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Overview

Operators performing work on low voltage (LV) electric systems must wear protective clothing and equipment. In particular, the helmet is designed to protect users from accidental injury caused by electrical and nonelectrical hazards. Working conditions can include high temperatures and humidity, making the helmet difficult to wear for extended periods. Recent advances in sensor technology (wearable devices) and augmented reality have made it possible for operators to work in safer conditions, and Enel has experimented with several solutions to implement those solutions for its field workers. Therefore, Enel is interested in developing a comfortable smart helmet that offers the same level of mechanical and electrical protection as a standard helmet.

This challenge provides contribution to the following sustainable development goal (SDG):

  • SDG 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
  • SDG 9: Industries, innovation and infrastructure. Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

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

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Description

BACKGROUND

During live working activities on LV electrical systems, Enel distribution system operator (DSO) field workers must wear personal protective equipment including a helmet. Despite being able to respond to all mandatory safety measures, standard helmets used by field workers in the electric sector are not so comfortable when worn in particular climatic situations and for long periods of time (for examples of safety helmets currently in use, please view the attachments).

Moreover, the last few years have seen the appearance of numerous new technologies capable of increasing the safety and efficiency of work in the field. These technologies often require the integration of sensors and wearables on the helmet.

 

THE CHALLENGE

The development of a new working helmet will combine:

  1. All mandatory safety requirements;
  2. Capability to accommodate an open set of sensors and wearables designed to improve safety and operation [e.g. voltage detection, distance warning from not visible obstacles or vehicles on movements (both axes) or reading tags to ensure the wearing of the full set of mandatory Personal Protection Equipment];
  3. Capability to accommodate smart glasses like Vuzix Blade, Nreal, Rokid Glass 2 or simply to make the helmet comfortable during the use of these smart devices;
  4. Comfortable wearing (weight, ergonomics, temperature);
  5. Shock absorption from accidental impacts;
  6. Other relevant improvements (like implementation of smart glass in the protective visor).

 

SOLUTION REQUIREMENTS

The proposed solution must have the following qualities:

  • Regulations and standards of reference (EU area):
    • Regulation (EU) 2016/425 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on personal protective equipment and repealing Council Directive 89/686/EEC
    • Country implementing legislation
    • Ley 31/1995 and R.D. 773/1997 (specifically for Spain)
    • EN 397
    • EN 50365
    • EN 166
    • EN 170
    • EN 61482-1-2
  • Helmet equipped with visor: the helmet is intended to protect the head from injury caused by shocks and impacts, and from contact with LV live parts; the visor is intended to protect the operator's face and eyes from the effects of electric arcs.
  • Technical features of the helmet:
    • The helmet consists of: shell, harness, adjustable chin strap, visor.
    • The helmet must comply with and be certified to EN 397 and EN 50365.
    • Classification: electrical class 0 according to EN 50365.
    • The helmet shall be adjustable for head circumferences.
    • The mass of the helmet complete with visor and energy source shall not exceed 750 g.
  • Technical features of the face and eye protection visor:
    • Plastic material, colorless, dielectric, impact resistant, flame resistant, heat resistant, resistant to common disinfectants and free from imperfections detectable at sight.
    •  The visor must comply with the provisions of EN 166 and EN 170 according to the following requirements. With regard to the protection requirements, the visor shall comply with the following requirements:
      • Scale number: 2-1, 2 Color recognition according to EN 170
      • Optical class: 1 or 2
      • Mechanical resistance – Medium Energy impact: B
      • Protection against liquid splashes: 3
      • Protection against electric arc: 8
      • Protection against molten metals and incandescent solids: 9
      • Resistance to surface deterioration caused by fine particles: K
      • Resistance to fogging: N
    • The visor shall meet the arc-flash resistance performance requirements of the following test: arc-flash resistance test performed in accordance with EN 61482-1-2 according to class 2 (7 kA) by the garment test chamber method, on a single protective visor.
  • One or more slider systems (guide plus universal coupling element) capable to house:
    • Sensors
    • External camera
    • Front lamp
  • ventilation system, passive or active, able to minimize the effects of heat and sweat when the helmet is worn for hours at a time and/or at high temperatures.
  • The possibility of wearing particularly thick smart glasses without them interfering with the helmet or the transparent visor. The Vuzix Blade (https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vuzix-blade-ar-smart-glasses-consumer,5667.html) model can only be considered as an indicative reference, but it is necessary that the helmet has a space between face and shield, possibly adjustable, in order to accommodate smart glasses of greater thicknesses.
  • An easy detachable shielding system to put over the transparent protective screen to reduce sunlight.
  • The helmet should adopt any efficient system able to reduce/absorb the impact equivalent to or exceeding the mandatory Enel safety requirements.

