Abstract
We are looking for innovative solutions to increase the level of circularity of our product "Homix", the smart thermostat that allows you to manage your home temperature, smart appliances, and lighting system through intelligent controls.
The aim is to find ideas and solutions that, based on the 5 models of the circular economy, can reduce the environmental impact of Homix at any stage of its value chain.
Description
Enel X is looking for innovative solutions related to circular economy issues to apply to its smart home management product called “Homix”.
Homix is much more than a smart thermostat; it provides you with lots of features and services that will make your daily home management smarter, easier and more immediate. Homix optimally manages the heating of your home, turning it into a smart system that learns your family's usage routines and automates heating according to your needs, allowing you to save money while respecting the environment.
The request is to think of solutions based on one or more of the 5 business models of the circular economy listed below:
- Circular Inputs: use of renewable energy, bio-based or potentially completely recyclable materials
- Sharing platforms: increased usage rates through collaborative models for usage, access, or ownership
- Product-as-a-service: offer of product use with retention of the product at the producer to increase resource productivity
- Product life-extension: prolongation of the life cycle through repair, reprocessing, upgrading and resale
- Recovery & Recycle: recovery of usable resources or energy from waste or by-products
We’re looking for ideas and solutions that can help reduce the environmental impact of Homix at every stage of its value chain, from component supply and manufacturing to logistics, marketing & sales or end-of-life recovery.
SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS
Submissions must meet the following solution requirements:
- The innovative solution must be able to be applied to Homix without changing its design. The innovative solution must contribute to the environment without significantly increasing the cost of Homix or its possible future maintenance
- Any best practices have to be verified and documented (not just an “idea”)
- Solutions should have a global context (that is, they should be transferable to different parts of the world)
- All solutions must be safe and comply with any local regulations and be sustainable environmentally and economically
- Support Enel’s commitment to SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) with specific emphasis on SDG 3, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13
- The proposed technology should offer Enel “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
In addition, the following qualities are highly desirable but not required:
- Easy installation (if required)
- Reasonable investment costs
- Existing commercial solution (or at least at a pilot/demonstration stage)
PROJECT DELIVERABLES
The submitted proposal should include the following:
- Detailed technical description of an approach that can meet the above solution requirements
- Rationale for the proposed technology/best practice, including direct costs
- Information on any known limitations
The proposal should not include any personal identifying information (name, username, company, address, phone, email, personal website, resume, etc.) or any information the Solvers may consider their intellectual property that they do not want to share.
SDGs
This challenge provides contribution to the following sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world:
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy;
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure;
- SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable;
- SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts;
- SDG 15: Life on land.
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.
The Applicant must have reached the age of majority according to Italian legislation, but not older than 35 years of age, and have legal capacity in the jurisdiction where he/she resides. Only single natural persons are allowed to participate.
The Applicant must have applied for the Carta Giovani (Youth Card) through the app IO. In order to participate in the challenge and provide an innovative solution, you must get the application code available at Carta Giovani (Youth Card) through the app IO.
The code will be required in the form to fill in with the solution information.
In addition to the uploading of the solution on the Open Innovability® platform, the Applicant must upload his/her personal resume (CV) on the Enel.com website (https://www.enel.com/careers/working-at-enel/spontaneous-application) using the same name, surname and e-mail address used to register on openinnovability.com.
All proposers are invited to read carefully the challenge and its regulations, attached below in the Attachments section, before submitting a solution.
By submitting a solution, they automatically accept the attached Regulations in addition to the Terms of Use of this platform.
Explain your proposal clearly in English or Italian and attach documents if needed. (max 5 files, 3MB each).
The winning Applicant will have the chance to enter the selection process either for an internship or a job with Enel Spa (or any other of its subsidiaries), subject to the positive outcome of any eventual necessary checks required by law and/or Enel internal policies (e.g. in case of conflicts of interest). The internship will be paid with an amount of 800 euro per month plus benefits.
DEADLINE
Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (Central European Time) on January 31, 2023.
Late submissions will not be considered.
Specific regulations in the CSA attached at the bottom of this page.
Regulation
What happens next?
Enel will evaluate the Proposals, getting in touch with the Solver if additional information is needed.
Following this preliminary evaluation, the Proposal(s) that meet the requirements of the challenge will be further evaluated by one or more relevant Enel companies and/or business lines.
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 non-obviousness;
- 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.
At the end of the assessment, you will receive feedback.
In case of success, an Enel contact person will get in touch with you to discuss the next steps. No detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.
The winner of the challenge is subject to the positive outcome of the Enel recruiting process.