Alternō raises Series A funding to scale sustainable heat technology

The company’s growth to date has been supported by early institutional backing from Antler, which played a pivotal role in Alternō’s initial development.

By building the next generation of clean energy infrastructure – delivering heat, electricity, and AI-powered energy management – Alternō aims to redefine how the world powers its factories, farms, and communities.

Alternō’s patented thermal energy storage system, known as a sand battery, utilises locally available, low-cost materials like sand to store heat at temperatures up to 600 °C, with minimal thermal loss and zero emissions during operation. While sand has a moderate heat capacity (~300 kcal/m³·°C), its exceptional thermal stability and ultra-low cost make it one of the most practical and scalable materials for high-temperature heat storage.

As illustrated in comparative studies of sensible heat storage materials, sand offers an ideal balance between performance and affordability, outperforming more expensive options like copper, aluminium, or steel when it comes to cost-effectiveness per unit of stored energy. This positions Alternō’s solution as a high-efficiency, low-cost pathway to industrial decarbonisation, particularly in emerging markets where clean heat alternatives remain scarce or economically unfeasible.

Alternō’s technology has already proven effective in industrial drying and agro-processing applications in Vietnam, where it has reduced fossil fuel dependency, lowered energy costs, and improved both output consistency and product quality. Clients include leading domestic and international companies such as PepsiCo, Mondelez, and a network of cooperatives and manufacturers across Vietnam.

Hai Ho, co-founder and CEO, stated, “This funding marks a pivotal milestone for Alternō. With the support of ADB and UntroD, we’re accelerating our efforts to bring large-scale, cost-effective decarbonisation to industrial sectors. This isn’t just another battery, it’s a revolution in how we generate and use industrial heat, starting from something as simple as sand.”

With the support of its latest funding, Alternō is expanding its portfolio to serve both factory and community-scale energy needs. Alternō One is a compact thermal battery that delivers clean heat to off-grid homes and remote communities. Successfully piloted in Lam Dong, the system is now preparing for initial deployment in Mongolia, where it will help combat extreme winter air pollution and improve energy access.

Meanwhile, Alternō Hybrid is the world’s first modular thermal battery integrating electric and biomass heating. Designed for 24/7 heat supply in rural agro-processing, it enables farmers to repurpose organic waste into energy. This solution is poised to revolutionise agricultural drying practices across Vietnam.

All systems are IoT-connected, AI-optimised, and remotely monitored by Alternō’s in-house research and development team, ensuring peak performance, operational transparency, and continuous improvement.

To make its technology broadly accessible, the company offers flexible financial models, including heat-as-a-service, enabling clients to decarbonise without heavy upfront capital investment. Alterno is also in co-development discussions with major international partners including Honda and Marubeni, further underscoring its global potential.

The company has also gained significant global recognition, winning the 2024 PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator for Asia-Pacific and placing top two globally at the Startup World Cup. These accolades highlight both the technological maturity and commercial viability of Alternō’s solutions.

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