 

Nice to have:

  • A system able to supply the sensors as well as the front lamp. (This can be powered either through a battery pack housed in a special container on the helmet itself or through a cable that can be connected to an external power supply unit to carry in your pocket. A battery that can be recharged with a car adapter is also acceptable.)
  • The capability to slide the transparent protective screen for live working instead of a clipping system.
  • An easy and precise mechanism for chinstrap fastening (please consider that field workers wear protective gloves).
  • Smart glass incorporated within the helmet’s visor.

 

PROJECT DELIVERABLES

The submitted proposal should contain two parts:

1. Collaboration Proposal including:

a) A description of the proposed solution with an explanation of how the Solver proposes to address the Solution Requirements as listed above. The Solver can withhold proprietary details, but should provide convincing evidence for Enel to appreciate the merits of the proposal and be comfortable that the solution can work effectively. The description should include, but is not limited to:

  • Degree of temperature and humidity of the head after wearing the helmet for a set time
    • Time needed to put on the helmet including chinstrap and protective visor
    • Number of smart glass devices on the market that the helmet with visor worn is compatible with
    • Number of sensors on the market that the helmet is compatible with

b) 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;

c) An overview of the proposed path forward (materials, deliverables, timelines, cost estimates).

 

2. General Information about the Solver including:

a) The key contact person for this Challenge (including phone number and email address). 

b) 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.]

Challenge rules

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

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

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

 

ELIGIBILITY

SMEs, scale ups, industrials are eligible for the participation in this challenge.

 

CHALLENGE, AWARD, IP RIGHTS

This is an electronic Request-for-Partners (eRFP) Challenge; the Solver will need to submit a written proposal to be evaluated by the Seeker with a goal of establishing a collaborative partnership.

Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (CET) on June 30, 2021

Late submissions will not be considered.

Specific regulation in the CSA attached at the bottom of this page.

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 response using the following criteria:

  • Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed approach
  • Approach to proof of concept or performance
  • Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the technology novel or protectable)
  • Economic potential of concept
  • Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
  • Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
  • Timing.

 

Once suitable proposals are identified Enel will reserve the opportunity to assign a direct contract to one or more Suppliers regarding the following activities:

  1. Type testing execution;
  2. Supply of prototypes of the above mentioned system;
  3. Installation and site tests;
  4. Follow up and monitoring of the equipment behavior during a specified time (e.g. 2 years).

 

The final award for this Challenge is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the verification process, including acceptance of the Challenge-Specific Agreement (CSA) that is the regulation for this Challenge.

The verification process includes obtaining the following from the Solver: signed affidavit (based on the CSA), employer waiver (if applicable), proof of identify, and Counterparty Analysis Questionnaire.

Attachments

About the seeker Enel-Global Infrastructure and Networks

PDF (0.36MB) Download

Helmet example 1

JPG (0.03MB) Download

Enel Open Innovability User Guide

PDF (0.66MB) Download

Helmet example 2

JPG (0.05MB) Download

20210326 - CSA eRFP Challenge Regulation

PDF (0.32MB) Download

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