Editorial
-Alaya
Brown
Innovators Who Power the Planet
Thiseditionisatribute—dedicatedtotheboldminds
andrelentlessspiritsredefiningthefutureofenergy. Theworldtodaystandsatapivotalcrossroads:rising energydemands,deepeningclimateconcerns,andtheurgent transition toward sustainability It is in this crucial moment thatinnovationisnolongeroptional—itisimperative.
Most Innovative Founders Driving Global Energy Solutions recognizes and celebrates the pioneers who are not waiting forthefuture—theyarebuildingit.Thesefoundersaremore than entrepreneurs; they are engineers of change, designing scalable,practical,andoftendisruptivesolutionstosomeof themostpressingenergychallengesofourtime.
Fromrenewablepowergenerationtosmartgridtechnologies, from clean hydrogen to energy storage, and from circular economy models to carbon capture—these visionaries are pushing boundaries across geographies and technologies. Many are leveraging AI, IoT, blockchain, and advanced materialstorethinkhowenergyiscreated,distributed,stored, andconsumed.Whatunitesthemallisacommitmenttonot onlyaddresstheclimatecrisisbuttoseizetheopportunityit presents to unlock cleaner growth, create resilient communities,anddemocratizeaccesstoenergy
Their work is not without challenges. Regulatory hurdles, funding gaps, technological risks, and entrenched systems make this a long and complex road. But these founders persist—withclarityofpurpose,boldexperimentation,anda shared belief that sustainable energy is not just an environmentalgoal,butahumanone.
This feature is dedicated to them. It honors their grit, their ingenuity, and their global impact. It also aims to inspire—because the road to a net-zero future will require many more like them: daring, mission-driven individuals whocanturnvisionintoinfrastructure,andideasintoimpact.
As the world races toward cleaner, smarter energy ecosystems, these founders are not just part of the solution—theyareleadingit.
Their journeys deserve to be read, recognized, and remembered.
F E A T U R I N G
Powering the Future: How
Baard Eilertsen is Rewiring the Global Energy Sector Through Digital Transformation
ARTICLES
The New Age of Clean Energy Leadership
Art
Business
Business
Digital
Co-designer
Marketing
Without energy, there is nothing. Everything runs onenergy.Themodernworldisthebestexample where its consumption and demand has been acceleratingatabreathtakingpace.Thesourcesofenergyare numerous,thoughtheenergygeneratedisnotenough.
Yet,thereisoneparticularaspectofenergylimitation,which, if solved, might help the world transition to energy abundance,feelsBaardEilertsen,theFounderofTruebaseAB. Itisaleadingmanagementconsultingfirmspecializinginthe energysector,withastrongfocusondigitizedenergytrading andassetoptimization
ThataspectbecameBaard'smajorinspiration.“Isawagapin the energy industry where the industry did not understand digitalization.” This was a task he took upon himself to changeandhaveapositiveimpactontheindustry,leadingto positiveeffectsforsociety.
When Passion Meets Precision: Aligning Data Analytics withMarketRealities
30 Years of Impact: Navigating Market Turbulence, RegulatoryShifts,andGlobalChallenges
Talkingabouttheearlydaysofbuildingyourbusiness—the challenges, milestones, and breakthrough moments, Baard says, “Obviously, it is a tough decision to start on your own with no guarantees that the company will make it, but in all honesty, I think I was lucky as I came out from exiting a PEowned company which meant I had some financial freedom to venture into something new.”Hethinksthatthebreakthrough camenaturallyashehasspentyearsintheindustrycreatinga network of C-levels that he could reach out to. The major challengeshemetweremoreconcerninghowmuchworkwas involved in starting a company from scratch with finance, taxes,regulations,etc.
Building the Digital Backbone of EnergyTradingAcross EuropeandNorthAmerica
In his career, Baard led teams of seasoned experts in the energy sector, specializing in digitized energy trading and assetoptimization.Withover30 yearsof experience,hehas successfullynavigatedtheuniquechallengesfacedbyenergy companies, from fluctuating market dynamics to regulatory pressuresandtheurgentneedforsustainability Thecustomer base ranges from SMEs to large-scale utilities and operates across Europe and North America. “I am passionate about innovation and data analytics, and I am always looking for new opportunities to grow and improve my services,” he asserts.
