‘Digital electricity’ startup looks to scale power offerings to buildings
VoltServer has raised a $7.4m Series A, supported by Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs. The funding will allow VoltServer to expand its Digital Electricity (DE) packet-based technology for the electricity grid and provide a more cost effective and efficient way than traditional alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) electricity.
DE is made up of discrete packets of energy and data and efficiently runs on cables that are thin, safe, inexpensive, flexible and data-enabled. This targets DE at complex and evolving infrastructure systems, froma high rise building to a stadium. The technology is already installed in over 700 venues, and will continue to expand its offerings beyond communications infrastructure to power entire buildings.
“There has not been much innovation around electricity since Tesla and Edison battled it out in the late 1800s,” said Stephen Eaves, CEO of VoltServer. “But Digital Electricity allows for controlled power distribution that is safe, less expensive, faster to install, more energy efficient, and perfect for an increasingly digital world. At scale, VoltServer’s technology will make buildings less expensive to construct, operate, and change over time.”
Sidewalk Labs joins Marker Hill Capital, Slater Technology Fund, Natural Resources Capital Management, Clean Energy Venture Group, Angel Street Capital and Consiton Capital in backing the company, which started in East Greenwich, Rhode Island in July 2013.
“Electricity powers our world, but the fundamental danger inherent in AC or DC electricity makes today’s electrical systems expensive to install or change. Digital Electricity is a breakthrough, offering a less expensive, safer and more efficient way to distribute electricity that can make buildings more affordable and flexible. Over time, that can make cities more affordable, sustainable, and adaptable as our needs change,” said Dan Doctoroff, chairman and CEO of Sidewalk Labs.
VoltServer currently offers DE for Mobile Radio Power, Power over Ethernet (PoE) Switch Power, Mobile Edge Compute Servers, High Speed Communications Power, Smart LED Lighting Power, UPS/Centralized Battery Backup, and DC Microgrid.
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