The European Innovation Council Business Acceleration Services invite you to participate in our brand-new Energy4Planet-iniatitive. This is a great opportunity to enhance your cooperation with ENGIE and co-create innovative solutions to a number of pre-determined challenges related to the European Green Deal and energy transition. 

Applications are open until 14 March 2021. 

What is Energy4Planet?

The major energy transition challenges of the Green Deal and the associated ambitious goals will need close collaboration across value chains. It will also require concrete pilots with the best startups, knowledgeable corporates and technology institutes that the European ecosystem has to offer. On that account, the EIC is opening applications for the Energy4Planet, a brand-new initiative part of the EIC Corporate Programme It builds upon the success of last year’s EIC Planet.tech. where more than a dozen EIC-innovators got together with four large corporates to co-create solutions and start pilots together. After a few months seven different pilots and partnerships were initiated and presented during the R&I Days in September 2020 (more info here).

With the Energy4Planet-initiative, the EIC Business Acceleration Services once again offers the opportunity to enhance your cooperation with large corporates and co-create innovative solutions to a number of pre-determined challenges in the field of energy transition EIC funded SMEs with innovative solutions to challenges posed by ENGIE are encouraged to apply (more info below).

Selection procedure and programme

The Energy4Planet-iniatitive is divided into three different phase:

Phase I: ENGIE will dedicate a team of experts to select the SME’s with the highest possibilities to develop a joint Proof of Concept (PoC) around the challenges proposed (more info below). Those selected will be invited to a (digital) event, foreseen for 4 & 5 May 2021, to facilitate further collaboration between selected SMEs and corporates.

Phase II: After the event, ENGIE will select the best beneficiary(ies) to proceed for a POC, MVP or another form of collaboration. Those involved are encouraged to use 1 to 5 months to co-create and translate some of the propositions in an MVP or any other form of collaboration. This can include hands-on work, training webinars and support during the same period. 

Phase III: The Energy4Planet-iniatitive will culminate on a demo day happening at the Energy Week, taking place from 25-29 October 2021, in Brussels or digital (tbc) where both ENGIE and EIC beneficiaries will be invited to demonstrate their work.

ENGIE’s Challenges

Hydrogen production from sea water

The objective of the challenge is to develop an integrated solutions where sea water is the main input for the green hydrogen production process.

Applicants can therefore explore different pathways, such as : 

• Hydrogen production should not compromise local freshwater need. Do you have a solution that reconcile the local need for fresh water with the large quantities of water required for electrolysis? 
• Technology issue & Operations & Maintenance challenge. Corrosivity of seawater and isolated sites. Does your solution solve the problems of corrosiveness as well as operation in conditions where human presence is limited?
• In case of desalination - excessive level of brine discharges. Do you have a solution that answers this ecological problem for seas and oceans?

Opportunities for selected EIC-funded SMEs

• The chance to pitch and meet in an online environment with top corporate representatives;
• Opportunity to be selected to co-develop a pilot project or Proof of Concept with ENGIE and presenting your solution at a dedicated event in autumn 2021 (tbd);
• Personalised online training on pitching techniques and ENGIE’s specifications before the event;
• Services related to support before, during and after the event.

Application

This application is open to all EIC-backed SMEs.

You can apply by clicking on the following link. 

After logging in with your EU-Login, please fill in the respective form.

In your application form, you should answer all questions and explain how you will approach this challenge and why your company has the most innovative solution.

Please acknowledge the information you provide on the application form will be shared with Engie to maximise potential benefits and ensure the effectiveness of this challenge.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations will only be considered in duly documented cases of “force majeure”. Unjustified cancellation can lead to exclusion in future Business Acceleration Services events. For additional information, please refer to our helpdesk (please choose “Energy4Planet” as the subject).