Today,teamTruebasecomprisesseasonedexpertswithdeep industryknowledge,dataanalyticscapabilities,andapassion for innovation. “We understand the unique challenges faced by energy companies, from fluctuating market dynamics to regulatory pressures and the urgent need for sustainability,” addsBaard.
TruebaseislocatedinStockholm,Sweden,butworksacross EuropeandNorthAmerica,anditscustomerbaserangesfrom SMEstolarge-scaleUtilities.
Digital Disruption with Purpose: Bridging the Energy Industry'sGreatestGap
Speakingfurther,whenaskedhowimportantitisforentrepreneurstostartwithastrongsenseofpurposeandhowtheycan keep that alive throughout their journey, Baard thinks that if you see a gap where you can fill the void, then the purpose becomes very important. As an entrepreneur, you will be driveneitherbyinnovation,freedom,orevenbymoney.
However,thepurposemustbestronglylinkedtowhatyouare trying to achieve for yourself, your customers, or society at large.Yourpurposewillbestrengthenedovertheyears,andit canevenchangeasyourlearningcurveincreasesbyinteractingwithindustrialpeoplethroughyourjourneyandwhatyou deliver “I always go back to my first few months and think about how my purpose has changed over the years and how I have let others influence how I view my business, which is good and should be a natural part of any business.”Don’tbe afraidofquestioningyourpurpose;embracetheopportunity toexcelinstead.
Inclusive
Leadership inAction: Empowering Experts to LeadtheChange
Thus, in essence, Baard’s leadership style has always been veryinclusive.Hestronglybelievesthathewillalwaysbethe “dumbestperson”intheroom.“Jokeaside,surroundyourself withbrilliantpeoplewhohaveastrongintegrityandwhodare to challenge your thinking.”Sometimes,hemustcutthrough and decide, even if everybody does not agree, but over the years,ithasbecomemoreseldomashehasmaturedandhas foundhowhecanarticulatebetter Howheseesthefutureand, through this, makes others understand his strategy and viewpointsfromanearlystage.
Cultural Fluency, Global Foresight: Crafting RegionSpecificStrategiesThatWork
As a global entrepreneur, Baard tailors his strategies to suit differentregionalenergymarketsandregulatorylandscapes. According to him, every market and culture is different. “I have been lucky that I have been able to travel extensively over the past 30 years, and even as a kid, I was able to live in
different countries with my family.” This has given him an understanding of cultural differences and a deep respect for diversecultures.Hesaysthatthisisthefirstruleofthumb.
Secondly you must read up on the markets, its participants, regulations, financials, competitors etc. It also helps to use yournetworktogetabetterunderstandingbutatlastyouwill have to decide, based on knowledge and sometimes mixed with gut feeling how your strategy will be entering new markets.Justbeawarethatitwillcostmorethananticipated andtaketwicethetimeyouthoughtitwouldtaketogetthere.
DigitizingWithoutDisruptingIntegrity:TheHumanSide ofEnergyInnovation
Basedonalltheseexperiences,Baardsaysthattranslatinghis visionintoactionablestrategiesandmeasurableoutcomeshas beeneasy.Hisvisionistohelptheenergyindustryunderstand digitalizationandhowitcangainpositiveeffectsbydigitizing partsoforallitscoreprocesses.Tomakethisactionable,he has been active in dialogues with industrial players to understandtheirpainpointsandtoseewherehecanassistthe best.Themeasurableoutcomeisnotmoney;itishowallhis earlier clients and customers still talk to him and still can come to him if they have issues they would like to resolve. That is, for Baard, the best outcome he can ask for because that means that he has made a positive impact on them and hopefullyontheindustryatlargewhentheyunderstandwhat differenceshehassupportedthemtocreatebydigitalization.
