Money for e-Mobility Innovations
Transport is one of three sub-themes addressed by the recently founded European Institute of Technology’s (EIT) Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) for InnoEnergy.
Through its call for proposals launched on 20 November 2012, KIC InnoEnergy and its co-location centre (CC) for Intelligent, Energy-efficient Buildings and Cities aims to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship chiefly within the field of sustainable energy. Previous calls have seen KIC InnoEnergy co-finance (up to 25 percent of the total budget) innovative transport projects. Current examples include EVCity, which is implemented by the University of Leuven and seeks to develop business and service models supporting the roll-out of electric vehicles in cities (e.g. how to pay for the electricity at public charging stations) while also exploring the concept of contactless charging and even grid-connected vehicles. Another project is KIC-ASS. which seeks to facilitate the transition toward plug-in hybrid electric vehicles through the concept of ‘Active Sub-Stations,’ i.e. by extending smart grid capabilities to exploit diverse energy production sources and manage the demands and services offered by electric transportation - a significant step closer toward the European SET (Strategic Energy Technology) plan and Europe’s 20-20-20 goals. KIC InnoEnergy defines innovation projects as the transformation of available knowledge into new marketable products and services related to the field of sustainable energy that create positive impact on market and society. It does this by: 1) Decreasing energy cost; 2) Increasing security vis‐à‐vis resources holders; 3) Increasing intrinsic operational safety or reliability; and/or 4) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Such projects should normally present a time to market shorter than five years from its inception; a maximum duration of three years; and a technology readiness level (TRL) higher than a ‘4’, meaning that the majority of the functionality of the system and/or its components has already been proven at least at laboratory level. Technology roadmaps for each of the KIC InnoEnergy’s thematic fields (including clean coal and gas technologies, renewables, chemical fuels, smart grids and storage, nuclear and renewables’ convergence besides smart intelligent cities and buildings) are available here. The deadline for proposal submission is March 1st, 2013. Who Can Apply? Proposals can be submitted by four types of KIC InnoEnergy partners: formal, associate, project or new partners. Bids should be led by formal or associate KIC partners, but they may source additional expertise not available within KIC InnoEnergy. Alternatively, new potential KIC InnoEnergy partners and project partners can lead bids, as long as they include a letter of intent to become an associate (or formal) partner upon the success of their proposal. To view the current KIC InnoEnergy partners, click here. To learn more about the current call for innovation proposals, including eligibility criteria, general information on the request for proposals can be download here, besides the guidelines here. The proposal format is not dissimilar to that of the EC’s classic Framework Programme. Interested bidders may discuss their ideas with the Eindhoven-based co-location center manager for intelligent, energy-efficient buildings and cities, Klaas Schuring. A final shortlist of 32 proposals will be drawn up between March and April with the process for signature of project agreements completed by June 30, 2013. Further Information KIC InnoEnergy is one of the three KICs together with ‘ICT’ and ‘Climate’ (which also implement projects in the field of sustainable mobility) created under the leadership of the European Institute of Technology. KIC InnoEnergy is a European company fostering the knowledge triangle of education, research and business. Its strategic objective is to be the leading engine for innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of sustainable energy. Its 27 shareholders are all key players in the energy sector, namely top rank industries, research centres and universities. More than 100 additional partners contribute to its activities. Its dynamic network is open to new entrants that will increase its excellence. For a list of all innovation projects implemented under the auspices of KIC InnoEnergy, click here.
