For over 25 years, 3E has been a global leader in renewable energy, recognized as a trusted partner for developers, independent power producers (IPPs), asset managers, and investors. The company specializes in optimizing the performance and profitability of renewable energy portfolios through its advanced SynaptiQ platform. Pulse 2.0 interviewed 3E co-founder and CTO Werner Coppye to learn more about the company.
Werner Coppye’s Background
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What is Werner Coppye’s background? Coppye said:
“With an electrotechnical engineering background and specialization in micro-electronics, I started working at IMEC, the largest independent microelectronics research center, in 1992, doing research on high-efficiency solar cells. With a keen interest in bringing solar cell technology into application, at that time, my research evolved very fast towards photovoltaic systems which was a very new domain at that time.”
Formation Of 3E
How did the idea for the company come together? Coppye shared:
“With the four company founders, we were active in solar and wind energy system research but with a strong drive to support a more sustainable energy transition. We identified a clear need for professional engineering and advisory services around the topic and took the step to entrepreneurship. Thanks to our research background, technology, and innovation have always been key drivers for the growth of the company.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Coppye reflected:
“When you stand in the centre of a 2 GW solar plant in the Bangalore (IN) region, you look around and the only think you see are solar panels, you zoom out on the satellite picture and you realize the solar plant is of the size of European metropole. You realize the evolution the industry has gone through over a period of 2 decades while still being young and up to many challenges.”
Core Products
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What are the company’s core products and features? Coppye explained:
“3E specializes in the performance management of solar, wind, and storage assets through its SynaptiQ platform. Powered by advanced digital twin technology and integrated analytics, SynaptiQ enables operators of large asset portfolios to optimize performance with greater efficiency. By providing actionable insights, it empowers teams to streamline both corrective and predictive maintenance, driving long-term operational excellence.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Coppye and the team faced in building the company? Coppye acknowledged:
“IT systems require constant evolution to adapt to latest technology changes. In a fast-growing big data platform such as SynaptiQ, taking scaling measures ahead of the growth is crucial. Moreover cybersecurity and interoperability of data platforms have become crucial in order to support integration with customer IT ecosystems.In order to address these needs, our R&D teams are involved in large collaborative research projects where next gen tech stacks emerge. We are in continuous discussion with our customer community to keep track of their evolving challenges and requirements.”
Evolution Of 3E’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Coppye noted:
“From the very beginning, solar and wind resource modeling has been at the heart of our technology, but each year, artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly pivotal force in our evolution. As data volumes grow exponentially, we are integrating advanced, highly optimized AI techniques to transform raw data into clear, actionable insights. This shift is more than just a technological enhancement—it’s about empowering our customers with smarter decision-making tools and driving the future of renewable energy with precision and foresight. As AI continues to evolve, so does our ability to unlock new possibilities for a more sustainable world.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Coppye cited:
“The company’s growth has closely mirrored the global expansion of renewable energy markets. Strategic investments in establishing a local presence in key regions have been essential to driving this growth. With offices in India, Spain, South Africa, France, Belgium, and the U.S., we strengthen customer proximity, ensuring that as a technology leader, we build deep, long-lasting relationships. This local presence not only fuels our growth but also reinforces our commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs of each market we serve.”
Customer Success Stories
When asking Coppye about customer success stories, he highlighted:
“As a long-term partner to our customers, our mission is to accelerate their growth and elevate service excellence. One standout example is a major Portuguese operator who, after adopting SynaptiQ as their asset performance solution, managed to triple their connected capacity while streamlining their control center team—delivering even higher SLAs to their customers. This kind of success story is what drives our teams to go above and beyond, ensuring we continue to empower our clients to achieve remarkable results.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Coppye assessed:
“The renewable energy market for SaaS companies like ours is experiencing rapid growth. However, as with any market, it presents certain complexities that we carefully consider when calculating our TAM (Total Addressable Market). In 2024, we estimated the TAM at $150 million. With the industry poised for significant expansion—driven by advancements like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)—we anticipate the market size to reach between $400 million and $500 million by 2027.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Coppye affirmed:
“Our key differentiator is SynaptiQ’s digital twin technology, which remains unmatched after over a decade in the market. No competitor or internal solution offers the same level of accuracy or detail. It fully addresses performance management and optimization for renewable assets. We also take a partnership approach with our customers. With 25 years of industry experience, we know each client’s needs are unique, and SynaptiQ is tailored to fit their specific context. Our focus on long-term collaboration has led to zero customer churn over the last five years.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Coppye concluded:
“R&D is at the core of our company’s DNA, driving our commitment to continuous innovation and leadership in the SaaS industry for renewable asset performance management. As performance optimization increasingly aligns with asset flexibility, we aim to provide tailored solutions that address these evolving needs, helping our customers maximize the value of their portfolios. Furthermore, 3E’s culture is deeply rooted in entrepreneurship, dynamism, and collaboration. With these principles guiding us, we are well positioned to achieve our ambition of becoming a global market leader in the coming years.”