Listening First, Leading Forward: How Customer ConversationsShapeTruebase’sEvolution
When asked what kind of long-term impact he wishes to create—withinhisorganization,intheindustry,andinsociety atlarge,Baardstatesthattheenergyindustryisnotthefastest in the world. But he sees that the industry is somehow changing its speed when it comes to investing in becoming
more efficient and more customer-friendly.This is where he hopesthatthroughhiswork,hecanhelptheindustrybecome muchmoreagileandtransparentsothatchangesinregulation ormarketscaneasilybeovercome.“In the end, it is a society that gains from this, but I must start with individuals and companies that would like to change. Let’s see 20 years from now if my current predictions were right and we have a fully digitalenergysystemwhereallparticipantscantransparently see what is happening from generation all the way to behind the meter and jointly act on disturbances in the system with zerolatency.”
Lessons from the Ground Up: A Founder’s Candid ReflectionsonRisk,Resilience,andGrowth
There have always been many learnings while overcoming obstacles. Some minor, some major. Baard believes that adversityissomethingyoumeetalmosteveryday,andatthe beginning, it was hard, but as you mature, you will gain the toolstounderstandhowtotackleadversityinawaythatcan beovercome.Sometimes,youcan’tovercomeit,butthenitis down to you how much you are willing to let go of your integritytosucceed.Sometimes,thecostistoohigh,andyou couldenduplosingyourself-esteemifyouarewillingtobend toofar.Stayhonestwithyourself,anddon’tgamblewithyour mentalhealth!
Purpose-DrivenInnovation:TurningVisionintoMeasurable,MeaningfulOutcomes
Again, in an industry that is evolving continuously, staying updatediscrucial.However,Baardfeelsthatitdoesnotmean controlling every little detail of what is happening in the energyindustry.“AsIsaidearlier,themarketisnotthefastest, astherearelong-termstrategiesandincentivesforthemarket tofunctionproperly Ithinkthatthebestwaytostayupdatedis to listen to the industry.”As an “outsider”, you can listen to several energy companies and then intelligently add the
piecestogetherandseehowyourstrategyneedstobeadapted tosupporttheindustry Whenyouthenmixthelisteningwith intelligentquestions,youusuallygetaprettygoodpictureof what to do and what is happening in your team and the industryatlarge.
Beyond Energy: Collaborating with Tech Giants to TransformUtilityEngagement
Aligningthestrategytodiversebusinessmodelsisaquestion of where you see you can bring the most value. Baard is not surethathis“ideas”suiteveryenergycompany So,hemust analyzewhocanbenefitfromworkingwithhimthemostand, throughthisprocess,alignhisunderstandingoftheirreality. “So that we have a common view of the challenges we are tackling ” There are very few places where an energy companycanexpandtheirbusiness“Unlesswefocusonretail only.”Butifyouthinkofexpansionhavingagreatermarket impact, improving financial outcomes, changing the brand recognition, or even just becoming a more prominent player in the specific market, “Then we can see how digitalization andmyserviceshavehelpedcompaniesinreachingthis.”
ThePowerofStayingReal:OnMentalHealth,Self-Belief, andWalkingAwayfromWhatDoesn’tFit
Also, when probed about how he envisions Truebase influencing policy, infrastructure, or public-private as a managementconsultingfirmintheenergysectoronaglobal scale,Baardsaysthatheusedtobeveryactiveinregulation and policy work early on. “But when the Head of a nation’s regulatory authorities asked me if I had ever met a smart regulator,myanswerwasno.Hequitaftertwomonths,andhe toldmethatmyanswerhadadirectimpactonhisdecision.So these days, I just follow the regulation and try to adapt accordingly.”Tryingtochangeorinfluenceregulationsor
policiesisnotpartofwhathewilldointhe future.However,theyhaveanimportantrole intheenergysystem,andhetrulybelievesthat they will become much smarter and faster in dealingwithregulatoryissuesinthefuture.Justlook at Europe and how fast policies and regulations have actedaftertheRussianattackonUkraine.
Preparing for a Fully Transparent Energy Ecosystem: Baard’sVisionfor2045
Headds,“I think I will focus on the things that matter to me and my clients and customers, whether it's infrastructure, generation, renewable or energy trading, and I will stick to what I know best.”The only change that Baard is making is thathemixeshisapproachtowardsenergycompaniesandhas lately been working with some IT companies that see the value of his advice and knowledge as they are trying to reposition themselves towards the energy industry. This is exciting as he sees that several companies have very good competenceandproductsbutneedhelpunderstandinghowto attractutilities.
