Published on 10/31/2024
Link to the full article > https://www.lesechos.fr/start-up/deals/french-tech-highcast-aide-les-industriels-a-maitriser-leur-consommation-delectricite-2124072
Industry, the third largest emitter of CO2 after the transport and agriculture sectors, is today facing unprecedented pressure to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. In response to this climate emergency, the energy transition is becoming a priority. However, this transformation is accompanied by a major challenge for manufacturers: the increasing electrification of their production sites is leading to a significant rise in their energy bills.
This reality has paved the way for the emergence of new solutions and innovative start-ups. These start-ups, in tune with today's challenges, have rapidly positioned themselves to support manufacturers in reducing their energy consumption, while remaining competitive in an increasingly demanding market.
Energy efficiency and flexibility: the pillars of a successful transition
Two approaches predominate among the solutions offered to industrial companies to control their energy consumption. On the one hand, energy efficiency, supported by connected objects and intelligent software, which analyze energy use in order to propose savings levers. Secondly, electrical flexibility, notably through load shedding, which consists of temporarily reducing electricity consumption and reinjecting the energy saved into the market.
In this context, players such as Highcast, a start-up founded in 2021, are positioning themselves as pioneers. Their approach stands out by placing itself at the intersection of these two strategies. “All the factories we work with already have efficiency and flexibility tools. These areas have reached a certain maturity,” emphasizes Vivien Robert, co-founder of Highcast with Flore de Lasteyrie.
Planning and optimizing energy consumption
Highcast's specificity lies in its ability to anticipate and plan the electricity consumption of manufacturers, thanks to a dedicated platform. This solution centralizes data from production units and integrates forecasts of energy costs and CO2 emissions. The aim is clear: to optimize production without interrupting it.
“We enable manufacturers to know when to use their energy-hungry machines, depending on market conditions. For example, if electricity is cheaper between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. due to an excess of renewable energy, we recommend they take advantage of it,” explains Vivien Robert. This fine-tuned consumption planning is a strategic asset, especially in sectors that are heavily dependent on energy-intensive equipment such as metallurgy, paper and chemicals.
Energy-hungry machines at the heart of the strategy
The start-up targets particularly energy-intensive equipment, such as electric ovens, shredders, folding machines and corrugators. These machines represent significant energy costs in production processes, and optimizing them is becoming a crucial issue for manufacturers.
Despite the relevance of these solutions, convincing manufacturers to turn to young start-ups remains a major challenge. However, Highcast has adapted by offering a light service approach, starting with a “flexibility study”, to identify machines and processes likely to generate significant energy savings.
An energy context conducive to innovation
The energy crisis that has marked Europe in recent years has heightened manufacturers' awareness of the impact of their energy consumption on their operating costs. Some have even had to consider radical scenarios to ensure the survival of their businesses.
“At the height of the crisis, it was difficult for manufacturers to invest in new projects. Now that the situation has stabilized, awareness of the need to control energy consumption is much higher,” observes Vivien Robert.
Highcast is not alone in this booming market. Other start-ups such as *Metron*, specialized in energy efficiency, or *Enerdigit*, expert in electrical flexibility, are also playing a key role in this industrial revolution. Foreign companies, such as *Companion Energy* in Belgium and *Trawa* in Germany, are also beginning to follow the Highcast model, proving that this trend is widely shared across Europe.
Industry must now combine performance and sustainability. Faced with growing pressure to reduce their CO2 emissions, manufacturers are turning to innovative technological solutions. Start-ups like Highcast are demonstrating that optimizing energy consumption is not only an environmental necessity, but also an economic opportunity for tomorrow's companies.
LOUIS DUPONT will be able to support its industrial customers with the help of its experienced transition managers in the implementation of intelligent solutions for greener, less costly production, based on these new technologies which promise to transform industry in the long term.
Read also: Why is the industrial sector turning to Interim Management?
The firm is a major player in interim management, renowned for its excellence in supporting companies during periods of transformation and turnaround. Thanks to a team of experienced professionals, the firm offers top-management solutions tailored to the specific needs of each customer.
LOUIS DUPONT is ranked “Excellent” by Décideurs Leaders League in the “Restructuring & Companies in Difficulty - Transition Management (2024)” category.
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Arnaud Moretti - Partner
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