Call for project closed the 30 Apr. 2018
ENGIE is looking to identify innovative connected home solutions focused on the efficient use of energy in domestic properties in the following areas:
Deadline for applications: midnight 30th April, 2018
Rewards and benefits:
Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to participate in a unique, innovative project that ties in closely with operational needs. To do this they will get personalized support from ENGIE. The package may also include:
Detailed description:
The UK energy market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by requirements to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality. This is leading to a significant increase in renewables, where Distributed Energy Resources will have a high penetration rate, and the rise of Electric Vehicles which is expected to accelerate in the near to medium term. System balancing and local network management is becoming significantly more complex giving rise to new opportunities to provide demand management services to National Grid and Distributed Network Operators (DNOs), plus alternate routes to balancing our own supply portfolio.
In addition, the UK residential energy market is being disrupted by the rise of new SMART device technologies that enable the decentralisation of energy generation, the ability to store and optimise energy use within a home or community and the digitalisation of the customer experience.
ENGIE is looking for innovative tools and solutions in the following areas:
Smart controls of electric heating systems such as storage heating, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps
For example, ENGIE are delivering many projects in new build and existing housing schemes where homes are heated electrically, and we are looking for smart control solutions that enable residents to control their comfort as well as optimise electricity loads within the home, as well as provide services to the grid such as demand response.
Gas central heating systems have been modernised significantly in recent years with the rise of smart thermostat controls such as the Nest thermostat bringing increased control for customers through a brilliant user experience design.
With the increased adoption of electrically powered heating systems and in homes coupled with the development of the smart grid we see even greater potential for innovative controls in this space. We are looking for anyone who has a solution that combines intuitive customer controls with energy optimisation.
Connected solutions that provide preventative maintenance services for home appliances
For example, each home has on average 41 electrical appliances, each of which has a product lifetime of 5-7 years. The costs any of these appliances having a significant failure can run from the hundreds to thousands in bills as well as the time taken for a replacement or repair.
ENGIE are looking for low-cost solutions that enable the monitoring of appliances and diagnostics of faults prior to there being a breakdown. These appliances could range from washing machines to boilers, fridges or anything else in the home that might break!
Smart Home solutions to enable residential energy loads to be used for demand response services
For example, as more and more products in the home are becoming connected to the internet, ENGIE are looking for solutions that enable appliances to be aggregated together, either in a single home or across many homes to provide responses to a smart grid.
This could be turning off non-essential appliances in the home during a peak demand period, enabling customers to receive payments for turning off their heating at certain times or gamifying the use of appliances to reward off-peak users.
Eligibility criteria
Provisional timetable
Projects will be selected in two stages:
Phase 1: a shortlist of 12 projects will be made based on the initial applications . Announcement of 1st round finalists: 3rd May, 2018
Phase 2: The 12 shortlisted companies will be invited to a day long pitch practice session concluded by a final pitch where 6 shortlisted projects will be chosen on 9th May, 2018 (You must be available for a day long workshop at the Olympic Park, Stratford, London)
Phase 3: "Big Pitch" shortlisted project teams will be invited to give a 7-minute presentation (followed by 3 minutes of questions) to the selection committee on May 23rd at The Birmingham Innovation Centre, during ENGIE's Innovation Week. You will also be required to exhibit solution in the Innovation marketplace. (You must be available all day to exhibit your solution and take part in the BIG Pitch* at The Innovation Centre, Birmingham)
Announcement of winners: 23rd May, 2018
The BIG Pitch
The final of the call for projects will take place at The Birmingham Innovation Centre on 23rd May. The final 6 files will be chosen to present to a panel of senior ENGIE UK & Ireland stakeholders. You will also be provided with free exhibition space and have the opportunity to speak to 200+ guests and delegates
Why are we launching this call for projects?
Because we want to better meet our customers’ changing needs by working with them to provide the services and solutions that will be relevant now and in the future.
About ENGIE
ENGIE is committed to responsible growth of its businesses (power, natural gas and energy services) in response to the central challenges of the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy: providing access to sustainably generated energy, combating climate change, reducing its effect and making responsible use of natural resources. The Group is developing high-performance, innovative solutions for personal customers, urban authorities and companies by applying its expertise in four key sectors: renewables, energy efficiency, liquefied natural gas and digital technologies.
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