Belgian energy optimization company CIOC Energy has raised €3 million from renewable energy developer CleverNett in a deal that gives the investor a minority stake. The company, founded in September 2023 by Alexander De Bièvre, will use the capital to strengthen its commercial and technical teams. It also plans to establish direct market access for trading energy across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Romania.
A Unified Response to Market Fragmentation
CIOC Energy addresses a fragmented landscape where installers, battery controllers and energy traders often operate with limited coordination. The company combines monitoring, control and trading under one platform and a single point of contact. Its own control module for electricity cabinets manages solar panels, batteries and charging points through one integrated system.
Performance-Based Customer Model
The platform directs solar energy into batteries, smooths demand peaks and trades stored energy only when it is financially beneficial for the customer. Clients can choose an energy contract with direct exposure to the imbalance market while keeping asset control separate from the energy supplier. CIOC Energy compares returns without optimization to achieved results and charges an agreed share of the difference after distribution and supply costs, with no fee if no additional value is generated.
Scale and Operational Track Record
CIOC Energy currently manages more than 100 business sites and, through CleverNett, another 2,000 home batteries for private households. Across its operations, the company oversees more than 100 megawatt-hours of battery capacity and 200 megawatt-peak of solar panels. Its customer base includes Burger King, Delhaize, Mintjens Meubels and Uitgeverij Lannoo.
Capital to Strengthen Teams
The fresh funding will support the expansion of CIOC Energy's commercial and technical teams. The company currently employs 24 people in Belgium and China, with part of the team working close to renewable energy suppliers. This investment will help accelerate its ability to serve industrial and residential energy asset owners.
Growth in Flexibility and Balancing Services
The capital will also support CIOC Energy's expansion into flexibility and balancing services in Belgium and other European markets. These services allow the company to use battery capacity to help balance the grid while creating additional value for asset owners. The broader rollout is expected to strengthen the company's position as a single point of contact for energy optimization.
Direct Access to European Energy Markets
CIOC Energy intends to build its own market access so it can trade directly on energy markets in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Romania. Chief Executive Officer Alexander De Bièvre said that any company wanting to trade for its customers must control the key operational levers itself. The firm writes its own algorithms, develops its own control module and tests batteries at production sites in China.
Investor Confidence and Strategic Independence
CleverNett has acquired a minority participation while CIOC Energy remains independent. CleverNett CEO Arthur Despiegelaere noted that most energy projects fail on the combination of hardware, software and a viable business model. After two years of intensive collaboration, CleverNett concluded that CIOC Energy successfully brings these three elements together in one platform.
The investment positions CIOC Energy to accelerate deployment of flexibility and balancing services in Belgium and expand its model into additional European markets. By keeping hardware, software and trading aligned under one platform, the company aims to increase returns for businesses and households with solar and battery assets. The minority stake from CleverNett provides both capital and a strengthened partnership without compromising CIOC Energy's independence.