Up to 20 SMEs will each receive €12.5k worth of support from world renowned universities to further develop their energy storage solutions. There is great interest in the programme as more than 55 SMEs have already applied during this first open call.
STEPS will strengthen the competitiveness innovative storage providers in North-West Europe and is meant to bring products closer to market. STEPS will drive down the time energy storage SMEs typically spend on technology demonstration before reaching market maturity from an average of 5 years to 1-2, while maintaining maximum commercial usability.
Currently, the SMEs that have applied are being carefully selected and matched with the supporting universities. Applicants will be informed of the outcome in the beginning of March. SMEs that are not selected for the 1st Voucher Support are invited to apply again for the second call opening May-June 2021.
More information about STEPS can be found on the Interreg NWE website.
Image: Eviart/Shutterstock