The exponential growth of the population and of resources used, the technological evolution of infrastructure and services, and the importance of environmental issues in the urban environment are signs of this epochal turning point. This profound change has origins far back and has become faster and more radical in the last decade, giving cities a new, key role: urban centers can be a starting point for the transition to a new paradigm of sustainable development for the entire planet. The current Covid-19 Health Emergency underlined also the need to address a digital & sustainable transformation of public services and infrastructures in order to increase city resiliency with a citizen-centric approach.
To address these challenges and promising business prospects under the agreement with the Enel Group, ESA in cooperation with ENEL X plans to issue an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for feasibility studies to promote the development of space-applications supporting sustainable innovation for circular economy. The AO will primarily address infrastructure efficiency and optimisation of mobility towards environmental sustainability in cities.
The high-level objectives of the AO are to assess the technical and business feasibility of using space assets to advance business innovation in circular cities, addressing one of the following two domains:
and propose a roadmap for potential pilots that would start in 2021.
This Challenge provides contribution to the following SDGs:
SCENARIO
The circular economy is a strategic driver for Enel: it’s one of the pillars of ENEL approach and systematically extends to all areas of ENEL business. Enel X takes inspiration from the principles of the Circular Economy because they represent a new paradigm, in which the use of prime virgin materials is reduced to a minimum, the use of renewable and secondary prime materials prevails and the solutions offered are used for as long as possible and to their greatest capacity. This is due to a rethinking of consumption models. For Enel X, the present transition from a model of linear to circular economy represents an opportunity for sustainable innovation. This produces tangible benefits for the environment with an impact that is enhanced by digitalization and the implementation of new technologies (www.enelx.com/en/who-we-are/circular-economy).
THE CHALLENGE
Tenderers are invited to propose a feasibility study addressing one of the following domains which have been identified by ESA in cooperation with ENEL.
SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS
The applications and/or services covered by the proposed feasibility study shall:
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
The submitted proposal should include the following:
All proposers are invited to read carefully the instruction available at ESA dedicated web page and download the official tender documentation from ESA EMITS.
ELIGIBILITY
For this call, companies or organisations residing in the following Member States will be eligible to apply: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The applicable funding level of the individual prime - is subject to authorisation by the involved National Delegation. Therefore, bidding teams are requested to obtain a Letter of Authorisation from all the respective national delegations before submitting the Proposal.
ESA Tender Information
Responding to an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) requires the submission of a Proposal. The Proposal will be evaluated according to ESA regulations and procedures. The consequential evaluation of proposals results in a recommendation for a winning bid.
The proposals will be admitted until February 26, 2021 at 12:00 (local time in Amsterdam) and the evaluation will start after this date.
REWARD
ESA will bear up to 50% of the acceptable cost of the feasibility study, up to a max estimated cost of €120,000. To the extent that activities are performed by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, said activities are funded up to 80 % by ESA, depending on the funding level authorised by the related ESA National Delegation(s).
Furthermore, the selected Tenderer(s) will also have the possibility to collaborate with Enel X with a dedicated contract and get additional support. Such Enel X additional support may include a financial contribution to the co-funded part of the Tenderer’s overall cost, and/or strategic/technical support to deliver the prototype.
Nevertheless, it is anticipated that Enel X’s support and participation in the present activity will be subject to receiving, at least, a non-exclusive license on the intellectual property rights resulting from the contract.
The remainder has to be financed by the Tenderer through private sector direct and/or indirect co-funding and/or by the users based on terms and conditions to be agreed upon.
How to Apply
The Prime and all subcontractors must register as potential bidders via esa-star, prior to downloading the official tender documents from EMITS http://emits.sso.esa.int/emits/owa/emits.main and submitting their Proposal. The registration process needs to be started as soon as possible, as it will take time to complete. Submit your proposal before the deadline February 26 2021 at 12:00 (local time in Amsterdam).
BY SIGNING UP TO OPENINNOVABILITY.COM AND THEN CLICKING ON THE BUTTON “CREATE YOUR SOLUTION” YOU’LL BE REDIRECTED TO ESA WEBSITE.
ESA will evaluate the proposals received.
ABOUT THE SEEKER
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA is an international organisation with 22 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
ESA Space Solutions aims at reaching commercial exploitation of space assets, data and capabilities addressing incubation, proving technical feasibility and business development. This includes the development of operational services for a wide range of users through the combination of different systems, and support in creating viable companies as well as to existing companies. https://business.esa.int/
Enel (www.enel.com) is a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the global power, gas and renewables markets.
Enel X (www.enelx.com) is a company of Enel Group with strong roots in the energy sector and with an open strategy that is geared towards digitalization, sustainability and innovation. How we use energy today opens up opportunities for people, businesses and cities. Enel X wants to support them through innovative solutions designed to respond to ever-changing needs, creating opportunities for growth and progress.