Truebase’sLegacy:AdvisingtheNextGenerationofAgile EnergyEnterprises
Baard’s vision of Truebase’s future is not 100% clear yet. “And as we now are introducing AI into the equation of digitalization, I see that utilities, and rightful so, are hiring a lot of extremely knowledgeable people (Digital natives) that can assist from the inside.” Truebase can still play a crucial role here with its long background in the industry and sometimes with a challenging view on how to prioritize and how to avoid pitfalls. “We can also advise executives in
fundamental internal changes to become a more modern and agile company that is suited for the next decades. It is something I spend much time thinking of, but maybe I should askChatGptwhatmyfuturewilllooklike!”
Furthermore,Baardhopesthatasareflectionofthenameof thecompany,thelegacywillbe“We were truthful and Honest in everything we did. The name Truebase comes from the thinking of our value, or basis, which is that we are always truthfulandwedonottwistthetruthtomakemoney!”
Finally, in his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs just starting, Baardsaysfromthebottomofhisheart: Believe in yourself but be humble. Listen more than you talk, and most importantly,don’tbeafraidtoaskforhelp!
Theworldofenergyisinthemidstofaseismicshift.
As the planet transitions from fossil fuels to clean technologies,energyleadersmustnotonlytransform butrebirthleadershipforalow-carbonworld.Itisnotmerely aneconomicortechnologicalshift;itisastrategicandmoral imperative. At the center of this transformation lies new leadership that will wed innovation and integrity, scale and sustainability,andpowerandpurpose.
These next-generation clean energy visionaries are not just infrastructure stewards or utility providers they are futurists. They must reconcile decarbonization, digitization, and democratization, and navigate regulatory pressure, geopolitics,andchangingpublicsentiment.
Itisachallengingmandate.Butitisalsoapowerfulchanceto buildacleaner,morejust,moreresilientworld.
Purpose-DrivenInnovation
Successfulcleanenergyleadersareawarethatpurposeisn'ta tagline—its a plan. Purpose informs investment decisions,
THE NEW AGE OF CLEAN ENERGY LEADERSHIP
defines technology deployment, and accelerates stakeholder trust.Forthecleanenergyindustry,purposegenerallycenters on three interlinked pillars: environmental footprint, energy equity,andeconomicprosperity
Thisiswherepurposemeetsinnovation.Fromfloatingsolar farms to battery storage, green hydrogen to AI-optimized grids, clean energy businesses are unleashing solutions that loweremissionsbutalsocommonopportunity Theseleaders are no longer simply pursuing megawatts—only megawatts withpurpose.
By infusing purpose into the core of business models, clean energypioneersaredrawingtoptalent,buildingpublictrust, andstandingoutinanincreasinglycrowdedfield.
CrossroadsLeadership:AddressingCompoundRisks
Cleanenergytransformationisnotatechissue—it'sasystem issue.Leadersneedtomanagecompoundrisks:supplychain exposure, shifting policy environments, climate uncertainty, andworkforcereskilling.
Purpose
It takes a new spirit of leadership—one that is systemsoriented, digitally connected, and intensely collaborative. The clean energy industry needs leaders who can look over walls, collaborate across industries and governments, and mobilizecoalitionsthatdrivechange.
Today's leadership is, in almost every sense, less about ordering people around it's more about co-creating ecosystems.Thatinvolvesengagingwithlocalcommunities up front, gaining trust with regulators, and investing in partnershipsthatcreatesharedvalue.
FromRisktoResilience
Clean energy leadership is about having a double mandate: leadingchangeatpaceandbuildingresilienceandreliability The stakes are high. With increasingly interconnected grids bringing more variable renewables like wind and solar, stability,storage,andsmartinfrastructurecometothefore.
This is where leaders lead—not just in bringing innovation, but in leading transition with integrity They are creating powersystemsthatarenotonlyclean,butaffordable,secure, andfair.Ittakesforesight,awarenessofrisks,andlong-term thinking.
All in all, clean energy leaders today are planet and performance stewards. They recognize that operating excellence must accompany climate ambition and that changetowardssustainabilityrestsontrustateverylevel.
