FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BEST START Showcases Innovative Energy and Power Technologies to Strengthen Defense Capabilities
Minnesota and Wisconsin – May 4-6, 2026
BEST START, an energy technology accelerator based in Minnesota, convened defense, government, academic, and industry partners for a three-day technology demonstration event highlighting innovative energy and power solutions designed to strengthen operational resilience and enhance warfighter capability.
Held across sites in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, and Somerset, Wisconsin, the event featured live demonstrations and technical presentations from seven companies developing advanced technologies focused on energy resilience, autonomous operations, power generation, thermal management, microgrids, and next-generation defense energy systems.
BEST START – the Basic Energy Science to St. Thomas Applied Renewable Technologies program – is a joint effort between the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory), the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, and the Energetics Technology Center, Inc. (ETC). The program is designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of energy technologies that address Army operational energy needs by connecting companies with funding opportunities, technical expertise, research facilities, and industry support.
A key component of the initiative is the University of St. Thomas START Center, a specialized facility where university researchers, startups, established industries, and government research labs work together to advance clean energy technologies.
The 2026 BEST START Technology Demonstrations included presentations from Ascentek, Aza Power, BWR Innovations, Exergi Predictive, LEMA Defense, Maxwell Labs, and SYNCRIS.
Throughout the event, attendees observed technologies developed to help address critical Department of Defense operational energy priorities, including reducing logistical risk associated with fuel transport, improving energy resilience for distributed operations, sustaining power generation in contested environments, and supporting the growing energy requirements of AI-enabled and autonomous systems. Demonstrated capabilities focused on resilient power generation, intelligent energy management, extreme weather performance, backup power continuity, expeditionary microgrids, and advanced thermal management technologies intended to improve operational readiness and mission endurance.
Ascentek demonstrated sodium-ion battery technology operating in simulated arctic conditions, replacing more than 160 pounds of lead-acid batteries while delivering superior engine-starting performance in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius.
“The technology demonstration allowed us to showcase a year’s worth of work and experience the physical results of Ascentek’s development efforts,” said Corey Lohmiller, Managing Director of Ascentek. “BEST START accelerated our development efforts and unlocked an entirely new opportunity for us to support US interests.”
Aza Power showcased its Rugged Ammonia Mobile Power Source (RAMPS) system powering electric mobility platforms in the field while BWR Innovations unveiled a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell designed for extreme military operating environments. Exergi Predictive highlighted AI-driven energy management software capable of optimizing generator and battery performance.
Additional demonstrations included LEMA Defense’s autonomous solar-powered sensor platform, Maxwell Labs’ prototype photonic cooling system for advanced computing applications, and SYNCRIS’ patented lightweight Silicon-Carbide (SiC)inverter technology designed to simplify rapidly deployable microgrids.
The BEST START initiative continues to support the advancement of innovative technologies that strengthen defense energy resilience and operational capability through collaboration with industry, government, and academic partners.
More information about BEST START, each partner company, and other sector news can be found at https://www.beststart.io/.
About ETC
The Energetics Technology Center (ETC), a nonprofit research and engineering firm, supports U.S. national security through creative problem solving and actionable thought leadership. The organization’s capabilities support the entire research and development lifecycle, from identifying technology growth areas to developing a STEM workforce. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ETC provides trusted and objective counsel to Department of Defense, state, and local government agencies and holds multiple Partnership Intermediary Agreements as vehicles for support.