Innovative solutions for SMART Buildings

ENGIE UK is looking to identify innovative projects and solutions for a new joint energy and services offer for our B2B customers. Our focus is not only collecting and monitoring data but also to provide analysis, suggestion and implementation of actions in areas such as workplace optimisation, energy consumption / performance, employee wellbeing. These solutions have to be cost effective, user friendly, easy to deploy and able to be linked with existing and new systems.

Our aim is to identify innovative solutions which will either disrupt the existing energy and services markets or create additional value for our B2B customers.

For example solutions that not only monitor energy or asset performance but that can also implement required changes (e.g. temperature decrease or dimming of lights) from a smart phone, tablet or desk top computer. We are ideally looking for one complex solution, but partial solutions are welcome as well. One of the main selection criteria is the price.

The goal of this call for projects is to either

• Improve the management of delivering energy efficiency, supply and facility management services through a “freemium” technology offer incorporating IoT, multiple building data sources and enterprise systems.
• Creation of the SMART office, commercial and/or industrial building as an experience / service. Driving customer productivity and aligning buildings with their aims and objectives.

Outcomes to the solution should focus on:

• Fusion of workplace optimisation to reduce demand with supply optimisation.
• Building utilisation linked to energy consumption / performance
• Algorithms to enable our managers and clients to make informed decisions on the optimisation of their buildings
• Long and short term optimisation of space usage.
• Employee wellbeing, improved ambience e.g. lighting, noise, air quality, desk configuration etc.

Deadline for applications 28th April 2017, at midnight

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 UK. The package may also include:

• The development of a prototype or pilot
• Technical support
• A spot in marketplace events where you can meet with high level representatives of ENGIE and our partners
• A week of professional coaching
• A potential business collaboration

Detailed description:

ENGIE is developing a mixed services and energy offer to attempt to entice our customers with a simple but engaging offer. A combination of our energy supply, generation and on site services allowing us to deliver a smart building concept that utilises data to drive insight in the relationship between the building user, the workplace environment and overall productivity.

Some of the questions we need to answer are:

• How do we harness existing data sources to manage energy consumption, workplace optimization and productivity in a building?
• How do we access this data without huge capital expenditure and retrofitting sensors?
• Forge the link between individual behaviors, building operations and dynamic energy management

Eligibility criteria

• Feasibility/ economic viability
• Coherence of the proposed business model
• Relevance to the topic
• Ability to launch project quickly/Ease of implementation
• Innovative nature of the subject
• User friendly character
• Development potential
• Return on investment period
• Maturity of project/solution
• Ability to be linked to existing and new systems

Selection procedure

Projects will be selected in two stages:

• Phase 1: a shortlist of 12 projects will be made based on the initial applications and will be invited to an online pitching session
• Phase 2: shortlisted project teams will be invited to give a 20 minute presentation to the selection committee on June 16th at The Business Design Centre in London, during ENGIEs Innovation Week

Provisional timetable

• Launch of the call for projects: 17th March, 2017
• Deadline for application: 28th April, 2017
• On-line pitch session for Top 12: wc 15th May, 2017
• Selection and announcement of finalists: week commencing 29th May, 2017
• Pitches from finalists to the selection committee: 16th June, 2017
• Announcement of winners: 16th June, 2017

Selection Committee and the call for project partners

• Wilfred Petrie, ENGIE UK Chief Executive Officer
• Caroline Hopkins, ENGIE UK Development and Innovation Director
• Colin Macpherson, ENGIE UK Sales and Marketing Director
• Innovate UK, Judge to be confirmed
• Martin Garrett, Cambridge Cleantech, Chief Executive

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.
We have identified energy purchase and services as a major opportunity for the cities and communities we serve. This approach has included supply with energy saving guarantees and Service and Supply offers before but these have been simple bundled services. What could we do to create market leading management information link to a high quality support offer to excite our customers?

ENGIE wants to develop innovative solutions that benefit everyone, whilst ensuring we maintain and develop our market share.

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.