SOSV portfolio company NOC Energy recently spoke with TechCrunch following its $2.7 million Seed funding led by 360 Capital, with participation from SOSV and Desai VC.
NOC Energy is tackling one of the “hardest-to-abate” sectors: heavy industry. While industries like cement and glass typically rely on fossil fuels to reach temperatures of 1,500°C, NOC has developed an induction-based, high-temp electric hot gas generator that can bolt onto existing facilities.
Why it’s a game-changer:
- The “Hybrid” Advantage: Plant operators can switch between electricity and fossil fuels, choosing whichever is cheaper at any given moment.
- Superior Reliability: Unlike traditional heaters that burn out at high temperatures, NOC’s induction coils stay at room temperature, significantly extending the system’s lifespan.
- Built-in Storage: The system can store heat for hours, allowing companies to “charge up” when renewable energy is at its cheapest.
NOC Energy has already run its first demonstration unit for over 14,000 hours in an industrial drying application. Now, they plan to deploy three active pilots (across 2 multinational cement players and 1 leading glass and ceramic manufacturer).