PeopleattheCoreoftheTransition
Though technology and infrastructure are crucial, people make the clean energy revolution go. Whether educating technicians for emerging grid technologies or upskilling incumbentenergyindustrystaff,leadershipisaboutinvesting inhumancapital.
It applies to workers to communities where clean energy initiativesbecomebased.Leadersmustseetoitthatthevalue of the transition is distributed to all on an equitable basis. Equally important is distributing benefits to historically disinvestedorfossilfuel-baseloadedcommunities.
Thissocial-firststrategyisn'tgoodenough—it'snecessary.A fairtransitionisasuccessfultransition.Bypushingforgreater socialinclusioninenergyplanning,leadersaregrantedmore permission to act, cut resistance, and construct movements—notmerelymarkets.
Transparency,Accountability,andTrust
In an era of more outspoken stakeholders, clean energy leadership needs to be transparent, evidence-driven, and accountable. Investors are requiring ESG disclosures. Consumers are probing for greenwashing. Governments are strengtheningcompliancerequirements.Andworkerswantto workforfirmswithasimilarsetofvalues.
This requires leaders to lead with integrity and authenticity. Theyneedtotalknotonlyofsuccess,butoffailuresandwhat theyhavelearned.Theyneedtobeloudandclearindeclaring action, and reporting honestly on progress. And they must commit to sustainability promises being followed up with action—andnotrhetoric.
Thosewhoachieveitwelldonotmerelycomply—butbuild credibility Andinaprofessionwheretrustisasfundamental as technology, credibility is the most powerful competitive edge.
TheRoadAhead:LeadingwithCourageandConviction
The journey to a net-zero world isn't linear It'll be messy, evolutionary, and full of difficult decisions But full of unprecedented possibility for those who are willing to lead withcourageandconviction.
They won't be measured by how fast they grow—by how deeply they lead. By how they build sustainability into strategy,equityintoaction,andhumanenessintoinnovation.
Theywillposetoughquestions:Whogetsleftbehind?What are the unforeseen consequences? How do we move faster—together?
Andtheywillrespondtothemnotinwords,butinoutcomes.
Conclusion:PowerwithPurpose
Leadership must change because the world stands at the threshold of an energy revolution. The era of clean energy demandsmorethanoptimism—itdemandstangible,systemwidechangedrivenbypurpose.
Because at its essence, the transition to clean energy is not about watts and gigawatts. It's about who we decide to be, whatwecaremostabout,andhowwelive—centuriesdown theline.
HOW TECH IS TRANSFORMING
The energy world is at the crossroads. As nations compete to reach net-zero, the business is being compelled to shed its legacy, centralized approach and adopt smart, decentralized, and decarbonized models instead. At the forefront of this shift is a force of untold strength: technology Artificial intelligence and IoT to blockchain and edge computing, digital technology is no longeranadd-ontoenergypolicy—itispolicy
Technology is not just revolutionizing how we use and produceenergy;it'sremakingtheveryinfrastructure,smarts, andinteractivemodesthatcomprisethenewgrid.Thedawn of the digital energy age is a revolution—from reactive to predictive,adaptive,andself-optimizingsystems.
This is the era of the digital powerhouse—where wisdom begetsimpact,andknowledgeisasvaluableasfuel.
SmartGrids:TheNervousSystemofNewEnergy
At the core of this revolution is the advent of smart grids—electricityinfrastructurewithdigitaltechnologiesthat usereal-timedatatomatchsupplyanddemand,detectfaults, and integrate distributed energy resources like solar, wind,
and storage. Smart grids differ from traditional grids in that theyaredynamic,interactive,andfault-tolerant.
Theyenabletwo-wayenergytransfers,convertingconsumers into prosumers who use and generate electricity. Smart sensors, AI analytics, and AMI enable utilities to predict usage patterns, peak load reduction, and anomaly detection priortocausingoutages.
