<p>Enel is seeking novel methods to economically extract lithium and other minerals from brines produced in geothermal power plants.</p><p> </p><p><i>This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires written documentation and experimental proof-of-concept data.</i></p><p><b><i> </i></b></p><p><br></p><p><b>OVERVIEW</b></p><p>The global demand for lithium salts, the raw material for lithium-ion batteries, has increased significantly in recent years as a result of technological advancements in electronic devices and electric cars requiring high energy-density batteries. Traditional sources of lithium are quickly being depleted and alternative supplies must be explored. One potential source is the fluid used in <b>geothermal power plants</b>, known as <b>geothermal brine</b>, but extraction of lithium from such fluids has proven challenging due to several factors including the presence of other salts in the brine (that can be valuable as well). <b>Enel is looking for novel methods and technologies to economically extract lithium and other valuable minerals</b>.</p><p> </p><p>This Challenge will be run in <b>two phases</b>. Enel will evaluate submissions to this first phase and choose the top Solvers to be invited to participate in the second phase. <u>Solvers invited for the second phase will be required to sign and return a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) as well as provide proof of identity in order to participate in phase 2 of the Challenge</u>. The deadline for phase 1 is 11:59 PM (Central European Time) <b>December 31, 2019</b>. Detailed information regarding the deadline and additional requirements for phase 2 will be provided to the invited Solvers who return the requested documentation.</p><p> </p><p>This Challenge provides contribution to the following Sustainable Development Goals:</p><ul><li><b>SDG 6:</b> Clean water and sanitation</li><li><b>SDG 9:</b> Industry innovation and infrastructure</li><li><b>SDG 12:</b> Responsible consumption and production</li><li><b>SDG 15:</b> Life on land</li></ul><p> </p><p>- <i>Register now to start solving this Challenge! The full description challenge will be available to logged in users only</i>. -</p><p><br></p><p>For questions about the challenge and your proposal you can contact <a href="mailto:EnelOpenInnovabilityChallenges@innocentive.com" target="_blank">EnelOpenInnovabilityChallenges@innocentive.com</a></p>

<p>We want to become the leading energy innovation ecosystem with the ability to connect talented people, ideas, expertise, technologies and resources to create the energy of the future. We want to help guide the transformation of the energy sector to make it smarter, more efficient and more reliable, developing new products and services for our clients in the process. </p><p>This is why we want to hear from you!</p><p>We want to work with the best startups worldwide, offering our expertise, opening the doors of our laboratories and guaranteeing the resources required to develop better solutions in a fast way.</p><p>Our Innovation Hub is the point of contact between Enel and the ecosystem, able to connect the brightest minds to the opportunities of a Group present in 35 countries and with 73 million customers around the world.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

We are looking for new <b>technologies</b>, <b>architectures</b> and <b>control strategies</b> to lower energy storage costs and to improve the way our Energy Storage assets are built, operated and maintained, in order to maximize their profitability.