Description

Enel X is looking for novel solutions to set customers free from using hands to charge their Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Nowadays to charge an Electric Vehicle two relevant steps are necessary: 

• Identification of the customer (usually via RFID card or smartphone app)
• Physical connection to the recharging infrastructure (EVSE)

At least when using a conductive solution, the driver, in every weather condition, has to park the EV, go nearby the EVSE and identify himself. Then he/she has to plug the cable to the car and, in some cases, to the EVSE. Furthermore when leaving, the operations have to be done vice-versa. At present the more used plugs in public areas are these: 

• Type 1 (Yazaki), for recharging up to 7,4 kW in alternating current
• Type 2 (Mennekes), for recharging up to 43 kW in alternating current
• CHAdeMO, for recharging at 50 kW in direct current
• CCS COMBO2, for recharging at 50 kW in direct current and up to 43 kW in alternating current 

It would be great if recharging could be made more easily and the customer experience would improve allowing the identification and recharging procedure to be done without drivers’ direct interaction.

Any proposed solution should address the following solution requirements:

• The proposed solution must be safe and must be compliant with all relevant regulations
• The identification phase has to be maintained
• Each “recharging event” should be tracked (i.e. in term of customer id, time, energy transferred, time, max power allowed, type of, location, payment methods, etc.)
• The charging power should be at least about 3kW
• The charging process should guarantee high energy efficiency (please declare)
• The proposed solution must be competitive in term of costs (including capital, installation and maintenance)
• The solution must be easy to install and requires low maintenance, minimizing aesthetic impact
• The solution must use no toxic chemicals or have any negative impact on the environment 
• The proposed system should offer the Seeker “freedom to practice” or be available for potential licensing. There should be no third party patent art preventing the use of specific equipment and materials for their commercial application. 

The submitted proposal should include the following: 

• Detailed description of the proposed solution that can meet the above Solution Requirements.
• Rationale as to why the Applicant believes that the proposed solution will work. This rationale should address each of the Solution Requirements described in the Detailed Description and should be supported with any relevant examples. 
• Data, drawings, case studies, patent and journal references or any additional material that supports the proposed solution.

Remember! The likelihood of success is important, and it always represents a winning factor (availability of competences and technologies, lack of regulatory or policy constraints), but the most important thing is to try: every innovative idea is a good idea! 

[innovation], [technology], [hands-free], [charging], [EV], [environment], [smart], [safety], [energy efficiency], [EVSE], [idea], [customer experience]

Challenge rules

This challenge takes place in a non-collaborative environment, meaning that the interaction regarding the submission is private, between ENEL and the proponent.

In the Annex “Enel X s.r.l Electric Mobility Competition Regulations” you can find the complete Regulation of the Challenge, that you will accept once you submit your solution to this challenge.


For technical support you can contact OpenInnovability-support@enel.com

What happens next?

The selected proposals will be rewarded with the possibility to sign a collaboration and testing agreement with Enel X.
In particular, Enel X will provide the winner with:
- the technical support to define characteristics, testing and go to market of the solution proposed, granting access to infrastructures and high-tech locations and co-working areas;
- the chance to being connected to international stakeholders, thanks to the global network of physical Enel Innovation Hubs around the world.

Enel X will bear the costs of the testing activities: for each project the necessary amount and the modalities will be evaluated together with the applicant.

If the test/PoC will be successful, Enel X might offer a concrete opportunity to scale-up the solution by adopting it through commercial agreements. 

If the winning Proposal is submitted by an employee of a company of the Enel Group, the winner Applicant will be awarded with the possibility to be involved during the internal POC set-up activities.