Smart grids also allow for easy integration of renewable energy, which is just as variable as timing. With predictive control and automation, they offer stability, reliability, and responsiveness crucial qualities in an increasingly dependentworldoncleanpower
AIandAnalytics:TheDigitalBrainpower
Theenergysectorisgeneratingmoredatathanever—through sensors,meters,equipment,andweatherforecasts.Dataisn't, or shouldn't be, transformational insight is. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are making the capability of this vast stream of information a reality by discovering patterns,optimizingperformance,andautomatingchoices.
In generation and transmission, AI enables energy demand forecasting, maintenance planning, and system inefficiency detection.Inrenewables,itcanbetterpredictwindandsolar power In retail, it supports customized pricing, usage monitoring,andcustomerengagement.
To that end, AI-enabled systems are revolutionizing the operation of grids—detect faults in milliseconds, reroute energy flows automatically, and model grid response to differentsituations.Suchcapabilityconvertsenergysystems fromreactivetopredictive,self-healingsystems.
IoTandEdgeComputing:Real-Time,Real-WorldImpact
While cloud computing has emphasized data concentration processing, edge computing and IoT are decentralizing intelligence—locating data analysis close to the location whereenergyisliterallybeingproducedandconsumed.
IoTappliancessuchassmartthermostats,EVchargingpoints, andhomebatteriesproducegranularusageandperformance data Edge computing channels such data through computationson-sitesothatreal-timedecisionwithoutdelay ispossible.Thisisparticularlyhelpfulinfar-flunglocations, microgrids, or mission-critical facilities where timely responseisthecase.
Together, edge computing and IoTallow hyper-local energy optimization.Considerasmartbuildingmaximizinginrealtime HVAC systems based on weather and occupancy and workingwiththegridtosellsurplusduringpeaks.
Real-time response, as well as efficiency, also gives energy democratization—people, communities, and cities having accesstoowntheenergyfuture.
Blockchain:BuildingTrustandTransparency
Energymarketsarebeingrevolutionizedastheyshiftfromthe centralized utilities to networked systems of consumers, producers, and intermediaries. Blockchain technology's distributed paradigm introduces the trust, transparency, and traceabilitythatwillenablenewbusinessmodels.
Blockchain can be used for peer-to-peer energy trading, carbon credit verification, and open billing systems Blockchainenablesconsumerstosellsurplussolarpowerto the neighbors in a straightforward manner, securely store renewable energy certificates, and make payments automaticallythroughsmartcontracts.
This builds a more open, participatory energy economy—where trust is built into the infrastructure and innovationisnotfencedoffbyincumbentmiddlemen.
Cybersecurity:TheSilentImperative
As digitization speeds up at a faster pace, so also does the susceptibility to cyber attacks. As grids are increasingly interconnectedanddata-driven,cybersecurityisnolongeran ITissuebutpartofenergyresiliency.
Leaders in digital energy are plowing billions into multilayered cybersecurity infrastructure, in-real-time threat detection, and incident response. They are also creating security by design—designing devices, applications, and networkssecurebydesign.
Protection of critical infrastructure from disruption is not an option.Withaworldwhereenergypowersallindustries,from healthcareandfinancetodefenseandmobility,digitaltrustis todaythecurrencyofchoiceforoperationalcontinuity
TheFutureisSmart,Inclusive,andConnected
They'renotviewingitasatechnologything,butasameansby which we're starting to rethink how we design, operate, and interactwithenergy Theparticipantsinthisnewgamewillbe thepeoplewhoseethatdigitaltechnologiesareameanstoan end:sustainability,equity,access,andresilience.
Governments, utilities, entrepreneurs, and citizens will all havetogetinthegame.Butitwillbedigitallysavvyleaders who will take the lead leaders who can bridge the engineering-ethics gap, the data-decision gap, and the innovation-inclusiongap.
Conclusion:PoweringTomorrow
Technology is converting energy systems into flexible utilities into smart ecosystems—responsive, efficient, and human-needs- and globally-constrained-adaptive. From blockchaintoAI,IoTtoedgecomputing,digitaltechnologies are not only optimizing systems—they're rewiring what energyleadershipentails.
Atthebeginningoftheeraofthedigitalforce,successwillno longer be a function of capacity but of agility, intelligence, and impact. And as we continue to electrify the world, one thingisclear:purposefuldigitizationwillenergizethefuture.
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