<p>Enel –Produzione S.p.a. would like to improve the current methods for inspecting large chimneys in power plants. Currently, chimney inspections are executed by specialized personnel working at heights with scaffolding and taking pictures high resolution cameras. This method is typically time consuming and expensive. The Seeker is looking for alternative ways to remotely inspect chimneys using ready or near ready technology that can lessen these factors. Near ready is defined as something that could be tested within the next 6 months and has feasibility already tested.</p><p>Solvers that have the ability to continue to develop the solution after the Challenge are encouraged to submit.</p><p><br></p><p><i>This is a </i><b><i>Theoretical Challenge</i></b><i> which requires only a written proposal to be submitted</i></p><p><br></p><p><b>BACKGROUND</b></p><p>The chimneys used on power plants can be with single or multiple liners (up to a maximum of 4) incorporated inside a reinforced concrete containment structure that can reach up heights of 290 meters. Essentially liners are cylindrical elements, whose diameter is proportional to the flow rate of the exhaust gases. The construction materials could be different: with low temperatures gases, that are not particularly chemically aggressive, mild steel is used; in condition of possible acid condensation (i.e. particularly chemically aggressive), anti-acid tiles or bricks are used for the internal walls.</p><p>The general reference characteristics of a chimney are as follows :</p><ol><li>140 – 290 m total height of reinforced concrete structure that enclose up to 4 liners;</li><li>In multi-liners chimney the internal diameter of a single liner could measure from 3 up to 6 m;</li><li>In single liner chimney the internal diameter could measure from 3 up to 8 m.</li></ol><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p>Several chimney configurations are shown in the pictures within the Chimney example paragraph of the challenge full description.</p><p> </p><p>Today the accepted practice provide sufficiently clear images to detect the following types of defects:</p><ul><li>Cracks or breaks in refractory bricks, lack of cement mortar between the bricks;</li><li>Corrosion of the refractory from acid flows;</li><li>Joints damages between the refractory sections (only with single liner chimney);</li><li>Deposits along the flue surface.</li></ul><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p>Defects are marked with a referenced altitude and position to facilitate the mapping and localization.</p><p>Access to the single liner is possible from the top or from the waste gas duct.</p><p><br></p><p>This Challenge provides contribution to the following Sustainable Development Goals:</p><ul><li><a href="http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg3" target="_blank"><b>SDG 3</b></a> - <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Good health and well being</span></li><li><a href="https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg9" target="_blank"><b>SDG 9</b></a><b> </b>- Industry Innovation and Infrastructure</li></ul><p><br></p><p><b><i>- Register now to start solving this Challenge! The full description challenge will be available to logged in users only. -</i></b></p><p> </p><p> </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>Some types of birds, mostly storks, choose the high parts of MV and LV poles to build their nests during nesting season (January to April). Storks have been identified as responsible for shooting the lines, either because they touch the lines with the wings or because wood sticks or other materials fall from the nests that they build in the poles.</p> <p>Storks are protected species so, removing the nests is not an option to preventing the collisions with the lines and consequent downtime and decreased service. Thus, the protection of the lines must be done in one of two ways:</p> <ol><li>by protection measures on the poles where nests already exist, and</li><li>preventive measures to prevent the construction of new nests.</li></ol> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><i>This is a Reduction-to-Practice Challenge that requires written documentation, experimental proof-of-concept data, and </i><b><i><u>if requested by the Seeker, prototype delivery for a pilot demonstration to be performed by the Seeker for the purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of the solution.</u></i></b></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><b>BACKGROUND</b></p> <p>In the past, Enel has tried several strategies to address this problem. The attempted approaches included:</p> <ul><li>Installation of silhouettes of eagles or ultrasounds to stop the birds from building the nests on the pole</li><li>Lines with very low (not harmful) current to prevent birds from approaching the poles or lines</li><li>Installation of bollards in the poles with different shapes and locations (see Figure 1 in the full description of this Challenge, after registration)</li><li>Devices, called “umbrellas” by virtue of their shape, that not only provide a physical barrier, they can rotate to ensure the birds stay away. This system was used combined with a platform to allow storks to build their nests in a safe area. Different umbrellas with different sizes and different locations on the poles have been attempted (see Figure 2 in the full description of this Challenge)</li></ul> <p> </p> <p>All of the above have proven to be unsuccessful as birds still find ways to avoid them and build the nests on the poles.</p> <p> </p> <p>The challenge to Solvers is to propose a method/device that can protect the lines (and the birds) from collisions and prevent new nests to be built.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><i>- Register now to start solving this Challenges! The full description challenge will be available to logged in users only. -</i></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </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>For technical support about the submission you can contact <a href="mailto:OpenInnovability-support@enel.com" target="_blank">OpenInnovability-support@enel.com</a></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.