact and expand deployment, other innovative solutions are being developed:

• Underwater Kites: Swedish startup Minesto is pioneering “underwater kite” systems that can generate electricity in slower currents, vastly expanding potential deployment areas.
• Floating Platforms: Companies like Orbital Marine Power are developing floating tidal turbines, making installation and maintenance easier while reducing environmental impact.
• AI-Optimized Arrays: Machine learning algorithms are being developed to optimize the placement and operation of tidal turbine arrays, maximizing energy capture.

Wave energy: unlocking the motion of the sea

Oceans, considering that about 70% of the Earth’s surface is taken by water, have not been well tapped for energy. There are various systems in place, namely floating and submerged devices, but most are at the development stages. The International Energy Agency estimates wave energy can provide as much power as 60 nuclear plants combined.

To tap into this vast resource, several companies are developing innovative solutions:

• Grid Connected Wave Energy Array: Eco Wave Power develops patented technology that captures wave energy from coastal structures and converts it into electricity.
• Offshore Buoys: Sweden’s CorPower Ocean has designed a compact wave energy converter in the form of a buoy, inspired by the pumping motion of the human heart, increasing efficiency in capturing wave energy.

Seawater thermal energy: heat from the sea

Seawater thermal energy utilizes the temperature differential between warm surface seawater and cooler deeper water to provide heating and cooling solutions. Through heat exchangers and pumps, this process transfers thermal energy from the sea into climate control systems for buildings located near the coast. Monaco for instance, produces nearly 20% of its energy from seawater heat pumping.

Rain-powered solar panels: a future innovation

Researchers from Tsinghua University in China are currently working on a new type of solar panel that can generate electricity even in the rain.

2 Key Figures

20%

Hydropower accounts for 20% of the world’s total electricity and 90% of global renewable energy

X2

To meet net zero goals hydropower needs to double by 2050

3 startups to draw inspiration from

Minesto

Founded in 2007 as a spin-off from Swedish aerospace manufacturer Saab, Minesto is a developer of marine energy technology. The company offers an innovative underwater kite-like structure equipped with a horizontal-axis turbine, designed to efficiently extract energy from the ocean and tidal currents, even at low velocities.

Turbulent

This Belgian startup aims to provide reliable and affordable energy to even the most remote communities. Turbulent Hydro has developed an innovative vortex turbine that generates low-cost electricity without requiring large-scale infrastructure projects or causing significant environmental impact.

CorPower Ocean

A Swedish company developing wave energy converters to generate clean electricity from ocean waves. Their technology uses a unique system inspired by the pumping principle of the human heart, with a heaving buoy on the surface that absorbs energy from waves.

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In the race to decarbonize, hard-to-abate industries like transport, mobility, energy, manufacturing, and heavy industries face immense challenges. These sectors are pivotal in achieving global climate goals but require transformative innovation to overcome their reliance on high-emission processes. Enter design fiction: a tool for imagining and prototyping future scenarios that inspire radical innovation while addressing the complexities of decarbonization. 

What is Design Fiction? 

Design fiction is a speculative approach that blends storytelling with prototyping to explore “what if?” scenarios. It goes beyond forecasting trends or analyzing probabilities—it creates immersive, tangible provocations that challenge assumptions and inspire innovation. By developing speculative artifacts such as fictional news reports, prototypes, or policy drafts, design fiction brings possible futures to life, encouraging stakeholders to engage with them. Rather than predicting the future, it envisions alternative realities that push boundaries, provoke dialogue, and open up new possibilities for transformative action.

For hard-to-abate industries, design fiction offers a way to: 

• Explore the integration of emerging low-carbon technologies. 

• Rethink supply chains and production models. 

• Address societal, regulatory, and consumer behavior shifts in response to decarbonization. 

Why hard-to-abate industries need design fiction 

These industries operate within complex ecosystems, often constrained by entrenched practices, high capital costs, and regulatory pressures. Traditional approaches to innovation may fall short in imagining transformative solutions. Design fiction enables stakeholders to: 

1. Visualize low-carbon futures: Crafting scenarios where new technologies—such as hydrogen fuel, carbon capture, or electrified transport systems—are operational within a reimagined value chain. 
2. Challenge assumptions: Provoking fresh thinking about entrenched norms, such as the necessity of fossil fuels in energy-intensive manufacturing. 
3. Align stakeholders: Engaging diverse actors—from policymakers to engineers—through tangible prototypes and narratives that illustrate shared goals. 
4. Test policy and business models: Simulating the implementation of carbon pricing, circular economy strategies, or renewable energy integrations in controlled, fictional contexts. 

Examples of Design Fiction scenarios  

Net-Zero Factories 

A speculative scenario where AI-driven, autonomous factories produce goods using 100% renewable energy, with zero waste and closed-loop recycling systems. What roles would human workers play? What new supply chain dependencies could arise? 

Hydrogen-Powered Transport 

Fictionalized blueprints for hydrogen-powered shipping fleets or aviation systems, paired with narratives about new infrastructure and regulatory frameworks. 

Energy Communities 

A future where localized energy grids enable heavy industries to share renewable energy surpluses, reducing dependency on centralized grids. How might this disrupt existing energy markets? 

How to Implement Design Fiction in Your Organization 

• Assemble a cross-disciplinary team: Combine expertise in engineering, design, sociology, and business to capture diverse perspectives. 

• Identify key challenges: Focus on specific pain points, like process emissions in steel manufacturing or the electrification of long-haul transport. 

• Develop artifacts and scenarios: Create visual, tangible, or interactive prototypes (e.g., mock-ups of decarbonized supply chains or AI-driven energy optimization systems). 

• Facilitate collaborative workshops: Use the scenarios to engage stakeholders in brainstorming and co-creating actionable solutions. 

• Iterate and integrate: Refine the outputs based on feedback, and use insights to inform strategic roadmaps, R&D investments, or policy proposals. 

The Way Forward 

Design fiction is not just a tool for creative exploration; it is a catalyst for systemic change. By challenging entrenched assumptions and fostering collaboration, it can help hard-to-abate industries envision and accelerate their decarbonization journeys. As the world demands urgent climate action, the ability to think boldly and imagine differently is more critical than ever. 

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