Abstract

Enel is interested in developing more comfortable protective clothing for these situations and is looking for a development partner.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge. The Solver will write a preliminary proposal and/or submit a video (highly preferred) to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

Overview

Working on LV electrical systems poses a variety of hazards and operators are required to wear specialized clothing. In particular these protective garments must be manufactured with antistatic/fireproof fabric of suitable mechanical strength and the garment must be resistant to the thermal effects of an electric arc that is a potential issue during working activity. The clothing currently supplied with these features is not particularly comfortable in the summer months when temperatures and humidity rise. Therefore Enel is interested in finding, developing, or having developed more comfortable clothing in terms of thermo-physiological comfort while still providing the same level of protection.

This Challenge provides contribution to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Note: as this is an eRFP challenge, you'd better sign up by selecting the "Organization" profile type, in this way you'll be able to fill in your company information.

For questions about the challenge and your proposal you can contact EnelOpenInnovabilityChallenges@innocentive.com

INFO: expiration date extended until 13th March 2020.

Description

BACKGROUND

During live working activities on LV electrical systems, operators must wear protective clothing to guard against the thermal effects of an electric arc. This clothing is considered a category III PPE according to European regulations. The garments typically include a jacket and trousers and must be manufactured with antistatic and fireproof fabric of suitable mechanical strength and the resulting clothing must be resistant to the thermal effects of an electric arc. Both the fabric and the garment (with its related accessories) must pass specific protection tests. Operators use the same pieces of clothing in all seasons of the year, and unfortunately, the same clothing that is comfortable to wear in cold weather becomes quite uncomfortable in hot and humid weather. The currently available clothing providing the necessary protection is not well suited to summer months when temperatures and humidity are high.

THE CHALLENGE

Enel is seeking to provide more comfortable protective clothing to its operators who work with LV electrical systems in terms of thermo-physiological comfort in high temperature and high humidity environments.

Proposed solutions must meet the following technical requirements:

• ensure resistance to the thermal effect of an electric arc:

1. Arc Thermal Performance Value (ATPV) > 25cal/cm2
2. Class 2 according to IEC 61482-2

• and improve significantly on the following for thermo-physiological comfort:

1. Evaporative resistance (Ret) ≤ 7.5 m2Pa/W
2. Thermal Resistance (Rct) ≤ 0.035 m2K/W
3. Transpirated liquid F ≥ 850 g/m2/h
4. Total weight ≤ 470 g/m2

• All above according to the following general features:

1. Maintain the properties listed above for at least 50 wash cycles
2. Not be dangerous for the environment upon disposal of the clothing
3. Be compliant with current regulations of the countries of the Enel group or be adaptable to local regulations with a limited effort
4. Support Enel’s commitment on SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) with specific emphasis on 3

Selected Solvers will be asked to provide a fabric sample for testing followed by a completed jacket and trousers for further testing.

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

The submitted proposal should contain two parts:

1. Collaboration Proposal including:
   1. A description of the proposed system with an explanation of how the Solver proposes to address all of the technical requirements as well as the technology readiness level (TRL) of the solution. Solvers are also highly encouraged to submit a video demonstration that summarizes the proposal. The Solver can withhold proprietary details, but should provide convincing evidence for Enel to appreciate the merits of the approach and be comfortable that the solution can work effectively;
   2. A brief discussion of capabilities, facilities/equipment, and relevant expertise for executing the proposed solution. The Solver should explain what they can provide and what might be required of the Seeker. For example: “I can construct a prototype, but I would need the Seeker to help with scale up and distribution”;
   3. An overview of the proposed path forward (materials, deliverables, timelines, cost estimates).
2. General Information about the Solver including:
   1. The key contact person for this Challenge (including phone number and email address). 
   2. Organization/Company/University name and address (including website, if available) (NOTE: For most Challenges, Solvers are not allowed to include personal contact information; however, for an eRFP Challenge, it is required.)

[NOTE: Only proposals from Solvers who have the ability to work as a collaboration partner will be considered.]

Q: What is the material used for this application?

A: Typically, a composition of viscose, aramid fiber, polyamide fiber and antistatic fiber; please

note that the antistatic feature shall be achieved without use of metallic fibers. In addition to the standards specified in the challenge text, possible standards of reference could be: EU Regulation 1007/2011, AATCC Method 20, ASTM D - 276/12, EN ISO 1833-1

Q: Is it permitted to have batteries fixed in the clothing?

A: This is not forbidden a priori, but please pay attention to: it shall not lead to alterations of the technical characteristics required and, if necessary, it shall be able to pass the technical and Enel tests for its homologation. Furthermore, the proposed solution should not interfere with the normal working conditions or create other/further risk situations for the operator.

Q: In order to check if the results comply with the test, which are references for the test standards?

A: Regarding comfort parameters, evaporative resistance (Ret) and thermal resistance (Rct) reference is EN ISO 11092 and transpirated liquid is EN 12127.

Challenge rules

All proposers are invited to read carefully the challenge and the Regulation of this challenge, attached below in the Attachments section, before to submit a solution.

By submitting a solution they automatically accept the attached Regulations other than the Terms of Use of this platform.

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge. The Solver will write a preliminary proposal and/or submit a video (highly preferred) to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

Explain your proposal clearly and attach documents if needed (max 5 files, 25MB total size).

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (CET) on March 13, 2020. 

Late submissions will not be considered.

What happens next?

After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All Solvers that submit a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions.

Enel will evaluate the proposal using the following criteria:

• Overall scientific and technical feasibility of the proposed solution;
• Economic potential of concept (e.g. Total Cost of Ownership);
• Business potential for Enel;
• Novelty and creativity;
• Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable);
• User’s capabilities and related experience;
• Realism of the proposed solution;
• Maturity level of the proposal.

In case the reward includes “Collaboration with Enel”, once suitable solution/s have been identified, Enel will reserve the opportunity to start a collaboration, by way of example, all or part of the following activities:

• Test execution;
• Supply of prototypes (if an equipment);
• Installation and site tests;
• Follow up and monitoring of the proposed idea behavior.

Upon completion of the evaluation, you will receive feedback.

In case of success, an Enel contact person will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps.

ABOUT INNOCENTIVE

InnoCentive collaborates with Enel to manage this challenge.

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.