Innovation at AES
AES Next
AES Next builds and invests in a portfolio of high-growth businesses and strategic partnerships that drive the global energy transition. By identifying key challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, we apply deep industry expertise to develop and scale breakthrough solutions—from pioneering energy storage to revolutionizing solar deployment—creating tangible value for our company, partners, and communities.
AES Next Portfolio
AES Next follows a proven approach to identity, select, develop and scale strategic business opportunities to create long-term value for our business, our partners and the industry.
Maximo: revolutionizing solar installation through robotics
To keep up with increased energy demand, AES developed Maximo, the first AI-enabled solar robot for the end-to-end installation of solar modules. Skilled construction crews rely on Maximo to improve speed and safety by automating the strenuous heavy lifting of solar panels to accelerate solar installation.
Safer
Maximo automates the heavy lifting of solar plans, reducing strenuous work and lifting by 90%.
Faster
Maximo makes solar deployment 2x faster than traditional methods and accelerates the delivery of more megawatts in less time, utilizing a mobile microgrid and AI-enabled computer vision for precise module placement.
Cost Effective
Maximo reduces time to power, enhances safety and accessibility, and enables EPCs and solar project developers to deliver more solar cost-effectively and efficiently than traditional installation methods.
AI Fund: Co-building AI-powered startups
Through our partnership with Andrew Ng's AI Fund, we’re co-building AI-powered startups that accelerate the energy transition. By incubating and investing in cutting-edge AI solutions, we’re not just adapting to the future of energy; we’re creating it.
Context & insight
The industry urgently needs solutions that optimize energy generation and storage management, enhance worksite safety, and expand access to clean energy finance. By combining AES’s energy expertise with AI Fund’s leadership in AI, we’re tackling some of the industry’s most pressing challenges faster and smarter than ever before.
Action
AES and AI Fund developed a fast-track incubation model to identify, fund, and launch AI-powered energy solutions. This agile, venture-driven approach ensures that the most impactful ideas get scaled quickly, delivering next-level results for customers and the energy sector.
Outcome
- 3 companies co-founded in the first year of partnership
- In just six months, our first startup progressed from concept to funding
Fluence: scaling energy storage
Building on our pioneering work in lithium-ion storage, AES joined forces with Siemens to launch Fluence, a global leader in grid-scale energy storage, supercharging the energy transition with award-winning technology and AI-optimized solutions.
Context & insight
Energy storage was viewed as risky, unknown technology when we first started pioneering the technology. We knew it had untapped potential that was key to unlocking a more sustainable and reliable energy future.
Action
AES was the first to go big into utility-scale batteries in 2007 and built one of the world’s largest battery fleets over the next decade. Siemens is one of the world’s biggest energy and grid technology providers. We joined together in 2017 to create the industry powerhouse Fluence, dedicated to innovating modern electric infrastructure.
Outcome
Today, Fluence is a global leader in energy storage and digital optimization. We are accelerating the energy transition with gigawatts of projects successfully contracted, deployed, and under management across nearly 50 markets worldwide.