Innovation challenge on Intelligent Energy Management

Innovation challenge on Intelligent Energy Management – best ideas to be implemented in Swedish municipalities.

The Swedish Energy Agency has launched a global innovation challenge to find intelligent energy management solutions. The main purpose of the challenge is to find solutions that manage the energy infrastructure of a building with the objective to increase the self-consumption of solar energy produced in a building.The winning contributions in this Intelligent Energy Management Challenge can be tested and procured.  

The prices of solar cells have dropped significantly in recent years. An increasing number of electricity consumers are investing in their own solar electricity production and energy storage. The main purpose of the Intelligent Energy Management Challenge is to find solutions that manage the complete energy infrastructure of a building. Such solutions are expected to be of increasing importance in the future energy system.

Today, there is an expectation on the public sector to take the lead in supporting and test new and innovative technologies. Three Swedish municipalities, Eskilstuna, Uppsala and Glava/Arvika, are involved in the challenge.

”Uppsala Municipality is a prominent and progressive player in the environmental and energy sectors. Furthermore, there is a strong political will in Uppsala to develop initiatives that support the transition to a low-carbon economy”, says Marlene Burwick, Chairperson of the city’s Municipal Executive.

Swedish Incubators and Science Parks, SISP, coordinates the challenge and many submissions are expected via cooperation with NineSigma and their global network. Total opportunity for this challenge consists of up to € 10.000 each in recognition award for up to four winners, plus possible test and procurement from the Swedish Energy Agency, Eskilstuna, Uppsala, Glava/Arvika and other partners.

”The fact that municipality-owned property company Ihus will act as a test-bed in the challenge is an acknowledgment that we not only occupy a front-line position in this important field, but we will also continue to support growth of clean-tech companies and develop innovative energy solutions in the future”, adds Marlene Burwick.

When the challenge is open it is also possible for other stakeholders to communicate their investment capacity within the area.

“The combination of solar energy and energy storage are a key development area for Swedens future energy system. This new procurement platform for innovation has great potential to provide new solutions, tailored to the specifics of implementation in municipalities such as Eskilstuna, Uppsala, Arvika and hopefully many others “, Erik Brandsma, Director-General of the Swedish Energy Agency.

The Intelligent Energy Management Challenge opens for submissions on October 15, 2015.

For more information please visit:

https://ninesights.ninesigma.com/web/intelligent-energy-management

About the organizers

The Swedish Energy Agency works for a sustainable energy system, combining ecological sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply. For a more efficient energy use, the Agency supports the development and dissemination of knowledge targeted at households, industry, and the public sector. The Agency finances research for new and renewable energy technologies, smart grids, and vehicles and transport fuels of the future. The Agency supports commercialisation and growth of energy related cleantech.

Learn more at www.energimyndigheten.se

Swedish Incubators & Science Park (SISP) is a non-profit national association with national coverage, its members includes over 5000 companies with 72 000 employees in the Swedish incubators and science parks. This regionally based structure enables collaboration on regional level for support and facilitation of the outcome from this competition.

Learn more at www.sisp.se

NineSigma connects organizations with external innovation resources to accelerate innovation in private, public and social sectors. NineSigma has the largest open global network of solution providers and an extensive database of existing solutions spanning numerous industries and technical disciplines. In 2015, the company was again named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America.

Learn more at www.ninesigma.com or www.ninesights.com

Facts

Opening Challenge: October 15, 2015

Submission deadline: February 2, 2016

Announcement of winners: April 30, 2016

Financials

• A maximum of 4 respondents will be awarded a recognition award up to € 10.000 each.
• Award winning respondents can be invited to negotiate pilot projects with participating municipalities for up to € 50.000 for each participating Swedish Municipality.
• Successful pilot projects can result in supplier negotiations for up to € 2.800.000 with the participating Swedish Municipalities for 2016-2020. See challenge website for updated investment capacity.

If you have any questions please contact:

Olle Dierks

Internationalisation and innovation procurement

Swedish Incubators & Science Parks

olle.dierks@sisp.se

076-100 00 54

Charlotte Lejon

Head of Procurement

The Swedish Energy Agency

charlotte.lejon@energimyndigheten.se