The First of Its Kind
Anessa is an award-winning software company specializing in innovative solutions for the biogas industry. Anessa’s software is unique as it utilizes predictive analytics to simulate how biogas plants will perform in the future, giving users a smarter, more proactive way to manage their operations.
This comprehensive approach filled a significant gap in the biogas industry by providing a unified platform that balances technical and financial considerations. Previously, operators had to rely on separate tools for operational and financial optimization, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Anessa’s software delivers a comprehensive solution that reduces these inefficiencies, prevents costly overestimations, and maximizes production capacity.
“There was no modeling platform when Anessa came in, so we really disrupted the market” explains Farough Motasemi, Anessa’s co-founder and CTO.
Headquartered in New Brunswick and established in 2017, the company has expanded to international markets, supporting over 100 biogas projects across 14 countries and has worked with a wide range of stakeholders. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering software that streamlines project evaluation, design, and operational optimization, making the biogas industry more efficient while reducing its environmental impact.
Farough Motasemi won the Emerging Innovator Award at the InnovateNB Awards which recognizes a distinguished innovator who is making contributions to their field and community. Additionally, Anessa won the Most Innovative Product or Service Award which is awarded to an innovative company with less than 10 years of operating history and that is disrupting the marketplace. InnovateNB is an annual celebration of innovators and their outstanding contributions to New Brunswick's technology and innovation ecosystem.
“It’s a great honour for us to win the award” shares Amir Akbari, co-founder and CEO of Anessa, “we do a lot of hard work and sometimes you need that tap on the shoulder saying you did a good job.”
Advancing Sustainability in New Brunswick
Anessa was founded by Amir Akbari and Farough Motasemi who first met while pursuing their graduate degrees at the University of New Brunswick. In an interview, Farough Motasemi emphasized a deep commitment to innovation and sustainability. After moving to New Brunswick in 2012, he created Anessa with the goal of transforming its renewable energy sector.
“One of my personal goals is to give back to the community that has helped me be where I am today,” says Farough Motasemi.
Anessa’s technology has been instrumental in educating local farmers about the value of their leftover materials, transforming agricultural waste into valuable resources that improve soil health and promote sustainable farming practices. This work has positioned New Brunswick as a leader in biogas innovation and renewable energy production, with the positive impacts resonating far beyond our province.
Farough Motasemi, co-founder and CTO of Anessa, Emerging Innovator
Anessa’s Predictive Analytics
By leveraging advanced modeling, optimization, and machine learning technologies, Anessa has developed solutions that have so far analyzed nearly 10 million tons of organic waste, generating over 27 million gigajoules of renewable natural gas and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 2.4 million tons. Anessa’s technology helps optimize biogas plant operations, minimize downtime, enhance production, and provide stakeholders with real-time insights for strategic, data-driven decision-making. In one notable case, Anessa’s solutions increased plant production by over 50,000 GJ/year and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10,000 tons CO2eq/year which is equivalent to taking over 2,300 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off the road for a year.
Anessa plays a vital role in identifying discrepancies. Leyline Renewable Capital, a firm specializing in renewable energy investments, was evaluating a dairy farm’s biogas project in northern Colorado. However, conflicting data from the project's developer and construction firm created uncertainty. To ensure accurate validation, Leyline turned to Anessa, which provided a detailed risk assessment and sensitivity analysis to pinpoint discrepancies. By using Anessa’s technology, Leyline was able to identify an overestimation of 53 million cubic feet of biogas per year, preventing a miscalculation of nearly $2 million in projected annual revenue. This analysis enabled Leyline to make informed investment decisions, ensuring financial accuracy and project viability.
Advice to Aspiring Innovators
Farough emphasizes the importance of vision, ambition, and perseverance for young entrepreneurs. He advises them to stay focused despite doubt from others and stresses the importance of seeking guidance from experienced professionals, highlighting the strong network of generous and knowledgeable entrepreneurs in the region.
“Having mentors to navigate difficult times and a supportive team is absolutely crucial to success,” concludes Farough.
-
To learn more about Anessa’s innovative technology, visit their website.