Elia Group Open Innovation Challenge 2022: Sustainability

*Scroll down for application form*

Welcome to the submission page of the Elia Group’s Open Innovation Challenge 2022. We kindly ask you to take the time to read through everything thoroughly, and in case you have any further questions, please write to our supporting partner: contact@startup-energy-transition.com

This year’s Open Innovation Challenge - our sixth challenge - is focused on embedding sustainability across all of our value chain processes. We want to ensure circularity, efficiency and resilience are baked into the way we operate our grid.

The topic has been divided into the four categories outlined below. A list of possible questions that submissions can address is included under each category. Please note that these topics and questions are not exhaustive - instead, they are intended to give you a flavour of the kind of projects we are looking for.

Focus areas: 

Efficiency: reducing emissions generated by our own assets or network: How can we make our battery cooling systems more efficient in substations? How can we reduce the energy demand for heating, ventilation and lighting in our substations? How can we reduce grid losses from overhead lines?

Circularity: increasing the use of circular materials: How can we sustainably design or recycle underground cables? Which circular materials can be used instead of copper, steel, etc.? How can we ensure that we use 100% recycled steel or copper? What other materials which have positive effects on marine environments (such as our offshore installations) could be used?

Resilience: dealing with local climate change impacts and events: How can we protect batteries or assets from heat waves? How can we quickly recover from flooding in our substations?

Outside the box: Any good idea that does not immediately fit into one of the three categories above: surprise and challenge us!

Benefits and prizes 

Start-up teams which are invited to take part in OIC 2022 will:

• receive mentoring and training from Elia Group staff;
• be given the opportunity to increase their visibility and exposure;
• develop their team building, project management and communication skills.

Teams who make it through to the final round will deliver their project pitches to a panel of high-profile judges in June.

The winning team will receive a cheque for €20,000 and will work alongside Elia Group staff to further develop and refine their project.

Terms and Conditions

The Open Innovation Challenge 2022 is open to start-ups from all around the world. Start-ups should be registered on the trade register of the country in which their headquarters are based. They should: hold a valid professional insurance policy; and be able to supply a registration certificate issued within the last three months which certifies that they comply with the social and tax legislation which they are subject to. Start-ups should be classified as ‘early stage’ (at a minimum); this means ideation phase solutions will not be accepted.

• Start-ups who wish to apply to take part in OIC 2022 must do so by submitting an application form via this website here
• Teams must fill out the entire application form in English. Partially completed applications will not be accepted. Any supporting documentation included in applications must also be in English.
• The application portal will close on 31 March 2022 at 11:59pm (UTC-12).

For the full terms and conditions of this year’s challenge, please see here.

Selection process and timeline

1. Submission of solution (February 11th - March 31th, 2022)
2. Mentoring (March 23rd - May 3rd, 2022): Expert mentors from Elia or 50Hertz will be assigned to each of these 15 start-up teams, providing them with insights into Elia Group’s operations and activities. Teams will be supported to develop a concrete proof of concept throughout this six-week mentoring phase. The competition judges will then invite 5 of these teams to take part in the final in June; a short promotional video of each of these 5 teams will be produced.
3. Final Event (June 10th, 2022): The 5 successful teams will be invited to pitch their proposals to the competition judges during the final, which will be organised as a livestreamed event. A winning team will then be selected by the judges.This winning team will then be invited to take part in a celebratory event in Brussels. Elia Group staff, players from across the energy value chain and politicians will be in attendance.

Want to learn more? Visit the OIC 2022 website here.

TideWise: last year’s winning team

To meet last year’s winners, and get a flavor of what it’s like to participate in the Open Innovation Challenge, watch the video below.

You can also visit last year’s Open Innovation website here.

Ready to innovate with us? Apply below!